"What the devil are they doing"? English Authors Writing about America
Randall Stephens Oh, my autumn almanac Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac. I like my football on a Saturday, Roast beef on Sundays, all right. I go to Blackpool for my holidays, Sit in the open sunlight. - Ray Davies, The Kinks, "Autumn Almanac" (1967) An American version, "Fall Almanac," just wouldn't have cut it. Ray Davies has long been an observer of the differences--linguistic, cultural, and otherwise--of the American and English scenes. Sure, The Kinks were as English as clotted cream, cricket, Yorkshire pudding, and bad weather. But Ray and brother Dave spent quite a bit of time living or touring in both countries. I've spent my share of time in both countries, too. I live in Newcastle Upon Tyne. (Which, in itself, is almost like another country compared with the Kinks North London stomping ground.) So I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of Ray Davies new book Americana: The Kinks, the Riff, the Road: The Story (October, 2013...