Dave Davies - Kronikles: Mystical Journey

Curious, but compelling, alternative biography

While big brother Ray was putting England under a microscope on a string of Kinks classics, Dave Davies was quietly pursuing interests of his own. He knocked the drugs on the head in the mid-60s and instead sought enlightenment from more spiritual and philosophical sources. It’s that side of his character that forms the basis of this DVD, co-directed by his son Martin.

Cameras trail Davies around the London haunts of his band’s early days, with the guitarist airing his thoughts on Carl Jung and interviewing owners of occult book shops. Biographical detail of The Kinks appears only intermittently, like adverts in a TV show, most tellingly when the guitarist reveals that disillusionment with rock’n’roll almost led him to quit and study to become a “trance medium”.

He stayed to offer Ray emotional and spiritual support after the collapse of his first marriage, taking on a stronger creative role in the group as they pursued a rockier, guitar-heavy sound that reaped dividends in the US. Some of Dave’s beliefs may raise an eyebrow, but the best news is that the film shows just how well he’s recovering since suffering a stroke six years ago.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Detune | DTN 001 (DVD+CD)

Reviewed by Terry Staunton
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