Sir raymond douglas davies, cbe is an english singer, songwriter and musician. Principally played by ray davies and the jayhawks, the rowdiest chunks of americana echo the wild riffs that animated those fistpumping anthems. To ray davies, america is still a land of opportunity the former kinks leader speaks with steve inskeep about americana, a musical distillation of his sometimes tumultuous life as. May 11, 2017 ray davies americana tops weekly music charts may 11, 2017 by sybil augustine and music department this week ray davies of the kinks is once again top of the pops with his new album americana, recorded with members of the jayhawks as his backing band. But its real, and its a record as good as its premise is enticing. Ray davies has announced his new album our country. You can pick up both her new book along with her debut novel the list that changed my life in store on saturday 18th april. A complicated life by johnny rogan is out this week. Unlike the clever gimmicks employed in rays excellent first autobiographical book. Ray davies americana sony music for kinks fans, 2017 is shaping up to being a pretty good year.
The kinks ray davies dave davies autographed signed album lp record bas coa. First dave davies and russ davies his son released the great album, open road on march 31, 2017 and ray davies has now released his first album of. Shoehorning text and theme from his book into the songs, the record frequently stumbles upon its own literary ambitions, along. So when it was announced that his new solo record would be called americana, it felt like something carved out of alternative history. Dec 01, 2015 ray davies attends the press night after party for farinelli and the king at smollenskys on sept. Book signings are events, usually at a bookstore or library, where an author sits and signs books for a period. Ray davies is the most literary of british invaders writing about their lives and music.
In americana, davies tries to make sense of his long lovehate relationship with the country that both inspires and frustrates him, and where he nearly lost his. Anyone who appreciates ray davies will enjoy this book. Pressed on center, flat, and very minimal surface noise mostly just. Pop it in your diaries now, you dont want to miss this. The album features contributions from members of american country rock band the jayhawks. A complicated life by johnny rogan by every record tells a story on march 7, 2015 9 kinks fans have been spoiled of late with a number of books about the band, particularly as for many years there was no definitive. True enough, much of americana plays like a celebration of american myth. An album that, not surprisingly, is already climbing countryamericana charts internationally, this is vintage ray davies. Like its predecessor, the album was recorded at the legendary konk studios in london with guitarist bill shanley and the jayhawks once again serving as davies backing band. Mar 07, 2015 in xray davies states that the doctor had whispered to his mother that the child will not live past thirty. The onstage conversation will be followed by an album signing with ray davies. Davies was born at 6 denmark terrace, fortis green, north london, england.
As a boy in postwar england, legendary kinks singersongwriter ray davi. Davies other peoples lives tour commodore ballroom, vancouver, bc 2006. He is the seventh of eight children born to workingclass parents, including six older sisters and younger brother dave davies ray s father, frederick davies b. The book is interspersed with lyrics and also includes photographs from davies s own collection and the kinks archive. Ray davies attends the signing of his autobiography americana. Oct 01, 20 i was very disappointed by x ray and was hesitant to pick this one up. Defying the odds, his recent album americana provides an experience that is somehow uniquely true and universal. Ray davies booking agent, manager, and publicist contact info. Ray davies book signing at waterstones piccadilly at 5. Kinks 1969 epic chimes with britains mood today, says singer ray davies. Backed by altcountry stalwarts the jayhawks, and focused.
Americana was written, conceived, and arranged, by davies, and coproduced with guy massey and john jackson. Ray davies will be instore and inconversation with bbc 6 musics matt everitt at rough trade east, in celebration of ray davies new album our country. Kinks frontman ray davies, who is bipolar, wrote the rock masterpiece that catapulted the band to the top. I wanna make my home where the buffalo roam in that great panorama my baby brother and me in the land of the free americana in my schoolboy world i always get the. Ray davies talks about working with bruce springsteen. Davies wrote and arranged all the music on americana and coproduced the album with guy massey and john jackson with the jayhawks serving as davies backing band. His book, americana, the kinks, the riff, the road. Sterling publishing kinks frontman ray davies will be visiting new york city during the coming week to promote his new memoir, americana. He liked to hang out in pubs and was considered a ladies man.
It follows his acclaimed 20 memoir of the same name, and uses the book as both source material and jumping off point. Its one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock n roll history and it was written by a bipolar musical genius from london, england. Unfortunately, that kind of usabynumbers approach permeates the whole album. Even today, davies, now 72, is defined largely by his homeland. Listen to ray davies new our country from americana sequel.
Pete townshend wrote his own, but he says davies should be englands poet laureate. Ray davies americana is one of the greatest achievements in a stellar career leading the fabulous kinks, striking out as a solo artist, and developing countless interesting projects for film, stage, and publishing. Ray davies signed book americana the kinks autograph jsa coa rock n roll hof. On his first solo album in a decade, americana, ray davies explores his troubled relationship with the us next, hes writing a book about britain published. Tuesday, 1 october 20 ray davies book signing at waterstones piccadilly at 5. The album is an autobiographical work, chronicling the inextricable role america has.
At the national concert hall on monday, davies will be giving a special talk in which he explores his. Come in and meet local bestselling author olivia beirne. Overall, americana is a delightful release, full of signature ray davies sounds and strength. Born in muswell hill, london, england on june 21, 1944, ray davies is a rock musician who also happens to. Joined here by us band the jayhawks, davies plans a further followup volume 2 release and a book release in coming months. Ray davies signed book americana the kinks autograph jsa coa rock n. The kinks ray davies, 74, is a dedicated follower of. Davies plays a little fast and loose with his facts, which is perhaps a detriment in an autobiography. May 08, 2017 americana, for me, is like the great big reset button that reminds the listener that ray davies has always been one of rocks most erudite and savvy practitioners, wise beyond his early years and lively past his latter ones. Find ray davies discography, albums and singles on allmusic. X ray is a more or less straightforward autobiography by ray davies, lead singer and songwriter for the kinks. The kinks, the riff, the road at waterstones, piccadilly featu e3cknn from alamys library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. May 04, 2017 davies, like any great artist, has branched out and tried something new, while utilizing some of his familiar building blocks along the way. Signing witnessed and book obtained in person by the owner of the inkwell autograph gallery.
Americana act ii is an album borne from davies vision of america how it shaped him and evolved through the years. The acclaimed singersongwriter will make a few tv appearances and also will participate in a book signing event. Book signing is the affixing of a signature to the title page or flyleaf of a book by its author. Sep 01, 2015 unlike the clever gimmicks employed in ray s excellent first autobiographical book, xray, americana gives us a pure first person account, in amazingly comprehensive and honest detail, of davies experiences in america. Americana, act 2 carries an attractive, burnished sound, which is what makes davies lengthy digressions all the more maddening. Apr 19, 2017 the recently knighted sir ray davies, cofounder and principal songwriter for the kinks, is back with his first record in almost a decade. My baby brother and me in the land of the free americana in my schoolboy world i always get the girl on that great silver screen cause since i was a teen ya know i had this dream americana oh runnin high on inspiration taken from those wild west heroes full of expectations of the road on that windin trail to somewhere young and foolish though he did not care what dangers lay in store and. A successful book signing is when you show up, your books are there, you have a place to sit, and you sell just one book.
The new book by one of rocks most complex, unpredictable yet totally gifted performers, is subtitled the kinks, the road and the perfect riff and documents ray davies s endless quest for solutions to the challenges that his personal and creative life pose for him. Davies voice is still in excellent voice and these are some of the best songs ive heard from this dude since the late sixties kinks era meaning really good. The kinks, the riff, the road, the story, which hit stores this past tuesday. Ray davies contact info booking agent, manager, publicist. Ray davies attends the signing of his autobiography. Legendary kinks frontman ray davies was interviewed by tom dunne on thursday, in advance of his appearance at the dublin writers festival next week. Ray davies may have ushered in the british invasion alongside his brother dave. We continue to follow government guidance regarding covid19 and as a result, we have taken the decision to postpone a number of our upcoming events. The last time ray davies sat down to write a memoir, he invented a fictitious narrator, had the poor kid chase down a cranky exrocker, and wrapped up the narrative around 1973. I had a photo of us but after quite a few moves it may not have survived. May 02, 2018 the continuing story of the kinks cofounders journeys through america, as depicted in his 20 memoir americana and last years album of the same name, our country. Lead vocals, guitars, piano, backing vocals, percussion, spoken.
Ray davies americana tops weekly music charts wort 89. Met ray at a book signing for x ray and he also signed my kinks albums. For an artist so quintessentially british, sir ray davies new and unexpected exploration of america both as a cultural flashpoint and an ideal sure has the feel of authenticity. He was very gracious and unfortunately my book was stolen. Americana is an album that shows true artistry and craftsmanship, something often missing in the world of modern music. Ray davies lines up promotional appearances for his new. Listen free to ray davies americana americana, the deal and more. Mar 01, 2017 americana was written, conceived, and arranged, by davies, and coproduced with guy massey and john jackson. Ray davies, 74, proved he hadnt lost his rock n roll edge when he stepped out in london on friday in a vibrant checked shirt and jeans. As a diehard kinks fan who has everything they recorded up till preservation or so, i found it a fascinating read, though hampered at times by a fictional framework story davies constructs around the myth of his character. Since the kinks disbanded he has embarked on a solo career and continues to tour and record. Apr 21, 2017 theres a brief moment during the spoken word track silent movie that encapsulates much of what ray davies is writing about on americana, his first collection of new songs since 2007 and. Americana is an album by english rock musician ray davies, released by legacy recordings in april 2017. Ray davies published a memoir chronicling his lifelong affair with america in 20.
Ray davies the kinks book signing photo galleries profile blazer celebrities jackets fashion. Its not a show or a performance of any kind and admittedly the talk part was brief, so the event itself is nearly a nonevent. New ray davies album americana out april 21 2017 page 2. I am very happy to say that the thirdperson style that plagued the previous book is absent here. And thats also what ray davies is trying to do with americana, his brand. At wh smith, our key priority at this time is the health and wellbeing of our employees and customers. Ray davies first solo album in a decade, inspired by his journeys through america with the kinks 15 original songs featuring the jayhawks as his backing band includes digital download 88985387101s1. Americana is a straightforward memoir, written without any literary gimmicks. Ray davies as a boy in postwar england, legendary kinks singersongwriter ray davies fell in love with america its movies and music, its culture of freedom fed his imagination. Then, as part of the british invasion, he toured the us with the kinks during one of the most tumultuous eras in. May 16, 2017 the lyrics however, are where davies fumbles the ball. We are celebrating the release of her new book the accidental love letter with a fabulous book signing.
Like davies 20 book of the same name, it explores his lifelong fascination with the music and culture of the united states, and his experiences of touring and living there. As a boy in postwar england, legendary kinks singersongwriter ray davies fell in love with americaits movies an. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at. Kinks frontman ray davies, who is bipolar, wrote the rock masterpiece that catapulted. Americana chronicles daviess life long fascination with the culture.
Ray davies triumphs with americana rock music opinions. Ray davies says new album americana is coming soon, shares. In 1997, he published a book of short stories entitled waterloo sunset. All well and good, as the song americana is written from the perspective of a wistful schoolboy. It is simply davies taking stock of his life through the prism of america. April 21, 2017 the legendary frontman of the kinks discusses his new solo album, americana, which deals in part with his relationship. Americana was recorded in london at konk studios, the legendary studio founded by the kinks in 1973. From his quintessentially english perspective, davies with candour, humour, and wit takes us on a very personal road trip through his life and storied career as a rock star, and reveals what music, fame and america really. The new book ray davies is subtitled the kinks, the road and the perfect riff. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Apr 10, 2017 americana is such a big story, davies said in a video interview promoting the new records release. Petrides quote actually finished and you realise there are still three cds to go. Naturally, it was called americana, and thats also the title of this 2017 musical adaptation of the book. For his backing band on americana davies chose the jayhawks an.
Thank you to sir raymond douglas davies for showing us how its done. To ray davies, america is still a land of opportunity npr. Ray davies contact information name, email address, phone number. Return to public speaking printmobilefriendly version. The album opens with the line, i wanna make my home, where the buffalo roam. Americana act ii, the followup to the kinks frontmans 2017 lp americana. Davies plays a little fast and loose with his facts, which is perhaps a detriment in an autobiography but suits the condensed nature of songwriting. Not all are available in the same country but can be obtained through imports and not all are available in every region. Not that this terrain was wholly unfamiliar to the former kinks frontman. Americana act 2 by ray davies and tens of millions of other songs on all your devices with amazon music unlimited.
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