Percy [Original recording remastered, Import]

I've never had any problem listening to this album. To me, it's one of their best! It slots in a little odd when placed properly in their discography though. It always seemed as though this should've followed "Arthur" and that "Lola VS. Powerman" should've followed this. But, that's a moot point. What IS important is what you're listening to when you play this disc. It's a movie soundtrack, so it will contain some odder, shorter pieces that amount to nothing more than "filler" to the listener. But given the thin plot to the movie, Ray Davies really didn't have much to go on. But, as usual, he pulled it off, and rather well I think.
This is a four star album with some five star material. Sure, "Lola" isn't the version we all know, nor is it the best version they could've done strictly for listening. But it wasn't performed strictly for listening, it's a soundtrack to a film! There are several songs that are incidental music, secondary to the film, thus making the album appear thin.
There are other songs that Ray didn't allow to be strictly behind-the-film material though, and thank goodness he didn't, because it resulted in some more Kinks gems, some of them available only here, leaving no doubt that he was a consummate songwriter; of the highest caliber. To simplify, here is why this album's worth owning:
1. The Way Love Used to Be
2. Moments
3. Animals in the Zoo
4. Just Friends
5. Dreams
6. Helga
Note: "God's Children" and "Willesden Green" are available on "Kronikles." If you're reading this, then you probably already have a pretty keen interest in this band, and probably already own "Kronikles."
So, there you are. There are at least six great Ray Davies songs unavailable elsewhere that are required listening by anyone, but most certainly for Kinks fans. I was not one bit disappointed when I bought my first copy of this album in the '80s (as an import). I played it as much as the rest of my favorite Kinks albums. When the disc came out, I bought it again! It's one of their best.

Paul McCartney once said that "if you are bless with the ability to write music, then film soundtracks are an interesting diversion." That statement holds true for this soundtrack to 1971's Percy. Although the film is not nearly as entertaining as the soundtrack, this is a piece of history that needs to be brought out into the light.

The album starts off with the beautiful God's Children, which was Ray Davies answer to writing a song inspired by the movie. Needless to say Ray ignored the directors comments about the song and included it on the album. The second noteable track is Willesden Green which was named after the studio they recorded in. This song convinced the Kinks that they could do an entire album with a country influence to it. Hence, "Muswell Hillbillies" was born and a excellant album it is. The other noteworthy and amazing tracks on this soundtrack are: The Way Love Used to Be, Dreams, Moments and Animals in the Zoo. Percy is an album that any Kinks fan could enjoy. But the hardcore and standard fans will really love this minor masterpiece. The only sad part is the Kinks never really explored Orchestral influenced songs ever again. This album definately bridges the gap between Lola vs. Powerman to Muswell Hillbillies. It is a timeless classic.

Look, I'm biased. You can find my writings on The Kinks online. They are my favorite band.

Anyway, this album seems to have a bad rap as being the retarded stepchild of their discography, like The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' (the half Beatles/half George Martin LP, not the 1999 songtrack) or Neil Young's forgotten-unless-you-bought-the-archives-box 'Journey Through The Past'. Granted, it wasn't released in the US, and by all accounts from Ray, Dave, and others the film 'Percy' itself is quite forgettable. So, no, this album doesn't have much going for it from the get-go. (Ugh, and don't get me started on that garish cover!)

But it's a gem. Recorded back-to-back with the 'Lola' album (one of my personal favorites), this record follows the same musical vein of hard rockers, a heavy dash of country (things to come with 'Muswell Hillbillies'), and some beautiful ballads. Throughout - it IS a film soundtrack - are instrumental numbers. Yes, some are more interesting than others.

The instrumental version of "Lola," with its melody hammered out on the organ, is given a nice thumping rock treatment, heavier than the lyrical version musically. "Dreams" is a rollicking little fantasy number, complete with a great Dave Davies riff. "Animals In The Zoo" is a funky little number, a variation on "Apeman" I find superior.

As far as the score tunes go, they're good musically, but given they came from the pen that brought us "Waterloo Sunset" and "Shangri-La" it's almost irritating to not hear this pleasant melodies fleshed out with lyrics. The only one that really doesn't do much for me is "Completely," a slow bluesy piece.

The rock 'n roll tunes here are great, but Ray, Dave, Mick, and the Johns dominate on the ballads. "God's Children," the de facto theme song for the film (which is a comedy about a penis transplant - sounds like a riot...) is a pretty tune apparently protesting organ transplants. "The Way Love Used To Be" is a nice acoustic moody song. "Just Friends" starts off like a lullaby - played on a celeste - but creeps along, in one of Ray's most humorous performances...and then there's "Moments," my own nominee for Ray's forgotten masterpiece. Beautiful.

Now, where to put "Willesden Green." It's a country and western number - think "Scrapheap City" if you know your Kinks, otherwise think countrified Elvis channeling Johnny Cash - sung by bassist John Dalton. It's a great song, funny due to its sheer incongruity.

Give this album a chance. You won't be disappointed.