Ray Davies “Working Man’s Cafe”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#302 in the Series) is Ray Davies, Working Man’s Café.

For as popular and respected as Ray Davies is and for as popular and respected as the Kinks were, they’re both still extremely under-recognized. (I’m not a big fan of the saying “underrated” but you know what I mean.)

Yes, they are often considered one of the greats.  That I see. It’s neither read, nor heard enough in my opinion. They’re top shelf in ANY team picture of all-time greats.

Working Man’s Café was released by Ray in the fall of 2007.  I think it’s one of his strongest efforts to date.

This is a story-tellers delight. Not a surprise from Ray, I know.  The album’s  overall theme is that of the working man. Not as much his plight, but more simply, just how it’s changed from the time Ray began visiting the States in the sixties until now.

“Vietnam Cowboys” leads off the album.  I love his take on the current film industry here in the States.  He correctly points out that it’s cheaper to shoot in Vietnam than it is here.

Be sure to check out the playlist below. I couldn’t find a ton of songs from the album. I did find all the main ones.  To give it some length I added some great live versions of some of my favorite Kinks tunes!  Just click on the play button and let it run.

–– Larry Carta 

Track listing

1. Vietnam Cowboys
2. You’re Asking Me
3. Working Man’s Café
4. Morphine Song
5. In A Moment
6. Peace In Our Time
7. No One Listen
8. Imaginary Man
9. One More Time
10. The Voodoo Walk

Personnel

• Mick Avory (Percussion)
• Martyn Barker (Drum Mix, Drums)
• Pat Buchanan (Guitar (Electric))
• Mike Cotton (Trumpet)
• Ray Davies (Arranger, Composer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Percussion, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background))
• Shannon Otis Forrest (Drums)
• Karin Forsman   (Vocals (Background))
• Timothy Lauer (Keyboards)
• Bill Lloyd (Guitar, Guitar (Electric))
• Martyn Barker (Drums)
• Nick Payne (Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor))
• Craig Young (Guitar (Bass))

Links

• See write ups on other Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members
• See more from 2007
• Great Kinks Website by Dave Emien
• Listen to Working Man’s Cafe on our ‘Cool’ MySpace Page!
• See our write up on the Kinks, State of Confusion

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