Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980 [Box set, Import]

Kevin Ayers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Emd Int'l
• ASIN: B0018BWTVI
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,116 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Town Feeling

2. Song for Insane Times

3. Girl on a Swing

4. The Lady Rachel

5. Stop This Train (Again Doing It)

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes [Early Mix]

2. Song from the Bottom of a Well

3. Oh My

4. Margaret

5. Whatevershebringswesing

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. After the Show

2. Thank You Very Much

3. Observations

4. Toujours La Voyage

5. Diminished But Not Finished

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Banana Introduction [Live] [Live][#]

2. Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes [Live] [Live][#]

3. Interview [Live] [Live][#]

4. Whatevershebringswesing [Live] [Live][#]

5. Oh! Wot a Dream [Live] [Live][#]

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delight From Beginning To End, April 10, 2010

By 

Mike B. - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980 (Audio CD)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ...and one half stars, February 13, 2011

By 

Star Thrower - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980 (Audio CD)

I'm in agreement with the other reviewers here. This is a wonderful collection! Kevin Ayers is such a talented songwriter; and the music is warm, witty, inviting, and downright irresistible! I subtracted half a star for the booklet which ought to include the personnel featured on each album, but this was omitted. Other than that I have no complaints. The material is top notch, and I fell in love with Ayers' deep mellow vocals immediately. There is no point in mentioning the highlights, because this set includes the best material from the albums represented. Highly recommended!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great compilation of Kevin Ayers, September 1, 2009

By 

Bring_back_the_60s "If you can remember the 6... (Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980 (Audio CD)

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