Return to Waterloo
Encyclopedia
Return to Waterloo is an album and hour-long film by Kinks
' leader and chief songwriter Ray Davies
. Several of the tracks on the album release were also available in near-identical form on The Kinks
1984 release Word of Mouth
. One song which appears in the film but not on the soundtrack is "Ladder of Success".
From the DVD release sleeve-notes.
Ray Davies of The Kinks, well-respected as one of rock's best storytellers, makes his film-making debut as director, writer and composer of Return to Waterloo. This hour-long feature is a unique approach to the synthesis of music, video and cinema. Instead of dialogue, the story is told through music and lyrics. The haunting songs, unavailable on any Kinks album, take renowned actor Kenneth Colley
on a suspenseful journey through his imagination, as he confronts reality and fantasy, love and violence. Also starring: Valerie Holliman, Dominique Barnes, Tim Roth
and (briefly) Ray Davies
himself.
This film, a cult-classic, is a watershed event in the development of the music video art form, as it was created for itself rather than to promote a record, concert, or grouping of promo videos.
While the special effects are dated and in today's day and age almost humorous, you are seamlessly brought into the mind of the traveler as he muses over his past and what could have been, (and what he may be) as he travels on his daily journey. "Missing Person" is a particularly haunting melody that brings you into both the despair of himself and his relationship with his wife.
Return to Waterloo embraces Ray Davies' satirical (and occasionally comical) view of modern society, as reflected in over thirty albums over a remarkable twenty-five years with The Kinks
.
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
' leader and chief songwriter Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
. Several of the tracks on the album release were also available in near-identical form on The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
1984 release Word of Mouth
Word of Mouth (The Kinks album)
Word of Mouth is a 1984 album by the English rock group, The Kinks.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Ray Davies - guitar, keyboards, harmonica, vocals*Dave Davies - guitar, background vocals*Jim Rodford - bass, background vocals*Mick Avory - drums...
. One song which appears in the film but not on the soundtrack is "Ladder of Success".
From the DVD release sleeve-notes.
Ray Davies of The Kinks, well-respected as one of rock's best storytellers, makes his film-making debut as director, writer and composer of Return to Waterloo. This hour-long feature is a unique approach to the synthesis of music, video and cinema. Instead of dialogue, the story is told through music and lyrics. The haunting songs, unavailable on any Kinks album, take renowned actor Kenneth Colley
Kenneth Colley
Kenneth Colley is an English actor. A long-time character actor, he came to wider prominence through his role as Admiral Piett in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi....
on a suspenseful journey through his imagination, as he confronts reality and fantasy, love and violence. Also starring: Valerie Holliman, Dominique Barnes, Tim Roth
Tim Roth
Simon Timothy "Tim" Roth is an English film actor and director best known for his roles in the American films,Legend of 1900, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Four Rooms, Skellig, Planet of the Apes, The Incredible Hulk and Rob Roy, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for...
and (briefly) Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
himself.
This film, a cult-classic, is a watershed event in the development of the music video art form, as it was created for itself rather than to promote a record, concert, or grouping of promo videos.
While the special effects are dated and in today's day and age almost humorous, you are seamlessly brought into the mind of the traveler as he muses over his past and what could have been, (and what he may be) as he travels on his daily journey. "Missing Person" is a particularly haunting melody that brings you into both the despair of himself and his relationship with his wife.
Return to Waterloo embraces Ray Davies' satirical (and occasionally comical) view of modern society, as reflected in over thirty albums over a remarkable twenty-five years with The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Ray Davies- "Intro" (0:56)
- "Return to Waterloo"(4:40)
- "Going Solo" (3:55)
- "Missing Persons" (2:53)
- "Sold Me Out" (3:19)
- "Lonely Hearts" (3:05)
- "Not Far Away" (4:23)
- "Expectations" (4:06)
- "Voices in the Dark (End Title)" (4:22)
Personnel
- Ray Davies - vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer, sound effects
- Ian GibbonsIan GibbonsIan Gibbons is an English keyboardist, most notable for playing with The Kinks.Gibbons began playing the accordion at the age 9, playing in the school band, and solo at music festivals, competitions and charity events. At the age of 14, he started a school rock band, playing guitar and singing...
- keyboards, drum & percussion programming, background vocals - Louisa Davies - vocals
- Valerie Hollerman - spoken word
- Jim RodfordJim RodfordJim Rodford is a musician who played with The Kinks, The Swinging Blue Jeans and was a founding member of Argent...
- bass, background vocals - Mick AvoryMick AvoryMichael Charles "Mick" Avory is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and percussionist for the British rock band, The Kinks, joining them shortly after their formation in 1964 and remaining with them until 1984, when he left amid creative friction with guitarist Dave Davies...
- drums - Robert Henrit - drums, percussion
- John O'Donnell - percussion