See My Friends (album)

Last updated

See My Friends
Cover seemyfriends lg.jpg
Studio album by
Released1 November 2010
Genre Rock
Length49:15
Label Universal
Producer Ray Davies and Martyn Berg
Ray Davies chronology
The Kinks Choral Collection
(2009)
See My Friends
(2010)
Americana
(2017)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 51/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
American Songwriter Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Clash 6/10 [4]
Classic Rock 6/10 [5]
Consequence of Sound Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Mojo Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]

See My Friends is a studio album released by Ray Davies with the collaboration of various other artists on 1 November 2010 in Europe and in early 2011 in the US. The album features new studio collaborations of Ray Davies' compositions, which were originally recorded by his band the Kinks.

Contents

The album was recorded in Oslo, New York City, New Jersey, Chicago and London. Davies stated: "This project came about almost by accident, with some tracks I had to appreciate the style of the other artists, otherwise it would have sounded unbalanced. And I wanted the album to work as an entire listening experience but each track had a life of its own". [8]

The album includes the last studio recording by Alex Chilton. See My Friends was released seven months after his death. He previously covered "Till The End of The Day" on Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers .

Critical reception

See My Friends was met with "mixed or average" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 51 based on 13 reviews. [1]

Kinks biographer Rob Jovanovic writes that, following the 2009 album The Kinks Choral Collection and other projects in which Davies revisited his past achievements, See My Friends suggested "he couldn't leave it alone". [7] According to Jovanovic, the majority of critics questioned the reason for the album. Among these reviews, Mojo gave it one star out of five, and dismissed Davies and Metallica's version of "You Really Got Me" as a "travesty". [7]

In a review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote: "A tribute album starring the man of honor himself, who also curated the whole affair, See My Friends is a bit of a curious creature. Certainly, Ray Davies' influence is so pervasive he could rope in a number of heavy hitters from a number of different generations." [2] At American Songwriter , Michael Sandlin said "See My Friends proves, if nothing else, that there's simply no force on Earth malevolent enough to destroy a good Ray Davies ditty. [3] CC Baxter of Clash explained: "See My Friends was a labour of love for head Kink Ray Davies, it feels like a personal journey through the past on his part, and a genuine tribute from those who've contributed. [4]

Commercial performance

In the UK, See My Friends peaked at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart, [9] and number 9 in Scotland. [10]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ray Davies

No.TitleFeatured artistLength
1."Better Things" Bruce Springsteen 3:12
2."Celluloid Heroes" Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora 5:18
3."Days / This Time Tomorrow" Mumford & Sons 4:17
4."A Long Way from Home" Lucinda Williams and The 88 3:06
5."You Really Got Me" Metallica 2:15
6."Lola" Paloma Faith 4:32
7."Waterloo Sunset" Jackson Browne 4:06
8."Till the End of the Day" Alex Chilton and The 88 2:40
9."Dead End Street" Amy Macdonald 3:29
10."See My Friends" Spoon 4:00
11."This Is Where I Belong" Black Francis 3:02
12."David Watts" The 88 2:20
13."Tired of Waiting for You" Gary Lightbody 2:49
14."All Day and All of the Night" / "Destroyer" Billy Corgan 3:54
Total length:49:15
International release [11]
No.TitleFeatured ArtistLength
15."Victoria" Mando Diao 3:18
Total length:52:33

Charts

Chart performance for See My Friends
Chart (2010)Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [12] 55
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [13] 35
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [14] 54
French Albums (SNEP) [15] 154
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [16] 50
Scottish Albums (OCC) [10] 9
UK Albums (OCC) [9] 12
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [17] 3

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Really Got Me</span> 1964 single by the Kinks

"You Really Got Me" is a song by English rock band the Kinks, written by frontman Ray Davies. The song, originally performed in a more blues-orientated style, was inspired by artists such as Lead Belly and Big Bill Broonzy. Two versions were recorded, with the second performance used for the final single. Lead guitarist Dave Davies performs the song’s famous guitar solo. Although it was long rumoured that future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page had performed the song's guitar solo, this has been debunked by Page himself.

<i>Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One</i> 1970 studio album by the Kinks

Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One, commonly abbreviated to Lola Versus Powerman, or simply Lola, is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Kinks, released on 27 November 1970. A concept album, it is a satirical appraisal of the music industry, including song publishers, unions, the press, accountants, business managers, and life on the road. It marked the group's expansion to a five-piece with the addition of keyboardist John Gosling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lola (song)</span> 1970 song by The Kinks

"Lola" is a song by the English rock band the Kinks, written by frontman Ray Davies for their 1970 album Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One. The song details a romantic encounter between a young man and a possible cross-dresser or trans woman, whom he meets in a club in Soho, London. In the song, the narrator describes his confusion towards Lola, who "walked like a woman but talked like a man", yet he remains infatuated with her.

<i>Daniel Powter</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Daniel Powter

Daniel Powter is the eponymous second studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Powter, released on July 26, 2005, in Canada and on April 11, 2006, in the United States. The album debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 with 89,213 copies sold that week. As of July 12, 2006, Daniel Powter has sold 464,136 copies in the U.S. The album debuted on the Japanese Oricon charts at number 242. However, the album slowly climbed the charts and eventually peaked at number four. The album eventually became the eighteenth best-selling album of 2006 in Japan with 584,000 copies sold and was the highest-ranked Western album on the year-end chart. The album was certified gold in the U.S. on May 24, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Kinks</span> English rock band

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in 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 and blues and Merseybeat, and were briefly part of the British Invasion of the United States until their touring ban in 1965. Their third single, the Ray Davies-penned "You Really Got Me", became an international hit, topping the charts in the United Kingdom and reaching the Top 10 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celluloid Heroes</span> 1972 single by the Kinks

"Celluloid Heroes" is a song performed by the Kinks and written by their lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Ray Davies. It debuted on their 1972 album Everybody's in Show-Biz.

<i>Schoolboys in Disgrace</i> 1975 studio album by the Kinks

Schoolboys in Disgrace, or The Kinks Present Schoolboys in Disgrace, is a 1975 concept album by the Kinks. Their 15th studio album, it was considered by critics to be the last album in what they dubbed the group's "theatrical" period, and their final release for RCA Records. The album is rooted in 1950s rock and roll, and also includes elements of hard rock, ‘50s pop and doo-wop, and arena rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">See My Friends</span> 1965 single by the Kinks

"See My Friends" is a song by the English rock band the Kinks, written by the group's singer and guitarist, Ray Davies. Released in July 1965, it reached number 10 on the Record Retailer chart. The song incorporates a drone-effect played on guitar, evoking a sound reminiscent of the Indian tambura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dead End Street (song)</span> 1966 single by the Kinks

"Dead End Street" is a song by the British band the Kinks from 1966, written by main songwriter Ray Davies. Like many other songs written by Davies, it is to some degree influenced by British Music Hall. The bass playing was partly inspired by the "twangy" sound of Duane Eddy's guitar. It was originally released as a non-album single, but has since been included as one of several bonus tracks from the Face to Face CD. The song, like many others by the group, deals with the poverty and misery found in the lower classes of English society.

<i>Konk</i> (album) 2008 studio album by the Kooks

Konk is the second album by British indie rock band the Kooks, released on 14 April 2008 on Virgin Records. Produced by Tony Hoffer, the album is named after the London studio where it was recorded, which is the property of Ray Davies. This was the last album to feature original bassist Max Rafferty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come Dancing (song)</span> 1982 single by The Kinks

"Come Dancing" is a 1982 song written by Ray Davies and performed by British rock group the Kinks on their 1983 album State of Confusion. The song was inspired by Davies' memories of his older sister, Rene, who died of a heart attack while dancing at a dance hall. The lyrics, sung from the perspective of an "East End barrow boy," are about the boy's sister going on dates at a local Palais dance hall.

<i>Heroes</i> (Willie Nelson album) 2012 studio album by Willie Nelson

Heroes is the 60th studio album by American country music singer Willie Nelson, released by Legacy Recordings on May 15, 2012. Produced by Buddy Cannon, the album contains classic country songs, new songs written by Nelson and his son Lukas, and the classic song from Nelson's repertoire, "A Horse Called Music". Guest appearances include Lukas Nelson, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Billy Joe Shaver, and Sheryl Crow.

<i>Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance</i> 2015 studio album by Belle and Sebastian

Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance is the ninth studio album by Scottish indie pop band Belle and Sebastian, released on 19 January 2015. It was the first album by the group to be distributed by Matador Records worldwide. The album was recorded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2014, and marked the first time the band worked with producer Ben H. Allen III. "The Party Line" was announced as the first single from the album on 29 October 2014, with its first airplay on BBC 6 Music.

<i>Hollywood Vampires</i> (Hollywood Vampires album) 2015 studio album by Hollywood Vampires

Hollywood Vampires is the self-titled debut studio album by American rock supergroup Hollywood Vampires, formed in 2015 by Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry to honor the music of the rock stars who died from excess in the 1970s. Released on September 11, 2015 for Republic Records, the album features guest appearances by Paul McCartney, Robby Krieger, Orianthi, Dave Grohl, Christopher Lee, Slash, Brian Johnson, Joe Walsh, Perry Farrell, and Zak Starkey amongst others.

<i>These People</i> (Richard Ashcroft album) 2016 studio album by Richard Ashcroft

These People is the fourth studio album from British singer and musician, Richard Ashcroft. The album was released on 20 May 2016 through Righteous Phonographic Association, Cooking Vinyl and Harvest Records. This is his first solo album since his 2010's solo project album, United Nations of Sound, and also his first main studio album since 2006's, Keys to the World.

<i>Americana</i> (Ray Davies album) 2017 album

Americana is an album by English rock musician Ray Davies, released by Legacy Recordings in April 2017. Like Davies' 2013 book of the same name, it explores his lifelong fascination with the music and culture of the United States, and his experiences of touring and living there. The album features contributions from members of American country rock band the Jayhawks.

<i>My Way</i> (Willie Nelson album) 2018 studio album by Willie Nelson

My Way is the 68th solo studio album by Willie Nelson. It was released on September 14, 2018, by Legacy Recordings. The album is a tribute to Frank Sinatra, who was a close friend of Nelson's. The album received the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, marking Nelson's 13th career Grammy win.

<i>MTV Unplugged (Live at Hull City Hall)</i> 2020 live album by Liam Gallagher

MTV Unplugged (Live at Hull City Hall) is a live album by English singer and songwriter Liam Gallagher. It was released on 12 June 2020 by Warner Records. It was originally set for release on 24 April 2020 but was delayed until June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The album was recorded at Hull City Hall on 3 August 2019, consisting of 10 live acoustic performances of solo material by Gallagher and Oasis that were culled from the 15 songs which were performed on the night, including a cover of "Natural Mystic" by Bob Marley and the Wailers that was ultimately not included on the album.

<i>Thats Life</i> (Willie Nelson album) 2021 studio album by Willie Nelson

That's Life is the 71st solo studio album by Willie Nelson. It was released on February 26, 2021, by Legacy Recordings. A tribute to Frank Sinatra, it represents the second volume of Nelson's Sinatra collection, following 2018's My Way.

<i>The Tears of Hercules</i> 2021 studio album by Rod Stewart

The Tears of Hercules is the thirty-second studio album by British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart. It was released on 12 November 2021 through Warner and Rhino. It was produced by Stewart and Kevin Savigar.

References

  1. 1 2 "See My Friends - Ray Davies". Metacritic. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  2. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ray Davies See My Friends review". AllMusic . Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  3. 1 2 Sandlin, Michael. "American Songwriter Review". American Songwriter . Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Ray Davies – See My Friends | Clash Music Latest Album Review". Clash . 8 November 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  5. Dalton, Stephan (January 2011). "Ray Davies – See My Friends". Classic Rock . Vol. 153. p. 109.
  6. "See My Friends". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Jovanovic, Rob (2013). God Save the Kinks: A Biography. London: Aurum Press. pp. 279–80. ISBN   978-1781311646.
  8. "See My Friends preview". Vintage Vinyl News. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  11. "See My Friends by Ray Davies". Apple Music . Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  12. "Austriancharts.at – Ray Davies – See My friends" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  13. "Ultratop.be – Ray Davies – See My friends" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  14. "Dutchcharts.nl – Ray Davies – See My friends" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  15. "Lescharts.com – Ray Davies – See My friends". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  16. "Offiziellecharts.de – Ray Davies – See My friends" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  17. "Ray Davies Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 April 2021.