The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies (Deluxe Version) [2022 Remaster] (2022) [Hi-Res]

Muswell Hillbillies is the tenth studio album by the English rock group the Kinks. Released in November 1971, it was the band's first album for RCA Records. The album is named after the Muswell Hill area of North London, where band leader Ray Davies and guitarist Dave Davies grew up and the band formed in the early 1960s.

Muswell Hillbillies is named after the Muswell Hill area of North London, where band leader Ray Davies and guitarist Dave Davies grew up and the band formed in the early 1960s. The album centred on themes of poverty and working-class life, as well as the destruction and subdivision of old Victorian neighbourhoods - a practice that had become commonplace in North London during the 1970s.

The album is a wide-ranging collection of Ray Davies compositions which focus on the tensions and frustrations of modern life. In the opening song, the singer declares: "I'm a 20th century man, but I don't want to be here." The album introduces us to the lives of a number of working class figures, and the stresses they must contend with.

The album is notable for the intentional use of dated recording equipment. Ray Davies and engineer Mike Bodak utilized 10 year old microphones on many of the tracks to give the record an antiquated feel. Muswell Hillbillies was also the first of The Kinks' records featuring their new brass section, The Mike Cotton Sound, which included Mike Cotton on trumpet, John Beecham on trombone and tuba, and Alan Holmes on clarinet. It is often regarded as one of the best post sixties albums.

Ray Davies, lead vocals, acoustic guitar, resonator guitar
Dave Davies, lead guitar, slide guitar, banjo, backing vocals
John Dalton, bass guitar, backing vocals
Mick Avory, drums, percussion
John Gosling, piano (acoustic and electric), Hammond organ, accordion
Additional musicians:
Mike Cotton, trumpet
John Beecham, trombone, tuba
Alan Holmes, saxophone, clarinet
Vicki Brown, backing vocals (tracks 4, 9)
Ken Jones, harmonica (track 7)

Digitally remastered