I really had a bad reputation for not doing the same things twice, and really with a vengeance. People would be like, “is that song?” It’s nice now to get people to expect that. I think I’ve worn a groove there that you don’t know quite what it’s going to be. But for me, I can’t go on the road and do the same things all the time. Drives me nuts."John Cale
Timeline: 2005
The Meatgrinders
As a preparation for his appearance at the Meltdown Festival in London on June 25 - he got the invite from Patti Smith who acted as curator - he performs three secret warm-up shows in The Netherlands on March 31 at Tivoli in Utrecht, and two nights at Atak in Enschede (April 1 and 2). The shows are billed as The Meatgrinders.
He performs the warm-up shows with former Can member Holger Czukay, and Terrie Hessels & Andy Moor from Dutch avant-punk band The Ex.
He was supposed to come out during the Patti Smith show in London for the My Generation encore and play John Entwistle's bass solo (like he did on a regular basis in 1976 and 1977), but he didn't do it.
French translation: Sédition et alchimie
Sédition et alchimie, a French translation by Serge Lefaure of the Tim Mitchell biography Sedition and Alchemy is published in March by Camion Blanc:
Camion Blanc
France, March 2005
Paperback, 15 x 21 cm , 329 p.
ISBN: 2-910196-99-2
About Face: The Story of the Jewish Refugee Soldiers of World War II
Composes music for About Face: The Story of the Jewish Refugee Soldiers of World War II, a documentary directed by Steve Karras and Rose Lizarraga.
Wrong Way Up reissue
The Wrong Way Up album reissue has a different cover and contains bonus tracks:
North America
- You Don't Miss Your Water
- Palanquin
UK & Rest of the World
- Grandfather's House
- You Don't Miss Your Water
Punk: Attitude
Features in the Don Letts' documentary Punk: Attitude. First broadcasted on Channel 4 (UK). The documentary places the roots of punk in the sixties (The Velvets, MC5, Stooges). Released as 2 discs DVD set.
Process soundtrack
Release of the Process soundtrack in August for the movie directed by C.S. Leigh. Three tracks are available on Suicide Theme From Process, a very limited edition 22+ Minutes 10" EP. He had accompanied a screening of the movie at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Germany on February 8, 2024, performing live.
Stooges DeLuxe edition
On August 15 the Cale produced Stooges' debut album gets the 2 Disc DeLuxe Edition treatment. Includes four tracks of the original mix:
- No Fun (Original John Cale Mix)
- 1969 (Original John Cale Mix)
- I Wanna Be Your Dog (Original John Cale Mix)
- Little Doll (Original John Cale Mix)
The 2010 Handmade edition has all the original mixes. I Wanna Be Your Dog is included on the Conflict & Catalysis: Productions & Arrangements 1966-2006 compilation album (2012)
Stooges "Not Right" Cale Mix
Another original John Cale mix for the Stooges' debut album, Not Right, is released as the B-side of the 1970 7" 45rpm single, which was not included on the reissued album.
blackAcetate
In September blackAcetate album is released. The single Turn The Lights On is Cale's first ever track which can be bought online.
The follow up, Perfect, gets Cale briefly in the UK charts, a feat that hadn't occured since the Honi Soit album. EMI footed the bill for a promo video. The song makes The Sunday Times' list of the top 20 pop songs of the year.
"Words For The Dying" reissue
Reissue of the Words For The Dying album, with different cover art.
"Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed" & "The Soul of Carmen Miranda" on All Saints Records sampler
Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed and The Soul of Carmen Miranda (listed as "Carmen Miranda") are included on the on All Saints Records September 2005 sampler to coincide with the reissue of the Words For The Dying album.
Even Louder
Cale's May 13, 2003 live performance of Venus In Furs is included on the Even Louder DVD by Jools Holland.
Paris 1919 on KGSR Broadcasts, Vol. 13
A live performance of Paris 1919 with Alejandro Esvocedo taped on March 18 appears on the double cd KGSR Radio Austin Broadcasts, Vol. 13. Cale plays keyboard, Escovedo guitar. Other musicians on this recording: David Polkingham - guitar; Susan Voeltz - violin; Brian Standefer - cello; Matt Fish - cello. Hallelujah was performed (and aired) also, but is not featured on the album.
In A Flood on "Uncut Presents The Year's Essential Music: 2005"
In A Flood is included on the Uncut CD Uncut Presents The Year's Essential Music: 2005 of the December issue.
"Perfect" on Later With Jools Holland
Plays Perfect on the November 11 broadcast of Later With Jools Holland.
» Fresh Cale
Order the remastered and expanded Paris 1919 album (2LP, CD) via Domino Records
Order the remastered and expanded The Academy in Peril album (LP, CD) via Domino Records
