Unfinished Business: Dave Davies Kronikles 1963-1998
Here's to the illustrious rock & roll foil! Extending from Keith Richards in theRolling Stonesto Johnny Thunders in theNew York Dolls, from Mick Ralphs inMott the Hoopleto Mick Jones in theClash, they're the lean and mean complements to preening frontmen. Dave Davies is a distinguished charter member of this soulful, somewhat thin-voiced bloc. Yes, big brother Ray Davies may have been blessed with a sharper pen and superior vocal range. But the Kinks without Dave's vehement leads and counter-punching compositional contributions? Perish the thought!Unfinished Businessgathers 31 of Dave's signature songs on two discs, in the process earning the everlasting affection of Kinks kultists. Culled from solo recordings and group efforts,Unfinished Businessis fleshed out with late-'90s rerecordings of DD recordings suspended in legal limbo. Surprisingly, the likes of the title track (from 1996, and featuring Dave's son Simon on drums) and the three numbers cut live at New York's Bottom Line in 1997 update this decades-spanning collection quite nicely. Dave was never really overshadowed by his brother, but withUnfinished Businesshe's finally properly illuminated.--Steven Stolder