Dave Davies "The Album That Never Was" 2002

Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Sleeve from the Co-founder of the Kinks.Dave Davies' "album that never was" sadly must remain so, but what we have here is as close a proximity to it as the tape vault allows us.
The (brief) story is as follows:- 'Death Of A Clown', a track originally cut for the Kinks' 1967 album 'Something Else' was picked off as a likely opening for Dave Davies' solo career. Dave, lead guitarist, occasional vocalist and younger brother to the group's undisputed guiding light Ray, was hoping to try a direction for himself, and at first, it seemed as if his wish was feasible. 'Death Of A Clown' was a smash hit, Dave was duly seen on 'Top Of The Pops', but later events led him on a somewhat more erratic path.
'Suzannah's Still Alive' appeared in November that year, but for some inexplicable reason, it failed to crack the top 20, and Dave's solo stardom faltered. Nonetheless, all during 1968 rumour and counter rumour of an impending Dave solo album were spread and a cheeky title, 'A Hole In the Sock Of' evolved although that name was also given to other unfinished Kinks' projects. All that did appear was 'Lincoln County', another fabulous song, which was issued in August and backed by 'There Is No Life Without Love'.
Then, in January 1969, 'Hold My Hand' c/w 'Creepin' Jean', a brilliant double-header, led off what was to have been a definite release for the l.p., but the continuing commercial failure of Dave's singles doubtlessly killed off the project. It should also be noted that the Kinks themselves were struggling to sell records, and two innovative albums, 'The Village Green Preservation Society' and 'Arthur' were released to barely a murmur. These factors also conspired to doom Dave's solo ambitions.
At least twelve tracks were cut for the album, but over a long-ish period of time, probably at the tail end of Kinks' sessions. Many, such as 'The Shoemaker's Daughter' and 'Crying' are now completely lost, if indeed they were ever completed, and thus assembled here are all that can still be traced. Eight sides, of course, come from those solo singles, two of which, 'Funny Face' and 'Love Me Till The Sun Shines' also appeared on 'Something Else' alongside 'Death Of A Clown'. The remaining five, however, were recorded specifically for Dave Davies' releases and all could well have been on the final solo album.
The other two tracks, 'This Man He Weeps Tonight' and 'Mindless Child Of Motherhood', later appeared on the flip of two Kinks' singles, 'Drivin" and 'ShangriLa' respectively. While the first of these was definitely scheduled for Dave's album, there's some doubt about the origins of 'Mindless'. However, its recording date and Dave's pre-eminence on it suggests that it would have been included.
Although this is not the record as it was intended, 'The Album That Never Was' gives some indication of what the finished piece may have been, as well ac collecting together ten prime Dave Davies performances. - Brian Hoggtrax:

01 Death Of A Clowm 02 Love Me Till The Sun Shines 03 Suzannah's Still Alive 04 Funny Face 05 Lincoln County 06 There Is No Life Without Love 07 Hold My Hand 08 Creepin' Jean 09 Mindless Child Of Motherhood 10 This Man He Weeps Tonight 11 Come On Now 12 Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight 13 I Am Free 14 What's In Store For Me 15 I'm Not Like Everybody Else 16 Party Line 17 You're Lookin' Fine 18 Mr. Reporter 19 Wicked Annabella 20 Mr. Shoemaker's Daughter 21 Strangers 22 Rats

...served by Gyro1966...