In case you forgot, Ray Davies, frontman of the legendary Kinks put out a brilliant solo album called Other People's Lives earlier this year. Filled with the imagery and wit that characterized his best work with the band, it's surely going to end up on lots of year end best of lists. Here's a song by song synopsis with comments by Ray himself from his website

Things Are Gonna Change (The Morning After)“In this song the character’s singing about making changes like most drunks promise after a long night. In my case this particular ‘hangover’ was more to do with life and career change,” says Ray.

After The Fall Recorded December 17th 2002. One of the older songs on the record, its conception began while Ray was still in The Kinks.

Next-Door Neighbour Recorded July 12th 2002. “Generally, I look at the world and observe characters from it. Well Respected Men, Dedicated Followers and people like Terry and Julie. These songs are about other people’s lives.”

All She Wrote Recorded March 19th 2002. This song refers to people who have come and gone in Ray’s life. It is a combination of all his break-ups, good and bad.

MP3: Ray Davies - All She Wrote

Creatures Of Little Faith “This is probably sung by the man who received the letter in the last track,” muses Ray. “There are two sides to every story.”

Run Away From Time Recorded January 23rd 2003. The arrangement of this song is lifted from a previous home demo. Lyrically, it focuses on a man’s escape from himself.

The Tourist Recorded February 4th 2003. Rooted in Ray’s American experience of New Orleans, ‘The Tourist’ is a new direction for Ray’s quintessential British songwriting. It also the title track of the highly collectible EP of the same name, released in the UK this summer.

Is There Life After Breakfast? Recorded June 18th. It is a reflective, introspective song about life and positivity. The verse “just because all of the plumbing, isn’t what it used to be” is dedicated to The Kink’s drummer Mick Avory.

MP3: Ray Davies - Is There Life After Breakfast ?

The Getaway (Lonesome Train) Recorded December 19th 2002. Written on his first trip to New Orleans, the mood of the song is taken directly from the tone of the city.

Other People’s Lives Recorded July 11th 2003. Tinged with Spanish flamenco guitar, this non-autobiographical song is a tongue-in-cheek story of ill-fated lovers and the media.

Stand Up Comic Recorded March 19th 2002. “Sometimes when I am trying to introduce new material, I feel like a stand-up comedian in a room full of lager louts,” admits Ray. “This demon will not go away.”

Over My Head Recorded April 9th 2002. By this track, the story of the songs has completed a full revolution. It is a resolve – an acceptance of the way things are and seeing life in perspective.

Tomorrow, October 7th, PBS stations begin airing a session he taped for Austin City Limits. Stop over to their sit and see a one song preview clip here
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

Ray heads out on a tour of The UK and Europe starting next week be sure to catch him if you can.

UK/Europe October - November 2006
October 11th : Olympia, Paris, France
October 13th : Nancy Jazz Festival, France
October 14th : Elizabethzaal, Antwerp, Belgium
October 17th : Dome, Brighton
October 18th : Colston Hall, Bristol
October 19th : St David`s Hall, Cardiff
October 21st : Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
October 23rd, 24th : Royal Albert Hall, London
October 27th : Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
October 28th : Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
October 29th : Concert Hall, Perth
October 31st : Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
November 1st : Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
November 2nd : City Hall, Sheffield
November 4th : Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
November 5th : Grand Opera House, York
November 6th : The Sage, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

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