Whatevershebringswesing

Whatevershebringswesing (1971) is weird that's for sure. There's not much else to say. Note that weird in the case of this album, is great. Kevin Ayers the man behind this album is a genius...I think. This album borders on genius and crazy but the melodys come through the surface weirdness and make for an absolutely necessary listening experience.

The album was recorded with members of Gong and The Whole World, bands Ayers had worked with before. The Album was Ayer's most critically acclaimed with praises from Rolling Stone.

Guitarist Mike Oldfield set the tone on this album. A tone that would dominate his sound throughout the 70s.

Ayers style is a mesh of many disparate styles and genres that all take place together but somehow harmoniously fit together. His music is almost a feat because of how he brings together such polar foreign sounds. The album features bass solo intros, bells, classical interlude interruptions, and just about any other weird sounds you can think if.

The B-side of the album features more typical songs without as much avant garde vignettes spliced into the songs. The track Whatevershebringswesing was a standout for me, featuring 50s vibes and soft guitar melodic solos.

Side 1

1. "There is Loving (Ayers)/Among Us (Bedford)/There is Loving (Ayers)" (7:22)
2. "Margaret" (3:20) (Ayers)
3. "Oh My" (2:59) (Ayers)
4. "Song from the Bottom of a Well" (4:37) (Ayers)

Side 2

1. "Whatevershebringswesing" (8:13) (Ayers)
2. "Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes" (3:24) (Ayers)
3. "Champagne Cowboy Blues" (3:56) (Ayers)
4. "Lullabye" (2:14) (Ayers)

Personnel:

• Kevin Ayers / vocals, guitar, bass (6)
• David Bedford / keyboards (1,2,5,6,8,12), orchestral arrangements
• Mike Oldfield / bass (1,3,4), guitar (5,7)
• Dave Dufort / drums (1,4,5)
• William Murray / percussion (2,3,7)
• Tony Carr / drums (6,12)
• Robert Wyatt / Harmony vocals (5)
• Didier Malherbe / saxophone (1), flute (8)
• Gerry Fields / violin (3)
• Johnny Van Derek / violin (2,7)
• Bruce Malamut / flugelhorns (1), incidental brass (1,2,5,6,8,12), ass't engineer (1,2)