Absolutely. Ray is by far the finest songsmith to come out of England. Jaggers/Richard aren't even close in terms of quantity of originality and quality. Likewise Lennon/McCartney. I would go head-to-head with any Stoner/Beatlebum in a Kinks vs. the pretender catalogue encounter.
@@LaughingStock_ I'm up for it! My team is The Beatles, yours is The Kinks - let's go (p.s. I absolutely love The Kinks, so I'm in a no lose contest here! But I think the more interesting stand off is who is the better songwriter/musician/performer: Ray Davies or Pete Townshend? - probably starting to get closer to comparing apples with apples) Anyway, regardless we can certainly agree that we have all been lucky to have experienced all of these amazing talents!
I saw the kinks live at Beatty park aquatic centre Western Australia with the bee gees and deep purple early 70s cost me three dollars The best night of my life including a lovely young women. Thanks for the memories!
The Crouch End Festival Chorus teaming up with Ray Davies is a true stroke of genius... workin back stage at Glas' n listening to them perform was simply sublime... Long live Ray n the VGPS
No major British Invasion artist of the 1960s was more consistently English in manner and songwriting theme than these Kink blokes. While their more internationally successful peers were generally emulating American R&B artists or those scouser rockers up in the north the Kinks, under the helm of the brilliant but not always mutually amiable Davies lads, chartered a different course of innovative hard rock sound and bitting social commentary on the state of post-war England. As a Yank Anglophile who loves nearly all of the diverse sounds that emanated from the UK in the swinging sixties the Kinks will always hold a tender place in my heart for their boldly unique character. God Save The Kinks!
If there was ever a song from that era that deserved a choral treatment, Shangri-La was it. This was probably the most epic of Ray's 'everyman' songs, and it works very well here. Also, it is nice that Ray can participate in this kind of later-life validation of the work of his youth.
'stairway' doesn't =mean= anything though... it's a great, trippy song, yeah, but - eventually, "great noise - signifies nothing", to shorten up some famous quote from somewherez else... "shangri-la" though... exemplifies =EVERYTHING= about post-industrial/post-depression era life (at least, for the western world... look around, at viddies from elsewheres around the world, and find out that there are people still living in pre-industrial times...) ;0 his sly grin at the beginning, talking about "hippies at his party"... ;) well, i don't think he was completely off-tune from where they were coming from; it was just too early a time to consciously make-amends about where-and-how we were all going, socially, politically, environmentally, economically... so, i feel this song tells us (without explicitly saying so ;) that there are parts of the world that still do not enjoy the modern benefits we do (and we should/could make that a priority), and also that we (in our post-industrial age) should protect and preserve our modern benefits, instead of letting them neglectfully being sod off by politicians on "whatever take" they're getting by letting those poorer than them have less quality in their basic utilities than they are getting, or can afford to get themselves. not everyone, EVERYWHERE, NOW gets to live out their "shangri-la". and, this dream slips ever farther away, in a millenium where EVERYONE SHOULD be reaching closer to it.
Where is your reward for working so hard over the decades, dearest dear Sir Raymond Douglas Davies M.B.E. (or whatever the title is?). you are such an outstanding person in each and every way
I prefer it to "Village Green" which I suppose makes me a heretic in Kinks circles. They are both wonderful of course, but I just think "Arthur" is better. Victoria, Yes Sir No Sir, Drivin', Australia, what's not to love? Dave's playing is superb on it as well. He's one of the great unsung guitar heroes in my opinion.
I bought “Arthur “ when it came out, a tremendous album. Was fortunate enough to see the Kinks in the ‘70s, I don’t remember the year but it was great.
Now here you are in your paradise,this is your kingdom in a new life and is this your shangri-la!Put on your slippers and sit by the fire You reach the top and You Cany any Higher!
I like the choir. Ray liked using a harpsichord and horns. So many words as Mick Avory mentioned about Ray’s songs. Mick sang a number in the bar with the Kastoff Kinks. I wish there was more, but Ray gave us so much to enjoy.
Shangri-la is one of the very finest songs ever written, pure and simple. Some of the most insightful lyrics not to mention a very sophisticated and capitivating melody. For my taste, the studio version is far superior to this choral revision, but that's just my taste.
The Kinks are more reactionary and right wing than people realize. Their aversion to the mood of the times was not coming from a left wing perspective, but rather a traditional one.
Ray Davies is a phenomenal cat.
A great songwriter, a great band. You can keep the Stones, I'll take the Kinks every time.
Ray should be allowed to live forever.
He will.
Y nosotros también, para poder seguir escuchándolo por toda la eternidad. Un genio!!!!!!!
I feel like the Kinks deserve more recognition than the Rolling Stones.
Absolutely. Ray is by far the finest songsmith to come out of England. Jaggers/Richard aren't even close in terms of quantity of originality and quality. Likewise Lennon/McCartney. I would go head-to-head with any Stoner/Beatlebum in a Kinks vs. the pretender catalogue encounter.
@@LaughingStock_shouldn't you be on the front line bub..with your mask on fighting off the ruskies
@@LaughingStock_ I'm up for it! My team is The Beatles, yours is The Kinks - let's go (p.s. I absolutely love The Kinks, so I'm in a no lose contest here! But I think the more interesting stand off is who is the better songwriter/musician/performer: Ray Davies or Pete Townshend? - probably starting to get closer to comparing apples with apples) Anyway, regardless we can certainly agree that we have all been lucky to have experienced all of these amazing talents!
This man is a fucking absolute legend. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for all he is.
i do not use the f... word, but a legend he is !!!!
how'd u get away with that
"I tried deliberately to be unfashionable". I love this guy! Village Green is the most beautiful album.
One of the proudest moments of my life shaking hands with Ray Davies at a book signing. A true British icon. An absolute legend.
What a sophisticated songwriter!
I saw the kinks live at Beatty park aquatic centre Western Australia with the bee gees and deep purple early 70s cost me three dollars The best night of my life including a lovely young women. Thanks for the memories!
The Crouch End Festival Chorus teaming up with Ray Davies is a true stroke of genius... workin back stage at Glas' n listening to them perform was simply sublime...
Long live Ray n the VGPS
One of the greatest songs of all times!!!
I could listen to him for hours. I just love his interviews!
I wish I could have grandpa like him
Ein wunderbarer Song, ein heute noch aktueller und sehr guter Text und einer der hervorragendsten Musiker unserer Zeit. Danke Ray Davies!
Shangri La is the greatest song of the 60's
Waterloo Sunset, but there are SO many great Ray Davies songs!
Gotta love him mentioning "We're Only In It For the Money" genius Ray!
No major British Invasion artist of the 1960s was more consistently English in manner and songwriting theme than these Kink blokes. While their more internationally successful peers were generally emulating American R&B artists or those scouser rockers up in the north the Kinks, under the helm of the brilliant but not always mutually amiable Davies lads, chartered a different course of innovative hard rock sound and bitting social commentary on the state of post-war England. As a Yank Anglophile who loves nearly all of the diverse sounds that emanated from the UK in the swinging sixties the Kinks will always hold a tender place in my heart for their boldly unique character. God Save The Kinks!
Get a girlfriend mate
A British national treasure. God save the Kinks.
My treasure 🇬🇧 🤗 too.🇺🇸 🎼 🇺🇸
If there was ever a song from that era that deserved a choral treatment, Shangri-La was it. This was probably the most epic of Ray's 'everyman' songs, and it works very well here. Also, it is nice that Ray can participate in this kind of later-life validation of the work of his youth.
Timeless ! all time.
The only rock god who can purposefully be unfashionable.... and still be loved even more
Thank you Ray for many years of listening to you're music and the kinks🇬🇧 🎯 🎶 ☕ 🇺🇸
This is awesome. Incredible how lyrics still mean something today.
God save the Kinks--Ray the greatest story teller
Ray Davies makes me wish I was British. As a Canadian with some British background god do I feel a calling to England when I listen to The Kinks.
Far greater than, Led Zep's, Stairway To Heaven!
Could be man, could be !
Regards !
Very, very good song, my friend. But, for as great and original as it is, it still doesn't come close to Stairway.
Reddog5546 yea it’s ways better
'stairway' doesn't =mean= anything though... it's a great, trippy song, yeah, but - eventually, "great noise - signifies nothing", to shorten up some famous quote from somewherez else...
"shangri-la" though... exemplifies =EVERYTHING= about post-industrial/post-depression era life (at least, for the western world... look around, at viddies from elsewheres around the world, and find out that there are people still living in pre-industrial times...)
;0 his sly grin at the beginning, talking about "hippies at his party"... ;) well, i don't think he was completely off-tune from where they were coming from; it was just too early a time to consciously make-amends about where-and-how we were all going, socially, politically, environmentally, economically...
so, i feel this song tells us (without explicitly saying so ;) that there are parts of the world that still do not enjoy the modern benefits we do (and we should/could make that a priority), and also that we (in our post-industrial age) should protect and preserve our modern benefits, instead of letting them neglectfully being sod off by politicians on "whatever take" they're getting by letting those poorer than them have less quality in their basic utilities than they are getting, or can afford to get themselves.
not everyone, EVERYWHERE, NOW gets to live out their "shangri-la". and, this dream slips ever farther away, in a millenium where EVERYONE SHOULD be reaching closer to it.
Apples and Oranges.
He is and was one of the best... and obviously still is!
This is a sophisticated composition intended for discerning listeners. No wonder I couldn't make much of this when I was fourteen.
The Kinks are the Kings
Ray & Dave Davies. The finest song writers of their time. Brilliant, love their songs, so much ❤️❤️
A genius. Shook his hand about 30 years ago during his gig with Brother Dave in Wolverhampton
Where is your reward for working so hard over the decades, dearest dear Sir Raymond Douglas Davies M.B.E. (or whatever the title is?).
you are such an outstanding person in each and every way
Truly awesome live performance of this classic with the choir👍❤️❤️❤️
The man the myth the legendary King Kink!
👑✨🎸🙏
Ray's voice is the coolest
4:06 if you just want the song
We all love you Ray!
Arthur was just another amazing Kinks album in an incredible collection of great records,..Luckily MCA Universal wasn't able to burn them ,...
I prefer it to "Village Green" which I suppose makes me a heretic in Kinks circles. They are both wonderful of course, but I just think "Arthur" is better. Victoria, Yes Sir No Sir, Drivin', Australia, what's not to love? Dave's playing is superb on it as well. He's one of the great unsung guitar heroes in my opinion.
I bought “Arthur “ when it came out, a tremendous album.
Was fortunate enough to see the Kinks in the ‘70s, I don’t remember the year but it was great.
God bless you Ray 👌
After much consideration, I really want this to be my 'funeral march' song.
One of my favorite Kinks songs
Quality... The Festival Chorus compliment his work superbly.....
Thanks for posting
Masterpiece ❤
Now here you are in your paradise,this is your kingdom in a new life and is this your shangri-la!Put on your slippers and sit by the fire You reach the top and You Cany any Higher!
I like the choir. Ray liked using a harpsichord and horns. So many words as Mick Avory mentioned about Ray’s songs. Mick sang a number in the bar with the Kastoff Kinks. I wish there was more, but Ray gave us so much to enjoy.
What s glorious performance!
He still sounds the same wow! :)
Brano grandioso! Ray Davies un genio!
I had the tee shirt God save the Kinks now im gonna look in my attic
Ray forever!!!
Un pur bonheur.
⭐⭐⭐
Thank you for the days
just fantastic !!!!!!!
Wish I could give this a "double" up vote.
Thank You, Ray! :)
MASTERPIECE... UPTHERE WITH MY FRIEND AND HERO, McCartney stuff... wow.. Ray Davis. What a genius!
oh man that was great!
PLease credit THE CROUCH END FESTIVAL CHORUS.
Nice interview and a good performance. And the choir worked too.
Genius!!!!
That's awesome, loved it!
FABULOUS
Wow!
GOD SAVE TEH KINKS
Who and where is the drummer?? He did a great job on this song(very very close to Mick Avorys version).
Forget Mcartney ..lennon was great when he was on it..instant karma strawberry fields..but this is celestial
So underrated
Shangri-la is one of the very finest songs ever written, pure and simple. Some of the most insightful lyrics not to mention a very sophisticated and capitivating melody. For my taste, the studio version is far superior to this choral revision, but that's just my taste.
The Kinks are more reactionary and right wing than people realize. Their aversion to the mood of the times was not coming from a left wing perspective, but rather a traditional one.
God save the Kinks
👍
Wahou
well 1969 xmas my mums gift to me aurther
Why did you go for a Lo-fi sound on the recordings, Ray?
Hey Jude. Wie war KINKS für BEATLS ?
Amazing song. Shame about the choir; giving it full pelt when it should be subtle, and underwhelming when it should unshackled.
P....., ils vous feraient regretter le Brexit 😣
@@keithedmundson6532 : One of your British nugget, for sure ! 😊
His voice is bye bye. Oh well.
The chorus is unnecessary. It is a good song but essentially snide. He was lower middle class too.
No, he wasn't - don't take my word for it, just read up a bit.