Along with the late Syd Barrett, Kevin Ayers is rightfully revered as one of Britain’s most admired eccentrics, a distinctive artist whose maverick persona set him apart from his contemporaries and led to his own indelible imprint. For legions of fans and admirers, he represents the very essence of Englishness, his jaunty melodies, hedonistic philosophy and skewered point of view embellished by rich, resonant vocals and the idyllic imagery he uses in sketching his songs.
It’s been over fifteen years since Ayers’ last album, Still Life With Guitar, during which time Ayers retreated to the south to France to soak up those sunny and serene environs. Consequently, it’s a welcome return that finds this new effort breaking his silence, while also reaping some of the best reviews of his career. It’s easily the equal of Ayers’ earlier work, from the easy lope of the album’s amiable opener “Heaven Knows,” to the gentle glide of “Walk On Water,” to the affable lilt and sway of “Shine A Light” and “Run Run Run.” Ayers’ breezy croon finds him sounding as confident as ever, though he betrays a rare hint of modesty as well. “I don’t understand any more as I grow older/Nothing seems to be clearer than before,” he confesses on “Heaven Knows.” No matter; The Unfairground basks in the radiant afterglow of an unfettered lifestyle, the ruminations of a man for whom life’s always been a bit of a carnival.
--Lee Zimmerman
