50 years ago, The Kinks released Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire, a concept album which continued in the quintessentially British vein of The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society but carved out its own musical identity.  Building on the success of last year's Village Green box set, BMG has just announced a similarly expansive - make that Kink-size - set for Arthur, loaded with previously unreleased tracks and mixes and incorporating "the great lost Dave Davies album" as well.  It's due on October 25 in a variety of formats including a 4-CD/4-seven-inch single box set, and slimmed-down 2-CD and 2-LP editions.

We've reprinted the press release in full below, presenting all of the details for Arthur at 50!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: Without doubt, The Kinks' 7th studio album is one of the greatest rock albums ever made, a near perfect example of Ray Davies' incredible storytelling ability in what was an innovation in 1969: a concept album. It's also poignant that a record based on the story of emigrating from the U.K. around its potential to enter the Common Market should hit its 50th anniversary right now. With Brexit on the horizon, the themes of Arthur ring alarmingly familiar.

Arthur received unanimous acclaim on its release. Each of its 12 original album tracks is an absolute gem and all perfect examples of Ray Davies' intrinsic ability to weave a story around a song. In what was a golden period for the Kinks, Arthur followed another classic, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society when it was released on October 10th, 1969.

Rolling Stone Wrote 
'Arthur is a masterpiece on every level, Ray Davies' finest hour. The Kinks' supreme achievement and the best British album of 1969'.

Melody Maker was equally enthusiastic:
'Ray Davies' finest hour... beautifully British to the core'.

"I started Arthur before the end of Village Green," says Ray. "The albums piggyback one another because they are joined. I'd already written the song 'Arthur'. I think I wrote 'Australia' when I was still living at 87 Fortis Green so it was quite early on. I remember taking it over to Dave, he lived in Cockfosters at the time, and playing it to him. We were laughing at the irony in the line, 'nobody's got a chip on their shoulder'."

In the midst of the Arthur sessions, studio time was devoted to completing tracks for Dave Davies' proposed solo album. The idea had progressed in staggered intervals since the initial success of Dave's 1967 single, 'Death Of A Clown' but, ultimately, never reached completion.

"One of the reasons the album wasn't finished was because I felt The Kinks' management and record company were forcing me too much," Dave reflects. I felt very comfortable being in The Kinks and it seemed fulfilling to be part of a band. I didn't really want for more. I couldn't see the point."

Ray says, "Hearing Dave's songs again after all this time, I found them quite moving because they were like the back story of what The Kinks were going through at the time."

Reprise eventually scrapped the release by September 1969 and over the years, Kinks fans continued to obsess as to what Dave's album - which some referred to as A Hole In The Sock Of, a working title Ray had jokingly thrown to a music journalist - might have contained.

Included in this anniversary edition are 4 CDs comprising of 81 tracks in total, 5 of them unreleased and 28 previously unreleased versions. These include 2019 newly remastered versions of the original album from HD sources (in its original track listing), mono and stereo single versions, B-sides, alternate mono and stereo mixes, rehearsal tracks, BBC mixes and the lost Dave Davies' solo album, with bonus tracks.

It also includes Ray Davies' compiled medley of unreleased demo tracks, 2 new recordings of Ray Davies with The Doo Wop Choir, 'Arthur & The Emigrants' including one previously unreleased track, 3 previously unreleased 'The Come Dancing Workshop Ensemble' tracks, and new Ray Davies remixes of 'Australia' and 'Shangri-La'.

A 68-page softback book has also been included, featuring extensive essays by world-renowned Kinks experts, original cancelled Arthur play co-scriptwriter Julian Mitchell, and original album sleeve designer Bob Lawrie. There are also new interviews with Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Mick Avory, as well as band photos, original release international cover artwork and printed memorabilia.

Four 7" singles from the album can also be found - 'Drivin', 'Victoria', 'Shangri-La' & 'Hold My Hand' (Dave Davies solo) - all reproduced with original international artwork. Finally, a bespoke, exclusive, metal & enamel Kinks logo pin badge is included for fans to wear.

The Kinks - Arthur 50th Anniversary Edition is available to pre-order at the following links!

Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire: 50th Anniversary (BMG, 2019)

4CD/4-seven-inch single box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / The Kinks Official
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / The Kinks Official
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / The Kinks Official
1CD/2LP bundle pack: The Kinks Official
2CD/2LP bundle pack: The Kinks Official
1CD/2CD/2LP bundle pack: The Kinks Official

Track Listings and Additional Info:

50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE BOX SET:

7" square x 3" deep, 2-part rigid card box containing: 4 x CDs, 4 x 7" singles, book, printed memorabilia, enamel badge

4 x CDs (in individual card wallets)
• 2019 newly remastered stereo and mono versions of original Arthur album from HD sources
• Mono and stereo single versions, B-sides, alternate mono / stereo mixes, demos, BBC mixes and Dave Davies' solo
• 2 new recordings of Ray Davies with The Doo Wop Choir, including one previously unreleased track
• 3 previously unreleased tracks written for Arthur, and recorded by the 'Come Dancing' Workshop Ensemble (1998)
• New Ray Davies remixes of album tracks 'Australia' and 'Shangri-La'
• 81 tracks total, comprising 5 previously unreleased tracks and 28 previously unreleased versions

4 x Arthur related 7" singles (with reproduced original international artwork)
• Drivin' / Victoria / Shangri-La / Hold My Hand (Dave Davies solo)

Softback book
• Extensive essays by world-renowned Kinks experts, original cancelled Arthur play co-scriptwriter Julian Mitchell, and original album sleeve designer Bob Lawrie
• New interviews with Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Mick Avory
• Band photos, original release international cover artwork and memorabilia

Printed memorabilia
• Reproduced original photos & posters

Badge
• Bespoke, exclusive, metal & enamel Kinks logo pin badge

While stocks last: bonus reproduced 7" of the track "Australia"

CD1

ORIGINAL STEREO ALBUM, 2019 REMASTER

1. Victoria (Stereo)
2. Yes Sir, No Sir (Stereo)
3. Some Mother's Son (Stereo)
4. Drivin' (Stereo)
5. Brainwashed (Stereo)
6. Australia (Stereo)
7. Shangri-La (Stereo)
8. Mr. Churchill Says (Stereo)
9. She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina (Stereo)
10. Young And Innocent Days (Stereo)
11. Nothing To Say (Stereo)
12. Arthur (Stereo)
    Bonus Tracks
13. Plastic Man (Stereo)
14. Victoria (Alternate Stereo Mix)
15. Yes Sir, No Sir (Alternate Stereo Mix)
16. Drivin' (Alternate Stereo Mix)
17. Brainwashed (Alternate Stereo Mix)
18. Australia (Alternate Stereo Mix)
19. Shangri-La (Alternate Stereo Mix)

CD2

ORIGINAL MONO ALBUM, 2019 REMASTER

1. Victoria
2. Yes Sir, No Sir
3. Some Mother's Son
4. Drivin'
5. Brainwashed
6. Australia
7. Shangri-La
8. Mr. Churchill Says
9. She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina
10. Young And Innocent Days
11. Nothing To Say
12. Arthur
    Bonus Tracks
13. Plastic Man (Mono)
14. King Kong (Mono)
15. Victoria (Alternate Mono Mix)
16. Australia (Alternate Mono Acetate Mix)
17. Shangri-La (Alternate Mono Mix)
18. She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina (Alternate Mono Mix)
19. Australia (Australian Mono Single Mix/Edit)

CD3

THE GREAT LOST DAVE DAVIES ALBUM (STEREO)

1. This Man He Weeps Tonight
2. Mindless Child Of Motherhood
3. Hold My Hand (Stereo)
4. Do You Wish To Be A Man?
5. Are You Ready?
6. Creeping Jean
7. I'm Crying
8. Lincoln County
9. Mr. Shoemaker's Daughter
10. Mr. Reporter
11. Groovy Movies
12. There Is No Life Without Love
13. Lincoln County (Mono Single Mix/Edit)
14. There Is No Life Without Love (Mono)
15. Hold My Hand (Mono)
16. Creeping Jean (Mono Single Mix/Edit)
17. Mindless Child Of Motherhood (Mono)
18. This Man He Weeps Tonight (Mono)
19. Mr. Shoemaker's Daughter (Alternate Stereo Mix)
20. Mr. Reporter (Alternate Stereo Mix)
21. Groovy Movies (Alternate Stereo Mix)
22. Lincoln County (Acoustic Mix)
23. Hold My Hand (Alternate Take)

CD4

DEMOS / REHEARSALS / BBC MIXES / THEATRICAL / DOO WOP / REMIXES

Part 1
1. Arthur's Journey (Introduction) (Stereo)
2. Australia (2019 Mix) (Stereo)
3. Home Demos Medley, 1969: Arthur / Victoria / Some Mother's Son / Drivin' /
Brainwashed / Mr. Churchill Says (TV Premix) (Mono)
Part 2
4. Shangri-La (2019 Mix) (Stereo)
5. My Big Sister (Theatrical Version) (Stereo)
6. Stevenage (Theatrical Version) (Stereo)
7. Space (Theatrical Version) (Full Version) (Stereo)
8. The Future (Doo-Wop Version) (Stereo)
9. Arthur (Doo-Wop Version) (Stereo)
Part 3
10. The Virgin Soldiers March (Mono)
11. Soldiers Coming Home (Instrumental) (Mono)
12. King Kong (BBC Mix) (Mono)
13. Victoria (Ray Davies & Band With The DR Symphony & Vocal Ensemble) (Stereo)
14. Arthur (BBC Mix) (Mono)

2-CD Set:

DISC ONE

ORIGINAL STEREO ALBUM, 2019 REMASTER

1. Victoria (Stereo)
2. Yes Sir, No Sir (Stereo)
3. Some Mother's Son (Stereo)
4. Drivin' (Stereo)
5. Brainwashed (Stereo)
6. Australia (Stereo)
7. Shangri-La (Stereo)
8. Mr. Churchill Says (Stereo)
9. She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina (Stereo)
10. Young And Innocent Days (Stereo)
11. Nothing To Say (Stereo)
12. Arthur (Stereo)
    Bonus Tracks
13. Plastic Man (Stereo)
14. King Kong (Mono)
15. Drivin' (Mono)
16. Mindless Child Of Motherhood (Mono)
17. Shangri-La (Mono)
18. This Man He Weeps Tonight (Mono)
19. Australia (Australian Mono Single Mix/Edit)

DISC TWO

THE GREAT LOST DAVE DAVIES ALBUM (STEREO)

1. This Man He Weeps Tonight (Stereo)
2. Mindless Child Of Motherhood (Stereo)
3. Hold My Hand (Stereo)
4. Do You Wish To Be A Man? (Stereo)
5. Are You Ready? (Stereo)
6. Creeping Jean (Stereo)
7. I'm Crying (Stereo)
8. Lincoln County (Stereo)
9. Mr. Shoemaker's Daughter (Stereo)
10. Mr. Reporter (Stereo)
11. Groovy Movies (Stereo)
12. There Is No Life Without Love (Stereo)
    Bonus Tracks
13. Lincoln County (Mono Single Mix/Edit)
14. There Is No Life Without Love (Mono)
15. Hold My Hand (Mono)
16. Creeping Jean (Mono Single Mix/Edit)

2-LP

• REMASTERED STEREO ALBUM
• SINGLES & BBC MIXES
• DAVE DAVIES SOLO TRACKS
• DELUXE GATEFOLD PACKAGING
• HEAVYWEIGHT VINYL
• BOOKLET WITH SLEEVE NOTES, BAND
• INTERVIEWS & RARE IMAGES

SIDE ONE
1. Victoria (Stereo)
2. Yes Sir, No Sir (Stereo)
3. Some Mother's Son (Stereo)
4. Drivin' (Stereo)
5. Brainwashed (Stereo)
6. Australia (Stereo)

SIDE TWO
1. Shangri-La (Stereo)
2. Mr. Churchill Says (Stereo)
3. She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina (Stereo)
4. Young And Innocent Days (Stereo)
5. Nothing To Say (Stereo)
6. Arthur (Stereo)

SIDE THREE
1. Plastic Man (Stereo)
2. King Kong (Stereo)
3. Lincoln County (Stereo)
4. There Is No Life Without Love (Stereo)
5. Hold My Hand (Stereo)
6. Creeping Jean (Stereo)

SIDE FOUR
1. Mindless Child Of Motherhood (Stereo)
2. This Man He Weeps Tonight (Stereo)
3. Groovy Movies (Stereo)
4. Victoria (BBC Mix)
5. Mr. Churchill Says (BBC Mix)
6. Arthur (BBC Mix)