Art of Walking

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Reissue of the Ohio-based post-punk legend's fourth album, originally released on Rough Trade in 1980. 12 tracks. 1999 release. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Aniseed Robin
Cuckolds All A-Row
I Gave Her Cakes And I Gave Her Ale
Taking His Beer With Old Anacharsis
Fye, Nay, Prithee John
Cold And Raw
The Miller's Daughter
Will Said To His Mammy
The Old Fumbler
Walking In a Meadowe Greene
Celia Learning On The Spinnet
Tom the Taylor
My Lady's Coachman John
The Irish Jig Or The Night Ramble
Come Sirrah Jacke Hoe
Dainty Fine Aniseed Water
Most Men Do Love the Spanish Wine
Argreers
Gathering Peascods
My Lady And Her Maid
As Roger Last Night To Jenny Lay Close
Pox On You
Ladie Lie Near Me
'Tis Women Makes Us Love
Sir Walter Enjoying His Damsel
My Thing Is My Own
Here Dwells a Pretty Maid
My Man John Had a Thing That Was Long
When First Amyntas Sued For a Kiss
More Palatino
Poor Owen
Where They Drank Their Wine
Come, Come, Let Us Drink

Customer Reviews:

One of the best CD's out there!.......2007-05-10

All ages and musical backgrounds love this CD. The Baltimore Consort are amazing. One really feels one is in a smoky pub in the 14oo's getting plastered with England's best musicians! Don't miss "Pox on You;" my kids absolutely howl with glee at the "bass fartophone." I haven't heard laughter like that come out of my little boy since he was a toddler. "Sweet Sir Walter" features one of the guys singing in a falsetto that sweeps lustily down into a Tim Curry-esque (think Dr. Frank-n-furter)gutteral guffaw of delight. So outrageously fun one forgets one is listening to Renaissance madrigals.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-03-25

These bawdy catches and ballads take us on a journey to the taverns and other social gathering places of the the real 'Merry Old England'. Some of us may be mildly shocked by the directness and earthiness of the text, but everyday life in the 17th century was much more 'down-to'earth- and forward. These texts-some blatant and other euphemistic-fully explore the spectrum of humor from the sly smirk to the back-slapping guffaw.
The singing of both ballads and catches belongs to a long and venerable tradition in England. The natural habitat of the of the catch was the tavern, while the ballad was known in a wider variety of social settings as well as the stage. By the end of the 17th century, ballads were collected by connoisseurs of popular culture and published in anthologies. The main source for this recording, 'The Catch Club, or 'Merry Companions', was printed in 1762.
A quote from the catch-philosopher (of 'Come, come let us drink') is offered by the Baltimore Consort: "...wine and good cheer will in spite of our fear inspire our hearts with mirth..the time we live, to wine let us give, since we all must turn to earth...."
This is an excellent collection of songs; quite interesting and varied. The instruments are played skillfully, and the voices, for the most part, are good quality. However, as with all 'folk-like' songs, the diction is not always clear, and that is very true of several of these on this disc. The female voices were more difficult to comprehend much of the time. The text is printed out, so ultimately familiararity will make them easier to understand. I do like the disc, and think that it needed to be done.As to a previous criticism concerning the fact that it wasn't 'true' barroom singing. Of course, it's not!!!If it were, you would not understand any of it!!!!!Enough said.

Prelewd to Postlewd.......2005-09-28

The Baltimore Consort, an ensemble of six players, was founded in 1980 with the purpose of performing 'broken consort' pieces of Elizabethan origin. 'Broken' here refers to the instrumentation - treble viol/violin, flue/recorder, lute, cittern, bandore and bass viol. Their repertoire expanded beyond these beginnings to include broader British fare, as well as French and Italian music of the time. This is a happy expansion, as it made this disc of older, bawdy (for its time) music possible.

The Baltimore Consort play with life and vigour, with a good deal of improvisational flair, not being bound to texts and going through the production of notes as if mechanically. This is true to the spirit and nature of the early music, in which performers often had to 'play by ear', neither being able to read music nor having printed music even if they could. This is particularly true of the songs on this disc, where many are derivative of anonymous jokes and stories, and much of the music is likewise folk-tune and anonymously composed.

Some of the songs can be rather shocking. As Mary Anne Ballard writes in the accompanying notes, 'We must remember that in the days before indoor plumbing and pooper-scooper laws, everyday life was of an earthier flavour than it is today.... The men of the singing clubs and the ladies of stage poked fun at themselves and their companions with wit, pleasantry and contrivance.'

The names of many of the composers of these pieces have been lost to history, particularly the more folk-song oriented ones. However, some well-known composers are represented among the pieces here - Purcell, D'Urfey, Aldridge, and others.

The regular players include Mary Anne Ballard (viols), Mark Cudek (cittern, guitar, recorder and bass viol), Custer LaRue (vocalist/soprano), Larry Lipkis (recorder, viols), Ronn McFarlane (lute), Chris Norman (flutes), Webb Wiggins (tambourine and 'virginals'). Some artists are known from other Dorian productions, such as Ronn McFarlane on the lute in the collection 'Greensleeves'.

Added to the regular consort players are the Merry Companions, including Peter Becker (baritone), Alexander Blachly (baritone), Paul Shipper (bass, belch-canto), and James Weaver (baritone).

One more addition includes a guest artist, Lorenzo Labbrobacio, playing of all things, the 'fartophone', a rather mysterious instrument indeed. Labbrobacio defies identification on the internet other than references to this disc, and so the mystery deepens.

This is music that is interesting, truly fun to listen to, entertaining and has a quality about it that makes it a joy both in musical and humourous tones.

Sounds like they're singing Christmas carols.......2004-11-09

This recording is professionally produced - perhaps too much so. I've been in a few taverns and heard my share of bawdy songs. I am used to hearing them sung with gusto, with a wink and a naughty smile, to the raucous and enthusiastic appreciation of the audience. The songs on this CD are performed entirely straight. The results are technically competent but fail utterly in conveying the spirit and fun that make this genre worth listening to.

A sly and rollicksome good time!.......2002-11-29

On this recording, the Baltimore Consort and the Merry Companions are full of fun, both blatant and tongue-in-cheek. Soprano Custer La Rue and the instrumentalists of the Consort are joined by a quartet of classical male singers (Peter Becker, Alexander Blachly, Paul Shipper and James Weaver) with quite a theatrical sense of humor. The two groups take turns presenting ribald tavern songs of merry old England, interspersed by light, catchy instrumentals listed in the credits as the "Prelewd", the "Interlewd" and a "Fresh Ayre". Drinking, sex and other bodily functions are both celebrated and ridiculed in songs that are cleverly worded and enthusiastically sung, and in at least one case, accompanied by a mysterious instrument (reminiscent of P.D.Q. Bach) called a "fartophone". Especially amusing are the "catches" or rounds, and the new meanings that result from the staggering of words when several different verses are all sung together. It sounds silly, and is silly, but that's the point of it all--celebrating the "earthier flavor" of life 17th and 18th century England. My copy came with a parental advisory sticker stuck fast to the case, but my mother didn't seem overly concerned, and in fact enjoyed it too when I played it for her! For more fun Renaissance vocals, both salacious and serious, try "All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals" by the King's Singers, and "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain, Germany" by the King's Singers and the Consort of Musicke.

Average customer rating:

Rare Piano Encores

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Caprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

$9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Anton Rubinstein: Complete Piano Sonatas
Horizons - Leif Ove Andsnes

ASIN: B00008JL6H
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Average customer rating:

If you're an ubu fan you'll love this
Lost in Art
A favorite Ubu disc o' *mine*, anyway
Way Ahead of Its Time

The Art of Walking
Pere Ubu
Manufacturer: Thirsty Ear
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

American Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Indie & Lo Fi | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

New Picnic Time
Song of the Bailing Man
The Modern Dance
Dub Housing
Pennsylvania

ASIN: B00002JV45
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Go
Rhapsody In Pink
Arabia
Young Miles In The Basement
Misery Goats
Loop
Rounder
Birdies
Lost In Art
Horses
Crush This Horn
Arabian Nights

Album Description

Reissue of the Ohio-based post-punk legend's fourth album, originally released on Rough Trade in 1980. 12 tracks. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews:

If you're an ubu fan you'll love this.......2007-02-16

Certainly is Pere Ubu at their most unique. Features the song "Birdies" which they performed in the live music film "Urgh...".

Lost in Art.......2001-12-20

It's not just a song title, it's what was happening here. These guys who had so much promise and so much acheivement between them cut a bunch of crappy music that is short on ideas and high on pretensiousness. They had gotten tired of doing music that sounded like rock music, so they ended up making this strange attempt at anti-rock that is nearly impossible to enjoy.

Of course, they didn't fall apart entirely at once. They cut a few tracks on here with some nice angular variants of rock rhythms that swing hard - "Go", "Misery Goats", "Rounder", "Birdies". "Rhapsody in Pink" worked out okay. But by the time you get to "Arabia", you're going to realize that this record is as a whole astonishingly bad considering what these guys were capable of.

A favorite Ubu disc o' *mine*, anyway.......2000-10-23

Alright, so you love DUB HOUSING and THE MODERN DANCE, but aren't you finally finding yourself SATURATED? Don't the songs on those two disks finally wear so deep a groove in your head that there's nothing left to be learned by spinning them again? I mean, how many times in one lifetime do you NEED to hear "Non-Alignment Pact," HOWEVER great a tune it is? If you know what I'm talking about, it may be time to buy NEW PICNIC TIME and ART OF WALKING. NPT is a little darker and more "challenging," while this disc is more joyous, varied, and complex -- playful, quirky, rich, and goofy, too. Everyone I've ever made tapes for has "Rounder" somewhere on them... Or "Misery Goats," or "Loop," or... There is only one terrifically annoying tune best avoided here, "Lost in Art," the listening-to of which in no way is made easier or more enjoyable by getting the joke of the title. If you love ANY Ubu, I think you'll really like this disc. Of course, if I were you, I'd just buy the box set, if it's still around, but, well...

Way Ahead of Its Time.......2000-10-23

This album was originally released in 1980. Twenty years later, it still sounds contemporary and intriguing. The closest comparison I can draw are recordings of Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band in the early 1980s. Beat vocals over obtuse and angular melodies (Arabian Nights, Rounder), new wave rockers (Go, Misery Goats), electronic noodlings (Young Miles, Crush this Horn) and assorted ranting (Birdies, Lost in Art). David Thomas has a vocal style that is mysterious and unique. Fans will enjoy the variety on this recording. Although this music is not for the casual listener, the casual listener will not be reading this review, so consider the source. If you like music containing any element of challenge, you will enjoy this somewhere bewteen three and four stars, depending upon your leanings.

Average customer rating:

Rare Piano Encores

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Caprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002ZGY
Release Date: 1993-11-11

Average customer rating:

A Generous Packet of Art Songs by American Composer John Duke
just spring review... great CD

Just-Spring: Art Songs of John Duke

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Songs by Roger Quilter
John Woods Duke: Lieder
Favorite English Songs
But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972
Permit Me Voyage: Songs by American Composers

ASIN: B00005V9UK
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Tracks:

Just-Spring
Acquainted With the Night
Water that Falls and Runs Away
I Carry Your Heart
The Mountains Are Dancing
April Elegy
Morning in Paris
There Will Be Stars
Good Morning, Midnight
Heart! We will forget him!
Bee! Im expecting you!
The Bird
Little Elegy
All Music, All Delight
Shes Somewhere in the Sunlight Strong
Bells in the Rain
Penguin Geometry
O, it was out by Donnycarney
Aubade
I cant be talkin of love
Walking in the Rain
Merry-go-round

Album Description

John Duke (1899-1984) is one of the acknowledged masters of the American art song. This release of twenty-three of his finest songs will afford lovers of vocal music the opportunity to discover Duke's little-known corpus. Comparison with the musical language of other notable American art song composers (Griffes, Loeffler, or Ives, for instance) reveals an unusually consistent and personal style throughout most of Duke's career, the composer venturing only slightly afield of a conventional tonal practice derived mostly from European music of the nineteenth century. Musical influences on his language, in fact, are almost entirely European; most of his songs have an accompanimental texture unmistakably his, continuing, in a way, the tradition of the German Lied, using poems in English.

Duke often claimed, both in his writings and in conversation with colleagues, to have developed his art song style somewhat self-consciously after having studied in great detail the historical, poetical, and musical contexts of three previous genres exhibiting a marriage of music and poetry: the Elizabethan song, the nineteenth-century Lied and the French mélodie of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His choice of poetry avoids almost completely the abstract in favor of the tried and true themes of love and mortality, themes that most composers have found the most suitable for musical treatment. Duke's music is taken very seriously by those who know his work intimately. After all, about how many American composers could it be said that all 265 songs have a natural feel for the voice, an elegantly matched pianistic accompaniment, a recognizable and personal style, and a musical language that never resorts to false syntax? It is easy to see why American singers love to sing his songs.

Customer Reviews:

A Generous Packet of Art Songs by American Composer John Duke.......2006-01-27

Though his name may not be a household word among American composers, to singers the lieder of John Woods Duke are a staple of the recital repertoire. A composer well respected in his lifetime (1899 - 1984), his 265 catalogued songs are the epitome of the marriage of text and music. His musical style never veered from melodic but his integration of poetry with his expressive understanding of the voice places him in the same category with Ives, Griffes, Rorem, Barber, Heggie et al.

This fine recital by soprano Lauralyn Kolb, a former student of the highly regarded Howard Swan of Occidental College and a sought after oratorio soloist and recitalist, with pianist Tina Toglia is a study in musical intelligence. Kolb's soprano voice is beautifully focused and her communication of the texts ranging from ee cummings, Emily Dickinson, Elinor Wylie, Sarah Teasdale, Robert Frost, Richard Nickson, Mark Van Doren to James Joyce is pristine and warmly sensitive. Her collaboration with Toglia demonstrates the way musicians should approach the art song. There are many excellent songs in this collection that could be singled out, but the pleasure of the recital is that the variety selected by the artists is very satisfying for a survey of works by a relatively unknown (to the public) composer. Recommended. Grady Harp, January 06

just spring review... great CD.......2005-08-20

fast shipment, everything recieved as promised. good seller to buy from. thank you.

Average customer rating:

Walking the Cat
Roger Chapman
Manufacturer: Castle Music UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000024ICM
Release Date: 1993-10-19

Tracks:

Kick It Back
Son of Red Moon
Stranger Than Strange
Just a Step Away
Fool
Toys '89
Walking the Cat
Come the Dark Night
Hands Off
Jivin'
Saturday Night Kick Back

Average customer rating:

More than 'golden'

Golden Flute

Manufacturer: White Line
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Flute Fantaisie

ASIN: B0000030Z1
Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

Conc, Op.107
Walking Tune
Berceuse
Nocturne Et Allegro Scherzando: Nocturne
Nocturne Et Allegro Scherzando: Allegro Scherzando
Chanson De Matin
Schon Rosamarin
Ste, Op.116: Allegretto
Ste, Op.116: Idylle
Ste, Op.116: Valse
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
En Bateau
Vars On A Theme By Rossini
Vocalise, Op.34 No.14
Le Basque
Granpa: Make Believe
Sonatina, Op.19: Allegretto
Spartacus: Adagio
Il Carnevale Di Venezia, Op.77

Customer Reviews:

More than 'golden'.......2006-12-24

If you like flutes,this piece is really enchanting,sublimes,the background pianoforte accompanying fastastically.Don't miss it.At certain point,Arnold plays his flute like Hendrix plays his guitar.We enjoyed it so much.

Average customer rating:

Not That Exciting But Still Vintage Chappo

Walking the Cat
Roger Chapman
Manufacturer: Castl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Kick It Back
Son of Red Moon
Stranger Than Strange
Just a Step Away
Fool
Toys '89
Walking the Cat
Come the Dark Night
Hands Off
Jivin'
Saturday Night Kick Back

Customer Reviews:

Not That Exciting But Still Vintage Chappo.......2001-08-14

which means this is better than 100 percent of all the stuff by Rod Steward.

I've been a fan of Roger Chapman's for, well, since the early 1970s. His output, since going solo, has been prolific, and one or two duds were inevitable. Whether he was trying too hard to mimic whatever was popular or just trying something new, I found this recording a bit thin in spots. In fairness, the lack of texture makes Chappo's voice that much more front and center, which can be a problem for the uninitiated.

Walking on Air
Average customer rating:
Walking on Air
King Crimson
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008PYI
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Walking on Locusts
Average customer rating:

Great pop-rock album

Some great moments

Fussy self-production. No Surprises.

Respectable but sappy

Lyrical Masterpiece

Walking on Locusts
John Cale
Manufacturer: Hannibal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Hannibal Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Last Day on Earth

Hobo Sapiens

Helen of Troy

Black Acetate

Wrong Way Up (Reissue)

ASIN: B000000630
Release Date: 1996-09-24

Tracks:

Dancing Undercover
Set Me Free
So What
Crazy Egypt
So Much For Love
Tell Me Why
Indistinct Notion Of Cool
Secret Corrida
Circus
Gatorville & Points East
Some Friends
Entre Nous

Album Details

Same as Us Release

Customer Reviews:

Great pop-rock album.......2003-08-08

This is by many accounts a very commercial album. It could have almost been a breakthrough album for Cale. Listen to it with that in mind. A lot of these reviews are written by hard-core Cale/Velvets fans, and much of the Velvets/solo catalog isn't for the faint of heart (read: is for hard-core fans). If you are a pop-rock fan and feel like checking out Cale, this album will do it for you. It's got some really terrific stuff on it, and won't disapoint lyrically or musically. I think the tempo of the album is great. It's not one of those edgy albums, that is to say, Cale probably didn't put blood into this one, but he did put heart into it. It's funny, but I would say the same about Lou Reed's "Set the Twighlight Reeling," which came out the same year (very commercial sound, could have been another breakthrough for him, and was also self-produced). Really--check out that one and this one. The hard-core fans...I suspect most of them will "hate" on both of these albums, but not this hard-core fan. "Walking on Locusts" is spinning in my CD player right now.

Some great moments.......2002-06-09

John Cale is probably my favorite musician, but this album is disappointing for the most part. One hears Cale merely treading water on songs like Dancing Undercover, So Much For Love, Tell Me Why and Secret Corrida. The two brilliant exceptions are the sorrowful Set Me Free with its poetic lyrics and country-like sound, and the wistful Circus with a woman's spoken contributions in French. His lyrics are trenchant throughout, but suffers from lack of memorable tunes. Two masterpieces amongst 12 tracks thus merit this album 3 stars. But believe me, it's worth buying for Set Me Free and Circus if you're a fan of John Cale.

Fussy self-production. No Surprises........2001-09-27

I'll never say I don't care what John Cale does. He is - unlike Lou Reed - still unpredictable. But I don't like this CD. No, not much at all. Cale produced the CD, and he has no one to blame but himself. This CD is alternately fussy, sentimental, dull, eh. Yes, eh. The best tunes are "Dancing Undercover" (too controlled), "Circus" (too cute), "Set Me Free" (just fine) & "Indistinct Notion of Cool" (beautiful). The rest just sinks into well-recorded blah. John Cale is a gamble - I'll always be a sucker to that bet. But this is easily one of his least-interesting albums. You'll find no musical adventure here.

Respectable but sappy.......2000-04-19

Say what you like about how this kind of music will give Cale the mainstream recognition he deserves. The all-powerful teenage consumer will decide that, and the average one of these would not give this album ten seconds of his or her time. I thought some of Eno's Before and after Science toed this line of fluff, but this one really tried my tolerance at times. Many tracks are accompanied by some kind of choir in an almost cheesy way. If this is what it takes to be poppy, I fear it sacrifices too much artistry. All the respect to Mr. Cale for his versatility, but he's no Spice Girl (thankfully).

Lyrical Masterpiece.......1998-11-10

No one doubts John Cale's status as a modern cultural icon. Similarly, no one doubts the man's integrity or skill in having produced such a vast array of music over his 30 year career. But it is precisely this versatility and willingness to experiment that has made Cale such a frustrating artist for CD buyers to gauge. From his avant-classical compositions, to film scores, to angry-young-man psuedo-punk rants to his highly melodic lyrical works, Cale often seems to be going in several directions at once, musically speaking, with the effect that even if one has enjoyed a previous Cale work, one hesitates to buy the next product from the fertile Cale music factory.

In Walking On Locusts, Cale returns to the lyrical, pop/rock ballad style of composition that graced 1974's 'Paris 1919' as well as the less 'edgy' numbers on 'Fear' plus much of his collaboration with Brian Eno on 'Wrong Way Up'.

First, Cale is a brilliant tunesmith when he wants to be. His sense of composition is second to none in the rock genre, his classical training and intellectual understanding of musical forms rising to the fore without any overstatement or pretension.It is this quality that makes 'Walking on Locusts' such a great listen. There is hardly a weak track in the set.'So Much For Love' recalls Paris 1919's 'Emily' with its powerful minimalist setting.'Set It Free' utilizes pedal steel with an emotional resonance unusual for that instrument. Such 'quiet' tracks are balanced by frantic numbers such as 'Crazy Egypt' where Cale utilizes his trademark 'speaktalk' style and the powerful gospel chorus of 'Tell Me Why'. Demonstrating his versatility, Cale brings complex but bewitching string playing into melodic tracks such as 'Circus' and intoxicating guitar work that recalls 'The Endless Plane of Fortune' from Paris 1919, in the opening moments of 'Secret Cordilla' perhaps the gem of this wonderful album.

If Cale can put out thoughtful, intricate and passionate work like this once every few years between his other projects, he will finally get the recognition he deserves as one of the finest songwriters of the modern era.

A superb CD, so far my favourite of the last few years and in my all-time top 5.

Music: