The Joys of Toys...

Kevin Ayers-Joy of a Toy-1969
Canterbury, psychedelic, pop


















Hello all been in America for just over a week now, Iowa City seems nice if not a tad small, but term starts next week which should liven things up a lot-I'll do a post about "The IC" later :).

My first post in the states will be a slice of whimiscal British psych=pop in the form of the debut solo album by Kevin Ayers-Joy of a Toy from 1969.
After Soft machine undertook a grueling tour of the states(woot) in 1968 supporting Jimi Hendrix, Kevin Ayers was exhausted and set of to Ibiza to relax. He would be replaced on bass by Hugh Hopper(a Wildeflower alumni) for Volume 2.
Ayers spent the time writing and living music rather than the hectic schedule he had been in prior, Ayers music show him to be a fan of the beachy tropical vibe which I can guess would be encouraged by the beauty of Ibiza.
The album is one of charmingly catchy yet gentle pyschedelic influenced pop songs. A very talented writer, Ayers shows his humour and imagination in all the songs which charm and sooth a willing listener. The stand out song for me would be the magnificent "Lady Rachel". It has an almost fairytale nature to it, the oboe creates an eerily inviting base to the song whilst Ayers deep and honest voice carries it with some wonderfully inspired lyrics to put the listener at ease. "The Clarietta Rag" another highlight, is an idylic trip into the mountains and really captures the simple yet satisfying feel of this album. With many of the songs featuring members of soft machine, Wyatt's drumming throughout the album in particular, it has some similarity to early Soft machine("Soon, soon soon"), but Ayers relaxed and somewhat lethargic approach sets it apart-in a good and bad way.
A really good album, maybe not the most adventurous or technically brilliant, but as a start for Ayers' work it's a great place to start.

-Listen out for Bananas-

jamscoopa

Please Buy this Album from:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joy-Toy-Kevin-Ayers/dp/B00008Y2IU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1250448445&sr=8-3 UK
http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Toy-Kevin-Ayers/dp/B00008Y2IU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250448516&sr=8-2 US
and many more other good independent retailers.
Or please delete after 24 hours:
Joy

Soft Machine - The Soft Machine

Soft Machine - The Soft Machine (Volume 1) 1968
Psychedelic, proto-progressive, experimental.


















Soft Machine were never a commercial enterprise and indeed still remain unknown even to many listeners who came of age during the late '60s, when the group was at its peak. In their own way, however, they were one of the more influential bands of their era, and certainly one of the most influential underground ones. One of the original British psychedelic groups, they were also instrumental in the birth of both progressive rock and jazz-rock. They were also the central foundation of the family tree of the "Canterbury Scene" of British progressive rock acts, a movement that also included Caravan, Gong, Matching Mole, and National Health, not to mention the distinguished solo careers of founding members Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers.
from allmusic

The debut album by Soft Machine was released in 1968, after the split of the Wilde Flowers a group which consisted of the "Canterbury scene" giants of Wyatt and Ayers form the original Soft Machine lineup and future member Hugh Hoppper(who would replace Ayers after this album). Amoung the Wilde Flower alumni were also Pye Hastings, David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair and Richard Coughlan who would form another great "Canterbury" band Caravan.
The album is largely a mixture of the creative talents of Wyatt and Ayers both of whom would have solo careers after Soft Machine.
The songs are very psychedelic and the album as a whole is progressive with songs merging into each other and flowing somewhat back and forth into instrumental and vocal sections. The album has large jazz influences as well as an overall eccentric flair which is bound together by Wyatts soothing and deeply honest vocals. With some rather stunning pop songs influenced by Ayers, the album showcases his talent for writing quirky, absurd and a little deranged songs which would later be shown in his solo albums such as Joy of a Toy, which is named after a song on this album. But the album is far more than a pop record, its originality and creativity rank it one of the best of its time. Soft Machine would later become more Jazz orientated especially after Wyatt left, so Volume 1 and 2 are the best examples of this style. Volume Three is often considered there most accomplished and should also be checked out.
The end result is an enormously satisfying album, better than any Beatles album for me, and should be listened to very loud with the listeners full attention.
jamscoopa

Please buy the album from:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soft-Machine/dp/B002EC4ZDA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249323054&sr=8-1 UK
http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Machine-One/dp/B000N69OR6/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249323153&sr=8-16 US
or any other retailer.
Or please delete within 24 hours:
http://www.mediafire.com/?muvnmwnt0za