"Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes" was a

Kevin Ayers Kevin Ayers (16 August 1944 – 18 February 2013) was an English singer-songwriter who was active in the English psychedelic music movement. Ayers was a founding member of the psychedelic band Soft Machine in the mid-1960s, and was closely assoc ...

single release. The song taken from his classic 1971 album ''

Whatevershebringswesing ''Whatevershebringswesing'' is the third solo album by Kevin Ayers, on Harvest Records. Background In 1971, Kevin Ayers started recording what would become his most acclaimed album, ''Whatevershebringswesing'' accompanied by members of Gong a ...

'' (released three months later). It would be re-released as a single in 1976 when Ayers re-signed to

Harvest Records Harvest Records is a British-American record label belonging to Capitol Music Group, originally created by EMI in 1969. History Harvest Records was created by EMI in 1969 to market progressive rock music, and to compete with Philips' Vertigo ...

. The B-side, 'Stars' was a non album track that would be later included on the 1976 compilation ''Odd Ditties''.

Track listing

Original release #"Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" (Kevin Ayers) #"Stars" (Kevin Ayers) 1976 reissue #"Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" (Kevin Ayers) #"Fake Mexican Tourist Blues" (Kevin Ayers)

Personnel

/ vocals, (on "Stranger.."), vocals, bass (on "Stars") *

David Bedford David Vickerman Bedford (4 August 1937 – 1 October 2011) was an English composer and musician. He wrote and played both popular and classical music. He was the brother of the conductor Steuart Bedford, the grandson of the composer, painter ...

/ piano (on "Stranger.."), organ (on "Stars") *

Mike Oldfield Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and documen ...

/ guitar (on "Stars"), guitar, bass (on "Stranger..) * Dave Dufort / drums on "Stars" *Tony Carr / drums on "Stranger.." *

The Ladybirds The Ladybirds were a British female vocal harmony trio, most famous for their appearances on ''The Benny Hill Show''. They participated in over 60 episodes between 1968 and 1991. In addition, they were long-standing backing singers to many est ...

/ backing vocals on "Stars"

Live version

One live version of the song was released on the album ''

June 1, 1974 ''June 1, 1974'' is a live album of songs performed at the Rainbow Theatre in London on the titular date. The album is officially attributed to Kevin Ayers, John Cale, Brian Eno and Nico, although other well-known musicians, including Mike Old ...

''.

1976 reissue

To celebrate the return of

, in November 1976 the label reissued his 1971 neo-

rockabilly Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the Southern United States, South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western music (North America), Western music ...

single. This time the track was accompanied by another unreleased song from the ''

'' sessions – "Fake Mexican Tourist Blues". This humorous track involves an unscrupulous Mexican trying to pair Ayers off with various members of his family; “Hey, brother, what about my mother / She's only just forty / She's especially naughty / She knows a lot a tricks / More than the younger chicks / And if you don't like my mother / I got a very nice brother.” Both songs were included on a collection Harvest released that year of Ayers rarities and B-sides entitled ''Odd Ditties'', which this single helped to promote. Kevin Ayers songs 1971 singles Songs written by Kevin Ayers 1971 songs Harvest Records singles {{1970s-single-stub