{"product_id":"kevin-ayers-rainbow-takeaway","title":"Kevin Ayers – Rainbow Takeaway","description":"\u003ch4 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKevin Ayers – Rainbow Takeaway\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReleased in 1978 on Harvest Records, \u003cem\u003eRainbow Takeaway\u003c\/em\u003e is the eighth solo studio album by Kevin Ayers, the British singer-songwriter and former founding member of influential experimental rock group Soft Machine. A distinctive figure in the Canterbury scene, Ayers developed a singular musical identity that combined art rock, progressive experimentation, offbeat humour and an enduring affection for melodic pop. This album captures that eccentric sensibility in a collection that balances sophisticated arrangements with his characteristically relaxed delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAyers' warm, fluid baritone is central to the record's appeal. His songwriting moves effortlessly between gentle, melodic passages, surreal lyrical observations and more elaborate instrumental sections, creating a sound that is unmistakably his own. Soulful touches, country influences and reggae rhythms sit alongside the progressive sensibilities of his earlier work, while keyboards and synthesiser textures add colour to the arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe album opens with “Blaming It All On Love”, a laid-back, melodic song that showcases Ayers' easygoing vocal style and understated charm. “Ballad Of A Salesman Who Sold Himself” offers a more characteristically eccentric side of his songwriting, while the expansive “A View From The Mountain” develops through extended synthesiser passages that recall his Canterbury progressive rock roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title track, “Rainbow Takeaway”, brings together the album's accessible melodies and gently unconventional atmosphere. Elsewhere, “Waltz For You” offers a more intimate mood, while “Beware Of The Dog II” introduces reggae-inflected rhythms into Ayers' distinctive musical world. “Strange Song” stands out for its chamber-like arrangement, adding another texture to the album's varied palette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe closing pair of tracks captures the playful unpredictability that made Ayers such an individual artist. “Goodnight Goodnight” provides a melodic change of pace before “Hat Song”, a brief and deliberately chaotic finale that underlines his refusal to take conventional songwriting too seriously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing contributions from musicians including guitarist Ollie Halsall and keyboard player Billy Livsey, \u003cem\u003eRainbow Takeaway\u003c\/em\u003e sits at an interesting point in Ayers' career. It follows 1976's \u003cem\u003eYes We Have No Mañanas (So Get Your Mañanas Today)\u003c\/em\u003e and precedes \u003cem\u003eThat's What You Get Babe\u003c\/em\u003e (1980), documenting the continued evolution of an artist whose work bridged British psychedelic rock, the Canterbury scene and more accessible late-1970s songwriting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor fans of Kevin Ayers, Soft Machine, Canterbury scene recordings and eccentric British art rock, \u003cem\u003eRainbow Takeaway\u003c\/em\u003e offers a rewarding mixture of melodic craftsmanship, unusual arrangements and understated humour. It is a distinctive entry in Ayers' solo catalogue and an appealing choice for listeners who appreciate progressive music with personality, warmth and a willingness to take unexpected turns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTracklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1. Blaming It All On Love – 3:00\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA2. Ballad Of A Salesman Who Sold Himself – 4:30\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA3. A View From The Mountain – 6:15\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA4. Rainbow Takeaway – 3:50\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1. Waltz For You – 5:22\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB2. Beware Of The Dog II – 5:59\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3. Strange Song – 2:41\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB4. Goodnight Goodnight – 3:06\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB5. Hat Song – 1:17\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qHLbPUUiblQ?si=I9EYFJJvK8q0TLPt\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harvest Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55931432534358,"sku":"SHSP 4085","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.sounds-grounds.co.uk\/products\/kevin-ayers-rainbow-takeaway","provider":"Sounds + Grounds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}