To the Bone by Kinks (The) (CD, Oct-1996, 2 Discs, Guardian/Angel)

This, is easily one of the most desired and rare Kinks cds to be had. For some reason, many of the Kinks CDs are unavailable in retail stores (out of print, or OOP). Your only hope of snagging one is on the secondary market like Ebay. So what makes it rare and desirable?

First of all, the Kinks were at their best when they communicated to the audience, which is hard to do in a studio atmosphere with massive overdubs. This cd contains many unplugged, acoustic and intimate setting live and alternative cuts with Ray Davies in perfect form. There's chatter to the audience on it, explanation lead-ins to songs; and a perfect combination of early, mid and later songs that just naturally flow into each other.

The Kinks put this cd out in 1995 on Guardian Label (a Capitol records subsidiary), 2 cds, but unfortunately the Kinks hadn't had a successful single in the States in a decade. This cd when it came out was critically acclaimed, but unknown to the general public. It didn't take true Kinks fans to find this gem and snarf them up when they could find them.

The desirability of the cd is the unusually intimate settings the songs take place in. Even the casual Kink fan will be mesmerized by the songs. Inside are some fantastic versions of: All Day and All of the Night; Don't Forget to Dance; Lola, and many other songs from all their periods. The mixing is perfect....the playback level of each song is exactly the same volume making the songs sound as if they were designed to flow one into the other.

You'll only see one or two of these a month on EBAY, and there will be alot of people looking for it as well. A good low price on this cd in auction would be $30 and a high would be around $65-75 range. If you see a BUY IT NOW offer for $40 or lower: Buy It.

A must for any Kinks fan. The inclusion of great tunes not heard very often such as Gallon of Gas, State of Confusion, Better Days, I'm Not Like EveryBody Else, and To The Bone in addition to standards such as Celluloid Heroes allow the Kinks to demonstrate whey they are the single most under-rated band of all time. Those who know, know. Enjoy!

I can't figure out why this CD is rare. Every track is great. The very very best of the Kinks in my view.