The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories explained

The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories
Type:	Album
Artist:	Kevin Ayers
Cover:	ConfessionsOfDoctorDream.jpg
Released:	May 1974
Recorded:	February–March 1974
Studio:	AIR Studios, London Ramport Studios, London
Genre:	Rock, Art rock
Length:	41:20
Label:	Island
Producer:	Rupert Hine
Prev Title:	Bananamour
Prev Year:	1973
Next Title:	June 1, 1974
Next Year:	1974

The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories is the fifth studio album by Kevin Ayers. Ayers moved to Island Records for this release which employed a vast array of session musicians.^[1] The album also marked the arrival of Patto guitarist Ollie Halsall, who would become a constant musical partner for Ayers. Other notable musicians are ex-King Crimson drummer Michael Giles, and Steve Nye and Simon Jeffes of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. The album was critically acclaimed on release with the NMEs Nick Kent describing it as "Ayers' most formidable recorded work to date".^[2] The album features many of Ayers' most accessible songs and arrangements.^[3]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Kevin Ayers

Personnel

Musicians

• Kevin Ayers – guitars, vocals; piano & organ (track 7)
• Mark Warner – electric guitar (tracks 1, 3, 5, 10), acoustic guitar (tracks 2, 7)
• Sam Mitchell – electric guitar (tracks 1, 3-4)
• Ollie Halsall – electric guitar solo (track 3)
• Cal Batchelor – electric guitar (track 4)
• Mike Oldfield – electric guitar solo (track 4)
• John Perry – bass (tracks 1-3, 5)
• John Gustafson – bass (track 8)
• Trevor Jones – bass (track 9)
• Michael Giles – drums (tracks 1-3, 5, 7-10)
• The G'Deevy Ensemble – percussion (track 1)
• Ray Cooper – percussion (tracks 2, 9)

• Henry Crallan – piano (track 4)
• Rupert Hine – keyboards (tracks 5-10)
• Mike Moran – piano (track 5)
• Steve Nye – organ (track 5), electric piano (track 8)
• Mike Ratledge – organ (track 9)
• Lol Coxhill – alto saxophone (track 5)
• Nico – vocals (track 7)
• Doris Troy, Rosetta Hightower, Joanne Williams – backing vocals (tracks 1, 3)
• Sean Milligan – backing vocals (track 2)
• Hulloo Choir – backing vocals (tracks 5, 10)

Technical

• Rupert Hine – producer
• John Punter – engineer
• Steve Nye – engineer
• Gerry Leitch, Sean Milligan – assistant engineer
• Simon Jeffes – additional brass arrangements
• George Smith, James Wedge – illustration

References

• Let's Drink some Wine and Have a Good Time by Kenneth Ansell (ZigZag 46, 1974)
• Album Review by Nick Kent (NME May 18, 1974)
• Business As Usual by Steve Peacock (Sounds May 25, 1974)
• Ayers and Graces by Nick Kent (NME Dec 7, 1974)
• Original LP sleevenotes

Notes and References

1. The Confessions of Dr. Dream and Other Stories original liner notes
2. Album Review by Nick Kent (NME May 18, 1974)
3. Business As Usual by Steve Peacock (Sounds May 25, 1974)