 |
|
SEND TO FRIEND
| POST OPINION
| PRINT
|
| Famed Kinks bandleader begins his first solo tour |
By Ron Wynn, rwynn@nashvillecitypaper.com
March 14, 2006
|
Singer/songwriter Ray Davies emerged during the ‘60s British Invasion as one of England’s most literate, decisive and original performers. Contemporaries like John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Peter Townshend hailed his compositions; and Davies, along with his brother Dave, launched the Kinks in 1963. They became international sensations on the strength of such songs as “You Really Got Me,” “All Day And All Of The Night” and “Lola.”
What: Singer, guitarist and songwriter Ray Davies
When: 7 tonight
Where: City Hall, 405 12th Ave. S.
Cost: $29.50
Info: 255-9600 |
Davies has remained a favorite for decades, while groups like The Jam, Van Halen and The Pretenders have also turned his compositions into hits. Still, Davies has always looked to American vernacular sounds like the blues, jazz and country for inspiration, and his new release Other People’s Lives (V2), his first solo project, is a direct reflection of his experiences from a lengthy period he spent living in New Orleans.
Nashville is among the cities Davies hails as having an impact on his music. He plays City Hall tonight, and tabbed Music City as the third stop on this inaugural solo tour. Davies talked about some of the country and rockabilly artists he admired during responses to questions asked on a recent conference call interview session.
“There was a program called ‘Jazz Club’ on the BBC, it was on once a week and that’s where I first heard country,” Davies said. “ … Very few people toured England, but Johnny Cash, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran came over. Johnny Cash in particular and the Tennessee Two, they toured England and I saw him on television and Dave and I got the records immediately.”
Davies also mentioned newer country artists like Keith Urban, whom he heard during his last visit to Nashville a few years ago; but he generally prefers older, more traditional country artists. He’s also a fan of Delta blues and traditional New Orleans jazz, though neither of those styles can be detected in his current music.
Other People’s Lives features songs Davies recorded in 2002 and 2003. What remains unchanged from the early days until now is his voice’s distinctive tone, along with the keen wit and sometimes razor-sharp lyrical edge on such songs as “Creatures Of Little Faith,” “Run Away From Time,” “Over My Head” and the title track, which provides sentimental flamenco guitar accompaniment for a satirical tale about a love affair gone bad and the media’s role in destroying it.
After playing with The Kinks for over five decades, Davies acknowledges things are quite different operating as a solo act. One of the things he enjoys doing during those periods when he’s not writing or working is listening to what he calls archive artists like The Carter Family and finding their records.
“I live about a mile and a half from a place called Camden which has several markets,” Davies said. “There’s a great store in there that has lots of country music, the old country music. I love that stuff.”
|
|
| |
|
