John Cale – The Academy in Peril

ARTIST: John Cale

TITLE:  The Academy in Peril

YEAR RELEASED: 1972

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: Days of Steam

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: No way.

LINEUP: John Cale, Adam Miller, Del Newman, Ron Wood, Legs Larry Smith, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Velvet Underground’s classically trained musician constructs a mostly instrumental, somewhat classical album that’s probably a good listen for avant-garde classical music fans.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Those wandering into this album hoping for some rock weirdness like “The Gift” or “Lady Godiva’s Operation” would be disappointed yet again. This time, though, Cale goes towards his classical music muse, and the result is decently interesting.

There is some fusion here, mostly in the engineering, as they use effects somewhat to change up the normal classical music sounds. There is also humor in “Legs Larry at Television Centre”, using the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band’s drummer as a ‘director’ narrating the musical piece.

I wouldn’t say this is essential – I would say that it’s interesting for classical avant-garde fans and those with a taste for the fusion of classical music and rock.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: Andy Warhol designed the cover.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No.

GRADE: B: Some pieces are intriguing. I do think some with ears more attuned to classical will get more out of it.

 

John Cale – Vintage Violence

ARTIST: John Cale

TITLE:  Vintage Violence

YEAR RELEASED: 1970

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: Cleo, Big White Cloud

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW:  No

LINEUP: John Cale, Harvey Brooks, Sanford Konikoff, Ernie Coralia, Garland Jeffreys, Stan Szeleste

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Solo album by former Velvet Underground viola / bass player and troublemaker is surprisingly…non-avant garde.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Laying low for a couple of years, Cale recorded this album with a band he called Penguin. No doubt, some were anticipating some weirdness a la “Sister Ray” or “Black Angels Death Song” when this was released. What they got was a pretty normal sounding record.

The lyrics were a bit urbane, and probably over the head of regular rock fans. But it seemed all, normal, for the most part. Definitely not a piece with his earlier works, and not what would follow.

It’s well written, and Cale’s baritone is intriguing. But it’s normal sounding for the most part and I was expecting weirdness, especially because of the cover. Alas.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: Cale really thought the songs were simplistic (they are, for him).

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: A new mix of one track and an unreleased track.

GRADE: B-: Like expecting a hot chili and only getting mild