The Kinks - Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969) [Full Album] Vinyl Rip

Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire), often referred to simply as Arthur, is the seventh studio album by the English rock band the Kinks, released on 10 October 1969. It was the first Kinks album to feature bassist John Dalton, who replaced Pete Quaife after the latter's departure. Kinks frontman Ray Davies constructed the concept album as the soundtrack to a Granada Television play and developed the storyline with novelist Julian Mitchell; the television programme was never produced. The rough plot revolved around Arthur Morgan, a carpet-layer, who was based on Ray and guitarist Dave Davies' brother-in-law Arthur Anning. A stereo version was released internationally with a mono version being released in the UK, but not in the US.

The album was met with poor sales but nearly unanimous acclaim, especially among the American music press. Although Arthur and its first two singles, "Drivin'" and "Shangri-La", failed to chart in the UK, the Kinks returned to the Billboard charts after a two-year absence with "Victoria", the lead single in the US, peaking at number 62. The album itself reached number 105 on the Billboard Top LPs chart, their highest position for three years. Arthur paved the way for the further success of the Kinks' 1970 comeback album Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One.

Tracklist:
side one:
Victoria 0:00
Yes Sir, No Sir 3:40
Some Mother's Son 7:28
Drivin' 10:55
Brainwashed 14:17
Australia 16:52

side two:
Shangri-La 23:38
Mr. Churchill Says 29:00
She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina 33:43
Young and Innocent Days 36:51
Nothing to Say 40:14
Arthur 43:25

The Kinks
Ray Davies – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (harpsichord and piano), production
Dave Davies – lead guitar, backing vocals, co-lead vocals on "Australia" and "Arthur", lead vocals on his own tracks
John Dalton – bass guitar, backing vocals
Mick Avory – drums, percussion