The Unfairground: Difference between revisions

The Unfairground
The Unfairground
Studio album by Kevin Ayers
Released	September 2007
Recorded	2006–2007
Studio	Wavelab Studios, Tucson, Arizona; Marlborough Farms, New York City; Eastcote Studios & Gallery Studios, London; YipJump Studios, Glasgow
Genre	Rock
Length	34:02
Label	LO-MAX
Producer	Timothy Shepard, Peter Henderson and Gary Olson
Kevin Ayers chronology

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Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	^[1]
BBC	very favourable^[2]
Mojo	^[3]
Q	^[4]
Stylus	A−^[5]
The Times	^[6]
Uncut	4/5^[7]

The Unfairground is a 2007 album by Kevin Ayers, recorded with members of Ladybug Transistor, Teenage Fanclub, Neutral Milk Hotel, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and Roxy Music.^[8] It was his sixteenth studio LP and his first new set of recordings in fifteen years, as well as the last album released before his death in 2013. It was recorded in New York City; Tucson, Arizona; London; and Glasgow.^[9] It debuted at No. 14 in the UK Indie Album chart.

The Unfairground deals with themes of love, loss and the passing of time, and it has received strong critical endorsements for its author's ruminations on his tumultuous life.^[10] Ayers stated in a 2007 Sunday Times interview that it is "very much a reflective album: lost love, lost feelings, lost sensibilities. I had to include some of my blood, sweat and tears – if you are going to be honest, it can't be avoided."^[11]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Kevin Ayers

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Only Heaven Knows"	2:47
2.	"Cold Shoulder"	3:09
3.	"Walk on Water"	3:14
4.	"Friends and Strangers"	3:36
5.	"Shine a Light"	3:47
6.	"Wide Awake"	2:54
7.	"Baby Come Home"	2:36
8.	"Brainstorm"	4:31
9.	"Unfairground"	3:51
10.	"Run, Run, Run"	3:37

Personnel

Musicians

Kevin Ayers – guitar, vocals
Gary Olson – trumpet, producer
San Fadyl – drums
Jeff Baron – guitar
Norman Blake – guitar, backing vocals
Francis MacDonald – drums
Julian Koster – singing saw
Candie Payne – backing vocals
Euros Childs – backing vocals
Bill Wells – bass
Joe McGinty – keyboards
Phil Manzanera – guitar
Robbie McIntosh – guitar
Hugh Hopper – bass
Daisy Martey – backing vocals
Tucson Philharmonia – strings
Bridget St. John – vocals
Dave McGowan – pedal steel
Heather McIntosh – bass, cello
Kellie Sutherland – brass
Tara Shackell – brass
Isobel Knowles – brass
Gus Franklin – brass
Graham Henderson – accordion
Peter Nicholson – cello
Francis Reader – backing vocals
The Wyattron

Technical

Peter Henderson – producer
Timothy Shepard – producer, artwork, executive producer
Bernard MacMahon – executive producer

References

^ Jurek, Thom. The Unfairground at AllMusic
^ De Ledesma, Charles (14 September 2007). "BBC – Music – Review of Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
^ Clifford, Danny (September 2007). "MOJO review September 2007". users.globalnet.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
^ Kane, Peter. "Q review September 2007". users.globalnet.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
^ Atkinson, Mike (26 October 2007). "Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground – Review – Stylus Magazine". stylusmagazine.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
^ The Times review
^ Gill, Andy. "Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground – Uncut.co.uk". uncut.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
^ Pitchfork July 31 2007 Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
^ Album liner notes
^ Mojo September 2007
^ The Times, The unsung hero of psychedelia^{[dead link‍]}

External links

"Kevin Ayers Returns With Help From Roxy, Ladybug, Architecture" by Paul Thompson and Amy Phillips (Pitchfork, 31 July 2007) link
"Indie Stars Guest On Rock Legend's First Album In 15 Years" (NME, 10 August 2007) link
"The Father of the Underground" by Garth Cartwright (The Daily Telegraph, 30 August 2007) link
"The Unsung Hero of Psychedelia" by Lisa Verrico (The Sunday Times, 2 September 2007) link^{[dead link‍]}
"Soft Centered" by Pierre Perrone (The Independent, 11 September 2007) link
Album review by Andy Gill (Uncut, September 2007) link
Album review by Mike Barnes (Mojo, September 2007) link
"Kevin Ayers" by Mike Atkinson (Stylus, 23 October 2007) link
"Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt" by Simon Reynolds (Reynoldsretro, 14 December 2007) link

[1] Jurek, Thom. The Unfairground at AllMusic

[2] De Ledesma, Charles (14 September 2007). "BBC – Music – Review of Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.

[3] Clifford, Danny (September 2007). "MOJO review September 2007". users.globalnet.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.

[4] Kane, Peter. "Q review September 2007". users.globalnet.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.

[5] Atkinson, Mike (26 October 2007). "Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground – Review – Stylus Magazine". stylusmagazine.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.

[6] The Times review

[7] Gill, Andy. "Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground – Uncut.co.uk". uncut.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.

[8] Pitchfork July 31 2007 Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine

[9] Album liner notes

[10] Mojo September 2007

[11] The Times, The unsung hero of psychedelia^{[dead link‍]}

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
-{{Infobox Album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
+{{Infobox album
-| Name        = The Unfairground
-| Type        = [[Album]]
+| name       = The Unfairground
-| Artist      = [[Kevin Ayers]]
+| type       = Album
-| Cover       = Unfairground.jpg
+| artist     = [[Kevin Ayers]]
+| cover      = Unfairground.jpg
-| Released    = September 2007
+| alt        =
-| Recorded    = <small> Wavelab Studios, [[Tucson]], [[Arizona]]; Marlborough Farms, [[New York]]; Eastcote Studios & Gallery Studios, [[London]]; YipJump Studios, [[Glasgow]]</small>
+| released   = September 2007
-| Genre       = [[Rock (music)|Rock]]
-| Length      = 34:01
+| recorded   = 2006–2007
-| Label       = [[LO-MAX Records|LO-MAX]]
+| venue      =
+| studio     = Wavelab Studios, [[Tucson]], [[Arizona]]<br /> Marlborough Farms, New York City<br /> Eastcote Studios & Gallery Studios, London<br /> YipJump Studios, [[Glasgow]]
-| Producer    = Timothy Shepard, Peter Henderson and [[Ladybug Transistor|Gary Olson]]
-| Executive Producer    = Timothy Shepard
+| genre      = Rock
+| length     = 34:02
-| Last album  = "[[Still Life with Guitar]]" <br /> (1992)
+| label      = [[LO-MAX Records|LO-MAX]]
-| This album  = ''The Unfairground'' <br /> (2007)
+| producer   = Timothy Shepard, Peter Henderson and [[Ladybug Transistor|Gary Olson]]
-| Next album  =
+| prev_title = [[Still Life with Guitar]]
+| prev_year  = 1992
+| next_title =
+| next_year  =
 }}
-{{Album ratings
+{{Music ratings
 | rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
-| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}} [{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1207368|pure_url=yes}} link]
+| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1207368|first=Thom|last=Jurek}}</ref>
 | rev2 = [[BBC]]
-| rev2Score = very favourable [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/fj54/ link]
+| rev2Score = very favourable<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fj54 |title=BBC – Music – Review of Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground |first=Charles |last=De Ledesma |date=2007-09-14 |work=bbc.co.uk |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>
 | rev3 = [[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]
-| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}} [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Mojo%20review%20sept%2007.htm link]
+| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Mojo%20review%20sept%2007.htm |title=MOJO review September 2007 |first=Danny |last=Clifford |date=September 2007 |work=users.globalnet.co.uk |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>
 | rev4 = [[Q (magazine)|Q]]
-| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}} [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Q%20review%20sept%2007.htm link]
+| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Q%20review%20sept%2007.htm |title=Q review September 2007 |first=Peter |last=Kane |work=users.globalnet.co.uk |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>
 | rev5 = [[Stylus Magazine|Stylus]]
-| rev5Score = A- [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kevin-ayers/the-unfairground.htm link]
+| rev5Score = A−<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/kevin-ayers/the-unfairground.htm |title=Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground – Review – Stylus Magazine |first=Mike |last=Atkinson |date=2007-10-26 |work=stylusmagazine.com |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>
-| rev6 = [[The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]]
+| rev7 = ''[[The Times]]''
+| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>[https://archive.today/20110517053235/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article2446812.ece The Times review]</ref>
-| rev6Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}} [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006140003-2007400572,00.html link]
-| rev7 = [[The Times]]
+| rev8 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
+| rev8Score = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.uncut.co.uk/kevin-ayers/kevin-ayers-the-unfairground-review |title=Kevin Ayers – The Unfairground – Uncut.co.uk |first=Andy |last=Gill |work=uncut.co.uk |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>
-| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}} [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article2446812.ece link]
-| rev8 = [[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]
-| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}} [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Uncut%20review%20sept%2007.htm link]
 | noprose = yes
 }}
-'''''The Unfairground''''' is an acclaimed 2007 album by [[Kevin Ayers]], recorded with members of [[Ladybug Transistor]], [[Teenage Fanclub]], [[Neutral Milk Hotel]], [[Gorky's Zygotic Mynci]] and [[Roxy Music]].<ref> [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44340-kevin-ayers-returns-with-help-from-roxy-ladybug-architecture Pitchfork July 31 2007] </ref> It is his sixteenth studio LP and his first new set of recordings in fifteen years. It was recorded in [[New York]], [[Tucson]], Arizona, [[London]] and [[Glasgow]].<ref> Album liner notes </ref> It debuted at #14 in the [[UK Indie Chart|UK Indie Album chart]].<br />
+'''''The Unfairground''''' is a 2007 album by [[Kevin Ayers]], recorded with members of [[Ladybug Transistor]], [[Teenage Fanclub]], [[Neutral Milk Hotel]], [[Gorky's Zygotic Mynci]] and [[Roxy Music]].<ref>[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44340-kevin-ayers-returns-with-help-from-roxy-ladybug-architecture Pitchfork July 31 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011025251/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44340-kevin-ayers-returns-with-help-from-roxy-ladybug-architecture |date=2007-10-11}}</ref> It was his sixteenth studio LP and his first new set of recordings in fifteen years, as well as the last album released before his death in 2013. It was recorded in New York City; [[Tucson]], Arizona; London; and [[Glasgow]].<ref>Album liner notes</ref> It debuted at No. 14 in the [[UK Indie Chart|UK Indie Album chart]].
-The Unfairground deals with themes of love, loss and the passing of time and it has garnered strong critical endorsements for its author's brutally honest ruminations on his tumultuous life.<ref> [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Mojo%20review%20sept%2007.htm Mojo September 2007] </ref> Ayers stated in a 2007 [[Sunday Times]] interview that it is “very much a reflective album: lost love, lost feelings, lost sensibilities. I had to include some of my blood, sweat and tears – if you are going to be honest, it can’t be avoided.” <ref>[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2350710.ece The unsung hero of psychedelia - Times Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
+''The Unfairground'' deals with themes of love, loss and the passing of time, and it has received strong critical endorsements for its author's ruminations on his tumultuous life.<ref>[http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Mojo%20review%20sept%2007.htm Mojo September 2007]</ref> Ayers stated in a 2007 ''[[Sunday Times]]'' interview that it is "very much a reflective album: lost love, lost feelings, lost sensibilities. I had to include some of my blood, sweat and tears – if you are going to be honest, it can't be avoided."<ref>''The Times'', [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2350710.ece The unsung hero of psychedelia<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
 ==Track listing==
+{{Track listing
-# "Only Heaven Knows" (Ayers)
-# "Cold Shoulder" (Ayers)
+| all_writing = [[Kevin Ayers]]
+| title1   = Only Heaven Knows
-# "Walk on Water" (Ayers)
+| length1  = 2:47
-# "Friends & Strangers" (Ayers)
+| title2   = Cold Shoulder
-# "Shine a Light" (Ayers)
+| length2  = 3:09
-# "Wide Awake" (Ayers)
+| title3   = Walk on Water
-# "Baby Come Home" (Ayers)
+| length3  = 3:14
-# "Brainstorm" (Ayers)
+| title4   = Friends and Strangers
-# "Unfairground" (Ayers)
+| length4  = 3:36
-# "Run Run Run" (Ayers)
+| title5   = Shine a Light
+| length5  = 3:47
+| title6   = Wide Awake
+| length6  = 2:54
+| title7   = Baby Come Home
+| length7  = 2:36
+| title8   = Brainstorm
+| length8  = 4:31
+| title9   = Unfairground
+| length9  = 3:51
+| title10  = Run, Run, Run
+| length10 = 3:37
+}}
 ==Personnel==
+===Musicians===
-*[[Kevin Ayers]] / guitar, vocals and producer
+* [[Kevin Ayers]] – guitar, vocals
-*[[Ladybug Transistor|Gary Olson]] / trumpet and producer
-*[[Ladybug Transistor|San Fadyl]] / drums
+* [[Ladybug Transistor|Gary Olson]] – trumpet, producer
-*[[Ladybug Transistor|Jeff Baron]] / guitar
+* [[Ladybug Transistor|San Fadyl]] – drums
+* [[Ladybug Transistor|Jeff Baron]] – guitar
-*[[Norman Blake (Scottish musician)|Norman Blake]] / guitar and backing vocals
+* [[Norman Blake (Scottish musician)|Norman Blake]] – guitar, backing vocals
-*[[Francis MacDonald]] / drums
-*[[Julian Koster]] / singing saw
+* [[Francis MacDonald]] – drums
-*[[Candie Payne]] / backing vocals
+* [[Julian Koster]] – singing saw
-*[[Euros Childs]] / backing vocals
+* [[Candie Payne]] – backing vocals
-*[[Bill Wells]] / bass
+* [[Euros Childs]] – backing vocals
-*[[Joe McGinty]] / keyboards
+* [[Bill Wells]] – bass
-*[[Phil Manzanera]] / guitar
+* [[Joe McGinty]] – keyboards
-*[[Robbie McIntosh]] / guitar
+* [[Phil Manzanera]] – guitar
-*[[Hugh Hopper]] / bass
+* [[Robbie McIntosh]] – guitar
-*[[Daisy Martey]] / backing vocals
+* [[Hugh Hopper]] – bass
+* [[Daisy Martey]] – backing vocals
-*Tucson Philharmonia / strings
+* Tucson Philharmonia – strings
-*[[Bridget St. John]] / vocals
+* [[Bridget St. John]] – vocals
-*Dave McGowan / pedal steel
+* Dave McGowan – [[pedal steel]]
-*Heather McIntosh / bass and cello
+* Heather McIntosh – bass, cello
-*Kellie Sutherland / brass
+* Kellie Sutherland – [[Brass instrument|brass]]
-*Tara Shackell / brass
-*Isobel Knowles / brass
+* Tara Shackell – brass
-*Gus Franklin / brass
+* Isobel Knowles – brass
+* Gus Franklin – brass
-*Graham Henderson / accordion
+* Graham Henderson – [[accordion]]
-*Peter Nicholson / cello
+* Peter Nicholson – cello
-*[[Francis Reader]] / backing vocals
+* [[Francis Reader]] – backing vocals
-*Peter Henderson / producer
+* [[Robert Wyatt|The Wyattron]]
-*Tim Shepard / artwork and executive producer
-*Bernard MacMahon / executive producer
+===Technical===
-*[[Robert Wyatt|The Wyattron]]
+* Peter Henderson – producer
+* Timothy Shepard – producer, artwork, executive producer
+* [[Bernard MacMahon (filmmaker)|Bernard MacMahon]] – executive producer
 == References ==
+{{reflist|2}}
-<references/>
 ==External links==
-*''Kevin Ayers Returns With Help From Roxy, Ladybug, Architecture'' by Paul Thompson and Amy Phillips (Pitchfork Jul 31, 2007) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44340-kevin-ayers-returns-with-help-from-roxy-ladybug-architecture link]
+*"Kevin Ayers Returns With Help From Roxy, Ladybug, Architecture" by Paul Thompson and Amy Phillips (''Pitchfork'', 31 July 2007) [https://web.archive.org/web/20071011025251/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/44340-kevin-ayers-returns-with-help-from-roxy-ladybug-architecture link]
-*''Indie Stars Guest On Rock Legend's First Album In 15 Years'' (NME Aug 10, 2007) [http://www.nme.com/news/kevin-ayers/30254 link]
+*"Indie Stars Guest On Rock Legend's First Album In 15 Years" (''NME'', 10 August 2007) [https://www.nme.com/news/kevin-ayers/30254 link]
-*Album Review by Simon Cosyns (The Sun Aug 31, 2007) [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006140003-2007400572,00.html link]
+*"The Father of the Underground" by Garth Cartwright (''The Daily Telegraph'', 30 August 2007) [https://web.archive.org/web/20070831101409/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/08/30/bmayers130.xml link]
+*"The Unsung Hero of Psychedelia" by Lisa Verrico (''The Sunday Times'', 2 September 2007) [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2350710.ece link]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
-*''The Father of the Underground'' by Garth Cartwright (Daily Telegraph Aug 30 2007) [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/08/30/bmayers130.xml link]
-*''The Unsung Hero of Psychedelia'' by Lisa Verrico (The Sunday Times Sep 2, 2007) [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2350710.ece link]
+*"Soft Centered" by [[Pierre Perrone]] (''The Independent'', 11 September 2007) [https://web.archive.org/web/20071102214827/http://arts.independent.co.uk/music/features/article2945345.ece link]
-*''Soft Centered'' by [[Pierre Perrone]] (The Independent Sep 11 2007) [http://arts.independent.co.uk/music/features/article2945345.ece link]
+*Album review by Andy Gill (''Uncut'', September 2007) [http://uncut.co.uk/music/kevin_ayers/reviews/10224 link]
-*Album Review by Andy Gill (Uncut Sept 2007) [http://uncut.co.uk/music/kevin_ayers/reviews/10224 link]
+*Album review by Mike Barnes (''Mojo'', September 2007) [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Mojo%20review%20sept%2007.htm link]
-*Album Review by Mike Barnes (Mojo Sept 2007) [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~marwak/archive/Mojo%20review%20sept%2007.htm link]
+*"Kevin Ayers" by Mike Atkinson (''Stylus'', 23 October 2007) [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/interview/kevin-ayers.htm link]
-* ''Kevin Ayers'' by Mike Atkinson (Stylus Oct 23 2007) [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/interview/kevin-ayers.htm link]
+*"Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt" by Simon Reynolds (Reynoldsretro, 14 December 2007) [http://reynoldsretro.blogspot.com/2007/12/kevin-ayers-and-robert-wyatt-grauniad.html link]
-*''Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt'' by Simon Reynolds (Reynoldsretro Dec 14 2007) [http://reynoldsretro.blogspot.com/2007/12/kevin-ayers-and-robert-wyatt-grauniad.html link]
 {{Kevin Ayers}}
+{{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Unfairground, The}}
@@ Line 103: / Line 123: @@
 [[Category:Kevin Ayers albums]]
 [[Category:Albums produced by Kevin Ayers]]
+[[Category:LO-MAX Records albums]]
-[[nl:The Unfairground]]

v t e Kevin Ayers
Studio albums	Joy of a Toy (1969) Shooting at the Moon (1970) Whatevershebringswesing (1971) Bananamour (1973) The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories (1974) Sweet Deceiver (1975) Yes We Have No Mañanas (So Get Your Mañanas Today) (1976) Rainbow Takeaway (1978) That's What You Get Babe (1980) Diamond Jack and the Queen of Pain (1983) Deià...Vu (1984) As Close As You Think (1986) Falling Up (1988) Still Life with Guitar (1992) The Unfairground (2007)
Collaborations	June 1, 1974 (1974) Lady June's Linguistic Leprosy (1974)
Singles	"Singing a Song in the Morning" "Butterfly Dance" "Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes" "Oh! Wot a Dream" "Caribbean Moon" "Star" "Mr. Cool" "Money Money Money" "Animals" "Who's Still Crazy"
Related articles	Soft Machine Robert Wyatt Daevid Allen