Customer Reviews

Songs for Insane Times: Anthology 1969-1980

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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.

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!

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