KEVIN AYERS AND THE WHOLE WORLD-COLOURS OF THE DAY (BOOTLEG), CD, LATE 90'S (RECORDED: 1970-1972), UK

Sun dappled, dewy eyed whimsified Canterbury godhead was what Kevin Ayer and his short lived Whole World band were and their "Shooting For The Moon" album (Ayers second after leaving Soft Machine) is one of the high water marks of the entirety of British rock of the era, for my money. Flanked for that one glorious album and subsequent tours by a truly idiosyncratic line-up that included outwardly bound soprano sax master Lol Coxhill, modernist composer David Bedford and a very young Mike Oldfield in it's ranks, the joyously mad and life affirming music that resulted was very much the product of a hot house creative environment where all parties concerned are operating at the top of their game. the live recordings captured on Colours Of The Day underscore just what a unique phenomenon The Whole World Band were, if also underscoring what a slightly drunken one they could be as well, a facet of their identity that fits Ayer's plummily stoned raconteur persona like a big floppy suede hat. Newcomers to Ayers might be advised to check out the studio versions first, but for those into the myth, the contents of this boot are enough to start a pool of drool forming, none more so (well...for me and my circle at least) than a jaw dropping 13+ minute version of his heartbreakingly beautiful (and originally brief) masterstroke, "Clarence In Wonderland" that sends Coxhill into endless fusillades of exalted soprano sax spirals; some of his finest on display anywhere. I could go on waxing rhapsodic about details track by track, but I won't belabor the point. This just simply kills. 'Nuff said.

Get part one Here


Get part two Here