Sweet Deceiver
Encyclopedia
Sweet Deceiver is the sixth studio album by Kevin Ayers
and his last for Island Records
. By 1975, Kevin Ayers had joined the roster of Elton John
’s manager and partner John Reid
, who put considerable energy into turning him into a mainstream artist, booking him appearances on early morning children's TV shows. Reid’s concept was to market Ayers as a pretty boy rock star and the cover painting he commissioned for Sweet Deceiver demonstrates this to shocking effect.
Ayers, however, was still a maverick musician and the packaging of the LP was alarmingly at odds with its contents which were some of his more poignant recordings. It was little wonder therefore, that critics like the NME
’s Nick Kent
(a long-time supporter), dismayed by Ayers’ new image, wrote virulent attacks on the LP. Ayers has subsequently stated in interviews that he was “deeply upset” by Kent's reaction to the album, although he failed to notice how delicately the scales of credibility were balanced within the 70s avant garde music scene. Kent commented (NME, Dec 7, 1974) that when he first heard the song “Sweet Deceiver” at a Glasgow Apollo
concert, “it rhymed ‘rain’ with ‘pain’ to questionable effect.”
Sweet Deceiver is one of Ayers’ more rock oriented productions, with the first side featuring the progressive material, while the second was more mainstream. Guitarist, Ollie Halsall was now a key foil for Ayers and his playing on opening the track “Observations” is a clear demonstration of his dexterity. Elton John
also joined the sessions, contributing some outstanding piano work to “Circular Letter” and “Toujours Le Voyage”.
However, it is Ayers himself who offers the most accurate critique of the situation in “Guru Banana” where he pointedly satirises his own pop promotion; "Who's the one with the grin on his face / Says he's gonna save the human race / He laughs a lot as he climbs to fame / Now what's his name? / Guru Banana! / That's me and I'll show you the light / I've got the answers and they're all right / 'cause I'm divine and you can be the same / Now what's my name? / Guru Banana!"
Side 2
2009 reissue
Kevin Ayers
Kevin Ayers is an English singer-songwriter and was a major influential force in the English psychedelic movement...
and his last for Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. By 1975, Kevin Ayers had joined the roster of Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
’s manager and partner John Reid
John Reid (music)
John Reid is a Scottish manager and music industry figure, currently living and working in Australia.Between 1975 and 1978, Reid was the manager of British rock group Queen and Kevin Ayers...
, who put considerable energy into turning him into a mainstream artist, booking him appearances on early morning children's TV shows. Reid’s concept was to market Ayers as a pretty boy rock star and the cover painting he commissioned for Sweet Deceiver demonstrates this to shocking effect.
Ayers, however, was still a maverick musician and the packaging of the LP was alarmingly at odds with its contents which were some of his more poignant recordings. It was little wonder therefore, that critics like the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
’s Nick Kent
Nick Kent
Nick Kent is a British rock critic and musician.-Career:Along with writers including Paul Morley, Charles Shaar Murray and Danny Baker, Nick Kent is seen as one of the most important and influential UK music journalists of the 1970s. He wrote for the British music publication New Musical Express,...
(a long-time supporter), dismayed by Ayers’ new image, wrote virulent attacks on the LP. Ayers has subsequently stated in interviews that he was “deeply upset” by Kent's reaction to the album, although he failed to notice how delicately the scales of credibility were balanced within the 70s avant garde music scene. Kent commented (NME, Dec 7, 1974) that when he first heard the song “Sweet Deceiver” at a Glasgow Apollo
The Apollo (Glasgow)
The Apollo was a music venue in Glasgow, Scotland, operating from 1973-1985. It was opened by Unicorn Leisure, in September 1973, after acquiring a lease from the owners George Green Ltd. The venue's debut live performance was by Johnny Cash on 5 September 1973. While in operation, it hosted the...
concert, “it rhymed ‘rain’ with ‘pain’ to questionable effect.”
Sweet Deceiver is one of Ayers’ more rock oriented productions, with the first side featuring the progressive material, while the second was more mainstream. Guitarist, Ollie Halsall was now a key foil for Ayers and his playing on opening the track “Observations” is a clear demonstration of his dexterity. Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
also joined the sessions, contributing some outstanding piano work to “Circular Letter” and “Toujours Le Voyage”.
However, it is Ayers himself who offers the most accurate critique of the situation in “Guru Banana” where he pointedly satirises his own pop promotion; "Who's the one with the grin on his face / Says he's gonna save the human race / He laughs a lot as he climbs to fame / Now what's his name? / Guru Banana! / That's me and I'll show you the light / I've got the answers and they're all right / 'cause I'm divine and you can be the same / Now what's my name? / Guru Banana!"
Track listing
Side 1- Observations (Ayers)
- Guru Banana (Ayers)
- City Waltz (Ayers)
- Toujours La Voyage (Ayers)
Side 2
- Sweet Deceiver (Ayers)
- Diminished But Not Finished (Ayers)
- Circular Letter (Ayers)
- Once Upon An Ocean (Ayers)
- Farewell Again (Another Dawn) (Ayers)
2009 reissue
- 10. Didn't Feel Lonely 'til I Thought of You
- 11. Observations
- 12. Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes
- 13. Interview
- 14. Farewell Again
- Tracks 10 to 14 are live recordings taped at The BBC's Paris Theatre in London on 27 March 1975
Personnel
- Kevin AyersKevin AyersKevin Ayers is an English singer-songwriter and was a major influential force in the English psychedelic movement...
/ Vocals, fuzz bass, electric and acoustic 12 string guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin - Freddie Smith / Drums
- Ollie HalsallOllie HalsallPeter John 'Ollie' Halsall was a left-handed guitarist and is best known for his role in The Rutles, the bands Patto, Timebox and Boxer, and for his contribution to the music of Kevin Ayers. He is also notable as one of the few players of the vibraphone in rock music...
/ Lead, acoustic and bass guitar, mandolin, honk piano, vibes, backing vocals on track 8 - John Altman / Clarinet (Track 2)
- Fuzzy Samuels / Bass Guitar (8)
- Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
/ Piano (2,4,7) - Jacob Magnusson / Organ, accordion, piano, Clavinet, vocals on track 1
- Bias BoshellBias BoshellTobias "Bias" Boshell is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the founder of folk rock band Trees.He was born in Wye, Kent, was educated at Bedales and the Royal College of Music...
/ Piano (5) - Chili Charles / Drums (8)
- Muscle Shoals HornsMuscle Shoals Sound StudioThe Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was formed in Muscle Shoals, Alabama,in 1969 when musicians Barry Beckett , Roger Hawkins , Jimmy Johnson and David Hood left FAME Studios to create their own studio...
/ Brass (8) - The Manor choir / Vocals (3, 8)
- Tony WrightTony Wright (artist)Tony Wright is an artist who created album covers such as Bob Marley's Natty Dread and Traffic's The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys and others including Bob Dylan's Saved...
/ Cover art