JOHN CALE

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Fair enough! I'll listen to those last three you mentioned again, I may love them this time, who knows! Also, I realize how subjective these vocal things are, since I love Leonard Cohen's voice, and he is less traditionally gifted than Cale.

Here's a little clue as to what Paris 1919 might have sounded like with a (slightly) more traditional singer.

http://youtu.be/RGK1cNaJSfE

[Aum Bop Diddit]

I'm seeing the Saturday show. That being said I think John Cale sings like Ringo Starr with less emotion.

How was the show?

[Aegir]

It was interesting. He played with a full orchestra and a three piece rock band, who were placed behind one of those sound-blocking transparent walls, which resulted in the guitar being a lot quieter than I would've liked it. Played the whole album in order, except Macbeth was moved to be the last song in the set. Then after an intermission he played an hour more of music (couldn't tell you what he played as I haven't heard most of his albums) and then encored with Venus in Furs, which was awesome.

Cale's voice has deepened with age and I think in a lot of ways his singing is better now than it was in the 70s. Played keyboard on every song  except a few on acoustic guitar and two on what I assume was an electric viola. Didn't talk to the audience, went straight into the next song a few seconds after the previous one ended.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

Thanks for the report.  I thought about going but had conflicts -- also I admit to not being very familiar with his solo work.  It seemed like a cool opportunity to see him though and I'm glad you got to go.

[Les Garçons de la plage]

Saw his recent Hamburg gig, not many old songs. I came in late and thus was in a bad mood, thinking I had missed a whole lot (when in fact I came in during the first song according to the setlist). I have to say I liked more the previous (2005 & 2007) gigs I saw in London, though I came in late for the 2005/RFH one as well and heard Venus In Furs only through the door (as at RFH you have to wait for a song to end when entering the venue as a latecomer)

A solo career far more enjoyable to my taste than Mr. Reed's.  
The Island Years is an excellent starting point to explore the man's music (isn't this the comp with Fear, Slow Dazzle and Helen Of Troy?). No unkind words about Vintage Violence, Paris 1919 or Music for a New Society either... or Songs for Drella. Love the voice, songwriting and arranging qualities and he did an excellent job at producing Nico. Oh, and playing on  the best VU albums...

[ontor pertawst]

New track: "All Summer Long"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-yJuwkWsTo

"When writing for Shifty Adventures I noticed an apparent theme of claustrophobic darkness and so of course, I felt at home in that place. There were though a handful of songs unfinished. One in particular was me dreaming about a breeze, space and light. Recalling those early days in my sticky, sweltering NYC flat - how I'd heard summer from the West Coast - thinking how the California landscape informed a vibe that churned out Brian Wilson, Herb Alpert and that strange sexy breeze in your ears. Since the album was predominantly located in the darker, eerie swamps of 'Nookie Wood' , it seemed like the wrong place to put this song, but now, just feels right to let it out..."