John Cale – Ship Of Fools: The Island Albums (Esoteric Recordings)

Arguably John Cale’s finest work, these three albums were released during a creative spurt lasting from late 1974 through to November 1975…three albums in just over one year!

The good folks at Cherry Red Records in London have been kind enough to send me a stack of CD box sets by artists as diverse as Tanita Tikaram, The Spinners and Don Fardon. Of course the John Cale title rose to the top immediately. So, we’ll start with him.

I’m very familiar with all three titles, but I never miss an opportunity to revisit them.

This box set features the three complete albums along with a handful of bonus tracks, most of which were previously released on the 1996 compilation, The Island Years.

The differences are few and minor. Sylvia Said, the one bonus track from the Fear sessions is the original version here as opposed to a remix on the ’96 comp. Otherwise; the Island release has a few more outtakes.

All three were recorded in London and most feature significant contributions by Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno along with Richard Thompson, Chris Spedding, Phil Collins and Judy Nylon.

According to the illustrated booklet and essay, Eno and Manzanera were each given the title of “executive producer” to basically keep an eye on Cale “whose predilection for alcohol and cocaine could make him irascible and difficult to work with”.

Whatever Cale was on, it didn’t slow him down as he not only knocked out these three albums but also produced Patti Smith’s Horses during this time.

Fear was released on October 1, 1974 and was Cale’s 4^th solo studio album, following 1973’s Paris 1919. Cale had also just performed at the Rainbow Theatre with Kevin Ayers, Mike Oldfield, Nico and Eno, resulting in June 1, 1974…release just weeks after it was recorded, so, a fertile time for the former Velvet Undergrounder.

Fear is the weakest of the three albums, but still worth your time. Though Manzanera and Eno are all over it, Cale’s voice is the star attraction….just listen to Ship Of Fools.

Cale and co try a few different musical hats on…even dabbling in reggae, but it’s clear that John Cale is at his best when he sounds sinister, haunted and slightly unhinged.

 Slow Dazzle appeared just six months later.

Manzanera and Eno are still on board but so is ace guitar slinger Chris Spedding. Cale’s songwriting is on point and originals like Dirty-Ass Rock ‘n’ Roll, Darling I Need You and Guts are among his best.

But it his take on Heartbreak Hotel that really makes this album special. Cale snarls his way through the well-known lyrics, burying any thoughts of Elvis Presley six feet under. I wonder if The King ever heard this version…perhaps that’s what caused his heart to stop.

And then there is The Jeweller, a drone-induced story of a man whose eye transforms into a vagina. Listen for yourself, if you dare…

On to my favourite… Helen Of Troy. Just the cover art…with John Cale in a straightjacket (trousers by Vivienne Westwood)… makes me want to listen.

Released in November of 1975, Eno is here, but not Manzanera, instead Spedding covers all the guitar duties and Phil Collins sits in on drums.

Highlights are many, from the menacing opening riff of My Maria to the Peckinpah-inspired Cable Hogue to the hissing of Leaving It Up To You.

In and among the darkness there is the light of, possibly John Cale’s finest composition, I Keep A Close Watch…and this version is the best.

But, that’s not all!

How can we ignore Pablo Picasso and Baby What You Want Me To Do, two covers that Cale makes very much his own…keep in mind he did produced The Modern Lovers’ version of Pablo Picasso as well.

And then there’s Leaving It Up To You which, because of a lyric referencing the murder of Sharon Tate, got the song temporarily replaced on the album by the much- inferior Coral Moon.

So, there you have it…three albums that every serious record collection should include in one convenient CD box.

So, find your old CD player and turn it up…your neighbours will either call noise control or the looney bin…and you’ll be surrounded by dirty-ass rock ‘n’ roll.

Marty Duda