Circus Live [BOX SET] [IMPORT] [LIVE]

John Cale

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 26, 2007)
• Original Release Date: February 19, 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set, Import, Live
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: EMI Int'l
• ASIN: B000INAWXY
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,424 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
2007 three disc live set (two CD + PAL/Region 0 DVD) by former Velvet Underground member and the ringmaster of the avant-garde, Mr. John Cale. The album is virtually a career retrospective, recorded live on John's 2006 European tour. Cale felt like he'd finally found the personnel to interpret his songs with new twists, new dimensions and new emotions. None more so evident than the track 'Gun', originally appearing on 1974's Eno & Manzanera produced Fear but now sounding akin to a heavy arsenal of crunching weaponry. Inspired, Cale recorded the dates and the band began to tear up a 40 year musical history book, challenging and breathing new life into Cale's work. In full, confident stride they take in everything from 'Femme Fatale', the Warhol tribute 'Style It Takes', a capricious 'Pablo Picasso', the sweet groove of 'Hanky Panky Nohow' from 'Paris 1919', 'Look Horizon' & 'Zen' from 2003's 'Hobosapiens', the Neptunes inspired funk of 'Outta The Bag' and 'Hush' from 'black:Acetate', an impassioned take of Presley's 'Heartbreak Hotel' and the viola swathed VU masterpiece 'Venus In Furs'. This two CD + DVD comes beautifully packaged in a three disc box with 48 page color booklet. The DVD contains previously unreleased live rehearsal footage of John and the band shot in LA, plus the new animated promo video for Jumbo In Tha Modernworld. Also included are a new mix of GrevelDrive from the blackAcetate album, plus a 2007 rerecording of Big White Cloud, originally from the Vintage Violence album. EMI.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Radically new arrangements!, March 19, 2007

By	Charles A. Miller (Baltimore, Maryland U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

What a great live album. Not the usual run-through of your old favorites, which is mainly the case with these affairs, but rather, complete reinvention. At first I was a little disappointed reading the titles as there was little in the way of John Cale's recent (and in my opinion, best) works, but listening dispelled that. All of these mostly older tunes have been rewritten with, in some cases, radically different arrangements. Actually to the point where they are different... almost like an album of new material. Imagine a slow, almost gentle, albeit sinister Mercenaries!

There are also extensive droning effects throughout (the beginning, between the "end" of the concert and the encore, and the actual coda), harkening back to John Cale's early experimental roots.

All of this is supported by the technically perfect musicianship of players. Take away the applause between many of the tracks and it sounds like a studio album, only better because of the high-energy that comes with live music territory.

The presentation is excellent as well. Nice "slippery" slip-case with excellent and clever art, graphics and documentation throughout.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars he really is special, March 8, 2007

By	anaveragejoe (NY) - See all my reviews

I've seen Cale a couple of times spread out over thirty years. This "album" is terrific. The band is fantastic, Cale gives them LOTS of freedom to jam, and he himself is in impeccable form. He is a great artist - there are just no more like him. Thank you (again), Mr. Cale.

Oh - and the packaging is wonderful - great images, the booklet is substantial (30 pages?), and the workmanship is top-notch. A great bargain for what you get!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music, but what's with the sound?, March 18, 2007

By	C. Kueny (Placitas, NM) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have never been fortunate enough to see Cale live, so I treasure this. Every song is completely different from the original, so it's like two discs of adventurous brand new music. One question though: I have heard at least two comments from people on the great sound quality. Mine, however, sounds like a medium-quality bootleg, hugely disappointing. Anyone know if there are multiple versions of this?