The Kinks – Are The Village Green Preservation Society (stereo) (1968) 24-bit/96kHz *New Rip*
Pop, Rock | circa 1974 Canadian re-issue | Pye NSPL 18233
Ray Davies' sentimental, nostalgic streak emerged on Something Else, but it developed into a manifesto on The Village Green Preservation Society, a concept album lamenting the passing of old-fashioned English traditions. As the opening title song says, the Kinks -- meaning Ray himself, in this case -- were for preserving "draught beer and virginity," and throughout the rest of the album, he creates a series of stories, sketches, and characters about a picturesque England that never really was.
It's a lovely, gentle album, evoking a small British country town, and drawing the listener into its lazy rhythms and sensibilities. Although there is an undercurrent of regret running throughout the album, Davies' fondness for the past is warm, making the album feel like a sweet, hazy dream. And considering the subdued performances and the detailed instrumentations, it's not surprising that the record feels more like a Ray Davies solo project than a Kinks album. The bluesy shuffle of "Last of the Steam-Powered Trains" is the closest the album comes to rock & roll, and Dave Davies' cameo on the menacing "Wicked Annabella" comes as surprise, since the album is so calm. But calm doesn't mean tame or bland -- there are endless layers of musical and lyrical innovation on The Village Green Preservation Society, and its defiantly British sensibilities became the foundation for generations of British guitar pop. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Allmusic.
Track listing:
01. The Village Green Preservation Society
02. Do You Remember Walter
03. Picture Book
04. Johnny Thunder
05. Last Of The Steam-Powered Trains
06. Big Sky
07. Sitting By The Riverside
08. Animal Farm
09. Village Green
10. Starstruck
11. Phenomenal Cat
12. All Of My Friends Were There
13. Wicked Annabella
14. Monica
15. People Take Pictures Of Each Other
Personnel:
Ray Davies – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, accordion, oboe, flute
Dave Davies – lead guitar, backup vocals, lead vocals on "Wicked Annabella"
Pete Quaife – bass, backup vocals
Mick Avory – drums, percussion
Nicky Hopkins – keyboards, mellotron
Rasa Davies – backing vocals
Technicals:
Knosti RCM.
Michell GyroDec full version.
Funk Firm FXR II Tonearm.
Audio Technica AT33PTG/II MC Cartridge.
Harman Kardon HK990 Integrated Amplifier.
Gold Interconnects. E-MU 0204 Audio Interface.
Recording, split and manual de-click with Adobe Audition 3.0.1
Click Repair 3.9.1
Vinyl transfer by son-of-albion, November 2014.