Shooting at the Moon is the second solo album of Kevin Ayers

Kevin Ayers

Kevin Ayers is an English singer-songwriter and was a major influential force in the English psychedelic movement...

.

In early 1970, Ayers assembled a band he called The Whole World to tour his debut LP Joy of a Toy

Joy of a Toy

Joy of a Toy is the debut solo album of Kevin Ayers, a founding member of Soft Machine. Its whimsical and unique vision is a clear indication of how Soft Machine might have progressed under Ayers' tenure...

that included, a young Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield

Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...

, David Bedford

David Bedford

David Vickerman Bedford , was an English composer and musician. He wrote and played both popular and classical music....

, Lol Coxhill

Lol Coxhill

Lowen Coxhill, generally known as Lol Coxhill is a free improvising saxophonist and raconteur...

, Mick Fincher, the folk singer Bridget St. John and Robert Wyatt

Robert Wyatt

Robert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career...

. After a UK tour, Ayers took the Whole World into the studio to cut an LP, produced, like his debut, with Peter Jenner

Peter Jenner

Peter Jenner is a British music manager and a record producer. Jenner, Andrew King and the original four members of Pink Floyd were partners in Blackhill Enterprises.- Early career :...

.

The line-up produced a heady mixture of ideas and experimentation with two distinctive styles emerging; carefree ballads like “Clarence In Wonderland” and “May I?” abutted the avant garde experimentation of songs like “Reinhardt and Geraldine” and “Underwater”. The album has since become a best seller in Ayers' catalogue.

Although The Whole World disbanded shortly after the release, the nucleus of the group would contribute to Ayers next LP, Whatevershebringswesing

Whatevershebringswesing

Whatevershebringswesing is the third solo album by Kevin Ayers.In 1971, Kevin Ayers started recording what would become his most acclaimed album, Whatevershebringswesing accompanied by members of Gong and his previous backing band The Whole World...

. Ayers released a single of exclusive material at the time "Butterfly Dance

Butterfly Dance

"Butterfly Dance" was the second Kevin Ayers single. It was an exclusive release that did not appear on the contemporaneous album Shooting at the Moon...

" coupled with "Puis Je?

Butterfly Dance

"Butterfly Dance" was the second Kevin Ayers single. It was an exclusive release that did not appear on the contemporaneous album Shooting at the Moon...

" (a French language version of “May I?”)

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci were a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in Carmarthen, west Wales in 1991. They sang songs in both Welsh and English. They split up in May 2006.-Biography:...

, who were big fans of Ayers, referred to 'Shooting At The Moon' as "the best album ever made" in the sleeve notes to their 1994 album 'Tatay'.

Track listing

All songs written by Kevin Ayers

Side 1

1. "May I?" (4:01)
2. "Rheinhardt & Geraldine/Colores Para Delores" (5:41)
3. "Lunatics Lament" (4:53)
4. "Pisser Dans un Violon" (8:02)

Side 2

1. "The Oyster and the Flying Fish" (2:37)
2. "Underwater" (3:54)
3. "Clarence in Wonderland" (2:06)
4. "Red Green and You Blue" (3:52)
5. "Shooting at the Moon" (5:53)

Track listing (2003 CD reissue)

1. "May I?" (Ayers) (4:01)
2. "Rheinhardt & Geraldine" (Ayers) / "Colores Para Delores" (Ayers) (5:41)
3. "Lunatics Lament" (Ayers) (4:53)
4. "Pisser Dans un Violon" (Ayers) (8:02)
5. "The Oyster and the Flying Fish" (Ayers) (2:37)
6. "Underwater" (Ayers) (3:54)
7. "Clarence in Wonderland" (Ayers) (2:06)
8. "Red Green and You Blue" (Ayers) (3:52)
9. "Shooting at the Moon" (Ayers) (5:53)
10. "Gemini Child" (3.16)
11. "Puis Je?" (3.41)
12. "Butterfly Dance" (3.45)
13. "Jolie Madame" (2.26)
14. "Hat" (5.27)

Personnel

• Kevin Ayers
  Kevin Ayers
  Kevin Ayers is an English singer-songwriter and was a major influential force in the English psychedelic movement...
  
   / Guitar, bass, Vocals

The Whole World:

• David Bedford
  David Bedford
  David Vickerman Bedford , was an English composer and musician. He wrote and played both popular and classical music....
  
   / Organ, Piano, Accordion, Marimbaphone, Guitar
• Lol Coxhill
  Lol Coxhill
  Lowen Coxhill, generally known as Lol Coxhill is a free improvising saxophonist and raconteur...
  
   / Saxophone, Zoblophone
• Mike Oldfield
  Mike Oldfield
  Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
  
   / Bass, Guitar and vocal
• Mick Fincher / Drums, Percussion, Bottles & Ashtrays
• Bridget St. John / Vocals
• The Whole World Chorus / vocals