Ray Davies revealed today (October 12) that he is to give away his new solo album ‘Working Man’s Cafe’ with the Sunday Times later this month.
In addition to the album’s release as a giveaway on October 21, the singer is also making an additional track ‘Vietnam Cowboys’ available as a free download from this Sunday (October 14) as a taster.
Davies says of the move to distribute his new album for free that it was an offer he ‘couldn’t resist. He says: “Personally, it’s about reaching as many people as possible. I’m incredibly proud of this LP and am truly excited that 1.5 million copies will be distributed to people who’ll hear it organically – the way it was intended. It’s an exciting opportunity I couldn’t resist.”
Davies’ announcement follows in global superstar Prince‘s footsteps. In July, Prince released his new studio album via the Daily Mail, a first of it’s kind. More recently bands like Radiohead and The Charlatans have made their albums available to fans for free as downloads and opened up debate amongst and between the music industry and music fans.
The former Kinks’ new solo record will also be available to buy traditionally from October 29 – with two bonus tracks; ‘Hymn For A New Age and ‘Real World’.
Ray Davies will be premiering material from ‘Working Man’s Cafe’ as well as songs from The Kinks canon at his headline show for the finale of BBC’s Electric Proms season on October 28.
*More Proms details are available here.
*Download ‘Vietnam Cowboys’ from Sunday October 14 here: www.timesonline.co.uk/raydavies
*More info about the album or Davies’ Electric Proms show: http://www.myspace.com/raydavies