|
Post by jaypippin89 on Aug 14, 2012 16:45:39 GMT -5
Yeah Jay, it's a lovely shot of Ray Did you catch any of his other shows on the recent US tour? I saw him in June at the Hop Farm festival and at the Come Dancing musical and will see some of his UK shows in October. As for One Direction... I'd only heard the song they performed a couple of times before, I'd be quite happy if I never heard it again. I only caught the Portland show, I wish I would have gone up to Seattle though. The Portland show was awesome because it was "Ray Davies Day" in my city. At a movie theatre they gave Ray a certificate and then played his movie, Return to Waterloo . I was lucky enough to get his autograph on my 'Face to Face' vinyl. It was one of the best days of my life. I have never listened to One Direction but have seen what they looked like and that was enough for me.
|
|
|
Post by sleepwalker24 on Aug 14, 2012 16:55:27 GMT -5
I heard about Ray Davies Day and thought it was incredibly cool! Return To Waterloo is a pretty weird film but quite intriguing, of course the soundtrack is fantastic! I've only met Ray properly once and I felt the same way you did! I hope you had chance to have a little chat with him (I love to hear peoples Kinks/Ray stories!) although I know it's hard when there are lots of folks around, all wanting to talk to him. I was surprised One Direction were there... I don't even think they've be around that long, but I don't really know who they are so I could be wrong.
|
|
|
Post by Iñakink on Aug 19, 2012 6:47:05 GMT -5
I read all posts and I really enjoyed them, I agree with everything said.
I have nothing more to add, but I'll just say that I'm 25 and I wish I could jump as high as Ray does at 68.
|
|
|
Post by HollyH on Aug 19, 2012 13:02:13 GMT -5
I read all posts and I really enjoyed them, I agree with everything said. I have nothing more to add, but I'll just say that I'm 25 and I wish I could jump as high as Ray does at 68. You're so right! Several commentators and interviewers lately have mentioned how old Ray looks, but I personally think he looks amazing for his age. There he was on TV in his trainers and skinny jeans, moving around like a man half his age. George Michael and Brian May, to mention just two others (both of them younger than Ray) looked far more grizzled and stuck in the past. I was proud of how healthy and "with it" Ray looked at the Olympics.
|
|
|
Post by sleepwalker24 on Aug 19, 2012 16:10:11 GMT -5
Yep, I thought he looked great Holly! Me and Inakink saw the man himself up close after the Come Dancing musical, and I'm sure that Inaki would agree that he was looking good I don't know why people think otherwise but I suppose they are entitled to their opinion (admittedly I'm saying this begrudgingly!) I had a friend over the other day who I haven't seen in around 6 months...I asked if she saw Ray at the Olympics, she said she thought he looked and sounded washed out! I totally disagreed, I have nothing bad to say about his performance except one thing - I found all the background stuff going on to be a distraction and quite over the top, but that was hardly Ray's fault!
|
|
|
Post by Iñakink on Aug 21, 2012 6:52:15 GMT -5
I actually have another complain about the performance, I hadn't post it about it before because I didn't want you to get me wrong but I'll try to say it the best way I can. I love Bill a lot, I think he's the best guitarist that has ever played with Ray (of course apart from Dave) and he has added a lot to its sound. I can't think of anyone better in the world to play in Ray's band.
But I thought he was a bit out of place there. I would have liked to see a full band like with The Who or Paul McCartney, probably even better with the Choir. I think that's the way it would have worked better and that would still have given Bill the recognision he deserves, but also the rest of the members of the band. Otherwise I think it should have been just Ray, but seeing Ray just singing and Bill with an electric guitar was a bit weird.
|
|
|
Post by HollyH on Aug 21, 2012 10:51:02 GMT -5
I get what you're saying, Iñaki. I was surprised for a minute to see Bill there (and where did he come from? It was only Ray stepping out of the taxi...). The choir would have been great, and they already have a good arrangement of Waterloo Sunset. Perhaps that would have required more stage managing than the producers were ready for. Did the commentators even identify Bill?
|
|
|
Post by Iñakink on Aug 21, 2012 13:03:50 GMT -5
At least not in Spanish TV!
|
|
|
Post by chris on Aug 21, 2012 13:55:36 GMT -5
I don't remember Bill getting a mention. I guess we're so used to seeing just Ray these days, but on reflection its a real shame that we didn't at least see Mick and Dave up there performing. I wonder if they were asked? I can't imagine either would have turned down the opportunity.
|
|
|
Post by sleepwalker24 on Aug 21, 2012 18:05:10 GMT -5
Inaki, Holly, I hadn't really thought about it but having the Crouch End choir there would've been great! I wonder if it was Ray that asked Bill to accompany him, I mean, I thought it was nice that Bill was there, even just as moral support for Ray. You know that Ray's earpiece came off in the taxi? (he's mentioned it in recent TV/radio appearances) And in his own words he was 'terrified', walking onstage and seeing Bill there probably made him feel better. Like Holly said though - where did Bill appear from!? Chris, I heard no mention of Bill either And as for Mick and Dave... I think it's quite well know that Dave personally posts stuff on his Facebook page, I checked it out recently and someone commented on Ray's Olympic appearance and asked Dave why he wasn't there. Dave's reply (assuming it was actually him which I believe it was) was very brief, but he basically just said that he wasn't invited. It would've been amazing if he'd been there (as well as Mick and maybe the two John's) but realistically how would that've worked out? It's no secret that Dave and Ray are basically estranged plus Dave only really performs now at his spiritual retreats.
|
|
|
Post by chris on Aug 22, 2012 13:38:46 GMT -5
Inaki, Holly, I hadn't really thought about it but having the Crouch End choir there would've been great! I wonder if it was Ray that asked Bill to accompany him, I mean, I thought it was nice that Bill was there, even just as moral support for Ray. You know that Ray's earpiece came off in the taxi? (he's mentioned it in recent TV/radio appearances) And in his own words he was 'terrified', walking onstage and seeing Bill there probably made him feel better. Like Holly said though - where did Bill appear from!? Chris, I heard no mention of Bill either And as for Mick and Dave... I think it's quite well know that Dave personally posts stuff on his Facebook page, I checked it out recently and someone commented on Ray's Olympic appearance and asked Dave why he wasn't there. Dave's reply (assuming it was actually him which I believe it was) was very brief, but he basically just said that he wasn't invited. It would've been amazing if he'd been there (as well as Mick and maybe the two John's) but realistically how would that've worked out? It's no secret that Dave and Ray are basically estranged plus Dave only really performs now at his spiritual retreats. I'm pretty sure Ray and Dave (and Mick and Dave for that matter!) would have put aside their differences for a one-off performance in front of such a massive audience. If the Spice Girls can do it then surely the Kinks can ;D
|
|
|
Post by sleepwalker24 on Aug 23, 2012 14:58:54 GMT -5
Speaking of the Spice Girls...do you remember what what Ray said about them on that Breakfast TV interview, Chris? It was regarding being backstage at the Olympics closing ceremony, he made some comment about how with the Spice Girls being there, there was more underwear then at a drag queens convention! ;D
|
|
|
Post by misterpleasant on Aug 23, 2012 15:40:46 GMT -5
I just saw the rehearsal link and was a bit saddened that what I thought was an ad lib ("and so am I" regarding being in paradise) was a rehearsed line... dang... it seemed like he was genuinely moved... so he probably says that all the time now, huh? I last saw him live at the orpheum in LA in 2011... I missed this years Wiltern theater show... only about a month ago... anyway... in the rehearsal Ray was flat a few times but I think he really rose to the occasion for the real thing... it's hard to imagine the fools who rip him for how he looks or how he sounds... to just have him around to be ray davies is a gift... the lack of Dave by his side on that particular night does baffle me...
|
|
|
Post by sleepwalker24 on Aug 23, 2012 15:48:59 GMT -5
Mr P, (hope it's ok to call you that!) I hate to disappoint you but Ray does do the 'And so am I' thing a lot when singing Waterloo Sunset - I've heard him do it several times when I've seen him live. He does a few things like that live, like in Sunny Afternoon, he often shouts 'When did it happen?', before the 'In the Summertime bit'. I haven't seen that rehearsal for the Olympics, must check it out... I was saying earlier in this thread that according to Dave on his Facebook page, he wasn't invited to perform with Ray at the closing ceremony But yes, I think eveyone hear agrees that Ray did us all proud with his lovely performance
|
|
|
Post by HollyH on Aug 23, 2012 18:23:56 GMT -5
It annoys me that apparently some folks on Twitter were remarking that Ray's voice was warbly and off-key. I defy anybody to sing that song without sliding around a little bit -- it's got loads of tricky intervals. I have never heard anybody sing it with a really powerful tone; it just can't be done. What's more, it doesn't NEED a brassy full-voiced performance; it's supposed to be wistful and gentle, which is just how Ray sang it. I suppose if you're looking to find fault, you can criticize anybody. People are so mean-spirited.
|
|