John Cale - 'Circus Live' (EMI) Released 05/02/07

Viola playing virtuoso, rock legend and founder of the Velvet Underground, John Cale takes centre stage with the release of ‘Circus Live’, a double CD set that plots the extraordinary career of one of Wales’ finest. Fleeing the valleys in search of fame and fortune, Cale came to rest in New York, met Lou Reed and became a key player in the avant-garde scene. Struggling with the highs and lows of drug abuse and living in Reed’s imposing shadow, he quit the band he had been so instrumental in forming only three years early. Thankfully the magic didn’t end there and Cale went on to and continues to write, record and produce some truly stunning music. Recorded in 2004 and 2006 on his European tours, ‘Circus Live’ is a reinvigorated homage to the finer points of Cale’s natural ability and life long vocation.

The enthusiasm he took with him to America is, as ever, at the fore of his performances and at 64 years of age, he’s still as imposing as ever. Taken from The Velvet Underground’s debut album and kicking off the proceedings on ‘Circus Live’ is the seminal ‘Venus In Furs’. Its slow build, jarring viola and authorotive vocal, add layer upon layer of anticipation which produces a performance just short of timeless perfection, as is the case with other classic Velvet Underground standard ‘Femme Fatale‘ which merges seamlessly into ‘Rosegarden Funeral of Sores’. Cale’s time with Reed and co. isn’t explored in any further detail, but that’s OK, there’s a lot more to the man than just the Velvet Underground. Tracks taken from 1975’s Helen Of Troy long player, including the title track also feature. Complete with over indulgent guitar, crashing drums and dripping with audible self-enjoyment. Alongside ‘Save Us’, these rock driven gems are full to bursting with fast paced classic hooks and Cale’s ever present deep-rooted passion. Although not fantastic performances, they go a long way to demonstrating his versatility and musicianship, as does ‘Pablo Picasso’. Written by Jonathan Richman of the Modern Lovers, it also appeared on the Helen Of Troy album and with a performance in Cale’s own inimitable style is one of the highlights of ‘Circus Live’.