Since the subject now seems to be about John Cale I've modified it (from
just "New") I don't know of anything Cale's done since _Songs for
Drella_ (with Lou Reed, 1990, Sire), maybe someone does?
On 01-14-97 TONY RIGBY wrote to KENNETH NEWMAN... (1:229/510)
TR>  "Slow Dazzle" isn't my favourite Cale by a long chalk
On 01-23-97 KENNETH NEWMAN replied to TONY RIGBY...
KN>  Yeah, the album's OK but he's done some others which are much
better.
Thought I'd check the Gibralter Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock (not to
be confused with the Gibraltar of rock fame) and see if those who define
prog had included Cale.  Unfortunately, there is no entry for John Cale,
or the Velvt Underground.  Either it's because the GEPR is a work in
progress or he's not considered prog. Maybe none of the various
contributors like him (or Reed or the Velvets); I don't know the answer.
Before looking at his solo career, I think it necessary to begin with a
look at his Velvet roots; perhaps he was excluded for being in the wrong
sort of rock band.  First stop is The IEoR (c1976) entry for Cale:
"Welsh-born and classically trained, it was via Cale's interest in New
York contemporary classical avante-garde that he became involved with
Lou Reed and Velvet Underground."
Sounds good so far.  I accept Scott D. Rhodes definition: 'Progressive
Rock is a particular style of rock involving heavy influences from
classical music, use of odd time signatures, and song structure which
heavily strays from the standard "Tin Pan Alley" format of
verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus.'
The IEoR continues: "To Reed's startling mixture of musical primitivism
and lyrical worldliness, Cale added authentic element of those
experimental styles then in vogue in N.Y.--e.g., the influence of
Lamonte Young, and Earle Brown's interest in the possibilities inherent
in noise and monotony as embodied in Velvets cuts "Sister Ray" and
"European Son to Delmore Scwartz".  Velvets sound became markedly less
extreme after Cale left in 1968 to pursue multifold career as producer,
arranger, composer, and performer."
There's a separate entry for the VU, and I quote only the first few
lines: "The seminal New York band and one of the most important
influences in rock, though never accorded during their existence the
recognition their pioneering music warranted. Formed in 1966 by Lou Reed
(guitar, vocal), John Cale (bass, viola), Sterling Morrison (lead
guitar) and Maureen Tucker (drums).  Reed, an accountant's son from Long
Island, and Cale, a Welshman who had arrived on a music scholarship to
Eastman Conservatory, were the key figures."  End quote, as this is
already way long for e-mail.
I first heard the Velvet Underground about 20 years ago, early 1975.  A
friend who had most of the lps let me hear them and I eventually found
copies of most them.  "European Son" is perhaps the most "prog" cut on
the 1st album, TVU & Nico [67 Verve V6-5008], but although most the
music includes vocals, it seems to me it was progressive for its time
and is still not congruent with "popular" music. I saw the Polygram/A&M
CD in a BMG ad (#12671), and I'd like to hear if anyone's got this, what
they think.  This was the only recorded work with TVU & Nico.
If the first album was largely vocal, the second, White Light/White Heat
[68 Verve V6-5046] has plenty of musical improvisation, from Reed and
Sterling Morrison's guitars as well as Cale on bass, keyboards, and
bowed acoustic instruments (cello, violin).  The title track is some 17
minutes; it and other tracks use some searing guitar (and bass), with
distortion and other sonic derangement.  Cale also contributes a song
called "The Gift" in which he narrates a story about a young man who
mails himself to his girlfriend in a large carton.  "Tin Pan Alley" it's
not. "Lady Godiva's Operation" uses some strange device to distort the
vocals, though it's not an atonal song.  If I can believe what I've
read, Maureen Tucker played a collection of improvised percussive
devices, before getting real drums sometime after recording the the 2nd
lp.  Not progressive?  More than some of the bands that are discussed
here, IMHO.
While the third album has its moments, The Velvet Underground [69.3
Verve SE-4617] is less musically challenging, with one notable
exception: "The Murder Mystery."  While following a verse chorus
pattern, the verses are two separate yet simultaneous vocal tracks (I
believe from Reed and Cale), and the effect is like nothing else I've
heard.  Cale had left the VU by the time this was released but I think
he's on some of the tracks.  Should have made better notes when I taped
the lp I used to have, at least I can still listen to it.  I've seen a
reissue LP (Polygram 422.815454.1) which I couldn't afford when I saw
it; I haven't seen a CD.
If one were to base an opinion of the group on the compilation, The Best
of Velvet Underground [70 MGM GAS-131], the more progressive elements
might be obscured, because the folks at Verve went for the most
accessible tunes.  It's not a bad selection, they just sound a little
less prog than they were.  MGM and Verve were one and the same and this
samples the three Verve lps.
I'd like to have Loaded [70 Cotillion 9034; Ampex M59034 cassette] on
lp (and on CD), but I was delighted to find the cassette as a cut out at
the Tower in Tempe in 1979, and I still listen to it occasionally. It's
a very fine assortment of Lou Reed songs, though I can't make a case for
it being prog based on musical improvisation, as there are no extended
solos on the versions recorded here, unlike some of the later live
versions.  Prog, not prog, it can be a thin line.
Live At Max's Kansas City [71? Cotillion 9500] is more fast rock than
slow, with some improvisation.  I found a reissue cassette at the
library (still available for check out, if someone hasn't stolen it by
now) but I don't know if there's a CD.  Recorded "summer" 1970, Cale
isn't on it.
1969 Velvet Underground Live [72? Mercury SRM-2-7504]  It's possible
Cale is on this, the notes aren't exactly precise.  There are some
tracks with extended improvisation, and I'm especially fond of one
called "The Ocean."
I suspect both _V.U_ [85?] and _Another V.U._ [86?] have material by
Cale on them, but I've never had the chance to get close to these.
Poverty sucks.
I can't believe I've stayed up till 4 in the morning on this. Please
consider offering some feedback, if you've ever heard the Velvets or
Cale's solo albums (which I'll get to soon).
Lindsay (what's the frequency, Kenneth; I mean, what's the fido number,
digital forestos? mumble grumble...) Crawford, Springfield, Oregun (when
you've began to think like a what? 1130wpw@4:36am,97.01.28
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