And the Ass Saw the Angel

Nick Cave (Composer), Mick / Clayton-Jones, Ed Harvey (Composer), Katy Beale (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Katy Beale
• Composer: Nick Cave, Mick / Clayton-Jones, Ed Harvey
• Audio CD (January 18, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B000040O9P
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,280 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Miscellaneous > Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews > Poetry

Track Listings

1. Mah Sanctum - Nick Cave

2. Lamentation - Nick Cave

3. One Autumn - Nick Cave

4. Animal Static - Nick Cave

5. Sleepy River Piano

6. Doghead

7. Pa's Traps

8. Cosey's Lullaby - Nick Cave, Edward Clayton-Jones, Mick Harvey

9. Sanctum

10. Hobo Church

11. Sleepy River Swoon

12. God

13. Euchrid on the Run

14. Beth's Sleepy River - Nick Cave, Edward Clayton-Jones, Mick Harvey

15. Doghead Revisited

16. Angels

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

CD comprised of readings and music by Nick Cave and theater music composed and performed by Mick Harvey and Ed Clayton-Jones. Readings are from Cave's 1988 novel of the same name. The previously unreleased theater music was commisioned for a theatrical adaption of the book. Digipak.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Born Under A Bad Sign, August 23, 2004

By	Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I didn't really know what to expect when I bought this CD as some excerpts of the novel (And the Ass Saw the Angel) I had read seemed a little forced and overwrought. But as a follower of Cave's art, I just had to see what this is about. I am happy to report that it turned out well for the most part.
As others have said, don't expect to hear Nick Cave's music...its not here. But his words ARE, and they are powerful words indeed. Cave does not, as one reviewer said he did, read from the Bible. He is reading from his own novel, and he reads in a tone that builds tension and interest in the character he is developing and the story he is telling. The picture of Euchrid Euchrow's abode he paints with his words as he introduces him is a scene of unimaginable squalor and the seeming utter hopelessness of the position of his story's protagonist. Euchrid Euchrow is a man who was truly born under a bad sign.
It has been suggested by some that the musical portion of this CD should be listened to while reading the novel. That is a capital idea for within the music lurks the emotion found in Cave's words. Written and performed by long-time Cave collaborator Mick Harvey and Ed Clayton-Jones, it is nearly perfect as a backdrop for the story.
My only complaint is that at low volume, it is difficult to understand the reading of Mah Sanctum, but beyond that there are no volume issues. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Cave's multiple talents but not to anyone who is expecting a CD full of raucous tunes. Those may be advised to buy some of Cave's better-known productions.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars haunting - but for fans only, November 2, 2000

By	somebody (Helsinki, Helsinki Finland) - See all my reviews

Looking at the first review (1 star ??!!), I feel I need to comment...This is really something only for those who have read the book or want something to play on the background while they are reading the book....And having cave reading those excerpts is also definitely captivating....I changed my mind about this CD; I think it is as great as any other release he has made. The atmosphere in this soundtrack is so incredibly dark and beautiful that I cant think of anything that comes even near.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars To bring the average rating of this disc up..., March 24, 2001

By A Customer

I bought this disc on sight, being a huge fan. This CD is CLEARLY labeled as readings and music by Mick Harvey and Ed Clayton-Jones. And, for the record, Mick Harvey is not simply a friend of Nick Cave, but is also a founding member of both the Birthday Party and The Bad Seeds.

I like this album... maybe it isn't the best thing I have ever heard, even amongst spoken word stuff, or even Nick's spoken word stuff, but it is good.

The only thing that really bugged me about this album were some of the mispronounciations of the Southern dialect in the readings. Having spent my entire life in the deep south, this just kind of grates on me a bit.... but not much.

Hopefully the guy who reviewed this album first will get a few more albums and see the many dimensions of Nick's music and come to appreciate things like this.