Kevin Ayers' fifth album, The Confessions of Doctor Dream and Other Stories, is typical of his work. He sings in his distinctive deep voice with his cultured English accent (sounding a lot like John Cale) in songs set in a variety of pop styles, from hard rock to a kind of music hall approach. He is frequently playful and engaging, although his songs don't ultimately add up to much. The album's second side contains an 18-minute suite called "The Confessions of Doctor Dream," featuring a cameo by Nico, which exemplifies Ayers' amiable if unfocused appeal. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
Tracklist
01. Day By Day - 3:50
02. See You Later - 4:40
03. Don't Feel Lonely Till I Thought Of You - 3:05
04. Everybody's Sometime And Some People's All The Time Blues - 5:09
05. It Begins With A Blessing / Once I Awakened / But It Ends With A Curse - 3:08
06. Ballbearing Blues - 0:56
The Confessions Of Dr. Dream
07. a. Irreversible Neural Damage - 4:41
08. b. Invitation - 1:12
09. c. The One Chance Dance - 7:40
10. d. Dr. Dream Theme - 5:19
11. Two Goes Into Four - 1:39
12. Another Whimsical Song - 0:24
13. The Lady Rachel - 3:53
14. Stop this Train - 6:14
15. Didn't Feel Lonely 'til I Thought of You - 4:36
* Tracks 12-15 are recorded 7 July 1974 at the BBC's Maida Vale studios
16. The Up Song (non-LP single A side) - 3:18
17. After the Show (non-LP single A side) - 2:37
18. Thank You Very Much (B side of the single 'After the Show') - 3:01
Kevin Ayers - Guitar, Vocals
Mark Warner - Guitar
Cal Batchelor - Guitar
Rupert Hine - Keyboards, Producer
Mike Moran - Piano
Steve Nye - Organ
John Perry - Bass
John Gustafson - Bass
Michael Giles - Drums
Mike Oldfield - Guitar
Nico - Vocals on "Irreversible Neural Damage"
Geoff Richardson - Viola
Mike Ratledge - Organ
Ray Cooper - Percussion
Lol Coxhill - Alto Saxophone
Henry Crallan - Piano
Ollie Halsall - Guitar
Rosetta Hightower - Vocals
Hulloo Choir - Vocals
Trevor Jones - Bass
Sean Milligan - Vocals
Sam Mitchell - Guitar
Doris Troy - Vocals
Joanne Williams - Vocals
The G'Deevy Ensemble - Percussion