Really lovely video, thanks for making it! John Cale really deserves more attention as an artist. From his soundtracks (La Vent De La Nuit is a favorite of mine) to his core studio albums, he has such a high level of consistency. I even find things to love about his album Artificial Intelligence - Vigilante Lover is particularly punishing. Others I'd have on my own list: Antarctica Starts Here, Taking It All Away, Engine, Captain Hook (which I saw him play live in 2012), In A Flood, Broken Bird. The list goes on; there's just so much to pick from
I'm glad you included 'Honi Soit'. Great band and production. Sturges Nikides, guitar. Robert Medici Jr is a brilliant drummer that adds so much to the songs. For me 'Riverbank: 'Strange times in Casablanca' and most of all 'Russian Roulette' which gives me goosebumps and is a song i often play to Wake myself up on a lazy day . I like his 'Energised' vocals as much as his more melodic voice. Lifelong fan. Been into him since 'The Gift' from the Velvets. Good choices. It's very hard to pick single tracks from him.
Love your review and you're a fountain of knowledge regarding John Cale. I only discovered him in 2016 I'm embarrassed to say! and that was purely by accident! I'd only wished that I'd discovered him much sooner. I've been obsessed with him ever since! Love his music and his diversity the guy is a true genius and doesn't get the credit that he deserves. I heard that Trevor Burton from the Birmingham band the Move played bass on some of the songs from the Sabotage live album? Do you know if this is true? Thanks very much! Best wishes from Anglesey, North Wales.
Thanks. I came to him retrospectively myself...probably via the Cale/Reed "Songs For Drella" initially, and working backwards, I guess. Such a rich and interesting back catalogue, right up to the "Mercy" LP from earlier this year. His band was a bit fluid towards the very end of the Island Records period, and going into the '80s. I only see Trevor Burton credited on the "Guts" compilation, and not on "Sabotage/Live". There aren't individual track credits that I can find for that one, but given that most of "Guts" is drawn from the studio albums, and they all have other bass players credited, that only leaves the track "Mary Lou" unaccounted for. Not 100% on that, but by process of elimination, that could well be the one Trevor played on. Cheers, D
Great list. Great episode - I’ve watched it twice. Keep up the good work! My own John Cale primer came to me in 1979 (yes, I’m old as dirt), in the form of the Guts compilation on cassette. This rough and tumble collection (all songs pulled from the Island albums) definitely got its hooks in me early - my god, that voice! That over-the-edge psychotic howl! I could get my friends to listen to most of the tunes (the casual obscenities helped, and “Heartbreak Hotel” was a winner), but the deal-breaker was always “Leaving it Up to You,” which I loved. By 1980, I had acquired Slow Dazzle, June 1 1974, Sabotage/Live, and Animal Justice - shock was very much in season with the latter two. So I thought I was well prepared when I saw my first John Cale show in 1981, at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC. This was pre-Honi Soit. Full band - a loud, noisy, substance-fueled punk rock show. But the encore took my head off. Just Cale and piano. “Close Watch.” No histrionics, no showy psychodrama, just unambiguous and exquisite beauty. It’s still my favorite John Cale tune.
Thanks for watching (twice!), and for sharing your own John Cale "journey". As a Welshman, and a music nut, it's almost inevitable I'd find my way to John's music at some point...but that initial spark, that detonation, came from finding out that the guy who was responsible for a huge part of the Velvet Underground's sound, came from my little corner of the world. I probably didn't start to seriously explore his solo stuff until after "Drella", with Lou, but soon discovered that intoxicating mix of technique and poetry, fearlessness and honesty, that sheer bloody-mindedness. A genuinely inspirational artist. D
After introducing me to A RAINBOW ON CURVED AIR, my high school best friend who was a Terry Riley fan played me THE CHURCH OF ANTHRAX, I didn't get it. But when PARIS 1919 came out I fell in love. So lush and sweet. I couldn't believe it was the same guy from the Velvet Underground. I liked VU, but this sounded more like the music I heard in my dreams. Cale became a part of my personal musical pantheon right up there alongside Iggy, Bowie. Patti, Robert Fripp and Eno. That's the early to mid 70's I remember.
I bought Church Of Anthrax in a second hand shop in Marsaille during vacation in the south of France and the Spanish Basque region in 1987. When I got back home, and listened to it the first time, I was heavily disappointed, expecting something similar to the likes of Honi Soit, Caribbean Sunset or Helen Of Troy. I put it back in the shelve and didn't touch it for almost a decade. Then hearing it for only the second time I was utterly godsmacked, hearing Church Of Anthrax completely blew my mind, witnessing yet another twist in Cale's enormous musical versatality. Listening to John Cale not only has broadend my musical horizons, but also the way how to listen to music in general. Wìth his superb talents for production and arrangements, there are so many different nuances to be found, be it a distant scream, interweaving different melodies, rythms or sounds in one track, or rearranging a song in various variable styles and arrangements, to me has been simply breathtaking. Returning to something you rejected at first encounter, but still found interresting in a certain way, is never a mistake, as some of the magic dosen't always reveal itself at first touch, especially listening to John Cale.
Wonderful overview though I'd have liked to see more from my favourite John Cale album (and possibly favorite album), Helen of Troy. Especially My Maria which I consider his most brilliant innovative song. Also Caribbean Sunset has some gems. Anyway wonderful to hear from a fellow Cale fan!
You're not the only viewer to highlight "Caribbean Sunset" as one that I should revisit! And I do agree "Helen Of Troy" is great, but in limiting myself to twenty songs, something just had to give! That Island trilogy spanning 74-75 is just so good, the list could have easily been dominated by tracks from just those three albums alone. I was mindful of overrepresenting one period, and was very conscious that the list should try and draw as widely as possible from John's entire back catalogue. Thanks for watching, and for the very kind words! Cheers, D
Congrats! Very nice round-up of the Welsh Avantgarde cowboy's massive catalogue. Glad to see the man finally getting some kinda "rankin" attention via the internet. Very sweet! Think I need to give "Hobo Sapiens" another round some time. Once again: cool job! As far as "personal playlists"...well, it's in the name! Personal. Thanks, man!
No, thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to comment. The "Mercy" release seemed the perfect time to revisit his back catalogue, and as you say, there aren't many others out there talking about his decades-worth of solo stuff. Cheers again! D
Great overview! Have you happened to attend any of the Mercy concerts? Two nights ago I went to the Berlin show. The Mercy inclusions really brought his latest to life, especially, I would imagine, for anyone tepid on Mercy, which I wasn't, but still... Plus, at least six other songs you mentioned here. It was remarkable to say the least.
Hi, and thanks! No, afraid he wasn't anywhere near enough for me to get along to one of the recent shows. I've checked out a few phonecam videos of isolated songs from the shows, and he's sounding great. Last time I saw him live would have been at Cambridge Junction in about 2012...and before that, I got to see one of the "Paris 1919" shows in 2010, at the Theatre Royal in Norwich. That one was very special. Cheers, D
Cale did play on a few tracks on "Bryter Later", which was what? '71? So, yeah, that makes sense, I guess...although John was doing all sorts around then...some Nico stuff, the Stooges. I guess Joe Boyd would have been the one who bought John in for the Bryter sessions, as they were both credited on Nico's "Desertshore" LP the year before. Cheers, D
Cale produced, arranged and played piano, celeste and hammond organ on Nothern Sky. Here's an interesting Wiki description of the producing and recording process: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Sky
Very good summary of tracks for someone looking for somewhere to start with Cale. However, it's criminal that you disregarded Caribbean Sunset. Subscribed though 👍
Thanks for taking the time to comment, and your support is very much appreciated! With regards Caribbean Sunset?...My intention was always to try and make the list a "primer" for people new to Cale, and in trying to cover a long career in only 20 tracks, there wasn't a ton of wiggle room. Is CS a terrible record? No. Is it one of John's weakest studio albums? I think, yes, it probably is. If I was committed to choosing a single track off each album, I always liked "Magazines" off CS, so that would be my pick. Cheers, D
@@discellany Yes appreciate that you had a track limit but I'd have left out Walking on Locusts before CS. I think CS is a really enjoyable listen with some great Eno influences. Locusts is very poor imo by comparison. Anyway, it's all subjective, one man's meat and all that!. Now I've found your channel I'll try and work my way through the great looking content. All the Best, Phil
@@Phil_f8andbethere mostly agree. Though Walking on Locusts has one of my favorites Dancing Undercover. I think Model Beirut Recital and Villa Albani and Hungry for Love are top rate
@@discellany My favourite off Caribbean Sunset is the title track, especially when the song swells and he sings "She'd rather sleep in the street at night".
Excellent commentary from a wise old Cale fan
Really lovely video, thanks for making it! John Cale really deserves more attention as an artist. From his soundtracks (La Vent De La Nuit is a favorite of mine) to his core studio albums, he has such a high level of consistency. I even find things to love about his album Artificial Intelligence - Vigilante Lover is particularly punishing. Others I'd have on my own list: Antarctica Starts Here, Taking It All Away, Engine, Captain Hook (which I saw him play live in 2012), In A Flood, Broken Bird. The list goes on; there's just so much to pick from
I'm glad you included 'Honi Soit'. Great band and production. Sturges Nikides, guitar. Robert Medici Jr is a brilliant drummer that adds so much to the songs. For me 'Riverbank: 'Strange times in Casablanca' and most of all 'Russian Roulette' which gives me goosebumps and is a song i often play to Wake myself up on a lazy day . I like his 'Energised' vocals as much as his more melodic voice. Lifelong fan. Been into him since 'The Gift' from the Velvets. Good choices. It's very hard to pick single tracks from him.
This is an excellent round up of Cale's output.subscribed.
Thanks, and welcome on board! D
Love your review and you're a fountain of knowledge regarding John Cale. I only discovered him in 2016 I'm embarrassed to say! and that was purely by accident! I'd only wished that I'd discovered him much sooner. I've been obsessed with him ever since! Love his music and his diversity the guy is a true genius and doesn't get the credit that he deserves. I heard that Trevor Burton from the Birmingham band the Move played bass on some of the songs from the Sabotage live album? Do you know if this is true? Thanks very much! Best wishes from Anglesey, North Wales.
Thanks. I came to him retrospectively myself...probably via the Cale/Reed "Songs For Drella" initially, and working backwards, I guess. Such a rich and interesting back catalogue, right up to the "Mercy" LP from earlier this year.
His band was a bit fluid towards the very end of the Island Records period, and going into the '80s. I only see Trevor Burton credited on the "Guts" compilation, and not on "Sabotage/Live". There aren't individual track credits that I can find for that one, but given that most of "Guts" is drawn from the studio albums, and they all have other bass players credited, that only leaves the track "Mary Lou" unaccounted for. Not 100% on that, but by process of elimination, that could well be the one Trevor played on. Cheers, D
Great list. Great episode - I’ve watched it twice. Keep up the good work!
My own John Cale primer came to me in 1979 (yes, I’m old as dirt), in the form of the Guts compilation on cassette. This rough and tumble collection (all songs pulled from the Island albums) definitely got its hooks in me early - my god, that voice! That over-the-edge psychotic howl! I could get my friends to listen to most of the tunes (the casual obscenities helped, and “Heartbreak Hotel” was a winner), but the deal-breaker was always “Leaving it Up to You,” which I loved.
By 1980, I had acquired Slow Dazzle, June 1 1974, Sabotage/Live, and Animal Justice - shock was very much in season with the latter two. So I thought I was well prepared when I saw my first John Cale show in 1981, at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC. This was pre-Honi Soit. Full band - a loud, noisy, substance-fueled punk rock show. But the encore took my head off. Just Cale and piano. “Close Watch.” No histrionics, no showy psychodrama, just unambiguous and exquisite beauty. It’s still my favorite John Cale tune.
Thanks for watching (twice!), and for sharing your own John Cale "journey". As a Welshman, and a music nut, it's almost inevitable I'd find my way to John's music at some point...but that initial spark, that detonation, came from finding out that the guy who was responsible for a huge part of the Velvet Underground's sound, came from my little corner of the world. I probably didn't start to seriously explore his solo stuff until after "Drella", with Lou, but soon discovered that intoxicating mix of technique and poetry, fearlessness and honesty, that sheer bloody-mindedness. A genuinely inspirational artist. D
Hi my friend Yeah John have a Great Talent 🎸🎹 Vocal too. Hope your have a great day. 👋
Thanks for a great video. (But... I adore Hedda Gabler!!!)
Another great video thanks.
Fantastic video thank you! I’ve been a huge fan of Cale’s solo work for years but still have so much to explore!
After introducing me to A RAINBOW ON CURVED AIR, my high school best friend who was a Terry Riley fan played me THE CHURCH OF ANTHRAX, I didn't get it. But when PARIS 1919 came out I fell in love. So lush and sweet. I couldn't believe it was the same guy from the Velvet Underground. I liked VU, but this sounded more like the music I heard in my dreams. Cale became a part of my personal musical pantheon right up there alongside Iggy, Bowie. Patti, Robert Fripp and Eno. That's the early to mid 70's I remember.
I bought Church Of Anthrax in a second hand shop in Marsaille during vacation in the south of France and the Spanish Basque region in 1987. When I got back home, and listened to it the first time, I was heavily disappointed, expecting something similar to the likes of Honi Soit, Caribbean Sunset or Helen Of Troy. I put it back in the shelve and didn't touch it for almost a decade. Then hearing it for only the second time I was utterly godsmacked, hearing Church Of Anthrax completely blew my mind, witnessing yet another twist in Cale's enormous musical versatality.
Listening to John Cale not only has broadend my musical horizons, but also the way how to listen to music in general. Wìth his superb talents for production and arrangements, there are so many different nuances to be found, be it a distant scream, interweaving different melodies, rythms or sounds in one track, or rearranging a song in various variable styles and arrangements, to me has been simply breathtaking.
Returning to something you rejected at first encounter, but still found interresting in a certain way, is never a mistake, as some of the magic dosen't always reveal itself at first touch, especially listening to John Cale.
Love this!
Many thanks! Check out my other stuff while you're around. D
Wonderful overview though I'd have liked to see more from my favourite John Cale album (and possibly favorite album), Helen of Troy. Especially My Maria which I consider his most brilliant innovative song. Also Caribbean Sunset has some gems. Anyway wonderful to hear from a fellow Cale fan!
You're not the only viewer to highlight "Caribbean Sunset" as one that I should revisit! And I do agree "Helen Of Troy" is great, but in limiting myself to twenty songs, something just had to give! That Island trilogy spanning 74-75 is just so good, the list could have easily been dominated by tracks from just those three albums alone. I was mindful of overrepresenting one period, and was very conscious that the list should try and draw as widely as possible from John's entire back catalogue.
Thanks for watching, and for the very kind words!
Cheers, D
Congrats! Very nice round-up of the Welsh Avantgarde cowboy's massive catalogue. Glad to see the man finally getting some kinda "rankin" attention via the internet. Very sweet! Think I need to give "Hobo Sapiens" another round some time. Once again: cool job! As far as "personal playlists"...well, it's in the name! Personal. Thanks, man!
No, thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to comment. The "Mercy" release seemed the perfect time to revisit his back catalogue, and as you say, there aren't many others out there talking about his decades-worth of solo stuff. Cheers again! D
Great overview! Have you happened to attend any of the Mercy concerts? Two nights ago I went to the Berlin show. The Mercy inclusions really brought his latest to life, especially, I would imagine, for anyone tepid on Mercy, which I wasn't, but still... Plus, at least six other songs you mentioned here. It was remarkable to say the least.
Hi, and thanks! No, afraid he wasn't anywhere near enough for me to get along to one of the recent shows. I've checked out a few phonecam videos of isolated songs from the shows, and he's sounding great. Last time I saw him live would have been at Cambridge Junction in about 2012...and before that, I got to see one of the "Paris 1919" shows in 2010, at the Theatre Royal in Norwich. That one was very special.
Cheers, D
I think I remember Cale crediting nick drake as an inspiration during 1919 period.
Cale did play on a few tracks on "Bryter Later", which was what? '71? So, yeah, that makes sense, I guess...although John was doing all sorts around then...some Nico stuff, the Stooges. I guess Joe Boyd would have been the one who bought John in for the Bryter sessions, as they were both credited on Nico's "Desertshore" LP the year before. Cheers, D
I think he played some harpsichord on the Nick Drake album
Cale produced, arranged and played piano, celeste and hammond organ on Nothern Sky.
Here's an interesting Wiki description of the producing and recording process: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Sky
Very good summary of tracks for someone looking for somewhere to start with Cale. However, it's criminal that you disregarded Caribbean Sunset. Subscribed though 👍
Thanks for taking the time to comment, and your support is very much appreciated! With regards Caribbean Sunset?...My intention was always to try and make the list a "primer" for people new to Cale, and in trying to cover a long career in only 20 tracks, there wasn't a ton of wiggle room. Is CS a terrible record? No. Is it one of John's weakest studio albums? I think, yes, it probably is. If I was committed to choosing a single track off each album, I always liked "Magazines" off CS, so that would be my pick.
Cheers, D
@@discellany Yes appreciate that you had a track limit but I'd have left out Walking on Locusts before CS. I think CS is a really enjoyable listen with some great Eno influences. Locusts is very poor imo by comparison. Anyway, it's all subjective, one man's meat and all that!. Now I've found your channel I'll try and work my way through the great looking content. All the Best, Phil
@@Phil_f8andbethere mostly agree. Though Walking on Locusts has one of my favorites Dancing Undercover. I think Model Beirut Recital and Villa Albani and Hungry for Love are top rate
@@jasonnyc4016 Yes - I agree, also Praetorian Undergound and Magazines. My fave track form Locusts is Secret Corrida.
@@discellany My favourite off Caribbean Sunset is the title track, especially when the song swells and he sings "She'd rather sleep in the street at night".