Kinks Announce 50th Anniversary ‘Arthur’ Reissue
The Kinks have announced a 50th anniversary reissue of their album Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) on October 25. It’s available for pre-order now via BMG.
Along with standard format editions, a deluxe box set will include four CDs, four singles and a book. New music includes recordings made for an abandoned Dave Davies solo album, three unreleased Arthur tracks, new mixes, and two new recordings of Ray Davies with the Doo Wop Choir. You can see the full track list below.
The first of the new cuts, “The Future,” has been released in a lyric video can can be seen below:
“I started Arthur before the end of Village Green,” guitarist Dave said in a statement. “The albums piggyback one another because they are joined.” He explained of the solo songs: “One of the reasons the album wasn’t finished was because I felt the Kinks’ management and record company were forcing me too much. I felt very comfortable being in the Kinks and it seemed fulfilling to be part of a band. I didn’t really want for more. I couldn’t see the point.”
Brother Ray Davies added: “Hearing Dave’s songs again after all this time, I found them quite moving because they were like the back story of what The Kinks were going through at the time.”
The Kinks – ‘Arthur’ Box Set – Track List
Disc One: Original Stereo Album, 2019 Remaster
1. “Victoria” (Stereo)
2. “Yes Sir, No Sir” (Stereo)
3. “Some Mother’s Son” (Stereo)
4. “Drivin’” (Stereo)
5. “Brainwashed” (Stereo)
6. “Australia” (Stereo)
7. “Shangri-La” (Stereo)
8. “Mr. Churchill Says” (Stereo)
9. “She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina” (Stereo)
10. “Young And Innocent Days” (Stereo)
11. “Nothing To Say” (Stereo)
12. “Arthur” (Stereo)
Bonus Tracks
13. “Plastic Man” (Stereo)
14. “Victoria” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
15. “Yes Sir, No Sir” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
16. “Drivin’” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
17. “Brainwashed” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
18. “Australia” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
19. “Shangri-La” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
Disc Two: Original Mono Album, 2019 Remaster
1. “Victoria” (Mono)
2. “Yes Sir, No Sir” (Mono)
3. “Some Mother’s Son” (Mono)
4. “Drivin’” (Mono)
5. “Brainwashed” (Mono)
6. “Australia” (Mono)
7. “Shangri-La” (Mono)
8. “Mr. Churchill Says” (Mono)
9. “She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina” (Mono)
10. “Young And Innocent Days” (Mono)
11. “Nothing To Say” (Mono)
12. “Arthur” (Mono)
Bonus Tracks
13. “Plastic Man” (Mono)
14. “King Kong” (Mono)
15. “Victoria” (Alternate Mono Mix)
16. “Australia” (Alternate Mono Acetate Mix)
17. “Shangri-La” (Alternate Mono Mix)
18. “She’s Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina” (Alternate Mono Mix)
19. “Australia” (Australian Mono Single Mix/Edit)
Disc Three: The Great Lost Dave Davies Album Plus
1. “This Man He Weeps Tonight” (Stereo)
2. “Mindless Child Of Motherhood” (Stereo)
3. “Hold My Hand” (Stereo)
4. “Do You Wish To Be A Man?” (Stereo)
5. “Are You Ready?” (Stereo)
6. “Creeping Jean” (Stereo)
7. “I’m Crying” (Stereo)
8. “Lincoln County” (Stereo)
9. “Mr. Shoemaker’s Daughter” (Stereo)
10. “Mr. Reporter” (Stereo)
11. “Groovy Movies” (Stereo)
12. “There Is No Life Without Love” (Stereo)
Bonus Tracks
13. “Lincoln County” (Mono Single Mix/Edit)
14. “There Is No Life Without Love” (Mono)
15. “Hold My Hand” (Mono)
16. “Creeping Jean” (Mono Single Mix/Edit)
17. “Mindless Child Of Motherhood” (Mono)
18. “This Man He Weeps Tonight” (Mono)
19. “Mr. Shoemaker’s Daughter” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
20. “Mr. Reporter” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
21. “Groovy Movies” (Alternate Stereo Mix)
22. “Lincoln County” (Acoustic Mix)
23. “Hold My Hand” (Alternate Take)
Disc Four: Demos, Rehearsals, BBC & Remixes
Part 1
1. “Arthur’s Journey” (Introduction)
2. “Australia” (2019 Mix)
3. Home Demos Medley, 1969: “Arthur” / “Victoria” / “Some Mother's Son” / “Drivin’” / “Brainwashed” / “Mr. Churchill Says” (TV Premix)
Part 2
4. “Shangri-La” (2019 Mix)
5. “My Big Sister (Theatrical Version)
6. “Stevenage” (Theatrical Version)
7. “Space” (Theatrical Version) (Full Version)
8. “The Future” (Doo-Wop Version)
9. “Arthur” (Doo-Wop Version)
Part 3
10. “The Virgin Soldiers March”
11. “Soldiers Coming Home” (Instrumental)
12. “King Kong” (BBC Mix)
13. “Victoria” (Ray Davies & Band With The DR Symphony & Vocal Ensemble) (Stereo)
14. “Arthur” (BBC Mix)