In light of his overwhelming back catalog of songs that can stop people dead in their tracks, Ray Davies must be considered in the same breath as Lennon/McCartney, Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, Pete Townshend and Jagger/Richards as the preeminent songwriters of the ’60s rock revolution. Davies refused to Americanize his sound like all the rest, remaining true to his “pint of bitter, 20 Benson & Hedges and a packet of crisps” English roots. And no Kinks album better voices that traditional spirit than The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, a record that sold poorly when released in 1968 but is now appreciated as a Kinks klassic. Davies has even breathed new life into Village Green with The Kinks Choral Collection (Decca), newly recorded versions of Kinks gems backed by the Crouch End Festival Chorus. Davies will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all this week. Read our Q&A with him.
“The Village Green Preservation Society”:
Davies: As “The Village Green Preservation Society” is supposed to be about things I want to preserve, I thought I would try that song. Draught beer goes down very well. The best ones, that is. There are a lot of bad copies around. I love the way the best go down so smoothly and affect the legs first. Nearly died out but was salvaged by some breweries. The best draught beer should not be served too cold.
One reply on “Ray Davies Revisits The Kinks’ “The Village Green Preservation Society”: Draught Beer”
These two songs selected seem to be about the above. The poor sod in ‘Alcohol’ forgot all the good of his childhood in the ‘Village Green’ and eventually descended into a pitiful state he can’t seem to get out of. Was it the evil floozy or his own lack of character? Human frailty? The selfish wife? Ah, did he redeem himself without the Village Green to help? Can we know?
Ray, by the miniscule amount of alcohol consumed onstage last week on your US tour (or so it seemed–maybe you just had water in the bottle anyhow) I am happy to see you’ve overcome whatever unhealthy direction alcohol may have led you in days gone by. We want you around for years to come. I’m sure you don’t want your audience to abuse it for one reason or another-like lack of employment, military nightmares and other problems. Your many positive themed songs since give us hope in times of trouble. Hope this doesn’t sound ‘too right wing’ or anything– just thought I’d let it be said. Keep on rockin’and writing songs we love to listen to over and over again. . . and can learn from!.
So what crisps go best with your favorite draught? Best American Potato chips? Try ‘Golden Ridges’ or ‘Ruffles’ though the salt content may be less than great for one’s heart. Low salt next time??
By the way, I saw the Town Hall Showin NYC on 11/20, Tower show in Philadelphia and then the Wellmont one last week. All great, especially liked the Tower show. Like your red scarf. I have one too.