''A Hole in the Sock of Dave Davies'' refers to an unreleased album of solo material by
Dave Davies
David Russell Gordon Davies (born 3 February 1947) is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the English rock band the Kinks, which also featured his elder brother Ray Davies. He was ind ...
, lead
guitarist
A guitarist (or a guitar player) is a person who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of guitar family instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselv ...
and co-founder of
British rock
British rock describes a wide variety of forms of music made in the United Kingdom. Since around 1964, with the "British Invasion" of the United States spearheaded by the Beatles, British rock music has had a considerable impact on the develop ...
band
the Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhythm ...
.
[Kindakinks.net liner notes for T.A.T.N.W.](_blank)
/ref> Apparently the album was, at least for a time, intended to be released under the name ''Lincoln County'', however, numerous names have been applied to it, including ''The Album That Never Was''.
Background
In July 1967, Dave Davies readied his first solo single, credited entirely under his name (although co-written by his brother and fellow Kinks member Ray Davies
Sir Raymond Douglas Davies ( ; born 21 June 1944) is an English musician. He was the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for the rock band the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother Dave on lead guitar and backing voca ...
), entitled "Death of a Clown
"Death of a Clown" is a song by Dave Davies, member of British rock group the Kinks, released as his debut solo single in 1967. The song was co-written with his brother Ray Davies, who contributed the 5-bar "La la la" hook; Ray's first wife, Ras ...
". In the past, as a member of the Kinks, Dave Davies had only released his own compositions on B-sides and as part of larger LPs. The Kinks' record label sensed potential sales in a solo release from the overlooked Davies, and issued "Death of a Clown" as his debut. Although credited to Davies, it was technically a Kinks recording, as his backing band was, in fact, the Kinks.
Upon release, "Death of a Clown" unexpectedly rose to number three on the UK Singles Chart. Wanting to profit off the new buzz that was suddenly surrounding Davies, a solo LP was scheduled for release some time in 1968 or 1969.Susannah's Still Alive
"Susannah's Still Alive" is a song by Dave Davies, released for his second solo single. The recording featured all of the Kinks' members as his backing band. It was a hit (peaking at #20 in the UK) but it did not live up to the expectations of ...
", was released in November 1967. However, it only reached number 20 on ''Melody Maker''. The release of the solo album was held back, and it was decided to wait and see how another single would fare. As anticipation grew for the release of the new LP, fans nicknamed it ''A Hole in the Sock Of''.the Beatles
The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
ambitious " A Day in the Life" or Traffic
Traffic comprises pedestrians, vehicles, ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads) for travel and transportation.
Traffic laws govern and regulate traffic, while rules of the road include traffic ...
's "Hole In My Shoe
"Hole in My Shoe" is a song by English rock band Traffic featuring a spoken-word midsection by Chris Blackwell's stepdaughter, Francine Heimann, in which she tells a little story about a giant albatross. It was released as a single in 1967 and r ...
".
"Lincoln County" was chosen as the next single but failed to chart. With subsequent singles meeting the same result, a combination of Davies' own lack of interest in continuing and Pye's decision to stop killed off any hopes of an album.
In a 1999 interview, Davies stated that:
I was quite surprised when management and the record company wanted me to make an album. I thought it was quite daunting. There were a couple of tunes I liked - 'Suzannah's Still Alive,' 'Lincoln County' - but it had to feel right, and it didn't feel right. I did a few songs in a demo studio and I knocked out three or four songs, and one of them was 'Creeping Jean,' and I started to get very depressed about the whole idea. One of the last songs I recorded then was 'I'm Crying,' so you can tell what frame of mind I was in.
Recording and tracks
Work began on the album project after the unexpected success of "Death of a Clown". Initially, proposed material included blues songs by Lead Belly
Huddie William Ledbetter (; January 20, 1888 – December 6, 1949), better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk music, folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, Virtuoso, virtuosity on the twelve-string guita ...
and Big Bill Broonzy
Big Bill Broonzy (born Lee Conley Bradley; June 26, 1903 – August 14, 1958) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His career began in the 1920s, when he played country music to mostly African American audiences. In the 1930s ...
in addition to original material; ultimately, lack of both interest and original material delayed further work on an LP until the very end of 1968, when four new songs were recorded at Polydor
Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States. ...
Studios in London. Work was to have completed early in 1969 but was delayed at least partly when Dave Davies fractured a finger. Much of the unissued material seems to have been recorded in June 1969, just after completion of recordings for ''Arthur
Arthur is a common male given name of Brittonic languages, Brythonic origin. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur. The etymology is disputed. It may derive from the Celtic ''Artos'' meaning “Bear”. An ...
'' (with John Dalton
John Dalton (; 5 or 6 September 1766 – 27 July 1844) was an English chemist, physicist and meteorologist. He is best known for introducing the atomic theory into chemistry, and for his research into colour blindness, which he had. Colour b ...
, not Pete Quaife
Peter Alexander Greenlaw Quaife (born Kinnes; 31 December 1943 – 23 June 2010) was an English musician, artist and author. He was a founding member and the original bass guitarist for the Kinks, from 1963 until 1969. He also sang backing voca ...
, on bass). Two tracks ("This Man He Weeps Tonight" and "Mindless Child of Motherhood"), both released as B-sides of Kinks singles, were recorded as part of the ''Arthur'' sessions.
Reprise files imply that Reprise received tapes of this album, under the title ''Lincoln County'', in July 1969 while it was still considered for release by the band. By September of that year, the decision was made not to release the album. Throughout 1970, reports of a reworked version with new material were discussed; the possibility of issuing Dave's LP as the second half of a 2-LP set was raised, but by the close of that year all talk of the LP's release had ceased. Oddly, tapes of this LP were not officially logged into Reprise's official master tape log until 1972, as part of their contractual settlement after the Kinks moved to RCA. Short of the existence of this acetate in their vaults, there is no other indication that Reprise ever seriously considered this LP for release in its entirety. All songs were mixed (in the case of "Susannah's Still Alive", remixed) in stereo for this release. The track listing given here is per Doug Hinman.[Doug Hinman, ''All Day and All of the Night'', p. 130]
#"Susannah's Still Alive" (released as a single in 1967, remixed stereo version released on '' Kink Kronikles'')
#"There Is No Life Without Love" (released as a b-side of "Lincoln Country", mono version released on ''The Album That Never Was
''A Hole in the Sock of Dave Davies'' refers to an unreleased album of solo material by Dave Davies, lead guitarist and co-founder of British rock band the Kinks. Apparently the album was, at least for a time, intended to be released under the na ...
'' and bonus tracks for '' Something Else', mono version released on the 2011 Deluxe Mono version of "Arthur"[ Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)#Track listing]
#"This Man He Weeps Tonight" (released as a b-side of "Shangri-La
Shangri-La is a fictional place in Asia's Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山), Uses the spelling 'Kuen-Lun'. described in the 1933 novel ''Lost Horizon'' by English author James Hilton. Hilton portrays Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, ge ...
", mono version released on the 2011 Deluxe Mono version of "Arthur"
''The Album That Never Was''
Although the unreleased album is sometimes called ''The Album That Never Was'', several other unreleased Kinks projects were called this over time. A compilation of Dave Davies' solo singles and B-sides was released under this title in 1987, and included "This Man He Weeps Tonight". In the version released in Japan, "Mr. Shoemakers Daughter" can also be found.
Tracks (UK)
;Side 1
# "Death of a Clown
"Death of a Clown" is a song by Dave Davies, member of British rock group the Kinks, released as his debut solo single in 1967. The song was co-written with his brother Ray Davies, who contributed the 5-bar "La la la" hook; Ray's first wife, Ras ...
"
# "Love Me Till the Sun Shines
"Love Me Till the Sun Shines" is a 1967 song by the British band The Kinks. Appearing on their album '' Something Else by The Kinks'', it was, unlike most of the band's songs, written by guitarist Dave Davies.
Release
It was originally released a ...
"
# "Susannah's Still Alive
"Susannah's Still Alive" is a song by Dave Davies, released for his second solo single. The recording featured all of the Kinks' members as his backing band. It was a hit (peaking at #20 in the UK) but it did not live up to the expectations of ...
"
# "Funny Face"
# " Lincoln County"
;Side 2
# "There Is No Life Without Love"
# " Hold My Hand"
# "Creeping Jean"
# "Mindless Child of Motherhood"
# "This Man He Weeps Tonight"
Tracks (Japan CD)
# "Death of a Clown"
# "Love Me Till the Sun Shines
"Love Me Till the Sun Shines" is a 1967 song by the British band The Kinks. Appearing on their album '' Something Else by The Kinks'', it was, unlike most of the band's songs, written by guitarist Dave Davies.
Release
It was originally released a ...
"
# "Suzannah's Still Alive"
# "Funny Face"
# " Lincoln County"
# "There Is No Life Without Love"
# "Hold My Hand"
# "Creeping Jean"
# "Mindless Child of Motherhood"
# "This Man He Weeps Tonight"
# "Come on Now"
# "Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight"
# "I Am Free"
# "What's in Store for Me"
# "I'm Not Like Everybody Else
"I'm Not Like Everybody Else" is a song written by Ray Davies and first recorded by the Kinks in 1966 and released that year as the B-side of "Sunny Afternoon". The lead vocal is sung by Dave Davies, with occasional parts vocalized by his brother R ...
"
# " Party Line"
# "You're Lookin' Fine"
# "Mr. Reporter"
# "Wicked Annabella
"Wicked Annabella" is a song by the English rock band the Kinks from their 1968 album, '' The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society'' (1968). Written by Ray Davies, it was recorded by the Kinks in July1968. The song is Dave Davies's ...
"
# "Mr. Shoemaker's Daughter"
# "Strangers
A stranger is a person who is unknown to another person or group. Because of this unknown status, a stranger may be perceived as a threat until their identity (social science), identity and Character structure, character can be ascertained. Differ ...
"
# "Rats
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents. Species of rats are found throughout the order Rodentia, but stereotypical rats are found in the genus ''Rattus''. Other rat genera include ''Neotoma'' (pack rats), ''Bandicota'' (bandicoot ...
"
''Hidden Treasures''
#"Susannah's Still Alive"
#"This Man He Weeps Tonight"
#"Mindless Child of Motherhood"
#"Hold My Hand"
#"Do You Wish to Be a Man?"
#"Are You Ready?"
#"Creeping Jean"
#"Crying"
#"Lincoln County"
#"Mr. Shoemaker's Daughter"
#"Mr. Reporter"
#"Groovy Movies"
#"There Is No Life Without Love "
#"I Am Free"
#"Death of a Clown" (mono version)
#"Love Me Till the Sun Shines" (mono version)
#"Susannah's Still Alive" (mono version)
#"Funny Face" (mono version)
#"Lincoln County" (mono version)
#"There's No Life Without Love" (mono version)
#"Hold My Hand" (mono version)
#"Creeping Jean" (mono version)
#"This Man He Weeps Tonight" (mono version)
#"Mindless Child Of Motherhood" (mono version)
#"Mr. Reporter" (unreleased alt. mix)
#"Hold My Hand" (1968 stereo demo)
#"Good Luck Charm" (rare studio version)
Compiled and researched by Russell Smith and mastered by Andrew Sandoval and released 31 October 2011, the first 13 tracks of ''Hidden Treasures'' represent Dave's unreleased album based on the tapes that were submitted to Reprise in 1969. Tracks 15-24 represent a mono version of the unreleased album.
See also
* The Great Lost Kinks Album
* Four More Respected Gentlemen
* The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society
Further reading
*Davies, Dave (1996) ''Kink''
*Rogan, Johnny (1998) ''The Complete Guide to the Music of The Kinks''
*Doug Hinman with Jason Brabazon (1994) ''You Really Got Me - An Illustrated World Discography of The Kinks, 1964-1993'' (softbound; (hardbound)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hole in the Sock of, A
The Kinks
Unreleased albums
Dave Davies albums