The Kinks’ ambitious 50th anniversary reissue campaign continues with the release of deluxe editions of their 1971 album, Muswell Hillbillies, and 1972’s Everybody’s In Show-Biz – Everybody’s a Star. The latter was a double album that already featured one disc of live recordings, with their classic, “Celluloid Heroes,” closing the studio side. A variety of newly remastered, new editions of both arrived on Sept. 9, 2022, via BMG.
From the July 27 announcement: In 1971, the British rock group embarked on a new phase of their career by signing with RCA Records. Freed from their old label Pye’s insistence on hit singles, Ray Davies’ songwriting accelerated his band’s move towards a new identity as makers of thematically ambitious, tenderly personal albums, building on preceding cult successes such as The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society. Buoyed by one more smash to start the decade –“Lola” – this most English of bands also firmly turned its sights towards the USA, where their exciting, charismatic live shows were reciprocally building a fervent new American fanbase.
Muswell Hillbillies looked back on Ray and Dave Davies’ London roots, telling tales of working-class families migrating from the war-torn and redevelopment-ravaged inner city to the strange, leafy suburbs of North London.
“Now with a new record company and a new image, I could bring some of the old wild western spirit into my music,” Ray Davies says. “These albums capture the re-emergence of the Kinks as a touring band.” Dave Davies adds, “Muswell Hillbillies is one-of my favorite Kinks albums. It’s a bit of a backstory to the Davies family and the characters involved.”
The album’s release was supported by more U.S. touring, including two 1972 nights at New York’s iconic Carnegie Hall. Tapes of those anarchic shows, heavy on Muswell material, formed the live half of 1972’s double-album, Everybody’s In Show-Biz – Everybody’s A Star. Its studio sides explored The Kinks’ long months on the American road with wistful humor. Its epic finale, “Celluloid Heroes,” confirmed the band’s new world. Among the elite cream of Kinks songs, it saw Ray use Hollywood as a prism through which to view ordinary Americans’ bittersweet dreams.
The original announcement of the reissue came alongside the release of “Celluloid Heroes (U.S. Single Version 2022 Edit),” and the accompanying video featuring archival footage. Ray Davies composed the track reflecting on everyday folk aspiring to be Hollywood stars. The song name checks several famous actors of 20th century film (including Greta Garbo, Rudolph Valentino, Bela Lugosi, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe) and mentions Los Angeles’ Hollywood Boulevard, alluding to its Walk of Fame.
Despite the song’s brilliance, the original single failed to chart in the U.K. or U.S.
Related: Our deep dive into “Celluloid Heroes”
The Muswell Hillbillies has been remastered from newly discovered Ray Davies original master tapes.
Everybody’s In Show-Biz has been remastered from original master tapes. The new editions of the albums are being released in many configurations, including some that combine the two.
Watch the official unboxing video
More info for the deluxe edition appears below the Amazon links, along with many more audio clips.
Deluxe box set: Muswell Hillbillies / Everybody’s In Show-Biz – Everybody’s A Star
6 x LP
· “Muswell Hillbillies” 2014 gatefold deluxe 2LP remastered from newly discovered Ray Davies original master tapes, colour vinyl
· “Everybody’s In Show-Biz – Everybody’s A Star” 2016 gatefold deluxe 3LP, remastered from original master tapes, colour vinyl
· “Muswell Hillbillies” & “Everybody’s In Show-Biz” 11 new Ray Davies track remixes 1LP, bespoke new artwork, heavyweight black vinyl
4 x CD
· “Muswell Hillbillies” & “Everybody’s In Show-Biz” original albums remastered in gatefold wallets, with original artwork
· 11 new Ray Davies track remixes (previously unreleased) in gatefold wallet, bespoke new artwork
· The Kinks 1971 US Tour Travel Montage (contains new Ray Davies track remixes, one of which is a previously unreleased track)
Blu-Ray video
· Previously unseen, digitally restored Ray Davies 1971 home movie, narrated by Ray (15 mins long)
Deluxe Hardback book
· 52 pages on gloss art paper, extensive text with new band interview quotes, rare and unseen photos and memorabilia
The Kinks “London Roots” map
· A2 size on uncoated sepia paper stock, Kinks north London roots map with key historical Kinks related locations, chosen by the band
Printed memorabilia
· 6 x glossy Kinks photos from 1971 / 1972
Badge
· Bespoke, metal and enamel, yellow and black, Kinks RCA era logo heavy pin-clasp badge
Onsert
· Back of box, color 12” paper onsert displaying contents
Listen to the single mix of “Everybody’s a Star (Starmaker)”
[easy_sign_up title=”Sign up for the Best Classic Bands Newsletter”]
