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[Alan Cynic]

Here are 3 new reviews. This one is from the online Ptolemaic Terrascope 'zine......
KITCHEN CYNICS - DUMBFOUNDLINGS
(kitchencynics@ecosse.net)

One of the things I have always loved about the Kitchen Cynics is the evocative and poetic grace of the lyrics. Whether telling tales of the past or recounting personal stories, the lyrics always seemed the equal to the music, possibly the whole reason for the song, so it was with a certain trepidation that I first listened to this selection of twelve instrumentals from Alan Davidson.
Opening things in gentle fashion “Knitting Mittens For Maiden Aunts” is a lilting tune that slowly draws the listener into the album with a wistful melody hanging in the air, and one that does nothing to prepare you for “Newt Went West” a cornucopia of sound that is hauntingly psychedelic, full of electronic growls and fading percussion. The sound of something akin to the banjo ushers in track three “Double Lined For The Gentleman’s Comfort” an almost trad-jazz tune, complete with whistling and a jolly good time for all. The ambience is changed again for “March 3rd:Thunder Receding (Improv)” which, as the title suggests, is the sound of a thunderstorm with some exquisite guitar improvisations overdubbed around them, and is one of the finest pieces on the album.
So, four songs in, four different pieces and my trepidation is completely unfounded, the songs standing on their own and highlighting how fine and imaginative a musician Alan is, creating a whole new world for the listener to explore. From start to finish the album is exemplary, “Fivesixeleven” is a short drone, whilst “Duncans Wiggly Eyebrow Dance” is very reminiscent Of the traditional “Black Is The Colour”, a song Alan has recorded before. The piano is used to good effect on “Walking The Mat In Winter”, the melody full of grace and emotion, with added phasing thrown in for good measure. Possibly the strangest track on the album, “Absolutely No Jills In Sight” is a series of clicks pops and hums, sounding like some san Franciscan free-form folk ensemble, before “A Heron Flies UP Holburn Street” brings us back to the familiar, with a typically relaxed and intimate tune, and the only one that I would love to hear some lyrics to, although that may be the title talking to me. It may be hard to imagine but on “Toddlehills/Conveth” The Kitchen Cynics manages to sound like he is auditioning for Gong, with a mystical ambient drone that really hits the right spot, a late-night ritual for the brain if ever there was one (It is also far too short at only 3:35). Finally “Unfounded Confidence In the Post-It Slip” wins the title of the week award, as well as finishing the album in suitably weird but familiar fashion, with some more manipulated sound reverberating around the speakers in a Eno-esque way that could be the new theme for Arena.

If you love The Kitchen Cynics then this album is a must-have, another fine piece of work and one that will be played over and over again. My apologies to Alan for ever having doubts, nice one mate. (Simon Lewis)


These 2 are from the US based 'Dream' magazine no.6...........

HOODIE CRAW

Twenty new tracks from the most prolific and accomplished home-recording modern folk/pop music practitioner that I know of. Alan Davidson marries his love of his Scottish homeland's roots and his own low-tech take on timeless psychoactive whimsy and pathos. A couple traditional tunes, three cover songs, including a lovely Strawbs song and an alternate mix of his contribution to the Syd Barrett Vegetable Man project, as well as two co-authored and including Duncan Hart, though mostly it's Alan all on his lonesome.
Love songs to ghosts, the tale of a local Aberdeen ferry accident from 1876, or a night of pub-crawling become the fodder for a song/a few eloquent instrumentals, another tells of old-time magician John Anderson, and a couple are inspired by the trippy artwork of William Schaff.
I predict there will come a day when the collected work of the Kitchen Cynics will be available in some enormous 300 disc box set; until then, I say pick them up as they sprout along the pathway like so many magical mushrooms.

FOR WILL - EP

To trade for some original art Alan Davidson created a CD EP in an edition of fifty, which are exclusively available through illustrator William Schaff. The songs are inspired by Schaff's strange and dream-like artwork There are five new songs, and at least a couple gems. 'Sparrow Scratchboard' is almost eight minutes of the Kitchen Cynics at their/his most spare and folkily magical. 'Where is my wife?' reminds me of a more earthly legendary Pink Dots. 'The Big Parade' is an irreverent metaphorical confessional. 'Me and St. George' is an eccentric psychological story of a fight with inner demons. 'Dinner for three (counting the dog) is a cryptic little number, like a sorta woozy folky Residents.