Search - Kevin Ayers :: Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980

Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980
Kevin Ayers
Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980
Genres: International Music, Pop, Rock, Classic Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (15) - Disc #2
  •  Track Listings (17) - Disc #3
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #4

2008 four CD anthology that covers Ayers' musical career from 1969 to 1980; a period most fans and critics deem his best. Ayers remains one of Rock's oddest enigmas. He makes ordinary subjects extraordinary with his rich l...  more »

     
?

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Kevin Ayers
Title: Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: Emd Int'l
Release Date: 7/22/2008
Album Type: Box set, Import
Genres: International Music, Pop, Rock, Classic Rock
Styles: Europe, Britain & Ireland, Progressive, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Number of Discs: 4
SwapaCD Credits: 4
UPC: 5099952155703

Synopsis

Album Description
2008 four CD anthology that covers Ayers' musical career from 1969 to 1980; a period most fans and critics deem his best. Ayers remains one of Rock's oddest enigmas. He makes ordinary subjects extraordinary with his rich low vocals and inventive wordplay. He projects the image of a Prog-Rock beach bum writing about life's absurdities with a celebratory, relaxed detachment, yet he is also one of Prog- Rock's more important innovators, helping to launch the Soft Machine, and working with noted progressive musicians Mike Oldfield, Lol Coxhill, and Steve Hillage. Ayers' solo material reflected a Folksier, lazier, and gentler turn than Soft Machine. He was often compared to Syd Barrett, but without the madness and is never less than enjoyable and original, Discs One to Three contain 49 hits, album tracks and more while Disc Four was recorded at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 25th May 1973. EMI.
 

CD Reviews

Great compilation of Kevin Ayers
Bring_back_the_60s | Australia | 09/01/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recently discovered Kevin Ayers and decided to buy this set.

The 4 CD set is well compiled and has some great songs that challenge the listener with many twists and turns.

I expected as most box sets to drop off in quality as each year progressed but to my delight the quality of music remains as each year of recording is represented.



Well worth getting"
A Delight From Beginning To End
Mike B. | 04/11/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 4-CD box set by Kevin Ayers is a great introduction to the man and his music. It spans his most essential years, and draws from the 9 studio albums he recorded for the Harvest and Island labels between 1969 and 1980. Everything is in chronological order, which is helpful for tracing his evolution. Even non-album singles and b-sides are inserted in the proper timeline. As the discs progress we hear him shift from psychedelic rock to more conventional songwriting.



Disc One is entirely psychedelic, Disc Two a little bit less, while Disc Three is comparatively "normal". Disc Four is a previously unreleased concert from 1973, and is looser and jammier in an almost jazz improv kind of way. Ayers performs a 16 minute "Why Are We Sleeping?", and an 11 minute "We Did It Again". Both are considerably longer than when they appeared on the 1968 landmark debut "Soft Machine Volume One" by the highly influential band Kevin co-founded before going solo. All are sung in his inimitable deep bass voice, which may be an acquired taste for some - but I've always loved it. The songs are self-effacing, charming, whimsical, laid-back, relaxing, and fun. There's really no one else like Kevin Ayers.



He's always attracted gifted sidemen. On these recordings you'll hear contributions from fellow Soft Machine great Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield, Steve Hillage, and a host of others. Special mention must be made of Ollie Halsall. He was a collaborator and close friend of Ayers for 18 years. Beginning with "The Confessions Of Doctor Dream" in '74, up through "Still Life With Guitar" in '92 - his guitar wizardry graces every album. When he died in '92 at age 43, he left Kevin bereft and directionless. Ayers retreated to Spain and the south of France to live the life of a recluse, and didn't record for 15 years until 2007's triumphant comeback "The Unfairground".



In all honesty, this is my favorite box set of all time. There's not one bad track. Over the years I've liked many artists, but only 3 long-term stars have never failed me with a bad release. Ayers is one, and Elliott Murphy and Graham Parker are the others. I'd say buy every Kevin Ayers album! However, if you just want to try him out - you can't go wrong with this box set that's so beautifully packaged and remastered (at Abbey Road from the original master tapes). This is British eccentricity and musicianship at its finest. Highly recommended."