Kevin Ayers is one of rock's oddest and more likable enigmas.

There are few artists who qualify more than this recluse for music's highest accolades. He is also one of rock's more important (and more humane) innovators, launching Soft Machine in 1966 with Daevid Allen, Robert Wyatt and Mike Ratledge. Later he performed as a solo artist, working with noted European musicians like Mike Oldfield, Lol Coxhill, Steve Hillage, Zoot Money, Brian Eno and John Cale. A recent Record Collector publication celebrating the 100 greatest psychedelic records describes Kevin and Syd Barrett as two of the genres most important figures. He continues to be (refreshingly although somewhat frustratingly) self-effacing, oblivious to his talent and still preserving a private distance from claiming his place as one of the most significant and influential musicians of his generation. Awarded the Ordre de la Grande Gidouille by the College of Pataphysics, he's released a number of albums with a distinctly British sensibility, making ordinary lyrical subjects seem extraordinary with his rich low vocals, inventive wordplay, and bemused, relaxed attitude. The singer/songwriter inspires the image of a sort of rock dandy beach bum, writing about life's absurdities with a celebratory, relaxed detachment.
 

Which brings us to Kevin's most recent outing, "The Unfairground". In 2006 Kevin was living the life of a recluse in the South of France. At a local art gallery he met and befriended American artist Tim Shepard. As the two became close, Ayers passed some new recordings onto Shepard, most taped on a cassette recorder at his kitchen table. The songs were by turns poignant, insightful and honest and Shepard deeply moved by what he heard started to wonder how he could let more people hear these songs.


A fantastic cast of musicians were delighted of what they heard and became part of this wonderful project, among them to name just a few:

* Teenage Fanclub
* The Ladybug Transistor
* Euros Childs
* Members of Neutral Milk Hotel
* Bill Wells
* Phil Manzanera
* Bridget St. John
* Candie Payne
* Members of Architecture in Helsinki * Robbie McIntosh & Hugh Hopper


The enthusiasm of performers from Gary Olson, to Norman Blake to Euros Childs and Candie Payne gave Ayers the platform to express what are without doubt the most profoundly moving songs he has ever committed to tape. Whether he is staring death in the face on 'Only Heaven Knows' or remembering the exuberance of his old friend Syd Barrett on 'Walk On Water' or simply enjoying the inevitability of it all on 'Run Run Run'. Ayers is speaking to you with an honesty, wit and empathy that few of his peers have ever managed. The Unfairground spans the generations, unifies the old and the new, pain and pleasure, hope and regret, life and death. It marries the brutality and beauty of truth.

Welcome to the Unfairground.


"Kevin Ayers' talent is so acute you could perform major eye surgery with it."
John Peel

"Now we've rediscovered Drake, Martyn and Harper, it's time to give Kevin Ayers your attention"
Uncut - Marcello Carlin

"The question 'why isn't Kevin Ayers an almighty star?' is up there with 'how did the universe begin?"
Record Collector