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- Thread starter Tudo
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John Cale's song about his relationship with Lou Reed. Still seems a little emotional about Reed breaking up with him, firing him from the Velvets. They formed the band together.
Cale hadn't seen Peckinpaugh's film 'The Ballad of Cable Hogue'. He assumed it was a bloody movie full of gunfights, betrayals, etc. Like his musical partnership with Reed. It's not; it's actually Peckinpaugh's least bloody film, a romance about the rise and fall of the West and the men who settled it. I love it, wonderful movie if you get the chance to check it out. Of course I enjoy 'The Wild Bunch' and 'Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia' is mesmerizing but Cable Hogue is just as good. Great performance by Jason Robards.
Cale hadn't seen Peckinpaugh's film 'The Ballad of Cable Hogue'. He assumed it was a bloody movie full of gunfights, betrayals, etc. Like his musical partnership with Reed. It's not; it's actually Peckinpaugh's least bloody film, a romance about the rise and fall of the West and the men who settled it. I love it, wonderful movie if you get the chance to check it out. Of course I enjoy 'The Wild Bunch' and 'Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia' is mesmerizing but Cable Hogue is just as good. Great performance by Jason Robards.
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If you haven't heard Cale's albums from the '70s you should. Great stuff.
Cale used a lot of coke in the '70s and early '80s. He had always been paranoid and difficult to work with, the drugs deepened these aspects of his personality. I saw an interview where he said he regretted that he was never able to develop a 'sound', instantly recognizable, like all great bands. The way The Velvet Underground did.
Because he was never able to work with the same band for long enough, people were always leaving and joining him. Because of his personality, a lot of people have said he was an asshole. Probably so but he's a genius, still making music today in his 80s.
Cale used a lot of coke in the '70s and early '80s. He had always been paranoid and difficult to work with, the drugs deepened these aspects of his personality. I saw an interview where he said he regretted that he was never able to develop a 'sound', instantly recognizable, like all great bands. The way The Velvet Underground did.
Because he was never able to work with the same band for long enough, people were always leaving and joining him. Because of his personality, a lot of people have said he was an asshole. Probably so but he's a genius, still making music today in his 80s.
Cale's emo version of Heartbreak Hotel. You'll never think of the song the same way again.
This is an ugly poorly recorded live version, at a show for the punk rockers in London. He recorded polished studio takes and live versions that sound better; I find this interesting because of the rage and feedback.
Cale was the one that started the late 70s hockey mask-wearing craze; was wearing one on stage before Jason and the Friday the 13th movies popularized the fashion. He started wearing one because he would antagonize the audience, especially the punks. They'd throw shit at him. He wore it to protect himself.
What did that poor chicken ever do to you John? (it was already dead, he got it from the butcher but still...and he didn't tell the audience) His guitarist was a vegan, quit immediately. So he wrote a song about it called 'Chicken Shit'. John must have been a fun guy to work with. Even Lou Reed! couldn't put up with him after a few years.
This is an ugly poorly recorded live version, at a show for the punk rockers in London. He recorded polished studio takes and live versions that sound better; I find this interesting because of the rage and feedback.
Cale was the one that started the late 70s hockey mask-wearing craze; was wearing one on stage before Jason and the Friday the 13th movies popularized the fashion. He started wearing one because he would antagonize the audience, especially the punks. They'd throw shit at him. He wore it to protect himself.
What did that poor chicken ever do to you John? (it was already dead, he got it from the butcher but still...and he didn't tell the audience) His guitarist was a vegan, quit immediately. So he wrote a song about it called 'Chicken Shit'. John must have been a fun guy to work with. Even Lou Reed! couldn't put up with him after a few years.
I'm probably being a little unfair to John. Lou Reed says he fired him because he was difficult to work with and had crazy ideas. The other Velvets were opposed to it, said it was never the same after he left. I agree, the first two albums are magic. Lou was disappointed by their lack of record sales, wanted to be a star, wanted to move the band in a more pop direction. Cale was an obstacle.
Recorded before the Velvets first album was released. They'd heard John Cale's demo tapes.
