Solo albums

Circus Live

About this album

Live 2CD/1 DVD. 3LP + 7". Released February 19, 2007. EMI UK 377 6602.

EMI distributed a 2CD promo without the DVD to the press in the Autumn of 2006.

The songs on the CDs were recorded live at various locations during the European 2004 and 2006 tours. The 2006 tracks are from two shows in The Netherlands: at the Oosterpoort in Groningen (March 19) and at Doornroosje in Nijmegen (March 20).

Packaging notes

For some inane reason EMI decided to release the European and USA editions in a big, ugly 2CD jewel case with a 8 page booklet.

The UK edition of the set contains a 48 page booklet with the lyrics of all the songs on the CDs and is housed in a slipcase with separate outside and inside covers for both CDs and DVD.

Tracks 6-9 on CD2 (the "Amsterdam Suite") recorded at Paradiso in Amsterdam, on December 9, 2004. The full concert was broadcasted on (the now defunct) Fabchannel.
Mercenaries (Ready For War) has updated lyrics to include the war in Irak.

"The record company popped up late in a nine-and-a-half week tour and said 'Let's do a full album.' We scrambled a truck out of Amsterdam when there were two weeks left. You look around and see which of the remaining gigs have the best facilities, which halls are really good, if they're clubs which ones have high ceilings over the stage for instance — because if it's a low ceiling, you're gonna have separation problems and a load of feedback.

"Groningen — which is the majority of the recording — is a beautiful art theatre. It has a proscenium and a high ceiling above the stage, very warm-sounding, so we did it there. Then we had no choice, we had to go to Nijmegen which is a punky little club that really sounded pretty good when it came to reviewing the results. But by Nijmegen we were burnt, we were crispy critters."

The DVD was recorded during 2006 rehearsal sessions in Los Angeles.

Tracks:

CD1

CD2

DVD

The DVD features John Cale doing an acoustic rehearsal set and an electric "work in progress" rehearsal set. Both filmed with the 2006 band.

Electric tracks:

Acoustic tracks:

Extras video:

Jumbo In Tha Modernworld Promo Video

Extras audio:

GravelDrive (Blathamix)
Big White Cloud
2007 version (Smokin' Aces soundtrack)

Vinyl version

Also released on vinyl (triple LP) housed in a gatefold sleeve designed by David McKean with bonus poster and 7" single Jumbo in tha Modernworld b/w GravelDrive (Blathamix).

Musicians (2006):
John Cale: lead vocal, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, electric viola
Dustin Boyer: lead guitar, toys, backing vocals
Joseph Karnes: bass, Nord 3, samples, backing vocals
Michael Jerome: drums, samples, backing vocals

Musicians (2004):
Mark Deffenbaugh: acoustic guitars, banjo, harmonica
Deantoni Parks: drums, samples
Charlie Campagne: drone sample

Crew:
Tony Paris (aka Professor Birdflu): tour mangler
Saimon Fierrens: FOH enigineer
Jelle Coremans: monitors and triggering
Live recording unit: Dutchview Sound Holland
Lead Recording Engineer: Hans Bunt
Dutchview Assistant Engineers: Fanny Vermeer, Tjerk De Groot
Account Magager: Hans Van Houdt

Other credits:
Producer: John Cale
Executive Producer: Nita Scott
Post Production Studio: The Boat (Silverlake, CA) Adam Moseley: engineer

Promo sheet text