Kitchen Cynics News & Reviews

[Alan Cynic]

This is the Ptolemaic Terrascope review of my shared ep with the Phoenix Cube...

NOTES OVER HADRIANS WALL V/A

(CDR from Humble Bee Recordings)

If one imagines the Terrascope to be the city at the heart of the Terrastock Nation, then Notes over Hadrians Wall is a guided walk around one of its most fascinating and yet least-known quarters; a delightful amble through a warren of cloisters, courtyards and passageways, hidden places where shadows of the past are locked in an embrace with the avant garde, sudden moments of high drama and breathtaking architectural splendour. Your principal guides are Alan Davidson (aka The Kitchen Cynics) from North of Hadrian Wall and from the south, Simon Lewis (aka The Phoenix Cube, and also also known as the your reviews editor). The Cynics kick things off with the gorgeously Gothic-tinged folk song Black is the Colour which, primarily thanks to the use of a melodica and a haunting cello refrain from Duncan Hart, bears favourable comparison to some of Jeff Kellys solo works. High praise indeed. The Phoenix Cubes first piece on here, Empty Bottles (not the Mazzy Star song) is likewise something of an architectural tour de force, at first sighting a sighing, gentle acoustic refrain with vocals from Cara Lewis who also hand-made the lovely little cloth bags the CDRs are housed in, and thus deserves medals for both style and patience it then rises up to reveal itself as a glittering sentinel, a signpost that nods towards the psychedelic cathedral which is Swarm Behaviour Phoenix Cubes finest moment, and arguably the centrepiece of this whole little collection; particularly given that Alan Davidson himself lends some guitar and effects to the mix. The landscape shifts and shimmers before you like mist cloaking a graveyard and for a while I was transported back to some of Atmans earliest works (this is no bad thing; even their own successors the Magic Carpathian Project have never quite captured the atmosphere of their 1st album in quite the same way as this does). Fitting then that the next Kitchen Cynics song should be entitled Shift its actually more to do with time than shapes or colours and that the final Phoenix Cube song should be their own interpretation of Black is the Colour, which the attentive amongst you will have noticed was the song that the Kitchen Cynics opened with.

All in all, a charming and disarming collection, and given that its from two of the Terrascope online forums most regular contributors its definitely something we should all be supporting. Contact Simon Lewis at arnold@toad4051.freeserve.co.uk for details of how to get hold of a copy. Id really like to see more collaborations like this happening in future, maybe involving a few more contributors (since I know theres a lot of musicians out there hiding behind a variety of pseudonyms!). Its all up to you. (Phil McMullen)

[Alan Cynic]

Here's a review by Tony Dale (owner of Camera Obscura records in Australia) of 'Tunnels'............."Alan Davidson is – or should be – a British national treasure. One of God's songwriters, he has been firing off intriguing compositions like sparks from the Catherine Wheel of his mind for as long as I can remember, and probably longer than he can. He is possibly the only performer/songwriter who has continuously generated work through the entire history of the outsider/loner folk thread in underground music, and will doubtless see off several more waves of obsession with the style before finally pulling up stumps. 'Tunnels' captures the man live at Tunnels in Aberdeen over two nights in summer 2005, and gives the listener a 'keyhole satellite' view into his forbiddingly sprawling body of work. Specifically, you get five solo tracks and five trio recordings that include a rendition of a Robert Burns poem and a version of 'Gently Johnny', the track so beloved of all who worship at the shrine of the 'Wicker Man' film. Davidson's adorable Aberdeen accent introduces the session in mostly comprehensible fashion before launching into an intimate, assured version of 'Wizard of the North' from the recent 'Notes Over Hadrian's Wall' CD-R. Stripped of bedroom lo-fi wizardry, Alan's facility for story telling really comes across. He has always had a rare ability to sketch three-dimensional characters in song, and the next two tracks, 'Maria Midnight' (originally on the 'Hoodie Craw') and 'Rue Bonaparte' (from the 2004 classic 'Master of the Fuzzy Fadeout'), are shimmering examples of this; the psychedelic guitar effects on the latter being a real treat. He keeps the effects plugged in for the haunting 'Sparrow Scratchboard' (from the 'For Will' EP – can anyone hook me up?). 'Songs of Spring' - also from 'Master of the Fuzzy Fadeout' - is co-written with Tanakh's Jesse Poe and demonstrates the collaborative side of the Kitchen Cynics very well. The second half of 'Tunnels' has Alan joined by Duncan Hart and Mike Napier on various instruments and the results are a bit more scattered than the pure solo tracks, though no less affecting. 'Once and Future Love' ('Fuzzy Fadeout' again) has the halting charm that is emblematic of the Kitchen Cynics studio work. Elsewhere, 'The Turnstone' is magnificent, (and if you don't own 'Parallel Dog Days' on Secret Eye, shame one you and you know what you need to do); and 'Now Westlin' Winds' pays fitting tribute to Burns. All considered, it's a very satisfying set, and I'd like to think it is the kind of release that will encourage others to seek out more of Alan's fine work, though in reality it is probably too limited an edition for that.'Tunnels' is packaged in a neat in black digipak with an insert and modern landscape artist Eilidh Crumlish's "Aberdeen Pink" painting on the front cover (which – be careful – because the adhesive strip on the plastic sleeve will waywardly attach itself to the attached artwork and remove sections of it if you are all thumbs like I am), and is limited to 94 copies, so - as is often the case with this type of release – tarry not."

[Balvack]

Here's a review by Tony Dale (owner of Camera Obscura records in Australia) of 'Tunnels'............."Alan Davidson is or should be a British national treasure.

<<snip>>

'Tunnels' captures the man live at Tunnels in Aberdeen over two nights in summer 2005 ... and is limited to 94 copies' date=' so - as is often the case with this type of release tarry not."[/quote']

Lovely review: couldn't agree more. "Maria Midnight" always sends a shiver down my spine.

Bagsy us a copy of 'Tunnels' please?

Thought the Mickel Mass set pre/with Damo was

[Alan Cynic]

I should've got a copy to you last night....apologies!

Thanks re Mickel Mass.......it was weird looking to my left and seeing Damo singing. Still hasn't sunk in.

Here's a review just up at Foxy Digitalis.....

The Kitchen Cynics is one Scotsman, Alan Davidson. He's been recording his folk songs at home for nearly 20 years now and despite his massive catalog, his music never gets old or stale. I've been listening to The Kitchen Cynics since I was about 16 years old and heard the "Not Receiving Visitors" tape on the now defunct, Bacchalanian Revel. I still remember the first time I heard the last song, "Hush Little Cynics," and was sold. Much to my delight, Davidson has continued producing quixotic music through the years and shows no signs of letting up.

"Tunnels," the latest release on the excellent new Barl Fire imprint, is a live set performed at Aberdeen's Tunnels club on two dates in late summer 2005. Most live albums often leave something to be desired, but such is not the case with "Tunnels." In fact, the live setting shows off just how damn good and endearing Davidson is. Before each track, he tells a little story about what the song is about. With his thick Scottish drawl, you can't help but smile. There's something completely sincere and charming about it.

Musically, this is more of what I've come to know and love about the Kitchen Cynics. Acoustic guitar and vocals make up the bulk of the music here. At times, Davidson uses a bit of delay on his guitar which adds to the mysticism behind the words. The lyrics are the star here. Davidson is often telling tales about historical figures and the like. Bright and balmy guitars counteract some of the grim subject matter tackled. It's like Tom Waits said, I'd rather hear awful news form a pretty face.

There will always be something legendary about the Kitchen Cynics for me. It's amazing how fresh and enthusiastic Davidson is about this after 20 years. I can only hope to feel the same way in the next 10 years. "Tunnels" is not only a great place to start for those unfamiliar with the Kitchen Cynics, but also is an essential release for those who are already fans. You can't go wrong with "Tunnels." This is another feather in Davidson's highly decorated cap.- Brad Rose

[Guest bluesxman]

Speaking of 'Tunnels'.... any still available? If so, how much including postage and i'll get a cheque off to you soonest....

Cheers,

Martin

[Alan Cynic]

I've just asked for another 10....should arrive between Christmas and New Year (hopefully). 5 pounds would be fine (or ply me with pints of lager!).

[Balvack]

That sinking feeling

.......it was weird looking to my left and seeing Damo singing. Still hasn't sunk in.

Sink...

[Alan Cynic]

Oooh!! Thank you!!!! Definitely one for the scrapbook

[Guest bluesxman]

I've just asked for another 10....should arrive between Christmas and New Year (hopefully). 5 pounds would be fine (or ply me with pints of lager!).

I shall send a cheque and you can just send it whever you get them in, who knows when our paths may cross to buy you the pints!

[Jamie]

I'm absolutely delighted with the Kristmas at Kilau CD I manged to get a hold of at Damo Suzuki on Sunday. Everything about it is just about perfect - Christmasy songs that aren't crap, songs about Aberdeen that aren't twee or forced, funny songs, sad songs, the packaging is cool. I'll be have to have been a very good boy indeed for Santa to bring me anything better. Makes me glad I live in the 'Deen.

PS Micklemass outfits were cool at Damo - though not quite sure what you were supposed to be Alan, I thought it was a bee keeper, but me mate suggested a white man adrift in the desert!

[Alan Cynic]

Thanks, Jamie.....the Kristmas at Kilau was a bit of fun. I did the first and last songs live for the first and last time at Kilau last Sunday. I'm chuffed you like it.

As for the Damo gig, your mate was correct. I was wearing an Egyptian robe and a pith helmet. Mind you, a bee-keeper's outfit would've been MUCH better, as I'm not a fan of things colonial.

I just received a copy of the Italian music mad, 'Blow Up', which gives 'Tunnels' 8 out of 10, and what seems like a good review (it's in Italian, so I can only make out some of the words).

[Alan Cynic]

Here are Mark Coyle's reviews from the 'Unbroken circle' wyrdfolk website....

I am one of those people who if recommended something repeatedly with enthusiastic cries of youll love this, I tend to respond by keeping away from the item in question. So it was with The Kitchen Cynics who a friend who continually mention which caused me to shrug and ignore them. Well, what a fool I was! Upon finally coming to know the artist this year, I decided to plunge in via an EP he had recently issued and was amazed at his curious, dream like psychedelic folk, song stories and Ivor Cutler type verse. It has since become a devout mission during 2005 to track down every release I could by the artist and to become that very person pressing the music into the hands of anyone who will listen. Its therefore a delight to finally review The Kitchen Cynics music at the site (we have been covering it at our blog all year). Here we have two timely releases which although not intended to be, in effect are informal partners to one another. Hoodie Craw collects together tracks from EPs, different versions of recent songs, exclusives and generally rounds up the year. Tunnels via the excellent new Barl Fire label is two live sets with versions of some tracks on the other CD. Make it easy for yourself, at the bargain price these are going for just buy them both, put them on and rue how I could have denied myself such music almost intentionally.

On Hoodie Craw a song like Sparrow Scratchboard drifts in an exquisite haze like the distant songs of your forgotten dreams. Rippling acoustic guitar bathed in echo, melodic simple accordion and Alans gentle soothing voice take us on a childlike adventure of word play and memory. The album is full of enticing cover versions such as Gently Johnny (yes that one), Syd Barretts Vegetable Man and the traditional Black Is the Colour (my favourite version ever is here). There are short electronic-folk instrumental interludes, original songs with all seeming somehow to become identifiable with The Kitchen Cynics own style. His releases are packed with a new idea on every track, his lyrics always with some little story, word play or curiosity. A song like Neither Bones Nor Lust shows an amazing psychedelia, echoing music box chimes, massive electric guitars, strange intoning vocals, surreal lyrics, piercing Jerry Garcia Dark Star lead guitar. This just being a little song tucked half way in, where other bands would be making a career from it.

Alan deprecates his cover of Kathryn Sawyers Crow but to these ears, it sounds great, on the edge of collapse with wah wah guitar and Alan hardly letting out the vocal. He may not intend it this way, but it sounds wonderful. You dont expect Alan to do straight cover versions, something happens and they become part of his endless soundtrack to mesmeric retreat. Im deliberately not describing every track as they are like little treasures waiting to be found for yourself. But the echoing guitars of Me and St. George are worthy of special note and of course his Wizard Of The North is an instant classic, though the version on one of the other CDs is even better. His version of Josephine, For Better Or Worse originally by The Strawbs, loved for years and finally played to Josephine Foster will undeniably tug at your heartstrings. We end this CD of the two with a disoriented, fuzzed filled version of Vegetable Man.

After an entertaining minutes introduction Alan starts a live version of Wizard of the North to start Tunnels. Now Alan is very deprecating about himself live, but ignore his protests, hes excellent. Of course the music misses some of the processing but what we lost there we make up for in hearing his voice so close in. His warm baritone is often almost conversational and here you feel he is in the room weaving a tall tale over a few single malts. Its genuinely like a friend visiting, that intimacy and affection you felt for Ivor Cutler (a hero of Alans) comes across here too.

Maria Midnight is ace live with the guitar reflecting back onto itself mysteriously. By night we picknicked and found a linnets nest, I took out the eggs and smeared them on my chest sings Alan. You rather hope he didnt but youre swept up in his make believe drama and can only encourage him onwards. On Rue Bonaparte Alan does some excellent echoing effects on the guitar which must sound immense live. By now its becoming that part of Alans attraction live is the endless stories he is always in such a hurry to finish, hes a story teller in the bardic tradition, its just that his bardic stories are surreal flight of imagination and Aberdeen history.

Sparrow Scratchboard has the endless echos on his guitar and is as always the equivalent of slowly punting down a river, half asleep on a Summers day. Songs of Spring is a co-write of Jesse from Tanakh which hasnt been released properly by either artist yet but is a highlight of the set. Once and Future Love is an excellent folk ballad that benefits from a simple melody which helps it really come across well.

The version of Gently Johnny has pipe organ giving it a slight Shirley and Dolly Collins feel. The Turnstone and Now Wrestlin Winds see Alan relaxed, playing very directly and effectively. Nows The Time has a lullaby quality and draws the second set to a close. The Kitchen Cynics isnt so much a band to enjoy, as a member of the family you havent visited for a while. The charming, eccentric cousin you are amused, beguiled and often moved by. Dont wait to visit so long next time.

[Guest MKII]

Now Alan is very deprecating about himself live' date=' but ignore his protests, hes excellent. [/quote']

Indeed!

[Alan Cynic]

Thank you!! PM me if you're free for a drink or two some night soon!

More news.......probably playing Triptych next April.

[Alan Cynic]

The Woven Wheat Whispers site now has the new CD available to download (needs paying for, though!).

You can check out samples here.. http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/Label-Review-The_Kitchen_Cynics.htm

Here's what Mark Coyle has (very kindly) written....

The Kitchen Cynics - Distant Voices, Distant Songs

I'm a long time fan of this band which centres around (and often consists solely of ) Alan Davidson, a musician from Aberdeen in Scotland. He writes gently psychedelic folk songs with rippling echoed guitars and a soothing but expressive voice. His lyrics are fantastic, inspired by the kitchen sink surreal stories of Ivor Cutler, Alan has developed an observational story telling style all of his own. By turns his songs can be charming, whimsical, poignant and enticingly curious. Alan is self-deprecating about his talent but his music has become a constant companion. Alan is also one of relatively few people to play live with Tom Rapp of Pearls Before Swine since his temporary return to music.

Over more than ten years Alan has released a number of albums and EPs which we have been covering at The Unbroken Circle site. This week I received an early copy of a new themed set of songs about his home of Aberdeen. These continued his beautiful way with melody and inventive settings for his songs using keyboards and guitars combined. However there is something new on this release in that it is focussed on the social history of Aberdeen with songs inspired by the memories of his family. To bring this theme alive Alan has put recordings of his family remembering events (which relate to the song being played). These elderly relatives talking in their unchanged Aberdeen accent sound quite wonderful. This is a small piece of musical social history, in a way as important as 'Rattlebone and Ploughjack' or Ewan Maccoll's radio ballads. These are memories and voices that eventually will be lost to us, the ever rampant pace of commercialisation reducing the distinctiveness of local voice, local stories lost in a haze of global news.

I was deeply moved listening to the music, it triggers the small memories of all listeners, the tales of our ancestors, the warm other world invoked by our grandparents. All now lost but kept alive in this music. This would quite honestly have been enough, but Alan being the kind soul he is has some great fuzz guitar psychedelia songs, stories set to whirling organs and a sense of black and white soundtracks.

Alan wouldn't easily accept it but he's making quietly important music and recognition will come. His modesty would prevent any self-aggrandising about his music but its clear that he's trying in the songs of small moments to explore genuine emotions, to connect rather than just entertain. This album will reward your purchase, it will play many roles, it will entertain, amuse but mostly it will move you, in ways that are hard to express.

[Alan Cynic]

Here's another review from 'Ptolemaic Terrascope'.....(you can now download this album here...http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/Label-Review-The_Kitchen_Cynics.htm)

THE KITCHEN CYNICS - DISTANT VOICES DISTANT SONGS

( kitchencynics@ecosse.net )

Throughout his recording career Alan Davidson has written and sung about his local history and landscape, the songs filled with an obvious and genuine affection. On this release he has “attempted to scratch an itch” and has recorded a complete set of song about (and dedicated to) the people of Aberdeen, each song a carefully crafted gem telling tales of hardened drinkers, historical figures, local entertainers, and drunken nights with Damon Suzuki. Musically the songs retain the melancholy cloak that has almost become Alan’s trademark, the songs marked with a wicked sense of humour and occasionally laced with layers of fuzzed guitar, especially on “Demerara Cerebrum” a bitter tale of cynical pub dwellers.

One of the most enchanting facets of the album is the way that Alan has woven the voices of his parents into the stories, their memories adding a poignancy and historical twist to the music, making them even more personal and intimate, and creating an important historical document that will preserve (in word at least) a world that is fast disappearing.

As usual with Kitchen Cynics albums it is the interplay between guitar and voice that captures the imagination and creates the albums atmosphere.the aching beauty of “Songs Of Spring” (co written with Jesse Poe) is a perfect example of the blend, a gentle paean to unfulfilled love that weeps with passion.

Elsewhere “Damo Supports The Dons” is a humorous account of Damo Suzuki’s visit to Aberdeen and his love of local football team “The Dons”, whilst “Spencer The Rover” is a beautiful rendition of the traditional song which has been “localised” to fit the countryside around.

All in all, another excellent album from the prolific Mr Davidson whose body of work is fast becoming an essential item for anyone interested in the changing landscape of British folk music. (Simon Lewis)

Also, Beard magazine (EMAP Awards Best Music Fanzine 2005) said this about 'For Will'.....

"Kitchen Cynics are the project of Aberdeenshire songwriter Alan Davidson, and have delivered the most intriguing of all the demos. Despite the tacky digital guitar fx and synthetic harmonium running through it, the 'For Will' EP is very promising indeed. 'Sparrow Scratch Board' has shades of James Yorkston's wistful folk, while 'Me and St George' shows a nice line in neo-medieval whimsy. Invest in some new instruments and they could be joining the likes of the Fence Collective, Lucky Luke and Scatter as rulers of Scotland's skewed folk realm."

[Alan Cynic]

I think this review is by John Cavanagh, of Radio Scotland fame (it's from Melody Bar)...

"Alan Davidson has been making music under the Kitchen Cynics name for a long time, but the last couple of years have seen him releasing it more profusely than across the previous decade and a half. Rather than a lowering of quality, the increase of quantity is actually delivering a tide of fine material and this latest album is highly recommended. It's a set of "Love songs to the people of Aberdeen" and these are interspersed with recordings of Alan's parents reflecting on days back in the long ago. The sound of these unaffected voices telling stories of old cinemas, ladies of the street and more makes this a folk document along the lines of the Waterson's classic "A Yorkshire Christmas" and the tales blend to Alan's songs in an ideal flow. Davidson's mix of moving ballads with tongue-in-cheek wordsmithery burns on a high flame throughout. In addition to the folkier elements, we're also treated to the caustic fuzz guitar (a la Barrett's No Man's land) of Demerara Cerebrum, worthy of special mention for the line "See how my heart has shrunk to the size of the holes in my string vest" alone! While we're singling out tracks, Damo supports the Dons casts the famous Mr. Suzuki as a supporter of the (often luckless) local football team. Beat that!" (JC)

[Alan Cynic]

I found a review of one of my CDs in Russian....here's the automatic translation...(I'd like to know what a Bunya is though!)

The Kitchen Cynics - Parallel Dog Days [2003, Secret Eye] The Kitchen Cynics, "Parallel Dog Days" [2003, Secret Eye]

The American debut of the Aberdeen Bunya Alan Davidson. Within Britain it is known to CFML, oversight and the environment pod-andergraundnoy psiho-folka fans and performers, but on the world scene climbed from that plate on which it under very minimal, mostly acoustic, percussion perform their own poems a surrealistic essays. The term "musical" Lewis Carroll think is justified to accept. Something there is. Animal Collective. In terms of plot alone psihofolkovosti zone for any fashion plate Animal Collective. . Jokes... Although ...

[Gemz]

Absolutley fantastic...

Gemz

[WoodyRATM]

I found a review of one of my CDs in Russian....here's the automatic translation...(I'd like to know what a Bunya is though!)

The Kitchen Cynics - Parallel Dog Days [2003, Secret Eye] The Kitchen Cynics, "Parallel Dog Days" [2003, Secret Eye]

The American debut of the Aberdeen Bunya Alan Davidson. Within Britain it is known to CFML, oversight and the environment pod-andergraundnoy psiho-folka fans and performers, but on the world scene climbed from that plate on which it under very minimal, mostly acoustic, percussion perform their own poems a surrealistic essays. The term "musical" Lewis Carroll think is justified to accept. Something there is. Animal Collective. In terms of plot alone psihofolkovosti zone for any fashion plate Animal Collective. . Jokes... Although ...

According to google.....

define: Bunya - Google Search

"moneylender; grain dealer; sometimes used of any Hindu person"

[Alan Cynic]

Cheers,...it all makes total sense now!

I'd rather be a bunyip though...

...or a bungalow, so I could make 'house music'.

[Bigsby]

Psst, Alan, can you sell me some grain man?

[jcn]

Hey Alan

I was happily reading these posts, thinking they were put up recently. Then I realised the thread was started years ago!! Have you got any more gigs coming up soon?

Cheers

Jayne xxx

[Alan Cynic]

Sorry about that, Jayne!

Next gig is out at Alford on the 1st Dec, then Kilau's Christmas one (about the 16th Dec, I think), which is always a good night, then the last one for a few months will be at the start of Jan, again in Kilau, to celebrate the end of my 'tune-a-Day' for 2007.

I'm stopping live ones for a while to recover (unless offered a support to someone I would be going to see anyway...that way I get in free!!)

[Old Gold]

then Kilau's Christmas one

*cough* Kilau's Non-Denominational Winter Solstice one...