Posted on Sunday, November 22, 2009 9:16 AM
John Cale performed his Paris 1919 album in full at the Coal Exchange, Cardiff, Wales - 2009/11/21. He used his regular band and a 19 piece orchestra. Note: Macbeth was placed at the end of the "Paris 1919" portion of the show.
Setlist
- Child's Christmas In Wales*
- Hanky Panky Nohow*
- The Endless Plain Of Fortune*
- Andalucia*
- Paris 1919*
- Graham Greene*
- Half Past France*
- Antarctica Starts Here*
- Macbeth*
- Sold Motel
- Perfect
- Catastrophic
- Whaddya Mean By That
- Amsterdam
- Fear Is A Man's Best Friend
- Dirty Ass Rock 'n' Roll
- Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night*
- Hedda Gabler*
* with 19 piece orchestra.
(Thanks: Gary Fox)
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# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 11:20 AM by
Thanks! Great show.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 12:30 PM by
THanks. I'm sure he played two other songs between Perfect and Amsterdam. I didn't recognise them.
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11/22/2009 12:37 PM by
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# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 2:28 PM by
Yeah, there were two possibly new songs in between Perfect and Amsterdam - John played acoustic guitar on both and they were pretty good. Hopefully this means a new album is round the corner :)
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 2:42 PM by
My guess that these two "new" songs are Catastrophic and Whaddya Mean By That. Can someone confirm?
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 2:58 PM by
Oh, yes, Whaddya Mean By That was one of them (I think the second played). Catastrophic MAY have been the other - but I haven't heard either before last night so that's provisional.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 4:46 PM by
That setlist is amazing; There better be a torrent! Is the setlist in the wrong order or did he really play Macbeth after Antaratica Starts Here?
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 4:51 PM by
Oh, also, what was attendance like?
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 6:02 PM by
Cale played Catastrophic after Perfect then Whaddya Mean next was Amsterdam etc.
The concert was sold out (around 1,000 i'd say)
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 7:01 PM by
Yes Paul, Macbeth came after Antarctica. And it had a huge sound. The joint rocked. Packed out. Everyone went wild. Absolutely loved the gig, me. Cale’s appearance on stage was feral. He’s changing into a warrior bird of prey. A North American indian. Carlos Castaneda’s Don Juan. A wild man/boy. Dustin Boyer’s playing was so speedy. His licks kicked in just at every perfect space. Some truly mental sounds. A staggering performance. At times Cale was in bliss listening to him – headrocking, eyes closed and smiling. Dustin’s a werewolf. Michael Jerome’s drumming was unfaulting and Joseph Karnes is thunder and lightning on bass. Blown away by the pair’s sheer lack of pride and arrogance. Unpretentiousness. Great vibe.
Hi and thanks to adding to my high that night and making me forget myself. Hi to Placebo girl next to me in the front row. Hope you got your six a.m. flight back to Germany okay. Buzz to see Gary,Von, Adrian and La Monte Young lookalike and Grey-Beard behind. Amazing Cale groupies all. Thank you. Peace.
Zig X
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/22/2009 7:43 PM by
Fixed the setlist. Thanks to all of you.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 12:03 AM by
Err, what show did you go to? John's voice just wasn't up to the more powerful songs (Fear and Paris in particular), some of the orchestations were interesting but basically were not improvements on the original album, the two new songs (to me, obviously some of you know the titles but I'd never heard them before) were just forgettable dirges and is no-one annoyed that a show which was advertised as starting at 8.00 with doors opening at 7.00 with unreserved seating actually started at 8.45 meaning we all sat around for ages for no other reason than to satisfy the megalomania of the star of the show who then had the cheek to walk off stage without a word leaving all his musicians sitting round like lemons when they obviously were expecting to play at least one more song which they had presumably spent a lot of time rehearsing but also not exactly being very respectful to the fans who I think were expecting something special, not just an hour and a half of not very well performed music!
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 12:39 AM by
from where i was sat john's voice sounded really strong, that was one of the strongest versions of fear i've heard. i feel it unfair to comment so strongly on songs you have only heard once, i applaud him for singing unreleased songs. the orchestral musicians had a setlist comprising eleven songs...they played eleven songs, maybe john left the stage so they could enjoy the richly deserved applause they got.
best wishes
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 12:44 AM by
Giles, Cale did not walk off stage without a word, he went straight over to the conductor and thanked him big time for his part in last nights performance.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 2:42 AM by
Err so why did they all sit around for a couple of minues after John left and then have to go off stage. Clearly the musicians had no idea that that was the end of the show.... If you think his voice sounded strong you really haven't listened to the bootlegs from the 1980's. I hope this doesn't get into some sort of confrontation -I'm really happy that you enjoyed the show but I just feel a bit disappointed. To me it did not even get close to my memories of previous shows mainly from a long time ago.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 9:50 AM by
Giles, dear boy – you say Cale’s voice wasn’t up to the more “powerful songs” like – “PARIS!” I thought is voice was stronger than I’ve heard it for a long time, and particularly in the screamer, Fear. In Hanky Panky Nohow he slid up to the high notes with ease, and the clarity of his ‘diction’ in Antarctica really surprised me.
>>>If you think his voice sounded strong you really haven't listened to the bootlegs from the 1980's<<<
Giles, Cale was a lot younger and on a lot of coke when he sang on your bootlegs from the 1980s. Something that Cale looks back on with utter loathing. I, too, love those bootlegs.
Zig
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 9:56 AM by
>>>If you think his voice sounded strong you really haven't listened to the bootlegs from the 1980's<<<
Giles, his voice didn’t sound better. He spat and screamed and dribbled and ripped up stage floors with his teeth. But his voice didn’t sound better, did it.
Zig
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 12:34 PM by
Hi Giles, You were disappointed and its fine to say that.
Cale made the decision not to encore, if he had chosen differently the musicians were in place. The day before at Cineworld, Cale spoke about constantly putting himself in a place where he's not comfortable and how inspiring that can be artistically, to me it was no surprise the musicians did not know the exact format the whole show would follow.
I maintain Cale's voice sounded strong from where i was sat, as strong as any of the 1980's gigs i attended, he didnt scream as much as he did at the Lyceum gig in 1981 and was more "together" than he was at the Electric Ballroom show in 1984 for example, but he was there to play "Paris 1919" and i think did a good job of it.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 1:32 PM by
Hi Ziggy,
it's me, the "Placebo girl" :-) Indeed I had a safe journey home, just arrived and first thing I do is turning on the computer to read the comments here.
I really enjoyed the gig. Great show, great sound, great voice.
Everything I had to say has already been said, so I'll better unpack my bag now.
Thanks Ziggy ... and thanks John Cale for these fantastic days in Cardiff!!!
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 2:16 PM by
Hi Isabel,
I wondered if you were Placebo Girl. Yeah, an excellent night. Really enjoyed your company. Glad you had a safe landing ;–) As 'g' says, John Cale was there to play "Paris 1919" and he made a good job of it. Macbeth and Graham Greene in particular were full of orchestrations not heard on the original album. Come to that, so was Half Past France and Antarctica Starts Here. So I disagree with Giles on that one. Sold Motel gets better every time I see it performed (very strong in this gig) and Cale and band are obviously finding pleasure in Whaddya Mean By That. It's that on-the-spot creativity between the four that turns me on. Just spotted this review.
Cheers!
Zig
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/music-in-wales/2009/11/23/review-john-cale-at-cardiff-s-coal-exchange-91466-25227939/
JOHN Cale may be 67 but he did not go gently into another good night at the Coal Exchange.
In a 90-minute set, Cale delivered a mix of classics and new material in a concert entitled When Past And Future Collide.
As part of Soundtrack Festival, the former Velvet Underground man played his 1973 solo album Paris 1919 in full for the first time and it proved such a success it will have hardened his temptation to tour the album.
The night was split in three and opened with Paris 1919 unfolding in order, with a 19-piece orchestra providing lush support, particularly during swelling baroque renditions of The Endless Plain Of Fortune and Antarctica Starts Here.
Cale sat stage right behind his keyboard through the first third, silent between songs, but any thoughts he was taking it easy disappeared when he closed the first chapter with a rumbling Macbeth and dispensed with the orchestra.
He returned as the frontman of a tight four-piece band, standing centre stage like a rebellious public schoolboy in a black suit, a silver-grey tie and white shirt, untucked at the back and rolled up on his right cuff.
His fringe was white but the rest of his hair was dyed purple and a tuft of beard hung from his lower lip with effortless cool; James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers was among those making starstruck eyes at him in the sold-out crowd.
Sold Motel and Perfect preceded two new tracks, Catastrophic and Whaddya Mean, as he vibed through the ‘rock set’ with a mischievous languor that spread the Dylanesque Fear Is A Man’s Best Fried across acres and gave Dirty Ass Rock N Roll its full dues.
After another short break he returned with a shimmering Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night and the raucous Hedda Gabler before waving himself off to a standing ovation with the crowd demanding an encore that never came.
Gavin Allen
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 5:48 PM by
Cale himself was fantastic as usual, his voice was strong - exactly like the records. I do agree though that the orchestra did not add enough to the Paris 1919 songs, Cale's keyboards in particular seemed to be buried underneath the thick fug. Perhaps a string quartet would have been better? Was disappointed in the venue too, did not lend itself too such an ambitious project, the sound was not good. I can't help thinking that St. David's Hall would have been a better choice. That said, the rock set was great, two guitars, bass and drums blasting away. Do Not Go Gentle was fine too. The two new songs are terrific, great riffs and can't wait to hear them on record.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/23/2009 7:18 PM by
Hi Rob,
It was much too overcrowded on stage. Crazy! St. David’s Hall would have been better – but, I believe the Millennium Centre has better acoustics than there. At a bigger venue Cale might have played a grand piano with the orchestra. I didn’t expect the orchestra to be that big. Two double basses? It was way too much for the Coal Exchange. Yet I still heard a lot of orchestration that’s not on the album. I agree with you about the two new songs, especially Whaddya Mean By That. I’ve heard them before – and they’re getting stronger. I love this band line up.
Zig
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/24/2009 10:30 AM by
# John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist | antarcticas
11/24/2009 11:27 AM by
John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist | antarcticas
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/25/2009 2:25 PM by
Every inch worth driving from antwerp to coal exchange, cardiff!!!
it's not only rock n roll baby!
Thank you for using your talents John!
Deep respect,
Frederic
ps
anybody taped the concert?
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/25/2009 5:49 PM by
As you say, Giles, "What show did you go to?" I thought it was brilliant, and I've seen him a few times before too. I stood at the back for all but the last two songs and the sound seemed fine to me, though it didn't seem quite as good when I went and stood near the front just to the right of the stage for the finale. His voice was excellent too. There's no point in complaining about the venue. That it was the historic Coal Exchange was one of the factors quoted by Cale in persuading him to do Paris 1919 in full in the first place.
I also think you're completely wrong about the ending. As someone else has posted, the orchestra's set list was clearly visible on the way to the toilets and ended with Hedda Gabler. I doubt they could have improvised anything at that stage. I didn't mind the lack of an encore and Cale would probably say the last two songs were effectively an encore anyway. It seemed to me to be a perfectly balanced set which didn't need any more.
I don't go in for hagiography where legends are concerned. I've seen him give a disappointing show once previously, but for me this was a wonderful performance by a man who belied his 67 years and which ranks as one of my top half-dozen gigs ever. I just wish it had been recorded for DVD release.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/28/2009 12:10 PM by
Hi Giles,
the reason the show was delayed was because this concert was part of the Soundtrack Festival. On the Saturday evening Cardiff Cineworld showed the Cale film "Beautiful Mistake", which did not finish until around 8pm Time was then allowed for those who attended that to make it to Cardiff Bay to attend the Coal Exchenge concert.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/28/2009 5:57 PM by
So it's been a week and there's still no word on if someone tapped it?
I'm starting to get worried.
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/30/2009 10:05 AM by
Paul you must be looking in the wrong place
# re: John Cale: 2009/11/21 "Paris 1919" Cardiff setlist
11/30/2009 4:05 PM by
Here's another review
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/29/john-cale-review
by Ed Vulliamy
The Observer, Sunday 29 November 2009
It is not often that the first number of the night brings some of its biggest applause, but when that song is "Child's Christmas in Wales" sung by John Cale at a homecoming gig in Cardiff's Coal Exchange, it will.
It was coincidence, not kitsch, that made a song inspired by Dylan Thomas the opener, for that was sealed into the running order by the project in hand, one that people have been begging him to do for 15 years: the first orchestrated performance of his 1973 album, Paris 1919. The concert featured Cale's excellent young band from Los Angeles, with a chamber orchestra under the baton of Welsh film composer John Rea, performing a score by Cale and American theatre composer Randall Woolf.
It was inevitable that the event would be charmed by the magic of an audience aged 10 to 80 come to welcome back its local boy made good with the Velvet Underground. And the Coal Exchange itself is a poignant venue, its hallways lined with boards listing the companies once based here, a monument to lost industries.
The colouration of the sound on occasion deepened and darkened these songs from Paris 1919 – written to capture the doom-laden ennui of a Europe signing the fateful Treaty of Versailles – but for the most part, the orchestration and performance were lightened with ironic humour.
"You're a ghost! – La la la" in the title track had a clownish bounciness to it. "Graham Greene" felt like an exploration of George Martin's work with the Beatles – the vernacular, psychedelic suburbia – with dissonant, chromatic rip-tides churning beneath the outward joviality of references to "Chipping and Sodbury" or the Queen.
When the orchestra left the stage, Cale sang "Amsterdam", from an earlier solo album, with a restraint that was even more unsettling than its sparse studio account.
Afterwards, the extended family gathered for a proud reunion, and Cale was saluted by the Arch-Druid of Wales. It is interesting that 45 years after leaving the land of song, Cale is now more engaged in his homeland than ever; he performs there regularly, works with a drug rehabilitation project near Swansea and created the installations for the Welsh pavilion at this year's Venice Biennale.
Most interesting of all, though, is Cale's incessant and impetuous innovation. While others of his vintage strut the same old stuff, he is experimenting more ambitiously than ever. He has declined to join the other members of the Velvet Underground – Lou Reed, "Moe" Tucker and Doug Yule – in a discussion of the band's legacy at the New York Public Library on December 8. The best of that legacy – and it showed in a very rare public grin from the singer in Cardiff – is making great music back home in Wales rather than pontificating in New York.