Other People's Lives [Original recording remastered, Import]

Ray Davies | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 3, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Universal Japan
• ASIN: B001GM7GLW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,260,618 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Things Are Gonna Change (The Morning After)

2. After the Fall

3. Next Door Neighbour

4. All She Wrote

5. Creatures of Little Fatih

6. Run Away from Time

7. The Tourist

8. Is There Life After Breakfast?

9. The Gateway (Lonesome Train)

10. Other People's Lives

11. Stand Up Comic

12. Over My Head

13. Thanksgiving Day

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As the leader of one the most vital and volatile bands of the British Invasion, Ray Davies may also have been one of the genre's most underappreciated, often playing second fiddle to the likes of Lennon, McCartney, and Jagger, but never failing to reignite the flame on a now-legendary songwriting caldron. More than a decade since the Kinks' last release, Davies makes his virgin foray into solo artistry with 13 songs that reverberate with the wistfulness and introspection that have forever been his trademark. It doesn't take long to detect, as the guitar/bass crescendo and tomorrow-will-be-better lyrics make "Things Are Gonna Change (The Morning After)" a singalong halfway through its 4:21. And then the world once again is put under Davies's uncanny surveillance: his pal Mr. Brown in the country-singed "Next Door Neighbour," "The Tourist" hobnobbing in New Orleans (where Davies makes an American home), and eras of lost acquaintances in "All She Wrote," a Kinks-ish acoustic rocker. They are reminders of what we've missed--and hopefully what's yet to come--from a remarkable artist whose return is undoubtedly being celebrated from the streets of a restored Big Easy to the barstools of Muswell Hill. --Scott Holter

More Ray Davies

The Storyteller	The Kink Kronikles	Come Dancing with the Kinks
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society	Arthur: Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire	Muswell Hillbillies

Product Description

Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing includes one bonus track. Universal. 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 stars great return to form from head Kink, February 26, 2006

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Other People's Lives (Audio CD)

Ray Davies has been MIA for too long."Other People's Lives" is a terrific return to form. The glossy production surface compliments the songs-- here he does what he does best creating character studies in each song perfectly crafted with rich melodies. From the touch of sonic discord (pardon the pun) that opens "Things are Gonna Change" to the witty lyrics and a melody that would have fit at home on "Village Green" in "Is There Life After Breakfast?" Ray's in top form. The playing perfectly supports his witty observations in "Stand Up Comic" which acts as a perfect metaphor for his own career.

The CD booklet has great liner notes from Ray discussing the origin of the songs, how they came to be recorded, what he thinks of them now that they're finished. As usual the notes are clever, witty and feature his brand of self depreciating humor that fans love. While the material was written and recorded prior to his attack in New Orleans (he chasd a purse snatcher that had his girlfriend's stuff and was injured in a knife attack in the process) and Hurricane Katrina they sound like they capture that vibe.

His last album 1998's "The Storyteller" CD had some new material that was extremely good mixed in with vintage Kinks tunes as part of Ray's "audiobiography" tour for X-RAY. These songs were recorded in 2002 but weren't mixed until last year with finishing touches put on the album as well. At age 62 Ray has found his muse and that's good for us the listeners. Sure some people complain that Dave's biting guitar playing is missed (and it is on a few tracks)but it would also have felt out of place on some of these more intimate tracks. Besides, Dave's been busy making some fine music of his own with "Bug" and was recovering from his stroke last year.

Ray we missed you! Don't wait another 7 years to release the next album!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glimpses of Raw Unpolished Kinks, November 10, 2007

By 

Morten Vindberg (Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Working Man's Cafe (Audio CD)

"Working Man's Café" is Ray Davies' second solo-release in two years; but it actually could be called his first real solo album. "Return to Waterloo" from 1985 was a soundtrack-album, "Storyteller" was mainly a live-recording and last year's "Other People's Lives" was recorded over a 3-4 years period.

It been more than ten years since Ray last recorded with brother Dave as the Kinks, so maybe it's irrelevant to compare his present music with his legendary band. But as his vocals and songs were such a big part of the band's profile, it's really hard not to do so; especially as his new album has so many ingredients that were also typical of the Kinks.

The raw unpolished sound that characterised the Kinks' early recordings for Pye is more or less reinvented on this new album; and this without losing Ray's unique melodic touch. Actually this new album features most virtues of the best Kinks albums. Great songs, lots of energy, great vocals and a lot of variation - without losing consistency.

"Other People's Lives" was not a bad album at all, but it did not really work as well as an album as this new release. Several songs deserve to be brought forward, and a good handful of them are already among my Davies favourites.

There some very beautiful ballads; several with moving melancholy lyrics. The closing track "Real World" is a great song in the vein of "Don't Forget to Dance". "Imaginary Man" is another ballad - just as strong. "One More Time" is a great midtempo song, very much sounding like the Kinks of the late 70's.

More bluesy is "Working Man's Café" and "Morphine Song" has some female harmony vocals that make you think of "Preservation Act" - both fine tracks.

"You're Asking Me" is Ray at his wildest - great melodic rocker - with a "Sunny Afternoon" bridge - it's almost as if Dave Davies singing the harmony vocals; an obvious live-favourite.

A great album from an artist who has neither lost his powerful voice nor his unique writing skills.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Return Of A Legend, February 21, 2006

By 

ralph (Woodbridge, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Other People's Lives (Audio CD)

A long wait for this one. Mr. Davies first proper solo disc! It's all I expected (and more) from Ray Davies. 13 minor masterpieces, and nothing drags this disc down! It's been a long

long time we've heard anything new from Ray (with or without the Kinks). Savor this one! A very solid 5 star CD!!!