Kevin Ayers - The Harvest Years (1969-74 UK, remastered 2012) | Plain & Fancy

Kevin Ayers - The Harvest Years (1969-74 UK, 2012 five disc box set remastered)

The Soft Machine, not long after recording their first album and touring America, began breaking up -- just the first in a long series of personnel changes and subsequent new directions that formed one of art rock's winding sagas of the '70s. Kevin Ayers was the first to leave, mostly because of that American tour, and he soon became one of the first acts to release music on Harvest, a new progressive label from EMI that promised to offer the best and brightest in the new vanguard of British rock. 

Ayers recorded and released five albums over the next five years, all of which appear on separate discs of The Harvest Years 1969-1974, and each of which comes with bonus tracks (most of them entertaining BBC sessions). Ayers was quite the chameleon during this time, beginning with a set of psychedelic-pop whimsy akin to Syd Barrett (Joy of a Toy) but soon detouring into free-form epic prog (Shooting at the Moon, with young hotshot guitarist Mike Oldfield), and later arriving at a surprisingly straight-ahead vision of bluesy pop (Bananamour). 

The set offers the albums in the best sound they've ever been heard, and the bonus tracks are excellent as well. The unavoidable caveat comes, though. Why not include all the bonus tracks from previous editions, especially when they include a track actually recorded with Syd Barrett? (That would be "Religious Experience (Singing a Song in the Morning)," available on the 2003 Joy of a Toy reissue.) Quibbles aside, this is a hugely entertaining set from one of art rock's most beguiling figures. 

by John Bush

here . . . . .

Kevin Ayers

Kevin Ayers and John Cale - Howling Man

John Cale and Kevin Ayers - Stop That Train

 

Kevin Ayers - Joy of a Toy continued 2003

Songwriters’ Circle : JOHN CALE, NICK CAVE, CHRISSIE HYNDE

John Cale, Nick Cave & Chrissie Hynde - Songwriters' Circle, Subterania Club, London, Britain, 7-9-1999

Paul says : I recently discovered a bunch of "Songwriters' Circle" albums, and I plan on posting more of them soon. Most of them are pretty hard to find, except this one. It probably gets around more due to the star line-up of John Cale (formerly of the Velvet Underground), Nick Cave, and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.

By the way, I've already posted two Songwriters' Circle albums. They all follow the same format, in which three singer-songwriters are chosen and take turns singing songs in an acoustic format. Sometimes they join in a bit on each other's songs, sometimes not. Then, at the end, they usually sing a song together. 

I've already posted two such shows. Here's one with Jimmy Webb, Chip Taylor, and Nick Lowe:

https://albumsthatshouldexist.blogspot.com/2023/03/jimmy-webb-chip-taylor-nick-lowe.html

And here's one with Richard Thompson, Suzanne Vega, and Loudon Wainwright III:

https://albumsthatshouldexist.blogspot.com/2022/12/richard-thompson-suzanne-vega-loudon.html

I have figured out all of these come from a BBC TV show called "Songwriters' Circle." But the odd thing is, this show has had two brief runs. There were a bunch of shows in 1999, including the one I'm posting here. Then there was a second bunch in 2010 and 2011. There haven't been any since. All the episodes remain unreleased as audio albums, but you can often find the videos of them on YouTube.

For this show, I found out there are two versions. One ends with "The Ship Song," and goes into a BBC DJ announcing the end of the show. Another has one more song, a cover of "I'm Waiting for the Man" by the Velvet Underground. I used the shorter version for most of this concert, since I had that in better quality. But I added in the extra song from the other version.

This album is 49 minutes long.

01 talk (John Cale)
02 Dying on the Vine (John Cale)
03 talk (Chrissie Hynde)
04 Talk of the Town (Chrissie Hynde)
05 talk (Nick Cave)
06 West Country Girl (Nick Cave)
07 Thoughtless Kind (John Cale)
08 talk (Chrissie Hynde)
09 Kid (Chrissie Hynde)
10 talk (Nick Cave)
11 Henry Lee (Nick Cave)
12 talk (John Cale)
13 Fear Is a Man's Best Friend (John Cale)
14 talk (Chrissie Hynde)
15 I'll Stand by You (Chrissie Hynde)
16 talk (Nick Cave)
17 Into My Arms (Nick Cave)
18 talk (John Cale)
19 Ship of Fools (John Cale)
20 Back on the Chain Gang (Chrissie Hynde)
21 The Ship Song (Nick Cave)
22 talk (Chrissie Hynde)
23 I'm Waiting for the Man (John Cale, Nick Cave & Chrissie Hynde)

Simply put . . . . . wow! This seems rare as hen’s teeth but you may know different yet I love these three and the Songwriters’ Circle has thrown up some fascinating bedfellows!

Check this!  

John Cale - Ship Of Fools (oh you KNOW it!)

Waiting For My Man - Hynde, Cave & Cale!

Songwriters’ Circle - John Cale, Nick Cave & Chrissie Hynde complete

John Cale - Andalucia (Paris 1919) | O My Soul

O My Soul

Reissued lately the master version of Paris 1919

with as O My Soul points out Andalucia

another favourite and album track and album!

The Fairest of The Seasons - Nico | O My Soul

O My Soul

The Fairest of the Seasons | Nico

John Cale with Chris Spedding - Live The Bottom Line 1987 | Voodoo Wagon - A SILENT WAY SPECIAL

Covers found in Japanese music blog

John Cale with Chris Spedding 

- Live The Bottom Line

New York, NY.

April 18, 1987 

(Late Show)

Set List:
01 - Caribbean Sunset
02 - The Hunt
03 - The Endless Plain Of Fortune
04 - Child'S Christmas In Wales
05 - Living In Moonlight
06 - Darling I Need You
07 - Dead Or Alive
08 - Evidence
09 - Every Time The Dogs Bark
10 - Model Beirut Recital
11 - Dying On The Vine
12 - I'm Waiting For The Man
13 - Villa Albani
14 - Guts
15 - Paris 1919
16 - Fear Is A Man's Best Friend

FLAC

John Cale and Chris Spedding - Buffalo Ballet (live)

John Cale - Leaving it Up To You  Live 1987 07 13 NY Lone Star Club

a song for these times . . . . . .we could all feel safe like Sharon Tate . . . . . . that's the kinda mood I’m in!

John in 1983

Zero G Sounds | JOHN CALE - EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES (1978) upgraded version

John Cale - Even Cowgirls Get The Blues

Someone asked for a re-up which we had here at Swappers Manions first time around  zero hat gesagt  "John Cale was born in Wales but moved to London and then New York to study music. He joined The Velvet Underground in 1965 and played a key part in the distinctive sound and experimental ethos of their first two albums.

In the 70s, Cale launched a solo career and produced albums for other artists, including Nico, The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, Patti Smith. His solo albums covered very different styles, from the orchestral folk of Paris 1919 (1973) to the raucous punk of Sabotage/Live (1979).
Through the 80s, 90s and 00s Cale has continued to experiment with music and release the results, to little commercial success but with a small group of committed fans. In particular, two collaborative efforts in 1990 brought excellent results: one with Brian Eno called Wrong Way Up, and another with former bandmate Lou Reed, called Songs For Drella.

This disc contains live performances from roughly the same time period as the Sabotage/Live album.
It was recorded with members of the Patti Smith Group at CBGB in 1978 and '79 (the years of Cale's noisy punk involvement) and includes some hair-raising feedback excursions. There's some very interesting material here that is not available elsewhere. Most importantly, this is the only recording I know of that features "

"The LP that came out on "Special Stock" has three tracks not on the CD. Here´s the CD version with the following tracks:

Dance Of The Seven Veils
Helen Of Troy
Casey At The Bat
Even Cowgirls Get The Blues
Don't Know Why She Came
Somebody Should Have Told Her
Decade
Magic & Lies

"Casey At The Bat" is listed as track 3 on the cover, but is split onto tracks 3 & 4 on the disc, making the disc 9 tracks, even though only 8 are listed on the cover, and the song runs uninterrupted.

According to the sleeve notes the first 4 tracks were recorded live on December 28, 1978. The other four tracks on December 31, 1979. The venue for both gigs was CBGB's in New York.

Ritchie Fliegler (lead guitarist of the band) begs to differ: "I just received a copy of Cowgirls (I got it on Amazon) it's interesting. And, while definitely recorded at CB's there are some big errors.The first 5 songs are the Judy, Kraal, JD, Bruce and me band. From when, I don't remember. However the liner notes say it's the first four songs - This is absolutely incorrect - it's the first five.The last three songs: Somebody, Decade and Magic are another gang altogether. Listening to this CD was the first time I have ever even heard them. Of this I am totally sure beyond a shadow of a doubt."

Ivan Kral is the bass player from the Patti Smith Group. On the cover his name is misspelled as "Kraal". John Cale´s "Sabotage/Live" album was recorded in between these two gigs performances with Judy Nylon."

As one of the comments says this is available and I have already on cassette which is almost unlistenable! Dreaful version so this is an improvement!

Kevin Ayers - Everybody’s Sometimes And Some People’s All The Time Blues | Le Ramasseur De Mégots

 

Everybody’s Sometimes And Some People’s All The Time Blues
Kevin Ayers
The Confessions of Dr. Dream

then play ‘Guts’ by John Cale . . . . . . you know why!

---

A Child’s Christmas In Wales - JOHN CALE | O My Soul | Songs bought when they came out! Good neighbours were we all . . . .

JOHN CALE  -  Child’s Christmas in Wales

from Paris 1919 (1973)

Take down the flags of ownership
The walls are falling down…

a favourite track from a favourite album!

Cale at his peak!

Alice posted this favourite early John C love this song it has fascinated me for years . . .the lyrics especially . . . . . they are SOOOO weird! It has proved a haven for my misheard lyrics for years!  ha ha ha ha ha

"The cattle graze bolt uprightly. Seducing down the door..."

With mistletoe and candle green
To Halloween we go
Ten murdered oranges bled on board ship
Lend comedy to shame

The cattle graze bolt uprightly
Seducing down the door
To saddle swords and meeting place
We have no place to go


Then wearily the footsteps worked
The hallelujah crowds
Too late but wait, the long-legged bait
Tripped uselessly around

Sebastopol Adrianapolis
The prayers of all combined
Take down the flags of ownership
The walls are falling down


A belt to hold
Columbus too, perimeters of nails
Perceived the mama's golden touch
Good neighbours were we all

John Cale, A Child’s Christmas in Wales: 1919 | 1973

SINGLE OF THE WEEK! | John Cale - John Cale - Shark-Shark

 and some of us still like dressing up too!

Shark- Shark

John Cale - "Shark-Shark" from the upcoming album 'POPtical Illusion' out 14th June 2024 on Double Six / Domino. Subscribe to John Cale on YouTube: https://johncale.ffm.to/yt Stream & save "Shark-Shark": https://johncale.ffm.to/sharkshark Order & stream 'POPtical Illusion': https://johncale.ffm.to/popticalillusion

we all used to like dressing all in back . . . . . . . now we dress like this

Morning Musics - NICK DRAKE : NORTHERN SKIES (1971)

BBC Radio 4 - ‘Soul Music’ Nick Drake:Northern Sky

 

so I walked down stairs to the kitchen to find my wife listening to the radio and this was playing . , . , . , . great programme and interviews with other singers and players as well as Joe Boyd the legendary producer . . . . . . . . . great account of playing it for John Cale and his getting excited to hear Nick for the first time . . . . . . . . may it get Bryter Layter

I never felt magic crazy as this
I never saw moons, knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
But now you're here
Brighten my northern sky

I've been a long time that I'm waiting
Been a long that I'm blown
I've been a long time that I've wandered
Through the people I have known
Oh, if you would and you could
Straighten my new mind's eye

Would you love me for my money?
Would you love me for my head?
Would you love me through the winter?
Would you love me 'til I'm dead?
Oh, if you would and you could
Come blow your horn on high

I never felt magic crazy as this
I never saw moons, knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
But now you're here
Brighten my northern sky

 

Study in ‘Cool’ . . . . . .

 

John Cale & Lou Reed, 1968

📷 Joel Meyerowitz

You may think you’re cool but you will never be as cool as John Cale and Lou Reed walking down the street here!

NEW John Cale single (and Album!) POPtical Illusion | HOW WE SEE THE LIGHT!

John Cale - "How We See The Light" from the upcoming album 'POPtical Illusion' out 14th June 2024 on Double Six / Domino. Subscribe to John Cale on YouTube: https://johncale.ffm.to/yt Stream & save "How We See The Light": https://johncale.ffm.to/howweseethelight Order & stream 'POPtical Illusion': https://johncale.ffm.to/popticalillusion

 

CALE WEB

More from Moore | Thurston Moore's 'Sonic Life' memoir . . . . .

 

Patti Smith Group / John Cale / Television :: The Palladium, New York City, December 31, 1976

Posted on March 19, 2024

As mentioned in a recent Aquarium Drunkard Book Club, some of the most entertaining parts of Thurston Moore’s Sonic Life memoir come during his teenage years, way before Sonic Youth was even a twinkle in his eye. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Fan? From the suburbs of Connecticut, Moore made countless trips into NYC to soak in the punk/CBGB/Max’s Kansas City worlds, catching shows by The Ramones, Suicide, the Dead Boys, Sid Vicious … and Patti Smith, of course. Thurston paints an evocative portrait of this New Year’s Eve blowout, which doubled as Patti’s raucous 30th birthday party. He was dangerously high on mescaline.

Hear it for yourself …

Hear here . . . .

BRIAN ENO : RING OF FIRE (promo single!) ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS . . . . nearly . . . . '

NEARLY CHRISTMAS? 

SO HERE’S A NEARLY CHRISTMAS SONG!!

I found this weirdo around t’interweb! Sorry couldn’t find the other two tracks although searching for rare Cale is always a treat and as for searching for House of Freaks that’s just plain bonkers! Great fun but here’s Brian when he was still obsessing about fire (it’s a theme, look it up! - Baby’s On Fire? Fever? etc etc) Spontaneous combustion anyone! 🔥

 ''Brian Eno / John Cale / House Of Freaks ‎-- Ring Of Fire / Shuffle Down To Woodbridge / Merry Christmas ''

Label: Soil X Samples ‎-- PRO-S-4573

Format: Vinyl, 7", Promo

Country: US

Released: 1990

Tracklist

A1 Brian Eno - Ring Of Fire

A2 John Cale - Shuffle Down To Woodbridge

B1 House Of Freaks - Merry Christmas

JOHN CALE: 1970 - 1980 - URBANASPIRINES

 JOHN CALE

1970 -1980

(plus bonus disc of Songs For Drella with Lou Reed 1990 - for ANDY WARHOL)

study for John Cale portrait A.Swapp 2012 

Urbanaspirines turns up trumps again and looks at the history of official album releases from John Cale over a decade and with a bonus some ten years later dedicated to Velvet Underground mentor Andy Warhol with Lou Reed in Songs For Drella

John Davies Cale  (born 9 March 1942) is a Welsh musician, composer, and record producer who was a founding member of the American rock band the Velvet Underground. Over his six-decade career, Cale has worked in various styles across rock, drone, classical, avant-garde and electronic music. Cale has also acquired a reputation as an adventurous record producer, working on the debut albums of several innovative artists, including the Stooges and Patti Smith. Having discovered a talent for viola, Cale joined the National Youth Orchestra of Wales at age 13. Receiving a scholarship, Cale studied music at Goldsmiths College, University of London. 

                     

Upon arriving in New York City, Cale met a number of influential composers. Early that year, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed,recruiting his flatmate Angus MacLise and Reed's college friend Sterling Morrison to complete the initial line-up. Just before the band's first paying gig for $75 ($709 adjusted for 2022) at Summit High School in New Jersey, MacLise abruptly quit the band because he viewed accepting money for art as selling out; he was replaced by Moe Tucker as the band's drummer. Initially hired to play that one show, she soon became a permanent member and her tribal pounding style became an integral part of the band's music, despite the initial objections of Cale to the band having a female drummer. Apart from appearing on the Velvet Underground's first two studio albums, he also played organ on the track "Ocean" during the practice sessions to produce demos for the band's fourth studio album Loaded (1970), nearly two years after he left the band.

read on here . . . . John Cale on URBANASPIRINES

I would urge you to buy the Cale back catalogue from official sources 

John Cale (study with different iPad background)2012

John Cale here . . . .

Most if not all are still readily available via Amazon or your usual outlets, some from the Cale website (above)

Song of the Day :: Nico, Lou and John ‘FEMME FATALE’ - Live at The Bataclan 1972 - for all who fell!

• Track Name

  Femme Fatale

• Album

  Le-Bataclan - ´72

• Artist

  Nico - Lou Reed - John Cale

Nico, Lou Reed and John Cale - Femme Fatale (1972)

Recorded at Le Bataclan in 1972 when Lou Reed, Nico and John Cale joined the stage together.

from the always brilliant Guess I’m Dumb