Muswell Hillbillies [Original recording remastered]
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The first album in the Kinks' RCA phase, this 1971 aggregation stands as one of the pivotal titles in the group's extensive oeuvre. Check out the cover for a sense where this collection is rooted: the five longhaired lads mill about at a sunlit working-class pub where the regulars go about their libationary affairs. The album's keynote tracks--"20th Century Man," "Holiday," "Here Come the People in Grey"--focus on proletariat proceedings that were familiar to frontman Ray Davies and his guitar-slinging sibling, Dave. Indeed, the title track's name is concocted from of the name of the north London community where the Davies brothers grew up and the then-popular Beverly Hillbillies TV show. Musically, Muswell Hillbillies draws on country and pub-jazz elements; check out the trad-band brass that adorns the intoxicating "Alcohol." Ray Davies called this album his "existentialist-type record," noting that he resisted the temptation to design a radio-friendly single to succeed "Lola" in favor of devising a conceptual collection of tunes. For better or worse, it would be some time before he'd abandon his predilection for plots. --Steven Stolder
Muswell Hillbillies, Music, The Kinks, Album Rock, Country-Rock, Hard Rock, Pop, Pop/Rock, Popular Music, Rock, Rock/Pop, Singer/Songwriter
Average customer rating:
- Great cover
- A darker Ray Davies
- Potentially disappointing, lays the 60's sound permanently to rest
- A Very Pleasant Surprize
- Darkly funny Kinks masterpiece
|
Muswell Hillbillies
The Kinks
Manufacturer: Velvel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
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General
| Pop
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Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
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Pop Rock
| Pop
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General
| Rock
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Country Rock
| Rock
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General
| Hard Rock & Metal
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Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
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Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
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General
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Similar Items:
- Arthur - Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire
- Lola versus Powerman and the Money-Go-Round, Part One
- The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society
- Something Else by the Kinks
- Face to Face
ASIN: B0002IQI7E
Release Date: 2004-08-24 |
Tracks:
- 20th Century Man
- Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
- Holiday
- Skin & Bone
- Alcohol
- Complicated Life
- Here Come The People In Grey
- Have A Cuppa Tea
- Holloway Jail
- Oklahoma U.S.A.
- Uncle Son
- Muswell Hillbilly
- Mountain Woman
- Kentucky Moon
Amazon.com
The first album in the Kinks' RCA phase, this 1971 aggregation stands as one of the pivotal titles in the group's extensive oeuvre. Check out the cover for a sense where this collection is rooted: the five longhaired lads mill about at a sunlit working-class pub where the regulars go about their libationary affairs. The album's keynote tracks--"20th Century Man," "Holiday," "Here Come the People in Grey"--focus on proletariat proceedings that were familiar to frontman Ray Davies and his guitar-slinging sibling, Dave. Indeed, the title track's name is concocted from of the name of the north London community where the Davies brothers grew up and the then-popular Beverly Hillbillies TV show. Musically, Muswell Hillbillies draws on country and pub-jazz elements; check out the trad-band brass that adorns the intoxicating "Alcohol." Ray Davies called this album his "existentialist-type record," noting that he resisted the temptation to design a radio-friendly single to succeed "Lola" in favor of devising a conceptual collection of tunes. For better or worse, it would be some time before he'd abandon his predilection for plots. --Steven Stolder
Customer Reviews:
Great cover.......2007-05-15
This album has the best cover photo in all of Rock and Roll
A darker Ray Davies.......2006-12-19
I owned this LP when first released and, as a teen, it nearly scared me. It seemed like the hopeful contender of "Lola versus the powerman..." had been defeated. "Muswell Hillbillies" is a darker autobiography: blending country-rock, music hall, rowdy New Orleans blues, and heartbreaking ballads. But Ray and The Kinks never feel sorry for themselves. They carry it off with humour, insight, and joy.
This was also the last album, Dave says in his autobiography, that Ray would play songs-in-progress for Dave and both would flesh out ideas with the band.
Potentially disappointing, lays the 60's sound permanently to rest.......2006-09-30
Unlike another reviewer, I find nothing "uniquely British" about the Kinks 1971 release, "Muswell Hillbillies". In fact, the album seems quite consciously obsessed with Americana. Given the populist conservatism embraced by their earlier releases "Arthur" and "Village Green Preservation Society", maybe this was an inevitable attempt to make the sound match the message. The mixture of populist themes and the style of music on this disc are similar to the "No Depression" sound, alt-country music that emerged throughout the 1990's in America. Indeed, many tracks on "Muswell Hillbillies" would feel right at home in an early Wilco album.
The album features some good foot-stompin', beer chuggin', would-be barroom anthems. These are in the same vein as a few earlier songs, such as the title track from "Arthur", and "Got to Be Free" from the album "Lola vs...", but they fall short of matching those great tracks. Overall, the songwriting on "Muswell Hillbillies" is somewhat disappointing. There are no brilliant pop hooks nor interesting bridges. It's all very straight-forward.
The production on this album, just as on "Lola...", has some high points and some low points. The sound is mostly amazing, it sounds very much like a modern record. The only thing dating it is the faint hiss of the eight-track recording device on which it was originally made, but which is barely audible on this remastered release. Unfortunately, the mixing remains mind-bogglingly poor in some places. On the "Lola..." album, the otherwise flawless pop-gem "Apeman" was marred by the inexplicable decision to make the vocals barely audible for much of the song. That flaw recurs a few times on "Muswell Hillbillies". I just don't know what Ray Davies was thinking when he mixed the recording that way.
On the balance, it's a good record, but does not sound that much like the Kinks of the 1960's. If you like alt-country music, you'll probably enjoy this. If you don't like alt-country, then knock a star off this review.
A Very Pleasant Surprize.......2006-08-06
It has been over 30 years since I listened to Muswell Hillbillies.I can't believe how well the music has held up.There are so many things that don't sound the same as we remember them.This album is a breathe of fresh air as todays music standards in popular music have shifted.The songs are as relevant today as they were then, people being paranoid,sharing a cup of tea, and slices from ordinary people lives.Had someone told me then that I would still listen to this disk in later life I would have scoffed as we were all waiting for the next big thing to come along.This album is a testament to a man who is nothing less than genius.Granted he and his brother have had thier ups and downs but the end results are super to say the least.Since I began listening to this disk I can't stop humming the songs while at the gym or at work,we don't have a radio at work,the songs are infectious. I have always enjoyed Ray and his songs and have made sure my kids and grand kids will hear them.
Darkly funny Kinks masterpiece.......2006-04-18
At the start of the seventies, the Kinks changed labels (from Pye to RCA) in the wake of their biggest hit in several years, the glammed-up anthem "Lola." But instead of capitalizing on "Lola"'s success by delivering more of the same, the band reinvented their sound for "Muswell Hillbillies"-- an utterly unique blend of music hall, jazz, and country. Twangy acoustic guitars and rollicking piano prevail, with a jazz horn ensemble guest-starring on a couple of songs. Ray sings while chomping a cigar on "Holiday"; the title track features the Davies brothers' hilariously inept hillbilly accents as they croon about "old West Virginia." It's a strange mix, but it all works beautifully, and it's the perfect vehicle for Ray Davies' exploration of the improbable spiritual link between working-class London and the American frontier.
Thematically, "Muswell Hillbillies" is a loose concept album about the gentrification of the Muswell Hill neighborhood. More generally, it's about ordinary, tradition-minded English people finding themselves thrust against their will into the modern world. Ray rants against technology, conformity, and intrusive government-- some of the same sentiments that would suffocate later Kinks albums like "UK Jive"-- but here, crucially, he never lets the vitriol obscure his empathy and sense of humor.
Smart, angry, funny, and surprising, "Muswell Hillbillies" is the Kinks at their very best. If you like rock music at all, don't hesitate to add this album to your collection.
Average customer rating:
- Second Level Kink Greatness
- Masterpiece!
- Yes, this is the best Kinks album.
- Hillbilly Boy -- 4 & 1/2 Stars
- The Kinks' "Let It Bleed."
|
Muswell Hillbillies
The Kinks
Manufacturer: Velvel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Country Rock
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Pop
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Classic Rock
| Rock
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- The Kinks Present Schoolboys in Disgrace
- Misfits
- State of Confusion
- Low Budget
- Sleepwalker
ASIN: B000009DI1
Release Date: 1998-07-14 |
Tracks:
- 20th Century Man
- Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
- Holiday
- Skin & Bone
- Alcohol
- Complicated Life
- Here Come The People In Grey
- Have A Cuppa Tea
- Holloway Jail
- Oklahoma U.S.A.
- Uncle Son
- Muswell Hillbilly
- Mountain Woman
- Kentucky Moon
Amazon.com
The first album in the Kinks' RCA phase, this 1971 aggregation stands as one of the pivotal titles in the group's extensive oeuvre. Check out the cover for a sense where this collection is rooted: the five longhaired lads mill about at a sunlit working-class pub where the regulars go about their libationary affairs. The album's keynote tracks--"20th Century Man," "Holiday," "Here Come the People in Grey"--focus on proletariat proceedings that were familiar to frontman Ray Davies and his guitar-slinging sibling, Dave. Indeed, the title track's name is concocted from of the name of the north London community where the Davies brothers grew up and the then-popular Beverly Hillbillies TV show. Musically, Muswell Hillbillies draws on country and pub-jazz elements; check out the trad-band brass that adorns the intoxicating "Alcohol." Ray Davies called this album his "existentialist-type record," noting that he resisted the temptation to design a radio-friendly single to succeed "Lola" in favor of devising a conceptual collection of tunes. For better or worse, it would be some time before he'd abandon his predilection for plots. --Steven Stolder
Customer Reviews:
Second Level Kink Greatness.......2007-06-26
Can't really preach against the choir and say this is not a good album, but IMO it's in the second level of Kink greatness, after Something Else and Village Green Preservation Society, two of the greatest albums of the era. The music here is very fine, if unoriginal, but I think Ray's voice is too affected, as if this was a camp offering. The opening track is great, and Uncle Son is a favorite, but if you're not a Kink Completist, you might try one of their mid- to late- 60s albums to sample their very best work.
Masterpiece!.......2006-05-15
Not only are all the songs tuneful as hell, rockin', hilarious, sad, grim, personal, agitated, and hella dazzlin' but one of them -- 20th Century Man -- contains the greatest Kinks bridge passage since the much-remarked one in Death of a Clown. The sudden change of voice (Ray becomes a downtrodden Cockney wreck, wailing about his fate, to a starkly beautiful guitar riff) is totally unexpected yet makes perfect beautiful sense. So powerful and so felt. Generous too -- you think the song's going to end sooner than it does; Ray just keeps drivin'! The rest of the album is masterful too -- it ranks easily in the stratosphere with all the other great ones from Face to Face and Something Else to Village Green to Arthur to ... you get the idea. Ray Davies is the greatest!
Yes, this is the best Kinks album........2006-05-09
No. You probably will not like it the first time you hear it. It's so startlingly different with a whole New Orleans (and yes, hillbilly) influence, you'll hardly believe this was their follow up to Lola Versus The Powerman & Moneygoround. However, if you give the album another chance and listen to the complexities within the layers of sound and lyrical depth the brothers hide within each deceptively simple song, you'll soon become a Muswell Hillbillies junkie, eager for each new fix.
The best way to approach this work is to listen to it once from start to finish. Then set it aside for a few days, listen to again. By the third time, it will click. I have no idea why, but for some reason, it does. The negative reviews are from people who listen to it once, say to themselves "What the hell was that?" and toss it aside. I too, initially, did not like it. Fortunately, I didn't toss it aside. Now it is not only my favorite Kinks CD, but one of my all time favorite CDs.
Make sure you pick up the version with the two bonus tracks, because you'll end up buying two CDs instead of one.
Hillbilly Boy -- 4 & 1/2 Stars.......2005-11-09
Upon first listen, I didn't care for this album; less a few songs (20th Century, People in Grey, Muswell Hillbilly). Fortunately for me, I relistened to this and fell in love. This album is very layered, and is loaded w/ the witty lyrics of Ray Davies. The Kinks are like the Simpsons of music; funny, and lots of subtle social commentary.
All in all this is my third favorite Kinks album following their brilliant masterpieces Arthur, and Face to Face. Also worth checking out is Lola, VGPS, Something Else, Kontroversy, Kinda Kinks, One For the Road, and Preservation 1.
The Kinks' "Let It Bleed.".......2005-09-17
I am grateful to the friend who recommended this one to me because it's become a favorite. Ray Davies' lyrics are funny, scary, sad, and sometimes all of these at once. Displacement and loss of privacy resulting from urban renewal is one theme. Other songs lampoon fad diets, portray the melodrama of addiction, and whimsically celebrate English teatime. The musicianship is excellent, featuring judicious use of horns and keyboard and some of Dave Davies most incisive guitar work. Well-produced and arranged, the record's sound nevertheless remains raw and rootsy, reminiscent at times of The Rolling Stones' "Let it Bleed." This is especially evident in the greasy, prickly slide guitar on "Holloway Jail." Released in 1971, "Muswell Hillbillies," like Stones' records of that same era, has country-blues and country-rock leanings, but with more specifically English content and style. It also features more head and heart and a little less crotch!
Average customer rating:
- Second Level Kink Greatness
- Masterpiece!
- Yes, this is the best Kinks album.
- Hillbilly Boy -- 4 & 1/2 Stars
- The Kinks' "Let It Bleed."
|
Muswell Hillbillies
The Kinks
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Country Rock
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
Rhino Records
| Amazon.com Label Stores
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- The Kinks Present Schoolboys in Disgrace
- Misfits
- State of Confusion
- Low Budget
- Sleepwalker
ASIN: B000008HCL
Release Date: 1990-01-05 |
Tracks:
- 20th Century Man
- Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
- Holiday
- Skin & Bone
- Alcohol
- Complicated Life
- Here Come the People in Grey
- Have a Cuppa Tea
- Holloway Jail
- Oklahoma U.S.A.
- Uncle Son
- Muswell Hillbilly
- Mountain Woman [#][*]
- Kentucky Moon [#][*]
Amazon.com
The first album in the Kinks' RCA phase, this 1971 aggregation stands as one of the pivotal titles in the group's extensive oeuvre. Check out the cover for a sense where this collection is rooted: the five longhaired lads mill about at a sunlit working-class pub where the regulars go about their libationary affairs. The album's keynote tracks--"20th Century Man," "Holiday," "Here Come the People in Grey"--focus on proletariat proceedings that were familiar to frontman Ray Davies and his guitar-slinging sibling, Dave. Indeed, the title track's name is concocted from of the name of the north London community where the Davies brothers grew up and the then-popular Beverly Hillbillies TV show. Musically, Muswell Hillbillies draws on country and pub-jazz elements; check out the trad-band brass that adorns the intoxicating "Alcohol." Ray Davies called this album his "existentialist-type record," noting that he resisted the temptation to design a radio-friendly single to succeed "Lola" in favor of devising a conceptual collection of tunes. For better or worse, it would be some time before he'd abandon his predilection for plots. --Steven Stolder
Customer Reviews:
Second Level Kink Greatness.......2007-06-26
Can't really preach against the choir and say this is not a good album, but IMO it's in the second level of Kink greatness, after Something Else and Village Green Preservation Society, two of the greatest albums of the era. The music here is very fine, if unoriginal, but I think Ray's voice is too affected, as if this was a camp offering. The opening track is great, and Uncle Son is a favorite, but if you're not a Kink Completist, you might try one of their mid- to late- 60s albums to sample their very best work.
Masterpiece!.......2006-05-15
Not only are all the songs tuneful as hell, rockin', hilarious, sad, grim, personal, agitated, and hella dazzlin' but one of them -- 20th Century Man -- contains the greatest Kinks bridge passage since the much-remarked one in Death of a Clown. The sudden change of voice (Ray becomes a downtrodden Cockney wreck, wailing about his fate, to a starkly beautiful guitar riff) is totally unexpected yet makes perfect beautiful sense. So powerful and so felt. Generous too -- you think the song's going to end sooner than it does; Ray just keeps drivin'! The rest of the album is masterful too -- it ranks easily in the stratosphere with all the other great ones from Face to Face and Something Else to Village Green to Arthur to ... you get the idea. Ray Davies is the greatest!
Yes, this is the best Kinks album........2006-05-09
No. You probably will not like it the first time you hear it. It's so startlingly different with a whole New Orleans (and yes, hillbilly) influence, you'll hardly believe this was their follow up to Lola Versus The Powerman & Moneygoround. However, if you give the album another chance and listen to the complexities within the layers of sound and lyrical depth the brothers hide within each deceptively simple song, you'll soon become a Muswell Hillbillies junkie, eager for each new fix.
The best way to approach this work is to listen to it once from start to finish. Then set it aside for a few days, listen to again. By the third time, it will click. I have no idea why, but for some reason, it does. The negative reviews are from people who listen to it once, say to themselves "What the hell was that?" and toss it aside. I too, initially, did not like it. Fortunately, I didn't toss it aside. Now it is not only my favorite Kinks CD, but one of my all time favorite CDs.
Make sure you pick up the version with the two bonus tracks, because you'll end up buying two CDs instead of one.
Hillbilly Boy -- 4 & 1/2 Stars.......2005-11-09
Upon first listen, I didn't care for this album; less a few songs (20th Century, People in Grey, Muswell Hillbilly). Fortunately for me, I relistened to this and fell in love. This album is very layered, and is loaded w/ the witty lyrics of Ray Davies. The Kinks are like the Simpsons of music; funny, and lots of subtle social commentary.
All in all this is my third favorite Kinks album following their brilliant masterpieces Arthur, and Face to Face. Also worth checking out is Lola, VGPS, Something Else, Kontroversy, Kinda Kinks, One For the Road, and Preservation 1.
The Kinks' "Let It Bleed.".......2005-09-17
I am grateful to the friend who recommended this one to me because it's become a favorite. Ray Davies' lyrics are funny, scary, sad, and sometimes all of these at once. Displacement and loss of privacy resulting from urban renewal is one theme. Other songs lampoon fad diets, portray the melodrama of addiction, and whimsically celebrate English teatime. The musicianship is excellent, featuring judicious use of horns and keyboard and some of Dave Davies most incisive guitar work. Well-produced and arranged, the record's sound nevertheless remains raw and rootsy, reminiscent at times of The Rolling Stones' "Let it Bleed." This is especially evident in the greasy, prickly slide guitar on "Holloway Jail." Released in 1971, "Muswell Hillbillies," like Stones' records of that same era, has country-blues and country-rock leanings, but with more specifically English content and style. It also features more head and heart and a little less crotch!
Average customer rating:
|
Muswell Hillbillies
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B000BX4CVE
Release Date: 2006-01-17 |
Album Description
Limited edition Japanese pressing of the 1971 album has been recorded in high definition and comes in a miniature LP sleeve. Victor. 2006.
Average customer rating:
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Muswell Hillbillies
The Kinks
Manufacturer: Jvc Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Country Rock
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
Classic Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Pop
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B00004TDVH
Release Date: 2000-07-11 |
Tracks:
- 20th Century Man
- Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
- Holiday
- Skin And Bone
- Alcohol
- Complicated Life
- Here Come The People In Grey
- Have A Cuppa Tea
- Holloway Jail
- Oklahoma U.S.A.
- Uncle Son
- Muswell Hillbilly
Album Description
Japanese reissue of the 1971 album featuring 20 bit K2 remastering & the original artwork reproduced in a miniature gatefold LP sleeve. 2000 release.
Album Details
Japanese Version featuring an LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing. 20bit Digitally Remastered.
Average customer rating:
|
Muswell Hillbillies
The Kinks
Manufacturer: Jvc Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Country Rock
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000PWQOT4
Release Date: 2007-08-06 |
Tracks:
- 20th Century Man
- Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues
- Holiday
- Skin & Bone
- Alcohol
- Complicated Life
- Here Come the People in Grey
- Have a Cuppa Tea
- Holloway Jail
- Oklahoma U.S.A.
- Uncle Son
- Muswell Hillbilly
Album Details
Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.
Average customer rating:
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Muswell Hillbillies + 2 Bonus Tracks
The Kinks
Manufacturer: Konk Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000K5ZA0U |
Product Description
1. 20th Century man
2. Acute schizophrenia paranoia blues
3. Holiday
4. Skin & bone
5. Alcohol
6. Complicated life
7. Here come the people in grey
8. Have a cuppa tea
9. Holloway jail
10. Oklahoma USA
11. Uncle son
12. Muswell hillbilly
13. Mountain woman
14. Kentucky moon
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