Customer Reviews

Working Man's Cafe (Ltd Ed Deluxe CD/DVD Combo)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had this CD since it was released in Europe in November and I've listened to it almost everyday since. It's an improvement over his previous effort 'Other Peoples Lives' aka 'OPL'. While there were 3 or 4 songs on OPL that I'll always listen to, some of them were flat and others were over-produced. That is not the case of any of the songs on this album. All of the songs on the album use the same group of musicians, were recorded in the same place over a short period of time. Since Ray Kennedy co-produced the record, there is little or no navel-gazing that has marred so many Kink productions. None of the songs, with the exception of 'Angola', are too long or are lyric-heavy at the expense of the melody.

The musicians, especially the lead-guitarist Patrick Buchannan, are excellent. Buchannan captures the spirit of Dave Davies in many of the solos, especially on 'I, the Victim'. His guitar tone is very Gretschy and gritty and his piercing solos are outstanding. The bassist and drummer are solid and unobtrusive. The mix is consistent and just dirty enough to keep everything edgy.

Rays vocals are outstanding. He pushes his limits sometimes, especially on 'Peace In Our Time', which is marred by some atrocious belting. The ballads 'One More Time', 'The Real World' and 'Imaginary Man' are the high points for me. 'OPL' had nothing on par with these three songs. Its nice to know Ray can still write beautiful songs, and to his and/or Ray Kennedy's credit, none of them are too long or over-arranged. The vocals are outstanding, especially on 'One More Time' and 'The Real World'. Some reviewers have said these songs drag the record down, but I think they give it balance and variety and a sense of humanity that most pop music severely lacks.

The other standout song for me is 'Morphine Song'. Its funny and poignant at the same time and performed in a style that hasn't been done well since Muswell Hillbillies. It has 'hit' stamped all over it in a better world. 'In a Moment' is also excellent - goes from minor to major smoothly, has a good hook, great guitar solo and is just the right length. Another song that deserves airplay. He did a great version on Letterman this week. Maybe that performance will open some peoples ears.

I first heard 'Vietnam Cowboys' at a concert in NYC in 2000 (I think) and didn't particularly like it. It's been reworked and re-energized. Also has a great guitar solo. Once again, it's not too long nor too wordy. 'You're Asking Me' is a decent rocker, as is 'No One Listens'. Neither are as good as 'All She Wrote' on 'OPL', but you can't have everything. 'Voodoo Walk' is just kinda..........unnecessary, but maybe that's just me.

'Hymn For A New Age' is a standout rocker. Great arrangement, great playing, great harmonies, perfect length. Ray almost gets carried away with the lyrics and while one verse is unintelligible, he seems to have been reigned in just in time. The song ends with a great 1-2 punch.

'I, The Victim' is my favorite rocker. The guitar work slashes at multiple angles and has the Total Kinks Guitar Sound x 2; Buchannan shines again. The band really pushes their limits - you can tell they are having the time of their lives and no one told them to be careful. This will be the song Ray should play to close the show - it will pound the audience into submission and leave them screaming for more.

Hope he goes on the road and I hope the new record company can convince radio stations to play it. They didn't play 'OPL' so I'm not expecting much but stranger things have happened. Just happy to have the new CD. Congratulations Ray and keep up the good work!

Hey you fans out there - call your local radio station and shame them into playing this record. I know most of them could play 'Truckin' 'Stairway to Heaven', 'Moondance' and 'Whipping Post' one less time and fit in a track from this album. See if you can make a difference....

This is what all of us KINKS fans and Ray Davies admirers have been waiting for...a true Masterpiece and it IS! This sounds great the first time through...cool grooves, nice rockin tunes and the unmistakably beautifully unique voice of Ray Davies! The good news is that the second third and fourth listens reveal more with each and that is the mark of a great record! Lyrics start to emerge and familiarity breeds appreciation not boredom.
The version with DVD is highly recommended..its only 20 minutes but all of it precious to fans ....and not much more mula..
GOD SAVE THE KINKS..and Raymond Douglas Davies!

If you are a fan...do not hesitate ...if you felt his last (only) solo effort was middling...join the crowd...this is GREAT!

Ray returns in top form on his fourth solo album (his first being "Return to Waterloo" even though it involved members of the Kinks). This isn't just his best solo album but holds its own with some of his best work with The Kinks. It's a pity it's NOT a Kinks album but I doubt that Dave and Ray will resolve their differences any time soon. Either way, Ray has come up with an album that is compelling in its subject matter with witty, insightful lyrics and melodies that match the quality of his best compositions of the past.

The CD/DVD comboversion is only worthwhile for the additional rocking track "I, The Victim" which doesn't appear on the CD available by itself. The DVD is interesting but its more like a glorified home movie of Ray's 2001 tour of the United States. Its interesting primarily for its glimpses of America post-9/11. It's also most interesting for the snippets we see of Ray working on his songs or performing from the tour to support X-Ray (his book).

I actually liked most of "Other People's Lives" but found "Working Man's Cafe" to be more consistent with no tracks that I would consider weak. In addition to the album and the bonus track "Angola" (which is really about Ray being shot in New Orleans during a purse snatching)we also get two demos and with the CD/DVD combo set the rough mix of "I The Victim" (it's on the CD as a bonus track) which, I assume, is from a forthcoming project. Highly recommended.

This latest CLASSIC by the greatest songwriter EVER hits the spot in all the right ways. Much better than the last one although next to everything else released that year it is a classic! If you love the later great underrated Kinks recordings like "Sleepwalker" you'll love this too. Ray Davies certainly is not running out of ideas after all these years and that is a wonderful thing to behold. There's instant classics on here in the mold of other great works of beauty (think Long Distance)ie.(The Real World and Imaginary Man), great songs that rock like hell(Hymn for a New Age)and storytelling like only Ray Davies can do, "Working Man's Cafe" and "Morphine Song". You better get this special edition while you can because the bonus tracks are incredible too. I,The Victim and Angola rocks the best of all! I haven't watched the free DVD yet but I am looking forward to it. Long live Ray Davies-for the world truly needs but certainly doesn't deserve him!

The Kinks songwriter and main vocalist has released his strongest of only 4 solo albums following his recovery from being shot in New orleans several years ago, whilst living in that city.This has an influence on the recording,as does living in the U.S.,and it is a much more intense,intersting and vital record than any solo efforts by his '60's peers i.e Jagger, McCartney and Townsend.

Whilst not a Kinks album it is a modern album that reflects modern times and issues such as globalisation, peace and a yearning for those simpler times of the Kinks 1960's.

Of corse the best test, this album gets better each time it is played.

The additional DVD in this issues is similar to recent dvd's of Steve Earl and Wilco, a sought of home recording, behind the scenes glimpse of the artist.

Straight into Rayville with Vietnam Cowboys. Always observing, always chronicling, ever commenting; he's king songwriter. Mr. Davies was making killer records before you was goin' goo-goo. Well, most of you. And I don't mean just the four songs you play all the time. There's nearly fifty years of fascinating work beyond that. Working Man's Cafe, for instance. Fresh and bright. Got a lift in his step. A bite in his lyrics. Still the melody guy--move it along and say it. The bonus songs are rather stark pictures; anybody anywhere situations. The dvd is a unique look into his touring close after the nine-eleven time frame for his X-Ray book. Overall an excellent package. As always, wish there was some brother Dave guitar to ramp it up. It might seem frivolous to care enough to write in these dark fanatic years, but he's still here saying it. Even though we're stifled by the over-stimulation of the times, there's always room for more Ray Davies. It doesn't have to be the Big Stuff; it's a vital work.

What can I say? I'm 61 and I love the CD. Forget the techno reviews and just enjoy an outstanding effort by an artist who has produced many underrated efforts over the years. Ray is in excellent voice and the band blends with and compliments his songs so well, I forgot there ever was a Kinks. Take a copy home with you and try it on for size. There's something here to fit everyone's taste.

Life is great........Ray has released another collection of music. The thing about Ray Davies and the Kinks is that you get the exhilirating pleasure of rediscovering their body of music when there's an event like this. You hear WMC and then want to play Something Else or Misfits. Back to WMC (this is such a great CD!) and then maybe time for Muswell Hilbillies. Hey! I think I'll give brother Dave a spin......Fractured Minds or Kinked. This goes on and on, because there is (was) so much depth to this man's musical soul and so much great music from the brothers and the band. And then it all comes crashing back when Ray Davies writes again. We know God loves us and wants us to be happy (borrowing from Ben Franklin here) because we have this genius making music for us. Now, if only He would cause them to reunite...............

Ray Davies is an extraordinary composer, lyricist and performer. This album has it all: great music with thoughtful lyrics. If you liked any of his music in the past (solo or with The Kinks), then you've got to pick this one up! This will be one of the recordings he will be remembered for 50 years from now.
The bonus DVD is cool too. He started his tour of America just a few days after the "9-11" incident and this is a self-made short film shot during his travel across the U.S. expressing some of his thoughts and feelings as he encounters different audiences in different parts of the country.

If you're already a Kinks or Ray Davies fan, you don't need me to tell you that this is great music from one of our best composers. If you're not, probably nothing I can say will change your mind.