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SOUL MUSIC: SERIES 28 - 9. DAYS (320kbs-m4a/63mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 15th January 2020
“It’s a goodbye song, but it’s also an inspirational song, It could also mean a new beginning" - Ray Davies
Written by Ray Davies and released by the Kinks in 1968 'Days' had a very different sound to the rest of their repertoire. Sorrowful but uplifting it's been embraced by listeners across the world who have found solace and hope in it's lyrics.
Having been covered by numerous artists (most notably Kirsty MacColl), it speaks to people of all generations and captures moments in their lives.
For Sim Wood it's an anthem to great friendships and discovery whilst for actor Gabriel Vick it's a song that has journeyed with him from a place of fond memories to heartfelt remembrance. John Slater, who was born the same year that it was released, has his own celebratory take on 'Days' and for Laura and John Mapes it's the song that gave them the words they so needed to express.
Produced By Nicola Humphries
With contributions from rock critic and writer Barry Miles
For Help and Support
BBC Action Line support: Emotional distress
www.bbc.co.uk/actionline
The Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
Cruse Bereavement Care provides support after the death of someone close including face to face, telephone, group support, as well as bereavement support for children.
www.cruse.org.uk
SUDEP Action provides information and bereavement support to families affected by Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) and other epilepsy related deaths.
www.sudep.org
Young Epilepsy is a national charity supporting children and young people aged 25 and under living in the UK with epilepsy.
www.youngepilepsy.org.uk
MASTERTAPES SERIES 1 - 10. RAY DAVIES (THE B-SIDE) (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 13th April 2018
John Wilson continues with his new series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 5, the B-side. Having discussed the making of two classic Kinks albums, 'Lola Versus Powerman and The Moneygoround, Part One' and 'Muswell Hillbillies' (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Tuesday 27th November and available online), Ray Davies responds to questions from the audience and performs acoustic live versions of some to the tracks from the albums, both of which were released more than forty years ago.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
MASTERTAPES SERIES 1 - 9. RAY DAVIES (THE A-SIDE) (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th April 2018
John Wilson continues with his new series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 5, A-side. 'Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One' & 'Muswell Hillbillies' - Ray Davies goes back to the early 1970s and the making of two classic Kinks albums. Marking a period of transition for the group (as they left one British record label for an American one), both were concept albums, tackling such broad themes as corruption within the music industry and the destruction of old communities via urban regeneration. In a revealing interview, Ray Davies considers the power of the lyric and the importance of place in his song-writing. He also performs exclusive live versions of songs from the two albums.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
THE FIRST TIME WITH... SERIES 2 - 7. RAY DAVIES (320kbs-m4a/132mb/58mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 25th November 2017
Another chance to hear Matt Everitt's acclaimed series, in which he gets under the skin of some of music's most significant figures.
Ray Davies is arguably one of the greatest songwriters that England has ever produced. His catalogue of songs helped define whole eras of British cultural life, and the legendary songs he recorded with The Kinks reflected, celebrated and critiqued the concept of Englishness in a way that no pop band had ever done before.
Ray discusses a childhood dominated by a love of Mississippi blues, the difficult relationship with his brother - Kinks guitarist Dave, and the infighting which caused the band to be banned from the US. This led to Ray focusing on the idea of Britishness and inspired some of his finest work.
Ray also discusses the writing of proto-rock anthem You Really Got Me, the controversial (at the time) cross dressing epic Lola and, quite possibly, one of the greatest pop songs ever written - Waterloo Sunset.
First broadcast in April 2011.
The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night [Polygram]
The Kinks - Till The End Of The Day [Polygram TV]
Count Basie & His Orchestra - One O'Clock Jump [Verve]
Big Bill Broonzy - Hey Hey [Mojo]
Johnny And The Hurricanes - Red River Rock [Castle]
Ray Charles - What'd I Say [Atco]
Howlin’ Wolf - Smokestack Lightning [MCA]
Duane Eddy - Peter Gunn [Bear Family]
The Kinks - You Really Got Me [Castle]
The Hollywood Argyles - Alley Oop [Ace]
The Kinks - See My Friends [Polygram TV]
The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset [Select]
The Kinks - Village Green Preservation Society [Castle]
The Kinks - Lola [Castle Communications]
Ray Davies - Quiet Life [Virgin]
Mumford & Sons & Ray Davies - Days/This Time Tomorrow [UMTV]
Metallica & Ray Davies - You Really Got Me [UMTV]
Ray Davies & Paloma Faith - Lola [Universal]
THE DAVIES DIARIES - 3. 1968 AND 1969 (320kbs-m4a/120mb/52mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 20th July 2017
More than fifty years on from the beginning of the Kinks, there is another chance to hear a series first broadcast in 2000 in which lead singer and songwriter Ray Davies, recalls the band's career in the 1960s.
5: Thank You For the Days.
The Kinks released their classic song Days in 1968. Ray reflects on a year when the band changed their style and became The Village Green Preservation Society.
6: Shangri-La.
In 1969, The Kinks continued to defy convention and recorded the quintessentially English album Arthur, which resurrected their career in the USA.
THE DAVIES DIARIES - 2. 1966 AND 1967 (320kbs-m4a/120mb/52mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broacast: 19th July 2017
Fifty years on from the beginning of the Kinks, there is another chance to hear a series first broadcast in 2000 in which lead singer and songwriter Ray Davies, recalls the band's career in the 1960s.
3: Dedicated Follower Of Fashion.
Ray reflects on 1966, when band was gaining increasing respect thanks to songs of such as Dedicated Follower of Fashion and brother Dave's Death of a Clown.
4: Waterloo Sunset.
Ray recalls 1967, the year in which The Kinks recorded their classic Waterloo Sunset, when flower power was all the rage and The Kinks topped the Dutch charts with Mr Pleasant.
First broadcast in 2000.
THE DAVIES DIARIES - 1. 1964 AND 1965 (320kbs-m4a/121mb/53mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 18th July 2017
Fifty years on from the beginning of the Kinks, there is another chance to hear a series first broadcast in 2000 in which lead singer and songwriter Ray Davies, recalls the band's career in the 1960s.
In this programme Ray takes a personal look back at the music and events of 1964 and 1965.
1: All Day and All of the Night.
In 1964 The Kinks progressed from their front room in Muswell Hill to being No 1 on Top of the Pops. Featuring Long Tall Sally, You Still Want Me and You Really Got Me.
2: Till the End of the Day.
This programme charts the continuing rise of The Kinks in 1965 and recalls the trials and tribulations of their ill-fated American tour. Featuring Tired Of Waiting For You, I Need You and See My Friend.
First broadcast in 2000.