Preservation Act 1 [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

The Kinks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1973
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Velvel Records
• ASIN: B000009DI3
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,628 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Preservation (Single)

2. Morning Song

3. Daylight

4. Sweet Lady Genevieve

5. There's A Change In The Weather

6. Where Are They Now?

7. One Of The Survivors

8. Cricket

9. Money & Corruption/I Am Your Man

10. Here Comes Flash

11. Sitting In The Midday Sun

12. Demolition

13. One Of The Survivors (Single Edit)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The late '60s through the mid '70s represented the era of plot rock. From the Who's Tommy onward, plot-driven and suite-length character meditations were everywhere. The Kinks' approach to the rock musical was more conceptually measured than was the norm. The plot and drama behind Preservation, Act 1 and Act 2 are far more subtle investigations of class, culture, and commerce--even if they're couched in characters like rocker Johnny Thunder. The tussle of the Preservation drama is common enough--a citizenry pursuing goals in an increasingly competitive, even ruthless manner, while on the periphery is Mr. Black, who'll save the day and restore balance, and his antagonist, Flash, who seeks to pilfer the Village Green. Both emblematic of community and a direct link to the band's 1969 Village Green Preservation Society, the drama and characters make it far better to tune in for an entire CD rather than for just one song. But "Sweet Lady Genevieve" is a gentle, lovely tune, and so many other selections are, even for passive Kinks fans, important pieces. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2008. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Versatility of the Kinks!, October 18, 2002

By 

James Choma - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Preservation Act 1 (Audio CD)

When this album first came out, I recall there being a lot of negative critical press surrounding it. Most of the confusion probably came from the fact that this was part one of a two part concept Ray Davies had based around the group's landmark "Village Green Preservation Society" album. I believe many of the comments were that the album didn't accomplish anything in particular and as a concept, went absolutely nowhere. Now that 30 (!!!) years have passed, Part 1 and 2 can be viewed as a whole and for the wonderful music contained therein.

"Preservation Part 1" is one of my all time favorite albums. I love everything about it: the storyline, the cover art, the music, the lyrics... they all work together to make a wonderful album.

"Daylight over the Village Green early in the morning.
Daylight over the hills and valleys heralding the morning.
Daylight over the mountains, daylight on the Village Green"

This albums works on so many levels for me, but what I like best is the "small country town" feel one gets hearing songs from all the locals' perspectives. With the brass and woodwind accompanyment, it almost sounds as if it was recorded at a local county fair. Nostalgia plays a big part in my appreciation of the album; I recall hearing the album as a child and growing up with it. In a way, that's one of the themes Ray was trying to get across: growing older, feeling nostalgic and appreciating life; something that probably didn't play too well at the time to young Kinks fans. Now, we're all older, wiser, and can identify with the music!

Highlights from the album are "Sweet Lady Genevieve," "There's a Change in the Weather," "Where are They Now?," "Cricket" and "Sitting in the Mid Day Sun". Just listening to the album from beginning to end is a pleasure.

If you're a fan of the Kinks and want to see how diverse they got musically and lyrically, look no further than this album and it's sequel, "Prevervation Act 2".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Lady Genevieve!, June 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Preservation Act 1 (Audio CD)

A most lovable record. Worth exploring. There are about three true Kinks classics on this one; "One of the Survivors," "Sitting in the Midday Sun," and the sublime "Sweet Lady Genevieve." The rest of it is most listenable, however, and the addition of horns and a vocal ensemble gives this disk a unique musical quality in the Kinks' canon. An odd track, "Cricket," is told in the voice of a parson, backed by tuba, acoustic guitar and trumpet -- lots of fun. The lyric writing reaches for and sometimes achieves the level of poetry.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And you should have seen them perform it live!, December 30, 1999

By 

Dan Lauber "Dan" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Preservation Act 1 (Audio CD)

Preservation Acts I and II combine to create one of the most sprawling and lyrical concept albums in rock history. While Tommy and its ilk easily appealed to the mother-my-dog lowest common demoninator in the rock audience, the Preservation CDs offer rock opera at its zenith with tuneful tunes, insightful lyrics, and a rousing storyline. Critics compared this favorably to the classic "Three Penny Opera." I had the pleasure of seeing the Kinks perform "Preservation Acts I and II" live at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. Their multimedia show (performed before the term "multimedia" had been coined) was an amazing performance. You'll find a handful of clunkers in the two CDs, but overall, you'll be amazed at the power of this work. And as a past president of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners, I'll unilaterally declare the song "Demolition" the ultimate urban renewal tune. Get them both!