Timeline: 1997
Eat/Kiss
Release of Eat/Kiss, Music for the Films by Andy Warhol. Recorded live at the Theatre Sebastopol, Lille, France, (October 13, 1995).
Unplugged Close Watch
An unplugged version of Cale performing (I Keep A) Close Watch included on the double cd Het beste uit 10 jaar 2 Meter Sessies (Dutch radio program). The song was recorded on August 5, 1996.
L'accademia in Pericolo - Minimalismo, Rock e Neoclassicismo
Stefano Bianchi publishes his biography L'accademia in Pericolo - Minimalismo, Rock e Neoclassicismo in Italy.
Fully Loaded Ocean
During the Loaded sessions, the last studio album the Velvets recorded in 1970, Cale returned to play organ on Ocean. This version did not make the album, but apparently resurfaced on the Fully Loaded 2-CD re-issue.
"I was brought in by Bruce Sesnick in a half-hearted attempt at re-uniting old comrades."
Goldsmiths' Fellow
On 17 September 1997, Goldsmiths' College, University of London, confers an Honorary Fellowship upon John Cale, who studied there form 1960 until 1963.
House of America
Composes the soundtrack of House of America, a family drama set in Wales. Directed by Marc Evans.
Flaming Creature
Cale performs live at the retrospective Flaming Creature: Jack Smith: His Amazing Life And Times at the Institute for Contemporary Art/PS1 Museum in Long Island City, NY, USA.
Jack Kerouac's The Moon
Reads the poem The Moon on Kerouac - Kicks Joy Darkness, a tribute to the writer Jack Kerouac.
Human Drama
American group Human Drama cover (I Keep A) Close Watch on their Live - 14,384 Days Later album.
Bring It On Up Cover
Lancaster County Prison cover Bring It On Up on their What I Love About America album.
Garageland
Mixes and plays piano on Garageland's on the track Feel Alright on the three track Beelines to Heaven cd single.
Nico Ballet
On October 4th the music composed by Cale for a ballet for Nico is premiered at the Rotterdam Schouwburg, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The ballet is performed by the Scapino Ballet, dancing a choreography created by Ed Wubbe. Dutch singer Fréderique Spigt sings Nico's lyrics.
The music is released on the Dance Music album in 1998.
Some footage of the rehearsals with Ice Nine is included on the John Cale: An Exploration of His Life and Music DVD.
The Velvet Underground Companion
Albin Zak III is the editor of The Velvet Underground Companion, a compilation of four decades of commentary. Essays, interviews and more. Contains an extensive discography and filmography.