One of John Cale's Very Finest Solo Efforts, Paris 1919 is also Among his Most Accessible Records, One which Grows in Depth and Resonance with Each Successive Listen. A Consciously Literary Work - the Songs Even Bear Title... more »s Like "Child's Christmas in Wales," "Macbeth," and "Graham Greene" - Paris 1919 is Close in Spirit to a Collection of Short Stories; The Songs Are Richly Poetic, Enigmatic Period Pieces Strongly Evocative of their Time and Place. Chris Thomas' Production is Appropriately Lush and Sweeping, with Many Tracks Set to Orchestral Accompaniment; Indeed, There's Little Here to Suggest Either Cale's Noisy, Abrasive Past Or the Chaos About to Resurface in his Subsequent Work - for Better Or Worse, his Music Never Achieved a Similar Beauty Again.« less
One of John Cale's Very Finest Solo Efforts, Paris 1919 is also Among his Most Accessible Records, One which Grows in Depth and Resonance with Each Successive Listen. A Consciously Literary Work - the Songs Even Bear Titles Like "Child's Christmas in Wales," "Macbeth," and "Graham Greene" - Paris 1919 is Close in Spirit to a Collection of Short Stories; The Songs Are Richly Poetic, Enigmatic Period Pieces Strongly Evocative of their Time and Place. Chris Thomas' Production is Appropriately Lush and Sweeping, with Many Tracks Set to Orchestral Accompaniment; Indeed, There's Little Here to Suggest Either Cale's Noisy, Abrasive Past Or the Chaos About to Resurface in his Subsequent Work - for Better Or Worse, his Music Never Achieved a Similar Beauty Again.
CD Reviews
All-time great album, inessential bonus tracks
Robert P. Inverarity | Silicon Valley, California, United States | 08/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't know what more I can add to the Paris 1919 discussion. It's arguably the best work by arguably the most unfairly obscure popular music genius of his time. If you don't already own it, stop reading and buy it!
The reissue is what I'm really reviewing, and if I were to rate it on its own I would give it three stars. It's a case of quantity over quality, with unfortunate results.
First, the good. The booklet has great new liner notes by a writer who thoroughly understands the album. Burned Out Affair, despite a flat, possibly drunken vocal, is quite interesting. Though I'm glad it was cut from the album proper, I'm equally glad to hear it. Two alternate versions are fantastic: the Drone Mix of Hanky Panky Nohow and the hidden instrumental take of Macbeth (with masterful electric slide guitar) give new insights into the material and are great listening on their own.
Second, the bad. Pretty much all the other sketches are not particularly interesting at best. The piano mix of Paris 1919, the vocal mix of Antarctica Starts Here, and the informal takes of Endless Plain of Fortune and Graham Green are all good listening, just nothing special or revealing. Some, however, have mumbled partial vocals, muddy arrangements, lyric mistakes, and pitch problems.
Sure, these things happen while recording. This is probably the most honest set of rehearsals and takes I've ever seen on a commercial record -- there appear to be no overdubs or edits of any kind. I'm not at all convinced that's a good thing, however. It seems to me that including alternate versions of every song was overkill, and even undermines the album itself with material that obviously was never meant for public consumption.
If they'd just stuck to new and revelatory versions, we'd have three or four great bonus tracks. As it is, there's an entire alternate album that's not worth more than a couple listens.
Certainly this reissue is worth buying, for the first time or even for the second. Just don't expect anything much of the bonus tracks."
OMG....12 more parts of an absolute classic
B. Margolis | Minneapolis, MN United States | 06/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I couldn't be more excited than if George Martin announced that more previously unknown parts of "Sgt. Pepper" had been found!
The 9 track original LP is just about the best LP to be released in the early 1970's (it was released in 1973) and the lousy sounding Warner Archives CD has remained a good catalog seller after all these years.
Now, UK Rhino has released a 20 track CD (US Rhino is too damn stupid to put it out here....). Even tho at the time of this review, Amazon has not updated their listing. Here's the extra tracks:
10.Burned Out Affair (amazing outtake....slightly flat vocals...could've used another take)
.....wow these are just plain fabulous....early versions, rough rehearsals, alternative versions of 9 of the greatest pieces of serious pop music ever!)
Anyone who like this classic album needs this reissue.
Wouldn't it be nice for Amazon to update their listing?
"
Make that twelve!
Daniel P. Whitworth | San Diego, CA United States | 06/30/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is an unlisted 21st track-- an instrumental version of 'Macbeth' featuring some fine slide guitar from Lowel George!"
Great Album
Chrome Sitar | Columbus, OH | 02/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is a very good reason this classic has recently been re-released. I put it along side Odessey and Oracle and Village Green Preservation Society as high-minded pop gems that were sort of forgotten and now are getting a renewed appreciation.
Other than a little bit of a muddled production this is a first class album. The mood is melancholy, but perfectly such. Although the songs are instantly catchy, they have such depth that they won't bore.
If you like gentle, blue pop music that has a decidely British feel. Get this. Actually if you like good music at all, pick this up."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1