Kinks (1st LP) (Sanctuary) CD - Import

A notable U.K. remastered debut, repackaged with original artwork; includes 12 bonus tracks: 'LongTall Sally', 'You Still Want Me', 'You Do Something To Me','It's Alright', 'All Day And All Of The Night', 'I GottaMove', 'Louie, Louie', 'I Gotta Go Now', 'Things Are GettingBetter', 'I've Got That Feeling', 'Too Much Monkey Business'(unreleased alternate take) and the previously unreleased 'IDon't Need You Any More'. 26 tracks total, also feautringthe top 10 hit 'You Really Got Me' and the classic 'StopYour Sobbing'. 1998.

Peter Dogget describes pop music careers in 1964 England like this: "[U]nless you were Cliff Richard or the Beatles you were likely to be forgotten within 12 months of your first hit." This album was initially intended as a way to cash in on the primal magic of "You Really Got Me" before the Kinks got too stale for the fickle youth. However, history would show that this tidy R&B combo had one of the most inventive and creative bandleaders in '60s and '70s rock & roll in Mr. Ray Davies.

This reissued, remastered version of the band's eponymous debut--complete with 12 bonus tracks, including the previously unreleased Davies composition "I Don't Need You Anymore"--may not hold up to the high level of The Kinks' groundbreaking work over the decade. But there are hints that Davies would become one of the most unusual and melodic songwriters of a generation. One listen to "Just Can't Go To Sleep" and it's clear the die was cast: Davies had a voice all his own. Dedicated fans will certainly enjoy THE KINKS, but this fine reissue would also be of interest to connoisseurs of young, white R&B on the order of the early Who and Rolling Stones.

KINDA KINKS, the band's second release, is more or less of a piece with its predecessor. On the previous album, however, the band had used covers to fill the spaces between the Ray Davies originals, and here the tracks are almost all penned by Davies (with the exception of their version of "Dancing In The Street"). Davies' lovelorn songs had yet to fully flower into elegies for disappearing lifestyles and values (SOMETHING ELSE, three years later, effectively marked that change). But his wistful melodicism can be heard in tunes such as "Something Better Beginning," "Don't Ever Change," and "So Long," which mingle quite nicely with the pop propulsion of "Tired of Waiting." With the focus so squarely on the singing songwriter, it's almost easy to forget how powerful the rest of the ensemble was--a tight little rock & roll band of the highest order.

UK digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1964 album from the British Rock band led by the ever-bickering Davies brothers, Ray and Dave. Contains the original album joined by a myriad of non-album tracks, rare mixes and more. 26 tracks. Sanctuary.

Additional personnel includes: Jimmy Page (12-string guitar); Perry Ford (piano); Jon Lord (Hammond B-3 organ); Bobby Graham (drums).

Digitally remastered by Simon Heyworth.

Includes liner notes by Peter Doggett.

Recorded at Pye Studios, London, England in 1964. Originally released on Pye (18096). Includes original liner notes by Brian Sommerville and reissue liner notes by Peter Doggett.

The Kinks: Ray Davies, Dave Davies (vocals, guitar); Peter Quaife (bass); Mick Avory (drums).

The Kinks: Ray Davies, Dave Davies (vocals, guitar); Pete Dalton (bass); Mick Avory (drums).

Uncut (11/01, p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A riveting monophonic portfolio of the brothers Davies in their fast, furious infancy..."