soft machine - why are we sleeping (with intro)
It begins with a blessing, it ends with a curse
Making life easy by making it worse
"My mask is my master", the trumpeter weeps
But his voice is so weak, as he speaks from his sleep
Saying: "Why, why, why... Why are we sleeping?"
People are watching, people who stare
Waiting for something that's already there
"Tomorrow I'll find it", the trumpeter screams
And remembers he's hungry, and drowns in his dreams
Saying: "Why, why, why... Why are we sleeping?"
My head is a nightclub with glasses and wine
The customers dancing or just making time
While Daevid is cursing, the customers scream
Now everyone's shouting, "Get out of my dream!"
Saying: "Why, why, why... Why are we sleeping?"
LIVE VERSION, 1970, taverne:
Kevin Ayers why are we sleeping 1970 taverne
Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes (Live At The Rainbow Theatre / 1974)
And the man refused;
He said, "We don't serve strangers
In blue suede shoes;
We don't give credit, and
We don't give way
We have to think about what the people might say..
Uh, you know what I mean "
I said, "Sure, man"
And I offered him one of my cigarettes.
He took it, afraid that he might appear rude,
Then proceeded to sell me some second class food.
Nice guy meet 'em everywhere
And this cigarette seems to be very strong;
I don't make the rules
I just get what I take
And I guess every rule was made to break.
You can take what you like, it won't hurt me
Cause I'm just working for the company."
And said, "I think I'll pick my traveling bag.
And filling the boss's bags with bread.
I want to get out in the sun and rain,
And feel the wind on on skin again;
The world is large, and I've got time yet.
And, by the way, thanks for that cigarette.
Thank you very much."
Yes I do, I don't know why;
I'd just like to say
Thank you very much(indeed)
It's a beautiful day
I think I'll be on my way (right away)
I'd just like to say
Thank you very much.
Yes, I'm getting the hell out of here
Yes, I am - bye, bye.
That's the end of the message
Thank you very much!
Bye bye!
............................................................................
WHY ARE WE SLEEPING?
June 1, 1974
| 1 June 1974 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Live album by | ||||
| Released | 28 June 1974 | |||
| Recorded | 1 June 1974 | |||
| Venue | Rainbow Theatre, London, England | |||
| Genre | Art rock[1] | |||
| Length | 45:54 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Producer | Richard Williams | |||
| Kevin Ayers chronology | ||||
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| John Cale chronology | ||||
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| Brian Eno chronology | ||||
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| Nico chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B+[1] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 6/10[3] |
June 1, 1974 is a live album of songs performed at the Rainbow Theatre in London on the titular date. The album is officially attributed to Kevin Ayers, John Cale, Brian Eno and Nico, although other well-known musicians, including Mike Oldfield, Robert Wyatt and Ollie Halsall, also contributed to the concert.
Content
The cover photograph was taken by Mick Rock in the foyer of the Rainbow Theatre shortly before the concert began. The bemused stare between John Cale (right) and Kevin Ayers is said to be explained by the fact that Cale had caught Ayers sleeping with his wife the night before the show.[4] The couple would divorce the next year.
Other songs that were performed but did not make the LP include Ayers' "I've Got a Hard-On for You Baby" (with Cale on backing vocals), Cale's "Buffalo Ballet" and "Gun",[5] and Nico's "Janitor of Lunacy" and her rendition of "Das Lied der Deutschen".[6]
Nico’s performance of "Das Lied der Deutschen" was released as a bonus track on the 2012 reissue of her 1974 album The End....[7]
Critical reception
Robert Christgau wrote of the record in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981):
"The highlights of a concert organized by genial eccentric Kevin Ayers (ex-Soft Machine, but he got out when the getting was good), this offers one side of Ayers's genially eccentric songs and one of Eno singing Eno songs at full volume (note demonic cackle) and John Cale singing an Elvis Presley song at full volume (note lupine howl). And also, oh well, Nico singing 'The End.' But if there's gotta be art-rock, Lord, let it be like this."[1]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Kevin Ayers, except as noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Driving Me Backwards" | Brian Eno | 6:07 |
| 2. | "Baby's on Fire" | Eno | 3:52 |
| 3. | "Heartbreak Hotel" | Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden, Elvis Presley | 5:19 |
| 4. | "The End" | John Densmore, Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison | 9:14 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "May I?" | 5:30 |
| 2. | "Shouting in a Bucket Blues" | 5:07 |
| 3. | "Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes" | 3:27 |
| 4. | "Everybody's Sometime and Some People's All the Time Blues" | 4:35 |
| 5. | "Two Goes into Four" | 2:28 |
Personnel
- Kevin Ayers – vocals (B1-5), guitar (B1-5), bass guitar (A1-2)
- Brian Eno – vocals (A1-2), synthesizer (A1-4, B5)
- John Cale – vocals (A3), piano (A2), viola (A1, B5)
- Nico – vocals (A4), harmonium (A4)
- Mike Oldfield – lead guitar (B4), acoustic guitar (B5)
- Ollie Halsall – piano (A1), guitar (A2-3, B4), lead guitar (B1-3), acoustic guitar (B5)
- John "Rabbit" Bundrick – organ (A1-3, B1-5), organ, piano, electric piano (B1-3)
- Robert Wyatt – percussion (A1-3, B1-3 + 5)
- Doreen Chanter – backing vocals (A3)
- Archie Leggatt – bass guitar (A1-3, B1-3 + 5)
- Eddie Sparrow – drums (A2–3, B1-3), bass drum (A1), tympani (B5)
- Liza Strike – backing vocals (A3)
- Irene Chanter – backing vocals (A3)
- Technical
- John Wood – engineer
- Phil Ault – assistant engineer
- Ray Doyle – assistant engineer
- Ian Tilbury – concert presenter
- Richard Williams – producer
