Ray Davies

Working Man’s Café, focuses on the plight of the worker, the every day man around the world. It is Davies’ “American record” (many of the songs were written and all produced in the US) describing the changes he’s seen in this country since he first started visiting in the ‘60s. In a recent four star Mojo Magazine review Davies is described as having “a tourist’s blend of enchantment and bafflement” when writing about the United States. In the album’s reflective title song, Davies goes to buy a pair of new jeans but ends up getting lost in a shopping mall which is full of chain stores and brand named coffee houses. The album is also driven by love and relationships which is especially apparent in “Imaginary Man,” where Davies warns a woman not to get involved with him because “she doesn’t really know what she’s getting.”

Davies, one of Britain’s pre-eminent songwriters, uses all situations he finds himself in as inspiration for songs, especially difficult times. “Morphine,” was written when Davies was in the Intensive Care unit at Charity Hospital-Louisiana State University after being attacked and shot in New Orleans. The song helped Davies work through the fear of being in the hospital and the pain from the shooting.

Davies plans to visit the US and Canada in January to do advance promotion for the album and will return for extensive touring beginning in the spring throughout North America.