The Village Green Preservation Society

by The Kinks

Overview

Ray Davies' sentimental, nostalgic streak emerged on Something Else, but it developed into a manifesto on The Village Green Preservation Society, a concept album lamenting the passing of old-fashioned English traditions. As the opening title song says, the Kinks -- meaning Ray himself, in this case -- were for preserving "draught beer and virginity," and throughout the rest of the album, he creates a series of stories, sketches, and characters about a picturesque England that never really was. It's a lovely, gentle album, evoking a small British country town, and drawing the listener into its lazy rhythms and sensibilities. Although there is an undercurrent of regret running throughout the album, Davies' fondness for the past is warm, making the album feel like a sweet, hazy dream. And considering the subdued performances and the detailed instrumentations, it's not surprising that the record feels more like a Ray Davies solo project than a Kinks album. The bluesy shuffle of "Last of the Steam-Powered Trains" is the closest the album comes to rock & roll, and Dave Davies' cameo on the menacing "Wicked Annabella" comes as surprise, since the album is so calm. But calm doesn't mean tame or bland -- there are endless layers of musical and lyrical innovation on The Village Green Preservation Society, and its defiantly British sensibilities became the foundation of generations of British guitar pop. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/26/2018
Label:	Bmg / Wea
UPC:	4050538402216
Rank:	6114

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Kinks   Primary Artist
Ray Davies   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica,Keyboards,Lead Vocals,Featured Artist
Mick Avory   Drums
John Dalton   Bass,Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Clem Cattini   Drums
The Mike Cotton Sound   Horn
John Gosling   Keyboards
Nicky Hopkins   Keyboards
Pip Williams   Conductor
Rasa Davies   Vocals (Background)
Dave Davies   Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica,Keyboards,Lead Guitar,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Peter Quaife   Bass,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Alexander Greenlaw Quaife   Bass
The DR Symphony & Vocal Ensemble   Ensemble,Featured Artist

Technical Credits

The Kinks   Arranger,Composer
David Whitaker   String Arrangements
Ray Davies   Composer,Lyricist,Producer,Remixing
Mike Bobak   Engineer
Alan McKenzie   Performer
Brian Humphries   Engineer,Performer
Nick Watson   Mastering
Alan O'Duffy   Engineer
Paul Bevoir   Design,Artwork
Barrie Wentzell   Original Cover Photography
Alan Florence   Engineer
Daniel Hersch   Mastering
John Prosser   Original Cover Photography
Alan MacKenzie   Engineer