Kinked! Kinks Songs & Sessions 1964-1971 / Various

2016 collection. Ray Davies is one of the greatest songwriting talents that Britain has ever produced. From his earliest days with the Kinks he was tremendously prolific. His wry take on the British way of life was matched by uncanny melodic and commercial sensibilities, resulting in a body of work that remains unsurpassed. From 'You Really Got Me' on, the Kinks' popularity and influence across the globe has been huge, ably demonstrated by the many covers of Davies songs. Kinked! Kinks Songs & Sessions 1964-1971 is an alternative celebration of the Kinks' first decade, via the songs that "got away", when a surfeit of strong material was shopped by Davies' then-publisher and management, both in the UK and overseas. These tunes include several signature items never officially recorded by the Kinks: 'I Go To Sleep', 'This Strange Effect', 'All Night Stand'; or released well in advance of the Kinks' own versions. The range of interpreters is wide, from pop-jazz chanteuse Peggy Lee and teen idol Bobby Rydell to Brit-girls the Orchids and Goldie & The Gingerbreads, UK mainstays Herman's Hermits and the Pretty Things, session piano player Nicky Hopkins, satirist Barry Fantoni, US garage punk avatars the Chocolate Watchband and R&B veterans the Olympics. Several cuts are previously unissued alternate versions/mixes or recent vault discoveries. Kinked! also gathers together tracks which feature some or all of the Kinks as accompaniment, such as the obscure 'King Of The Whole Wide World'. And as writer, Kinks guitar-slinger extraordinaire Dave Davies contributes one track, the rare beat pounder 'One Fine Day'. Detailed liner notes provide a background to the artists and how they acquired the songs. "Kinked!" is a lovingly-compiled, great-sounding and long overdue definitive collection that is bound to satisfy the casual Kinks aficionado as much as the hardcore fan..