Ray Davies @ Alexandria

The legendary Ray Davies delivered a diverse set of original compositions on Monday, March 1, 2010, at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, VA. Davies (pronounced Davis) is out on the road once again promoting his 2008 release Working Man's Cafe that showcases a companion short film on DVD.

The English musical icon welcomed The 88, a four-piece band with a great keyboardist, as an opening act that took the stage at 7:30. Ray came on at 8:30 with an accompanying second guitarist and played until just shy of 10:30 pm. The 88 returned to the stage and joined Davies for an electrifying encore set.

Davies embodies a well-traveled raconteur boasting and bursting with story after story of vivd vignettes recalling details from his career in the studio, on the tour circuit, composing popular and obscure titles, and often sharing tales of intimate interpersonal interaction with his younger brother Dave Davies.

Upon arriving in America for The Kinks first tour, a border control agent rudely asked Ray if he was a Beatle or a girl. Davies casually remarked, "Whatever works for you mister, just stamp my passport". One must remember the reaction males wearing long hair received in the early 1960s, that is commonplace today.

For those clamoring for a well overdue Kinks reunion, Ray Davies revealed he was scouring archived Kinks recording sessions to piecemeal together a new Kinks studio album. He reported that there are several complete Kinks songs worthy of being issued as well as rough demos that he has plans to embellish with Kinks drummer Mick Avory at Konk Studios. Furthermore, it is his desire to record new Kinks material in addition to the outtakes he is assembling for the disc.

The Kinks have not performed together since since appearing at Oslo, Norway, on June 15, 1996. These British Invasion survivors are coming up on their 50th anniversary in 2014. It certainly would be a kinky experience if the Davies brothers could set aside their long standing differences long enough to enter a recording studio together as The Kinks and to conduct a highly anticipated Kinks reunion tour.

Alexandria setlist: This Is Where I Belong * You Really Got Me > I Need You * Where Have All the Good Times Gone * Muswell Hillbillies * Till The End Of The Day * In A Moment * Victoria * 20th Century Man * Autumn Almanac * The Tourist * Apeman * Two Sisters * The Hard Way * See My Friends * I¹m Not Like Everyone Else * Nothing In The World * Too Much On My Mind * A Well Respected Man * Dedicated Follower Of Fashion * Americana * Sunny Afternoon * Tired Of Waiting * Set Me Free * All Day And All of the Night * Encore with The 88: Dead End Street * You Really Got Me * Lola * Low Budget

RockonTour Issue #102
Concert Fan Concertphile@yahoo.com