Ray Davies Interview Paste Magazine

[martin53]

There's an interview with Ray in Paste magazine.

www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/04/catching-up-with-ray-davies.html

Enjoy.

[gary]

Thanks, Martin! I'm a little disappointed that there seems to have been no particular reason behind making a medley of "Days" and "This Time Tomorrow" other than that those were the two songs Mumford & Sons wanted to do. And here I've been trying to convince myself there's a lyrical connection that makes those songs natural partners -- you know, "days" and "tomorrow" -- but I could never quite work it out to my satisfaction. Now I can stop trying, just relax, and enjoy!

[HollyH]

It probably also helped that they are in the same key and have similar chord progressions!

[martin53]

Seconded, Holly!

[gary]

I guess it shows that I don't play the guitar.

[HollyH]

Well, whatever inspired the combination, I think they go together beautifully. They do have a similar wistful valedictory quality. That has to be my favorite track on the album.

[donl]

i agree holly i only downloaded 5 songs from this album and the mumford days/this time tomorrow was one and is my favorite, otherwise i don't think much of this album and never did like the idea. no placement on the us charts afaik and have yet to hear any of it on the radio in ny, if it was an attempt to broaden rays appeal beyond the faithful, it didn't work at this point it seems.

[gary]

Well, it sure got him a lot of press.

[HollyH]

I have actually heard a couple of tracks on the radio and DJs have mentioned it a few times. It seems to have momentarily lifted Ray back into public consciousness. Of course, these people have the attention span of fleas and will soon move on to other "happenings."

[martin53]

"Better Things, "Days/This Time Tomorrow" (the best track of the album), "Dead End Street", "See My Friends" and "This Is Where I Belong" are my favourites.

I'm not interested in the rest. There are Kinks songs so pure, so unique and so sacred that they should not be covered. "Celluloid Heroes" is just one of them.

Ray Davies' "See My Friends" was a strategic move to gain and to regain market share. New material is now highly appreciated.

[donl]

lets hope for new material at some point this year, it is a bit disappointing to me that from a solo career output of 4 cd's , 2 of the 4 are remakes of which the choral collection is excellent and the latest is not.

[donl]

commercial radio is horrible, the classic rock station in nyc, q104 is probably playing the collaborations of the 5 or 6 kinks songs they normally play: better things,heroes,yrgm and adaaotn/destroyer, if low budget was remade that may get play also.

[sleepwalker24]

Excellent inteerview, thanks for posting this Martin

For what its worth the Ray/Mumford and Sons collaberation is my favourite track on See My Friends, I think the 2 songs go together beautifully. I must admit that I don't listen to the album that often, but there are a handful of really good collaberations:)
I hope Ray realises some new material soon though!

[martin53]

New material is highly appreciated, isnt' it?

[donl]

it sure is martin. if ray wants to release new versions of old material, why not go into the vault and release LIVE versions of the old material, specificly(?) from the 70-77 era. how about the whole concert that was recorded for everybody's in show biz, a full preservation show,soap opera or schoolboys shows, the dec '77 christmas shows at the rainbow? the late 70's-mid 80's have been documented enough. and how about the konk sessions that were filmed in the 90's? that would make a nice dvd.

hopefully new ray music arrives this year.