Kevin Ayers ‘Sweet Deceiver’ Island Records 1975, LP version
‘Sweet Deceiver’ is the sixth studio album by Kevin Ayers and his last for Island Records. By 1975, Kevin Ayers was on the books of Elton John’s manager and business partner, John Reid, who attempted to turn him into a mainstream artist. Reid’s idea was to market Kevin as “a pretty boy rock star” and the Athena poster-style painting he commissioned for ‘Sweet Deceiver’ reflects this.
Kevin, however, was still a maverick at heart (thank goodness!) and the packaging of the LP didn’t really hint at the introspective songs which it contained. Ollie Halsall, whom Kevin had met at Abbey Road studios in 1974, was now a key influence and his guitar playing on the track ‘Observations’ demonstrates his dexterity and musicality. Ollie is credited as co-producer for the album. Elton John also joined the sessions, contributing some outstanding piano work to three tracks including ‘Circular Letter’ and the exquisite ‘Toujours Le Voyage’.
Kevin gives his view of the “fame game” in ‘Guru Banana’ where he criticises the music industry and pop idol culture from within:
“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!”
Ollie “Haircut” Halsall (left) and Kevin Ayers (right), ‘Sweet Deceiver’ album cover 1975
Music journalist Nick Kent (NME and a long-time supporter), uncomfortable with Ayers’ new image, was highly critical of ‘Sweet Deceiver’. Kevin subsequently stated in interviews that he was “deeply upset” by Kent’s reaction to the album. Nick 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.”
In retrospect ‘Sweet Deceiver’ does exactly what it says on the label although the question might be “Who’s deceiving who?” Besides Kevin’s obvious disenchantment with various aspects of the music business there are some very beautiful lyrics and melodies on this record. Kevin’s next album ‘Yes We Have No Mananas…’ would be recorded on the Harvest label.
Track listing (original LP):
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 re-issue, additional tracks:
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 Ayers / Vocals, fuzz bass, electric and acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars, mandolin
Freddie Smith / Drums
Ollie Halsall / 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 John / Piano (2, 4, 7)
Jacob Magnusson / Organ, accordion, piano, Clavinet, vocals on track 1
Bias Boshell / Piano (5)
Chili Charles / Drums (8)
Muscle Shoals Horns / Brass (8)
The Manor choir / Vocals (3, 8)
Tony Wright / Cover art
Additional info from Wikipedia.