The Kinks: Picture Book

• 24th Nov 2008

The Kinks return in December with 'Picture Book': the ultimate Kinks collection. Compiled with the help of Ray Davies, 'Picture Book' is a six CD box set of rarities, live versions and classic originals celebrating one of one of Britain's most successful and influential bands ever.

Featuring the song writing genius of Ray Davies and the guitar virtuosity of brother Dave, hits like 'You Really Got Me', 'Lola', 'Waterloo Sunset', 'All Day And All Of The Night' and 'Sunny Afternoon' not only defined British cool in the sixties and seventies, but also cemented the band's place in Rock 'n' Roll mythology.

'Picture Book' is the first ever Kinks box set, chronicling the band's 40 year career over six chronologically-ordered CDs and one 60-page, full colour booklet. Each disc deals with a particular chapter in the band's history, from their 1964 breakthrough onwards, while the booklet features a full retelling of the Kinks story penned by esteemed rock critic Peter Doggett, as well as a Kinks timeline and never before seen photos.

Beautifully packaged in a classic, lift-lid style box, 'Picture Book' features well over a hundred tracks, many of which are rare or previously unreleased. These include:

Rare Demos, Mono Versions and Alternate Mixes

(inc. early demos recorded as The Ravens; mono single versions of 'Waterloo Sunset', 'Lola' & 'Apeman'; and previously unreleased versions of 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' and 'Dead End Street')

Archived BBC Television & Session Material

(inc. a televised 1964 introduction by Brian Matthew, and session versions of 'This Strange Effect' and 'Love Me Til The Sun Shines')

Live Renditions

(inc. live versions of 'Slum Kids', 'Alcohol' & 'Low Budget')

All these feature alongside the classic originals, as 'Picture Book' revisits such classic albums as 'The Kinks', 'Face To Face', 'The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society' and 'Arthur'.