The Kitchen Cynics fan page

private (Enfang)Kitchen Cynics : A Tune-a-Day, The Kitchen Cynics way : January (UK,2007)****'

There once was a time when I obliged myself to concentrate on the uniqueness of each day that could lead automatically, with the help of such an underlying meditation, to an instant and unconsciously prepared moment of inspiration. Mostly this did not just lead to one poem a day (like I found it had to be like this, at least), but in the end it could even lead to a whole book written and assembled in one energy. (Every new inspiration, if it was really inspired hung better together than I realised at first, because I was one with it all).

There’s a saying: “one apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Alan Davidson had the idea to write a tune-a-day, and to sell it in a limited series. This 31 track album is the inspiration of the first month, January. Also this hangs musically well together, and seems like it follows a natural logic. David helped me to explain the content with “wee comments about the songs”. I was intrigued by one explanation on the song “Now I am an animal” : about the story that can be found in the local anthropological museum about an inuit who stranded barely alive in Aberdeen, and died a few days later “babbling incoherently”. Of course there are many poetic excursions, with always nice arrangements, but also interesting short soundtracks of instrumentals, with here and there slightly experimental parts with fuzz and such (and even piano), interesting interpretations on songs by Bridget Saint John, Ivor Cutler and Syd Barrett (both made during a special live moment during a tribute night, in cooperation with John Cavanagh), Dan Treacy (Television Personalities), all in a Kitchen Cynics way. The “anji” instrumental is so much Kitchen Cynics it is called “Anji’s Nightmare”. A wonderful highly recommended release which will give pleasure for at least years, if not a lifetime. A perfect starter for Kitchen Cynics.

Cover from a great privately released compilation CD

"Kitchen cynics : ..

Privat recordings from a poet in the kitchen.

I had so many things to say about this group...

But where is my memory now when I' making this page for the net ?

If you like Pearls Before Swine making songs of fragile beauty with experiments in quiet sounds on the instruments in the details of the recording you would certainly recognise these capacities here too.

Also Tom Rapp liked his songs !

Don't expect anything else but the mysteries of small and quiet spaces and places.

Kitchen cynics made a lot of privat tapes. I would suggest to buy nr.5, 11,13 and a compilation album like this CD first. It certainly is worth trying the music.

Last year he worked with Vinyl Bill & Gordon Gray :

A privat homeband for everybodies pleasure : Very nice too !" Gerald, 2002

(I played the music of The Kitchen Cynics

lots of times in my radioshow)

discography until early 2004 linked at next text file

Contact the cynics at Alan Davidson, 346 Holburn Street Aberdeen, AB10 7GX, UK.

More info (with small discography) at http://www.borderlinebooks.com/80s90s/k0003.html

and http://www.psychedelic-music.net/pmdb/db3/band188.html

Review at http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue14/kitchen1.html

and http://members.aol.com/raycarmen/rc2wTKC.html

and (with sound fragment of "Theme for Gwen") at http://www.splendidezine.com/reviews/jul-31-00/aag.html

"Time of Sands" LP at http://www.get-happy-records.com/label.htm

"The Quiet Ones" tape at http://www.blissaquamarine.net/tapes4.html

with review : http://members.aol.com/raycarmen/rc2wTKC.html

"Swearing in Metaphore" can be bought at http://www.indiepages.com/bestkeptsecret/cat3.html

Compilation album at http://www.patrol.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/shirts.htm

interview in Dutch : http://www.storing-zine.net/feature.php?id=31

LATEST CDR & CD RELEASES :

on this page : review 1, review 2, review 3, review 4, review 5, review 6, review 7,

review 8, review of Mickel Mass, review 9, review 10 & 11 ; on other pages : review 1, review 2

NEW MESSAGE FROM ALAN DAVIDSON

In an attempt to raise money for dry rot treatment (to his flat, not to his body!), the Kitchen Cynics' Alan Davidson is going to attempt a 'Tune-a-Day' (the Kitchen Cynics Way!).

He guarantees to produce a song or tune every day in 2007, with a CD-R finished, and mailed to subscribers every month.

The CDs will be limited to one per subscriber, and if only 2 people are interested, then only 2 will be produced (plus one for Alan).

Each cover will feature an old photo, from the album of Alan's late grandmother.

The cost will be 30 pounds or 50 US dollars (inc P&P), working out at less than £3 per CD!

If you want to subscribe, contact Alan at his e-mail address sometime soon.

No subscriptions will be taken after Christmas 2006

You can reach

Alan Davidson from The Kitchen Cynics

at kitchencynics@ecosse.net

Alan Davidson,

346 Holburnstreet

Aberdeen AB10 7GX

Scotland, UK

or at http://www.myspace.com/kitchencynics

this is the first album in this series :

AudiobotThe Kitchen Cynics : Compulsive Songwriter Disorder (UK,2004)***°

Another very nice collection of songs by poet Alan Davidson, accompanied by a variety of instruments, with some great versions of Briget St.John, Ivor Cutler & a Lal Waterson songs, in a typical Kitchen Cynics style. Very inspired texts showing a poetic vision of tiny worlds situations that show a variety of perspectives, and a desire to open up like seeds. One track is a dialogue with Simon and Cara Lewis. All other songs are entirely multitracked one man performances. Like any Kitchen Cynics release, highly recommended. My favourite songtitles : "I want you on a mountain top", "Snowflakes, oatcakes and earthquakes", "Lethargic lover", "Unwoozling invalid woman".

Info label : www.freaksendfuture.com

This album is reissued on 150 cdr's by Audiobot.

Description (it seems to have taken some fragments of my descriptions, but never mind) :

"Small and quiet places are the perfect breeding ground for fragile beauty that fights the inner demons. painting a poetic picture drenched in acid folk gentleness. Another very nice collection of songs by poet Alan Davidson. accompanied by a variety of instruments. with some great versions of Briget St.John. Ivor Cutler & a Lal Waterson songs. in a typical Kitchen Cynics style. Very inspired texts showing a poetic vision of tiny worlds situations that show a variety of perspectives. and a desire to open up like seeds. One track is a dialogue with Simon and Cara Lewis. All other songs are entirely multitracked one man performances. Like any Kitchen Cynics release. highly recommended. Alan's favourite songtitles : I want you on a mountain top. Snowflakes. oatcakes and earthquakes. Lethargic lover. Unwoozling invalid woman. If you have good memories on Pearls Before Swine. this is right up your alley... Packaged in stencil-printed fold-out jackets by design therapist Jelle Crama. Limited to only 150 copies."

Link : http://www.freaksendfuture.com/shop/details.php?item_id=2529

Les Enfants du ParadiddleThe Kitchen Cynics : Master of the fuzzy fadeout (UK,2004)***°'

“Master of the fuzzy fadeout”…That sounds like a good title for an Alan Davidson release ! It could be true, but isn’t necessarily so, and it sounds funny at the same time. Here Alan (plays guitars, dulcimer, psaltery, tin whistle, and sings) has help from Duncan Hart (on cello) on two tracks, Mike Napier (on guitar) on another track, Philip Johnston (sitar, flute or recorder on 3 other tracks), and of Jesse Poe (of Tanakh) on second vocals on another track.

Each song has a small note to the inspiration on the booklet, which I think is a good idea, even when the songs speak so much for themselves. Nice to see a couple of interpretations too. I like Alan’s version of “Crazy Man Michael” (Fairport Convention) with his warm whispery voice, and some nice flute from Philip Johnston. Also the nice interpretation of Bridget St.John track (“Ask me no question”), has Philips recorder added to it. Further we also have a Green Pajamas song too, “Don’t ever go”. Like always Alan Davidson songs sound still like a diary of the most poetic and at the same time most cynical moments of the day / of unique and odd visions and reflections experienced in daily situations. Usually, in daily situations, experienced by “healthy brains”, we are more often in the mid of contradictory situations which we can melt to a normal vision with some humour. That kind of talent is also closest to Alan’s talent, not that this is the only theme expressed here, but it reflects one of such possible creative reflections. This time mostly I really have to listen more carefully before all situations reveal themselves with the songs. Never the less with each listen, and like always with Kitchen Cynics, I can first of all enjoy the music. “Weasel Bride” is more or less the only track with some soft fuzz distortion, slightly faded down, with a kind of nursery rhyme rhythm. Last track is a kind of live bonus track at Dr.Drakes, with sitar (by Philip Johnston ?) and acoustic guitar, with a small improvising bit, while people continue talking, coughing, whistling along, during this really very beautiful version.

A very consistent, fine release !! Recommended !!

Demo Philip Johnston is reviewed on

http://psychedelicfolk.homestead.com/psychfolkpopreview2.html

More info on Jesse Poe / Tanakh : http://www.alien8recordings.com/tanakh.php3 &

http://www.electrocd.com/bio.e/tanakh_.html &

(with two audio files) http://www.psychedelic-music.net/pmdb/db3/db_band.php4?id=529 &

review (with two audio files) : http://www.opuszine.com/music/review.html?reviewID=610 &

one more audio fragment : http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=15514

privateThe Kitchen Cynics : For Will -EP- (UK,2005)***°

I've noticed before how some musicians like the work of William Schaff for CD cover artwork (The Eyesores first and second album, Death Vessel, Poor Minstrels, In Gowan Ring, Songs Ohia, Okkervil River, Godspeed You, Black Emperor!, Gravenhurst and even Sharon Kraus). Alan Davidson suggested a swap to obtain an original drawing. The agreement was this EP with 5 loose inspirations on his drawings. Two of these chosen drawings for inspirations you can see here above. The visions are a very dark reflection on some things that people are informed about, of what happens in the world, with emotional fears tearing a person apart, frightening images, with often a dog watching over a lonely person.

The songs of Allan are a bit sadder than usual, (with lots of sad and soft keyboards, with organ, melodica, acoustic guitar, and fuzzguitars..) and they are made with a reflective compassion. They are somewhat cooperative; "Sparrow Scratch Board" is cowritten with S. Matthew, "Where's my Wife?" with by Duncan Hart, with cello by Duncan. A beautiful work.

Only 50 made and only available through William Schaff.

Info : http://www.williamschaff.com/

privateThe Kitchen Cynics : Hoodie Craw (UK,2005)***°

17 beautiful songs and 3 instrumentals based upon inspiration from hearing other music (Espers, Josephine Foster, Famous Jug Band) which includes a few covers / interpretations of songs (Kathryn Sawers, trad., Strawbs, Syd Barrett*) or written after having met people or experienced other people's creativity. The songs are accompanied by a rich variety of instruments. Two different versions from the William Schaff song collection are added too. *There's also a different version of the interpretation of Syd Barrett's "Vegetable Man", which is compiled originally at "The vegetable Project vol 4".

privateThe Kitchen Cynics : Distant voices / Distant Songs

-love songs to the people of Aberdeen (UK,2006)****'

This is again terrific and endowed with inspiration album, inspired by Alan's village, his parents and their stories assembled and brought to life with a folk preservation research respect and personal care. The music is simple but so incredibly direct to the blossoming source of being inspired by life, into songs and music it could be able to express. Just a few small stories were included before the inspiration.

Highly recommended !

Available to download from

http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/Label-Review-The_Kitchen_Cynics.htm

privateThe Kitchen Cynics : Dumbfoundlings (UK,2006)***°

The Kitchen Cynics releases also have a very special kind of arrangement for the songs. For those who likes this kind of inspiration, with a degree of odd but recognisable originality, these aspects are surely here too in some of the more melodic instrumentals. But there’s much more of course to it, minimum like an extra layer of inspiration, melodically, like with a sax (track 1), or with a few loops, feedback, or other experimentation, not forgetting some humour within all the seriounessness. But here Alan tried to explore the fields of experimentations deeper and further, with enough delicacy that finds a perfect balance that it is able to create a certain warmth.

privateRory McIntyre & The Kitchen Cynics : Ephemera (UK,2006)***°'

This release is partially a rework of some older songs by Alan Davidson in cooperation with local colleague, Rory McIntyre, who plays piano, guitar and sings. Nice to hear him sing KC songs like “Now’s the time” (even when I must say it is hard to compete the special flavoured whispery warm voice of Alan), with nicely double layered guitar, or with the right focuses in the singing on “Miriam Toes”, making it into a personal melancholic complaint. Strange or odd I think was his cover of Marissa Nadler’s “Virginia”, leaving the unique UK spheres and going to a different area. Also his own songs are enjoyable, like “Close to mine” or “The voice unknown”, which fit well with the collection. I also like the personal and moving song of Ewan Hare, “Move” singing “it almost made me turn around to you”. “Only Son” after this, has very nice multiple voice oversampling.

From Alan Davidson the skeletal version of “Great Uncle-Jack’s deathbed dance” I found very rewarding, but as usual, I like every track of him. The beautiful “Restless night” is a more directly and emotional song as I’m used to. The duo also included a very personal interpretation of Tom Rapp's "Another time", changing the melody and focus a bit, but staying close with one veil of music, to the original musical expression. “A slow Dance for Alfie Bass” is a moody more experimental instrumental. There has also been some experimenting with piano and tape delay, and guitar on “The Snuffy Ivy League”. In general I’ve previously noticed also in the last couple of Kitchen Cynics releases a different way of composing the instrumental material, or in using the guitar, or perhaps even more experience with different grown visions, which is also interesting to hear. I guess Alan also interpreted some songs of Rory McIntyre. It made him use his voice differently a bit on “Dream song for George Parsens”. A great closer is “but then again” : “maybe I loved her once, or maybe twice”.

This is a release which gives the ability to listen on different occasions, to notice each time different angles and focuses to listen to. The duo succeeds well to have released and explored some creative process of a two-way influential creativity. A great release for repeated listening pleasure.

More info on Rory McIntyre : http://www.myspace.com/rorymcintyremusic

privateMickel Mass : Lost conversations (UK,2006)**'

This release was also released by Alan Davidson, presenting another local artist, with whom I guess he improvises just a bit here and there ? (guitar,..). The instrumental music is entirely based upon layers of organic loops, which at first are like whirls in water in a pool (track 1), or like patterns on wallpaper, and have certain rhythmical evolutions like in a slowly changing landscape on film (track 3), or like carpet-like carpet sound activity, spiralling rhythmically upwards and onwards, becoming more experimental and freeform especially near the end. There's lots of use of feedback-loops, sometimes experimental, semi-acoustic, with use of guitar, feedback-strings, and just a bit of more industrial sounds in an organic way. It convinces like a filmic soundtrack, for a large part, but it has some tedious moments too, where the simplicity of the linear concept is too transparent.

More info and sounds : http://www.myspace.com/mickelmass