The Kinks will release a 50th anniversary edition of Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire on October 25th.
“I started Arthur before the end of Village Green.” Ray Davies recalls. “The albums piggyback one another because they are joined. I’d already written the song Arthur.”
“I think I wrote Australia when I was still living at 87 Fortis Green so it was quite early on. I remember taking it over to Dave, he lived in Cockfosters at the time, and playing it to him. We were laughing at the irony in the line, ‘nobody’s got a chip on their shoulder’.”
Among the special features are brand new Doo Wop Choir recordings; the unfinished Dave Davies solo album which was also being recorded at the time; new Ray Davies remixes and previously unreleased tracks which include The Future, streaming below.
“One of the reasons the album wasn’t finished was because I felt The Kinks’ management and record company were forcing me too much,” Dave Davies reflects on the solo album. “I felt very comfortable being in The Kinks and it seemed fulfilling to be part of a band. I didn’t really want for more. I couldn’t see the point.”