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LP
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MRSSS 513LP
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In 1968, after a U.S. tour with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Soft Machine's founding member Kevin Ayers decided to leave the band. Unsure about their artistic direction, worn out by an exhausting schedule and reluctant to become another part of the music business, he sold his bass to Noel Redding and moved to Ibiza. However, soon after he started writing the songs that would make up his first solo LP, Joy Of A Toy. His departure from The Soft Machine had been amicable and Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge and Hugh Hopper all took part in the recordings at Abbey Road in July 1969. The resulting album meanders in and out of its own affecting mood, taking wonderful pop, folk, psych and prog turns during its course. It starts with the joyful, circus-like title track and veers from the gentle beauty of "Girl On A Swing" and pastoral gems like "Eleanor's Cake (Which Ate Her)" to ominous, experimental moments like "Oleh Oleh Bandu Bandong," based on a Malaysian traditional song, and the driving jam of "Stop This Train." It also features "The Lady Rachel," a beautifully-arranged track with a haunting atmosphere and one of Ayers' most representative tracks. On 180 gram vinyl; housed in a gatefold sleeve.
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CD
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REELR 009CD
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Kevin Ayers is one of UK rock's greatest contributors, both as a key member of Soft Machine as their original bassist/vocalist, and later as a collaborator with noted prog musicians Mike Oldfield and Steve Hillage. This is a collection of recently-discovered private demo recordings and out-takes straight from Kevin Ayers' personal archives -- a refreshing reminder of a musical innocence unique to the 1970s. Much more than nuggets from a golden era, these songs remain compellingly personal in their simplicity, and sit alongside sunny instrumentals featuring friends David Bedford, Mike Oldfield, Archie Leggett (1944-1997) and Robert Wyatt. Of special note is the 14-minute private demonstration for the "Doctor Dream"suite, a stunning "audio letter" synopsis with acoustic performances and wry commentary. Never has Kevin Ayers' voice and guitar been captured in such natural intimacy. These beautifully recorded reel-to-reel tapes are an indispensable portrait of an artist as a young man. Or to convey the response from manager Tim Shepard, "this is Kevin's Holy Grail!" What more can we say?
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2CD
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HUX 073CD
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"Kevin Ayers is one of rock's most important innovators, helping to launch Soft Machine, as their original bassist/vocalist, and later working with noted progressive musicians like Mike Oldfield and Steve Hillage. This 2CD set of BBC radio sessions, compiled with the help of Kevin Ayers, tracks Kevin's discography from 1970 (when his band included his former Soft Machine friends) through to 1976. Featured here are several previously-unissued recordings, including the earliest surviving example of Kevin's post-Soft Machine output. Among the musicians featured with Ayers on this compilation include Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield, Mike Ratledge, Andy Summers, Hugh Hopper, Lol Coxhill, David Bedford, Elton Dean, Archie Leggett, Ollie Halsall & Zoot Money. The accompanying 16-page full color booklet includes comprehensive liner notes, plus a brief note from Kevin Ayers, full recording details and previously-unseen photographs."
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CD
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WATER 188CD
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New 2006 version. "This 1969 debut solo album from the bassist and principal songwriter of the Soft Machine sees its first domestic CD release. With Ayers playing an impressive list of instruments and bandmate Robert Wyatt on drums for most of the songs, many of the tracks recall early Soft Machine. Original artwork and new detailed liner notes."
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CD
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WATER 189CD
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$15.00
NOT IN STOCK, SPECIAL ORDER
New 2006 reissue. "Recorded with his road band the Whole World that featured Mike Oldfield on guitar, keysman David Bedford and Lol Coxhill on sax (who had been added to tour in support of Ayer's first solo LP Joy Of A Toy), this 1970 second solo album is a unique pop record hiding behind a prog rock mask. Produced by Peter Jenner, best known for his work with Roy Harper, Shooting At The Moon is quite easily one of Ayers' best albums containing his most appealing songwriting. Original artwork. New detailed liner notes."
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CD
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WATER 190CD
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New 2006 reissue. "Melancholic with a tendency towards ballads, this 1973 third album from Ayers is nonetheless the most accessible of his early work. Featuring the core musicians of guitarist Mike Oldfield, keyboardist David Bedford and drummer Robert Wyatt, the LP is a solid, consistent, and focused outing, which continues to be at the top of Ayer's solo work. Original artwork. New detailed liner notes."
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CD
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EMI 43522
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2003 Remaster. The first Kevin Ayers solo album, following his tenure in Soft Machine. Includes a previously unreleased bonus track w/ Syd Barrett! Originally released in the UK in December 1969 as Harvest SHVL 763. Musicians include: Robert Wyatt, Rod Tait, Soft Machine, Mike Ratledge & Hugh Hopper, David Bedford. Instruments used: electric bass, string bass, cello, piano, celeste, drums, tambourine, organ, alto melodica, Spanish guitar, Hawaiian guitar, Italian guitar, electric guitar, electronics, trombone, flute, piccolo, recorder, oboe, mouth organ, kazoo. Bonus tracks include: 'Religious Experience (Singing A Song In The Morning)' featuring Syd Barrett, 'The Lady Rachel' extended mix, 'Soon Soon Soon', 'Religious Experience (Singing...)' previously unreleased mix, 'The Lady Rachel' single version, and 'Singing A Song In The Morning' single version.
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2LP
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TPM 99203LP
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$37.00
NOT IN STOCK, SPECIAL ORDER
2009 repress. "12 track collection featuring radio sessions from 1970 to 1972 with help from Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge, Mike Oldfield, Lol Coxhill, Mick Fincher, David Bedford and more. Gatefold sleeve 180 gram HQ vinyl."
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