Record Reviews
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  | KEVIN AYERS ~ BANANAMOUR (EXPANDED EDITION)
HARVEST 582780 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2003
4th album by Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, who becomes more interested in "concept" works and this album is an example of such approach. The lyrics being even more important then before and the compositions more complex, but the result is an excellent piece of music and a great document of the era.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ HYDE PARK FREE CONCERT 1970
REEL RECORDINGS 002 (Barcode: 641444015627) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2007
After leaving the Soft MachineFind albums by this artist (of which he was a founding member) and recording the debut solo album (Joy Of A ToyFind albums with this title), guitarist / singer / composer Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist formed the Whole WorldFind albums by this artist band to record his second album (Shooting At The MoonFind albums with this title) and support its release by touring. This live recording captures the performance of Ayers and his band at the legendary London’s Hyde Park free concert, which had on the bill the most famous bands of the time performing in front of a 100,000 strong public – a record attendance to a rock venue in UK up to that time. Pink FloydFind albums by this artist performed their Atom Heart MotherFind albums with this title suite for the first time at that concert. Ayers and his cahoots, including David BedfordFind albums by this artist on keyboards, Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist on saxophones, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist on bass and Robert WyattFind albums by this artist on drums, storm through a bunch of Kevin’s song with vengeance, as appropriate for such eclectic gig, and the whole set is captured exactly as it happened – a true piece of rock history. Coxhill’s brilliant contributions were always my favorite part of that particular band. The sonic quality might not be perfect, but considering this was a “field recording” done 37 years ago – who gives a damn? Priceless stuff!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ STILL LIFE WITH GUITAR
MARKET SQUARE 112 (Barcode: 806676000289) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1990 - 1991 Released: 2002
Legendary Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist managed to keep his musical career aflame over the years by releasing splendid albums every now and then but staying away from the limelight. His ability to write well-crafted songs, which sound easy and simple, but are in fact often devilishly clever, earned him admiration and respect among his peers. This album was recorded when Ayers heard the debut album by Fairground AttractionFind albums by this artist, a short-lived UK Folk-Rock group, which blended many different genres into their music, from Folk and Country to Rock and Jazz, very similar to what Ayers used as his modus operandi. Ayers thought that it would be nice to record an album with the group and after pulling some strings his wish was granted. The cooperation obviously worked very well, as the resulting album is a blast from start to finish. Augmented by some of his regular musical collaborators, like guitarists Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist and Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist, Ayers presents a great set of his unique songs. A special merit goes to the fantastic Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist, whose bass playing drives the music and gives it an overall Jazzy feel. It’s great to have this little gem back in circulation and the many Ayers fans will surely rejoice.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ THAT`S WHAT YOU GET BABE
BGO 190 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Last album Ayers made for the Harvest label in 1980. At the time of its release it was sneered at by critics as being too "commercial", but in retrospect this album includes some of Kevin`s nicest songs and the touch of his genius is quite evident. He was simply reacting to the changes in the music world around that time.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ THE BBC SESSIONS 1970-1976
HUX 073 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Another splendid release from the BBC vaults presenting the extraordinary work of Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, spanning a period from his early Soft MachineFind albums by this artist days and later solo career. The list of musicians playing with Ayers on these sessions looks like a who’s who of early 1970’s Canterbury scene, Prog and Jazz combined: Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist, David BedfordFind albums by this artist, Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Archie LeggettFind albums by this artist, Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist & Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist. The music is as adventurous and quirky as his usual output, with often humorous lyrics and plenty of instrumental passages to spice it all. This material is of immense historical importance and opens many windows to the understanding of the simmering UK musical scene at the time. The sound quality is excellent as usual for all the BBC recorded material. A must to all Canterbury scene fans.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG
HUX 006 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
The complete BBC sessions from 1972-1976, with a stellar line-up featuring Mike Oldfield, Ollie Halsall a.m.o. This material is a great companion to the Ayers` solo releases, which have been recently remastered. A must to all Canterbury fans and a real treat.
| | | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ TURN THE LIGHTS DOWN
MARKET SQUARE 105 (Barcode: 5019148623427) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1995 Released: 1999
This little known live recording captures the Canterbury legend Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist in the mid 1990s, accompanied by a great British band called The Wizards Of TwiddlyFind albums by this artist, who by that time established quite a following on the Acid Jazz scene. The band fits Ayers like a glove with his crossover material moving freely between Folk, Rock and Jazz. Ayers delivers a splendid set of thirteen of his songs, with the usual ironic and often bitter and sarcastic lyrics. He’s in top form and the rapport between him and the band is plainly evident. The band members supply plenty of interesting solos and the overall full sound of the band, horns included, revitalizes the music immensely. This is a must have for all Ayers fans.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ WHAT MORE CAN I SAY…
REEL RECORDINGS 009 (Barcode: 641444032228) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2008
Canterbury scene founder (or at least one of the founders) Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist reveals here a bunch of his private recordings (demos, outtakes, etc.) from the early days of his solo career (after leaving Soft MachineFind albums by this artist), recorded mostly by himself (vocals, guitar, piano) and all written by himself. A few regular cohorts (David BedfordFind albums by this artist – organ, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist – bass, Robert WyattFind albums by this artist – drums) give a helping hand on occasion, but mostly this is Ayers by himself, demonstrating his amazing songwriting abilities and a unique delivery. This is a superb document of the early 1970s music, but also of the social climate and the care-free approach to life that characterized the bohemian scene Ayers was so much a part of. "Portrait of an Artist as a young man" is a very suitable description and this is not only a historical document but also a delightful trip down the memory lane, back to times long gone and much missed. The dedicated Ayers fans will of course be delighted to listen to this material, and considering the fact that none of it was ever heard before this is a Canterbury Holy Grail in many respects. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | PATTO ~ HOLD YOUR FIRE (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2582 (Barcode: 5013929468245) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the second album by the short-lived British Progressive Rock group PattoFind albums by this artist, led by the charismatic vocalist Mike PattoFind albums by this artist, which also included guitarist / vibraphonist / pianist Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist, bassist Clive GriffithsFind albums by this artist and drummer John HalseyFind albums by this artist. The original album presented eight songs, all composed by Halsall with lyrics by Mike Patto. This remastered and expended edition adds two outtakes from the album studio recordings as bonus tracks and a second CD with eight tracks from BBC radio sessions and three alternate takes of the studio album.
Although Patto did not achieve much recognition at the time, their albums are considered as an integral part of the early British Prog, mainly thanks to the extraordinary guitar work by Halsall, who influenced many important Rock guitarists of his generation. After Patto disbanded Halsall played in TempestFind albums by this artist, BoxerFind albums by this artist and in Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist´ band until his untimely death in 1992. Mike Patto also died tragically early in 1979 as a victim of cancer.
The music is an amalgam of Blues, Rock and some Jazz-Rock influences, which in retrospect sounds like many other similar products of the period, sadly not leaving any remarkable musical statements, except the already mentioned guitar parts by Halsall. But it is definitely a nice listening experience with a strong nostalgic tinge.
Overall this is an opportunity to revisit some lesser known recordings of early British Prog, which still are relevant today and pay tribute to one of the forgotten guitar heroes of that period.
| | Updated: 02/08/2019Posted: 02/08/2019 | CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ MIDDLE EARTH MASTERS
CUNEIFORM 235 (Barcode: 045775023526) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2006
Although the last decade witnessed an abundance of live Soft MachineFind albums by this artist releases, it is always welcome to discover yet another piece of the mysterious musical phenomenon that surrounded this band. Soon after the band was formed in 1966 and even before the first album was recorded they lost Daevid AllenFind albums by this artist and the remaining trio (Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist and Robert WyattFind albums by this artist) carried on with their unique psychedelic sound and vision. The music contained on this album presents the band live at the legendary London’s Middle Earth club (the successor of the no less legendary UFO club). Two sessions, one from late 1967 and the other from early 1968, recorded by the experimental sound technician Bob WoolfordFind albums by this artist, remained completely forgotten for almost 40 years, to be recently unearthed by (or rather for) the owner of CuneiformFind albums on this label Records, who is a restless SM aficionado. Considering the sound quality of the original recording, some painstaking efforts have been made to restore this music to an audible quality and maintain the atmosphere of the original setting. The result is quite impressive and although the vocal parts are badly under-recorded the entire set has its magic, especially the sound of fuzz organ being pounded mercilessly during the extended instrumental improvisations. For the many SM fans, this is a unique document of the early days and a key factor in understanding the band’s development.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ THE SOFT MACHINE (EXPANDED EDITION)
POLYDOR 532050 (Barcode: 600753205051) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2009
1st album by the seminal UK band Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, which would in time become an icon of the Psychedelic era and a founding stone of the Canterbury genre. Guitarist Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert WyattFind albums by this artist were some of the most talented, inspired and prophetic musicians, who found themselves in the midst of a musical (and social) revolution, which would inspire generations to come. This timeless masterpiece is molten gold (or mercury) of ingenuity in every respect, full of zany ideas, typical British humor and futuristic (at that time) musical approach, based on freedom of expression and telepathic communication and interplay. Although "song based", this music was completely unconventional, in many respects ridiculing the popular music of the time. Ratledge brought a strong Jazzy feel into the mix, which would soon after dominate the group´s direction during the 1970s, causing Ayers to leave the group after this album was recorded and the tour that followed. Ratledge and Wyatt would recruit bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist (who was the band´s roadie at the time) and the new lineup would record their second album and another masterpiece. In retrospect this music still sounds too good to be true and lost nothing of its power and inspiration. Only a handful of albums can feel that fresh over 40 years after they have been recorded, but this one is surely one of them. This new remastered and expanded edition adds two ultra-rare tracks recorded by the band a year earlier. An absolutely essential album and a must!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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