Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire

A brilliant album, Ray Davies is a very talented and gifted musician. This album is testament to my previous comment, intelligently written songs. Varied with great depth and humour, what made me by this album. Is a play on radio4 which Ray Davies was in, it tells the story of Ray & Dave's sister...or cousin? Who emmigrates to Australia, and parts of songs from the album we're played throughout the play.A great album from 1969 definitely recommend this record, for anyone who likes music from the late sixties.

Some of Ray Davies' finest social satire on Disc 1 (particularly savage on the British class system, and the way in which the working class were frightened to stray too far from their roots while simultaneously holding in awe royalty and certain politicians); and a whole Dave Davies album on Disc 2 (often referred to as the 'great, lost Dave Davies album').The equal billing given to the Davies brothers on this reissue is a sure sign that things are finally thawing between them (when you think that Ray would always try and torpedo Dave's early solo efforts).Although well received critically, the original 'Arthur' album was sadly overlooked on its original release (with the Kinks paying the commercial price for getting themselves needlessly banned from America). However, this anniversary reissue should go some way towards putting that right.

the beat shiping and the cd was protect

What can I say. My favourite Kinks album released in form of a 4 CD box set that is simply beautifully presented. A wonderful package and the album has never sounded better. 5 stars all the way!

Like most modern records, if they're simply put into thick cardboard sleeves instead of poly-lined one's, they end up looking like this before the first play.BMG you absolute cheapskates.Superb music, though.

Beautiful set. Nice compact sized box with all the extras inside you could wish for for this album.

The Kinks - what else is needed?

Classic album nicely repackaged and sounding excellent

Sound quality is awesome! Tracks are iconic! Bonus material is good! Reading material is also good! I wish someone would (re)issue the bonus disc to the multimedia 50A of the same title, ‘The Great Lost Dave Davies Album’. It would have been great to make that the second lp in this set but not to be and made me find a copy of the 4 cd set of the same thing…. Get this if you love the kinks!!!!

Love all the material… I’m partial to VGPS but this whole set has been pretty stellar and a great surprise. My only complaint is that I wish that the lp’s were in vinyl format (and it’s really not a complaint as they can be had as a separate purchase). Hopefully one RSD there will be an exclusive release of The Dave Davies solo lp as it is the biggest surprise of the whole set.

A mon avis, le meilleur album des Kinks avec "The Kinks Are The Village Green Préservation Society", auquel il succède. Ray Davies poursuit sa démarche d'albums thématiques et exprime toute l'affection portée à son pays d'origine, l'Angleterre, dont il est un observateur tendre et nostalgique.La ligne éditoriale et le remastering sont de très belle qualité : l'album original est complété de bonus inédit et d'un second disque consacré à Dave Davies, le frère cadet de Ray. Un autre très grand disque.

Li ho scoperti solo ora. Veramente un bel disco.

Wenn es das zur Original-Erscheinung 1969 gegeben hätte (oder später, als ich anfang, Platten zu kaufen) wäre ich komplett ausgerastet. Aber auch jetzt noch, kaum auszuhalten!!! Über das Album muss man ja nichts mehr sagen, gehört zu den besten Kinks...Aber der Sound der stereo- und mono cd ist grandios, besonders die Drums von Mick, unfassbar. Grundlage war natürlich die tolle Produktion von Ray Davies schon damals. Auch die Ottakes weiteren Singles und B-Seiten und alternativen Mixes sind sehr interessant, der Meister versteht, worauf es ankommt. Weiterer Höhepunkt ist aber das Album von Dave Davies mit vielen, unglaublich guten und originellen Songs, die die andere, abgedrehtere Seite der Kinks zeigt, nur manchmal etwas vermixt. Und natürlich die Singles in schönen Hardcover Paperbacks...oder wie das heißt. Der Metall-Kinks Button wandert gleich an die Lederjacke...cool...Weiterhin das Doku-Booklet mit spannenden Hintergründen zum Album und unbekannten Bildern. Und es gibt noch wunderbare S/W Fotos und Nachdrucke von Konzertplakaten. Ideal für die Wand hinter Glas...Habe ich aber noch nicht fertig gebracht, es macht einfach so viel Spaß, diese hellblaue Schatulle zu öffnen und die Sachen in die Hand zu nehmen. Das Ganze wirkt irgendwie sehr "liebevoll" gemacht...oder so ähnlich. Da geht nix mehr - außer, ja, noch die Reissue der Vinyl LP dazu...die muss man sich dann doch noch kaufen. Unbedingte Kaufempfehlung für Kinks-Fans!!!!