This 5 Disc Set set covers the years Kevin Ayers was signed to the legendary Harvest label, 1969-1974.
The albums included in this release:
Joy of a toy (Released Nov 1969) debut solo album from Kevin Ayers, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London. Was inspired by a gift from Jimi Hendrix – a Gibson J-200 guitar, which Hendrix presented to Ayers after Soft Machine supported The Jimi Hendrix Experience on a tour of the US. Amongst the bonus tracks is Singing a Song in the Morning which features Syd Barretts psychedelic guitar playing and You Say You Like My Hat which was recorded for BBC Top Gear Session, 10 February 1970.
Shooting At The Moon (released October 1970) was Ayers second studio album, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London. Recorded with “The Whole World” which included Ayers touring band for ‘Joy of a toy’ which included a young Mike Oldfield. Amongst the bonus tracks are Shooting At The Moon recorded for BBC Radio 1 at Playhouse Theatre, London for the BBC Alan Black Session, 20 May 1970 and We Did It Again / Murder In The Air recorded for BBC Top Gear Session, 9 June 1970
Whatevershebringswesing – (Released January 1972) seen by many as Ayers best work, this solo album, also recorded at Abbey Road - includes contributions from Mike Oldfield and Robert Wyatt. Amongst the eight bonus tracks is Queen Thing recorded for BBC Bob Harris Session, 17 May 1972, recorded for BBC Radio 1 at Aeolian Hall
Bananamour – (Originally released May 1973) Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Ayers fourth album for Harvest was Bananamour, the album contains the Syd Barrett tribute Oh Wot a Dream, and the Velvet Underground inspired Decadence. Amongst six bonus tracks, includes: Shouting In A Bucket Blues recorded for a BBC Bob Harris Session, 11 April 1973.
The Confessions Of Dr Dream and Other Stories – (Originally released May 1974) released on Island Records, this is Ayers fifth studio album. This critically acclaimed album is complemented by 7 bonus tracks including: Didn’t Feel Lonely Till I Thought Of You recorded for BBC Radio One’s John Peel Show at Langham Studio on 9 July 1974.
- Track 1-11 released as single HAR 5011, 13 April 1970.
- Tracks 1-12 to 1-15 BBC Top Gear Session, recorded 10 February 1970 for BBC Radio 1 at BBC Maida Vale Studio. First transmitted 28 February 1970.
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- Tracks 2-1 to 2-9 originally released as Harvest SHSP 4005 in October 1970.
- Tracks 2-10 & 2-11 A & B sides to 'Butterfly Dance' single (HAR 5027), released 9 October 1970.
- Tracks 2-12 to 2-14 BBC Alan Black Session, 20 May 1970, recorded for BBC Radio 1 at Playhouse Theatre, London. First transmitted 3 July 1970.
- Tracks 2-15 to 2-17 BBC Top Gear Session, 9 June 1970.
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- Tracks 3-1 to 3-8 originally released as Harvest SHVL 800 in January 1972.
- Track 3-9 B side to 'Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes' single (HAR 5042) released 17 August 1971.
- Track 3-10 B side to reissued 'Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes' single (SHSM 2005) released February 1976.
- Tracks 3-11 to 3-16 BBC Bob Harris Session, 17 May 1972, recorded for BBC Radio 1 at Aeolian Hall. Transmitted 12 June 1972.
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- Tracks 4-1 to 4-9 originally released as Harvest SHVL 807 in May 1973.
- Track 4-10 B side to 'Oh! What A Dream' single (HAR 5064) released 10 November 1972.
- Track 4-11 & 4-12 A & B side to 'Caribbean Moon' single (HAR 5071) released 19 April 1973.
- Tracks 4-13 to 4-15 BBC Bob Harris Session, 11 April 1973.
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- Tracks 5-1 to 5-11 originally released as Island ILPS 9263 in May 1974.
- Track 5-12 B released as a single (Island WIP 6194) in February 1974.
- Track 5-13 & 5-14 A & B sides to 'After The Show' single released in 1974.
- Tracks 5-15 to 5-18 BBC John Peel Session, 9 July 1974. Recorded for BBC Radio One's John Peel Show at Langham Studio on 9 July 1974. Transmitted 30 July 1974.
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12p booklet with cover images and tracklisting.
