The Kinks will mark the 50th anniversary of their 1969 album, “Arthur (Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire)”, with a series of reissues on October 25.
The band’s seventh record saw Ray Davies deliver a concept album about a family emigrating from the UK; the follow-up to “The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society” received unanimous acclaim and earned the group their highest US chart position in four years.
“I started Arthur before the end of Village Green,” says Ray. “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’.”
The “Arthur” Super Deluxe Box Set presents 4CDs comprising of 81 tracks in total, 5 of them unreleased alongside 28 previously-unreleased versions. These include 2019 newly remastered versions of the original album from HD sources (in its original track listing), mono and stereo single versions, B-sides, alternate mono and stereo mixes, rehearsal tracks, BBC mixes and the lost Dave Davies’ solo album, with bonus tracks.
A 68-page softback book has also been included, featuring extensive essays by world-renowned Kinks experts, original cancelled Arthur play co-scriptwriter Julian Mitchell, and original album sleeve designer Bob Lawrie. There are also new interviews with Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Mick Avory, as well as band photos, original release international cover artwork and printed memorabilia.
Four 7” singles from the album can also be found – “Drivin’”, “Victoria”, “Shangri-La” and “Hold My Hand” (Dave Davies solo) - all reproduced with original international artwork. Finally, a bespoke, exclusive, metal & enamel Kinks logo pin badge is included for fans to wear.
The “Arthur” 50th anniversary package will also be available via 2CD, 1CD, 2LP and digital editions.
The project is being previewed with a lyric video for the previously-unreleased track, “The Future.”
The Kinks
“Arthur” Super Deluxe Box Set
Release date: October 25
Disc One: Original Stereo Album (2019 Remaster)
01. Victoria (Stereo)
02. Yes Sir, No Sir (Stereo)
03. Some Mother’s Son (Stereo)
04. Drivin’ (Stereo)
05. Brainwashed (Stereo)
06. Australia (Stereo)
07. Shangri-La (Stereo)
08. Mr. Churchill Says (Stereo)
09. She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina (Stereo)
10. Young And Innocent Days (Stereo)
11. Nothing To Say (Stereo)
12. Arthur (Stereo)
Bonus Tracks
13. Plastic Man (Stereo)
14. Victoria (Alternate Stereo Mix)
15. Yes Sir, No Sir (Alternate Stereo Mix)
16. Drivin’ (Alternate Stereo Mix)
17. Brainwashed (Alternate Stereo Mix)
18. Australia (Alternate Stereo Mix)
19. Shangri-La (Alternate Stereo Mix)
Disc Two: Original Mono Album (2019 Remaster)
01. Victoria (Mono)
02. Yes Sir, No Sir (Mono)
03. Some Mother’s Son (Mono)
04. Drivin’ (Mono)
05. Brainwashed (Mono)
06. Australia (Mono)
07. Shangri-La (Mono)
08. Mr. Churchill Says (Mono)
09. She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina (Mono)
10. Young And Innocent Days (Mono)
11. Nothing To Say (Mono)
12. Arthur (Mono)
Bonus Tracks
13. Plastic Man (Mono)
14. King Kong (Mono)
15. Victoria (Alternate Mono Mix)
16. Australia (Alternate Mono Acetate Mix)
17. Shangri-La (Alternate Mono Mix)
18. She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina (Alternate Mono Mix)
19. Australia (Australian Mono Single Mix/Edit)
Disc Three: The Great Lost Dave Davies Album Plus
01. This Man He Weeps Tonight (Stereo)
02. Mindless Child Of Motherhood (Stereo)
03. Hold My Hand (Stereo)
04. Do You Wish To Be A Man? (Stereo)
05. Are You Ready? (Stereo)
06. Creeping Jean (Stereo)
07. I’m Crying (Stereo)
08. Lincoln County (Stereo)
09. Mr. Shoemaker’s Daughter (Stereo)
10. Mr. Reporter (Stereo)
11. Groovy Movies (Stereo)
12. There Is No Life Without Love (Stereo)
Bonus Tracks
13. Lincoln County (Mono Single Mix/Edit)
14. There Is No Life Without Love (Mono)
15. Hold My Hand (Mono)
16. Creeping Jean (Mono Single Mix/Edit)
17. Mindless Child Of Motherhood (Mono)
18. This Man He Weeps Tonight (Mono)
19. Mr. Shoemaker’s Daughter (Alternate Stereo Mix)
20. Mr. Reporter (Alternate Stereo Mix)
21. Groovy Movies (Alternate Stereo Mix)
22. Lincoln County (Acoustic Mix)
23. Hold My Hand (Alternate Take)
Disc Four: Demos, Rehearsals, BBC & Remixes
Part 1
01. Arthur’s Journey (Introduction)
02. Australia (2019 Mix)
03. Home Demos Medley, 1969: Arthur / Victoria / Some Mother's Son / Drivin' / Brainwashed / Mr. Churchill Says (TV Premix)
Part 2
04. Shangri-La (2019 Mix)
05. My Big Sister (Theatrical Version)
06. Stevenage (Theatrical Version)
07. Space (Theatrical Version) (Full Version)
08. The Future (Doo-Wop Version)
09. Arthur (Doo-Wop Version)
Part 3
10. The Virgin Soldiers March
11. Soldiers Coming Home (Instrumental)
12. King Kong (BBC Mix)
13. Victoria (Ray Davies & Band With The DR Symphony & Vocal Ensemble) (Stereo)
14. Arthur (BBC Mix)
See also:
The Kinks: Dave Davies announces spring US tour
The Kinks: Dave Davies debuts Web Of Time video from Decade collection
The Kinks: Dave Davies streams video for song from new Decade collection
The Kinks: Dave Davies streams previously unreleased track Same Old Blues
Search The Kinks at hennemusic
