The Kinks
The Kinks Deluxe
Kinda Kinks Deluxe
The Kinks Kontroversy Deluxe
Hip-OSelect Records
www.hip-oselect.com

By George W. Harris

Why the Kinks? Well, singer Ray Davies is making a comeback of sorts, sort of pop/rock/cabaret in theme, and the British Invasion Group The Kinks had some of the best songwriting around; it’s just begging for some jazz singer to interpret the best of them. These three reissues include their first releases, with lots of fun extras.

The Kinks 1964 debut album contains a couple of British readings of R&B, such as “Cadillac” and “Got Love If You Want It,” but the real draw here is the gargantuan grunge hit “You Really Got Me.” If someone doesn’t do an updated take of this with a big band, there’s no earthly justice. Also included are a bunch of singles, the best being “All Day And All The Night,” which is the essence of early 60s Mersey Beat. A BBC broadcast of the Kinks includes a nice time capsule interview as well

Kinda Kinks from 1965 features the wonderful “Tired Of Waiting For You” along with some energetic extras like “Come On Now” and “Something Better Beginning.” Davies has a wondrously gentleman’s voice on these tunes, enunciating like something out of Goodbye Mr. Chips. A couple of BBC tunes and rehearsal takes fill out this one, as well as some more singles, the best being the thoughtful “A Well Respected Man” (which fits into the Bob Dylan popularity) and the cleverly complaining “Who’ll Be The Next In Line?”

The Kinks Kontroversy includes the wonderful “Where Have All The Good Times Gone” as well as the sardonic “Dedicated Follower Of Fashion” as an extra hit single. Still more BBC broadcasts, with Ray Davies talking about songwriting, and bassist Peter Quaife giving his imput about records. Indeed, where HAVE all the good times gone?