May 09, 2022

1979 — July: The Kinks “Low Budget”

38 minutes

Their eighteenth studio album found The Kinks moving in a different direction than many previous albums. Low Budget would address many contemporary issues in song, rather than the subtle pieces and nostalgia found on earlier albums. The Kinks also recorded much of the album in New York rather than London. The result charted well in the United States, reaching number 11 on the Billboard 200. It did not do well in their native Britain.

The band members of The Kinks for this album were Ray Davies on guitar, keyboards, and vocals, Dave Davies on guitar and background vocals, Jim Rodford on bass and background vocals, and Mick Avory on drums. They are joined in the studio by Nick Newall on saxophone and Gordon Edwards (briefly a member of the group) playing piano on the title track. Ray Davies wrote all the tracks on this album.

The album was more heavily produced than other albums and took a harder edge, which was appropriate for their arena rock phase for the group. There were a lot of diverse songs as well, led by the disco-infused lead single, "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman."

Catch Me Now I'm Falling

The second track from the album uses Captain America as a surrogate for the United States, and criticizes the U.S. as a country fallen on hard times, and its allies as not coming the the need of America despite earlier times when the allies were help by America during and after World War II. The song was released as a single, but only in the U.S.

Pressure

A high speed deeper cut, this song looks at pressure as a contagious disease, one that can be spread from one person to another, but which also can take over when you're alone. This song has a decidedly punk flavor. The call and response sound in the vocals gives it a more manic feel as well.

(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman

The lead and biggest single from the album reached number 41 on U.S. charts. Ray Davies was inspired to write the lyrics by the release of "Superman: The Movie" in the previous year. The disco feel was difficult for the band to achieve. The song itself tells of a desire to take on modern problems like Superman, though the protagonist is nothing like the invincible super hero.

Low Budget

The title track leads off the second side of the album. It describes a man learning to live much more frugally due to hard economic times. The song was in line with the recessionary malaise of the times, though people could identify with it when living through any recession.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The Main Theme to the motion picture The Amityville Horror

This popular horror show convinced us all to stay away from houses that say, "Get Out!"

STAFF PICKS:

You Can't Change That by Raydio

Bruce leads off the staff picks with an American R&B and Funk band. Raydio is Arnell Carmichael and Darren Carmichael on vocals, Charles Fearing on guitars, Larry Tolbert on percussion, and Ray Parker, Jr. on vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, and primary songwriter. This song went to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and features Arnell Carmichael on high vocals and Ray Parker, Jr. on low vocals.

Goodbye (Astrid, Goodbye) by Cold Chisel

Rob's staff pick may not be well known in the U.S., but is a hit from Australia. In fact, Cold Chisel has been listed as the number 3 favorite Australian band as rated by Australian musicians, behind AC/DC and INXS, but ahead of Midnight Oil and Crowded House. This rocking song with a boogie beat is about a guy who is hitting the road, and was designed as a set finisher.

I Don't Like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats

Wayne brings us a cult hit that was inspired by a school shooting in California. The piano-driven piece didn't chart in the U.S. but has had staying power over time. Front man Bob Geldof heard the original story of the shooting while doing an interview at WRAS radio out of Georgia State. Geldof regretted doing the song because it made the shooter famous.

Heart of the Night by Poco

Brian wraps up the staff picks on a mellow note. This is from the album "The Legend." Writer Paul Cotton said this song was inspired by his "love and lust for New Orleans," and that the song practically wrote itself. Phil Kinsey, who performed on saxophone on Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat" is featured on alto sax on this song.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra

This jazz fusion piece was on the charts in the summer of 1979 and closes out of podcast this week.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings