Sabotage [Import, Live]

John Cale | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 5, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Live
• Label: Diesel Motor
• ASIN: B000040OIQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #837,114 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mercenaries (Ready For War)

2. Baby You Know

3. Evidence

4. Dr Mudd

5. Walking The Dog

6. Captain Hook

7. Only Time Will Tell

8. Sabotage

9. Chorale

10. Chickenshift

11. Memphis

12. Hedda Gabler

13. Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Raw and Powerful, July 21, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sabotage (Audio CD)

I saw one critic characterize this as a strange decade late response to Lou Reed's "Rock N Roll Animal". Interesting thought, but whereas Reed relied heavily on Velvet Underground classics and produced a record that sounds hopelessly dated, Cale produced a vibrant and timeless recording of all new material. (To my knowledge, no studio versions of these tracks exist.)

While "Rock N Roll Animal" is a highly polished generic 70's arena rock record, "Sabotage Live" is an honest one take, no overdub blast of sonic fury, gloriously sloppy. This is so raw that Cale stumbles over the spoken word intro to the first song, then blows out his voice screaming during its climax, but just keeps going. All the worts are left in place.

Cale's voice may be shot after that first song, but no matter. His band of young unknowns plays with tremendous energy and his voice, even hoarse, is fully emotive as he delivers his left-wing diatribes. My favorites here are the opening "Mercenaries (Ready for War)", and the slow moody "Captain Hook", a haunting story of the decline of British colonialism. Other highlights are the angry avant-garde title track and Deerfrance's vocal spotlight on "Only Time Will Tell".

The sound quality on my previous edition of this album was quite good, so I assume this version will sound at least as good. (Don't actually have this new edition.) Also, the last four tracks are new for this edition, so I cannot comment on them. (I am wondering if this is the same version of "Hedda Gabler" that turned up on "Seducing Down the Door". . .)

This is a must for any Cale fan's collection. I would also recommend it as a good first purchase for those wanting to explore. Cale has hit on too many different styles in his solo career to call any one album representative, so this is as good a place to start as any.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Psychosis to Fragile Beauty, July 26, 2004

By 

R. P Pomeroy (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sabotage (Audio CD)

Sabotage Live was my introduction to John Cale and the legacy of the Velvet Underground. When the album first came out, it was the rawest, most violent recording I'd ever heard. "Mercenaries" opens the album with a grinding romp through the mind of a nearly psychotic soldier of fortune. The album closes with the startlingly serene meditation that is "Chorale." The bonus tracks include the three tracks from the Animal Justice EP and "Rosegarden Funeral of Sores" which was the b-side to the "Mercenaries" single.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock that actually sounds threatening, October 12, 2004

By 

Brian J Hay (Sarnia, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sabotage (Audio CD)

From the opening chords of "Mercenaries (Ready for War)" it's obvious somebody's there to make a point. By the time Cale and his band get to the second piece ("Baby You Know") it's obvious they're not letting up (or letting anybody off the hook easily either--anyone at CBGB that night HAD to listen). Cale's band (Marc Aaron on lead guitar, Joe Bidwell on keyboards, George Scott on bass and Doug Browne on drums) are tight and play as if they're on fire. Cale sounds as if he's trying to devour the mike. His songs are cutting-edge material that explore things we don't like to think about. He doesn't paint pretty pictures but has a sense of humour, albeit a dark one ("my rifle is my friend"?). Not all of the songs are great. The title track is more of a rant with arpeggios than a song. "Dr. Mudd" and "Walkin' the Dog" aren't bad but don't stand well alongside the best works in the set. The best here more than makes up for the weaker spots though. "Mercenaries (Ready for War)" is a chilling and brilliant work. "Baby You Know" subtly suggests an understanding that things didn't have to be grim. The lovely ballad "Only Time Will Tell" is bittersweet and haunting. Deerfrance sings this one beautifully. Her voice isn't strong but it has a ethereal quality that suits the piece. Cale put a viola line into this one that he must have been playing with his heart. "Captain Hook" is a masterpiece on all levels. The song is brilliant piece of writing. The arrangement doesn't have a wasted note and the band executes it magnificently. The lead guitar line Marc Aaron came up with really sounds threatening and ominous. That doesn't happen often enough, at least not in this age of canned product. "Chorale" (intentionally or otherwise) comes off as a sort of a "wake" celebrating the evening. It's the perfect finish.

The extra tracks are a mixed bag that offers an insight into the different styles Cale delves into. Trying to judge any of them as "good" or "bad" is impossible (not many of us really have the vision to fathom all the places where a mind like Cale's will end up). Personally, I enjoyed "Hedda Gabler" and "Memphis", could have done without "Chickenshit" and am still trying to make up my mind about "Rosegarden Funeral of Sores". It has something about it that's intensely interesting.

This live set was a breath of fresh air in 1979 and it still is now. It was well recorded, well played and the material made you think. Its content is valid for all times because it's about things that keep happening. It's raw, raunchy and not always pretty but it's musically solid on all fronts. The sound quality on the reissue is just as good as was on the vinyl.

This is a must for anyone who likes their rock with a bite, a tender heart and a deep intelligence.