Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes
Encyclopedia
"Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes" was a Kevin Ayers
single release. The song taken from his classic 1971 album Whatevershebringswesing
(released three months later). It would be re-released as a single in 1976 when Ayers re-signed to Harvest Records
. The B-side, 'Stars' was a non album track that would be later included on the 1976 compilation Odd Ditties.
1976 reissue
to Harvest Records
, in November 1976 the label reissued his 1971 neo-rockabilly
single. This time the track was accompanied by another unreleased song from the Whatevershebringswesing
sessions – "Fake Mexican Tourist Blues". This humorous track involves an unscrupulous Mexican trying to pair Ayers off with various members of his family; “Hey, brother, what about my mother / She's only just forty / She's especially naughty / She knows a lot a tricks / More than the younger chicks / And if you don't like my mother / I got a very nice brother.” Both songs were included on a collection Harvest released that year of Ayers rarities and B-sides entitled Odd Ditties, which this single helped to promote.
Kevin Ayers
Kevin Ayers is an English singer-songwriter and was a major influential force in the English psychedelic movement...
single release. The song taken from his classic 1971 album Whatevershebringswesing
Whatevershebringswesing
Whatevershebringswesing is the third solo album by Kevin Ayers.In 1971, Kevin Ayers started recording what would become his most acclaimed album, Whatevershebringswesing accompanied by members of Gong and his previous backing band The Whole World...
(released three months later). It would be re-released as a single in 1976 when Ayers re-signed to Harvest Records
Harvest Records
-References:* Harvest Records collectors guide ISBN 978-5-9622-0021-7...
. The B-side, 'Stars' was a non album track that would be later included on the 1976 compilation Odd Ditties.
Track listing
Original release- "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" (Kevin Ayers)
- "Stars" (Kevin Ayers)
1976 reissue
- "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" (Kevin Ayers)
- "Fake Mexican Tourist Blues" (Kevin Ayers)
Personnel
- Kevin AyersKevin AyersKevin Ayers is an English singer-songwriter and was a major influential force in the English psychedelic movement...
/ vocals, guitar, bass (on "Stranger.."), vocals, bass (on "Stars") - David BedfordDavid BedfordDavid Vickerman Bedford , was an English composer and musician. He wrote and played both popular and classical music....
/ piano (on "Stranger.."), organ (on "Stars") - Mike OldfieldMike OldfieldMichael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
/ guitar on "Stars" - Dave DufortDave DufortDave Dufort is a British rock drummer who has played with Ian Hunter, Kevin Ayers, Mike Oldfield and Screaming Lord Sutch, and was a member of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands E. F. Band, Angel Witch and Tytan...
/ drums on "Stars" - Tony Carr / drums on "Stranger.."
- The LadybirdsThe LadybirdsThe Ladybirds are a British female vocal harmony trio, most famous for their appearances in The Benny Hill Show. They participated in over 60 episodes between 1968 and 1991. In addition, they were long-standing backing singers to many established artists, and perennial television ...
/ backing vocals on "Stars"
1976 reissue
To celebrate the return of Kevin AyersKevin Ayers
Kevin Ayers is an English singer-songwriter and was a major influential force in the English psychedelic movement...
to Harvest Records
Harvest Records
-References:* Harvest Records collectors guide ISBN 978-5-9622-0021-7...
, in November 1976 the label reissued his 1971 neo-rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
single. This time the track was accompanied by another unreleased song from the Whatevershebringswesing
Whatevershebringswesing
Whatevershebringswesing is the third solo album by Kevin Ayers.In 1971, Kevin Ayers started recording what would become his most acclaimed album, Whatevershebringswesing accompanied by members of Gong and his previous backing band The Whole World...
sessions – "Fake Mexican Tourist Blues". This humorous track involves an unscrupulous Mexican trying to pair Ayers off with various members of his family; “Hey, brother, what about my mother / She's only just forty / She's especially naughty / She knows a lot a tricks / More than the younger chicks / And if you don't like my mother / I got a very nice brother.” Both songs were included on a collection Harvest released that year of Ayers rarities and B-sides entitled Odd Ditties, which this single helped to promote.