The Kinks – The Ultimate Collection
Amazon.co.uk Review
How Ray Davies made it through is anyone’s guess. He fought constantly with his brother and bandmate Dave. He received not a penny of royalties throughout the Kinks’ late-1960s heyday, due to a management dispute. He endured two divorces–the first of which saw him hospitalised in a suspected suicide attempt–and a painful break-up with Chrissie Hynde. Under terrible stress, he announced his retirement every six months from 1967 onwards. Yet somehow he held together one of the 60s’ most stylish outfits, and released a string of hits that rank among the wittiest, most provocative and most socially aware songs ever written. The first disc of the two-CD The Ultimate Collection begins with their third single and first No. 1, the insistent “You Really Got Me”, then races through the glory years with the absurdly infectious likes of “Sunny Afternoon”, “Waterloo Sunset”, “Lola” and “Apeman”. Dave’s two hits are included, too, and the disc ends with “Come Dancing… More >>
The Kinks – The Ultimate Collection
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A great collection of Kinks hits i loved it. It has the songs that made them the great 60s band they are but it also has the songs that make them stand out from the rest. The intelligent lyrics and harmonies are simply a work of art. Though i havn’t given it full marks because of the lack of ‘what i like about you’ and ‘Turning Japanese’ which are two great songs. Anyone who likes 60s music, the kinks or just likes modern bands such as blur, pulp and oasis should buy this album.
Rating: 4 / 5
Loads of their songs, including all their well know ones.
Very useful – I’m studying Waterloo Sunset for my A2 music course and this CD is giving me good background listening and a neat CD inlay with some history of the band.
It’s a pitty that the Kinks (+ the Rolling Stones, the Who etc.) are not given more credit for the sound that bands such as the Strokes and the Vines are indebted to.
Rating: 4 / 5
i never bought one of their previous albums but knew that i liked their sound having heard such infamous classics ‘you really got me’ and ‘waterloo sunset’. so i decided to buy this album about two months ago, and instanly loved it. they are by far the greatest group to come out of the north england in the sixties! songs like ‘sunny afternoon’ the ultimate summer track, and ‘all day and all night’ and ‘lola’ which backs up the fact that they were easily the second best band in sixties only the beatles ware better. when i listened to the album especially the first cd i loved tracks such as ‘dead end street’,'death of a clown’, ‘susannahs still alive’, ‘set me free’, ‘rocket ship’ and the strange but still great ‘ape man’. the second cd is not as good as the first but still has some good songs on like ‘celluiod heroes’ probably being the best track on that cd. what recommend to anybody that has only heard few of their classic tracks, then i would say go out and buy it, it will blow you away! guranteed!!
Rating: 5 / 5
This set is fine no complaints here, except it does not go far enough,
because what we really need is a True Best Of comprising of all their A’s & B’s in chronological order, because most B sides are only available on the singles themselves.
There are loads of forgotten classics – ” Big Black Smoke” “Sittin On My Sofa” “Berkely Mews” “Come On Now” ” I Gotta Move” “Who’ll Be The Next In Line” ” I Need You” “Never Met A Girl Like You Before” “” I’m Not Like Everbody Else” ” Act Nice And Gentle” “Mr. Pleasant” ” Polly” ” Where Have All The Good Times Gone” “She’s Got Everything” ” “Rats” “This Man He Weeps Tonight” “King Kong”
This list is by no means complete but you get the drift.
All those forgotten songs need an airing.
I would only consider The Best Of The Kinks compiled lovingly by some producer who is able to furnish A’s & B’s in Chronological order.
We need To Preserve the Kinks’ Forgotten Classics
All Those “B” Sides
Rating: 3 / 5
A definitive selection of tracks from a major league sixties group that has remained a part of the music scene ever since.
This is not great singing, nor startling musicianship, nor profound poetry. It is catchy tunes, pleasant sounds, and lyrics that are charming and fun. It is the very early, cellar disco sound, danceable and sometimes smoochable, with a hint of the heavy rock and punk that were to come.
The insert booklet is very attractive, but does not give release dates for the tracks and omits any mention of band members besides the Davies brothers. Also, very oddly, pages 2 and 3 are printed out of sequence.
You don’t know sixties music, the golden age of groups and Brit Pop, unless you know the Kinks. This double CD, which sounds great and looks good, is your best introduction to their music.
Rating: 4 / 5