Solo albums

Vintage Violence

About this album

Released on March 25, 1970. Columbia CS 1037.

Tracks:

He used the band Grinder's Switch to back him up. The sole cover on the album, Fairweather Friend, was written by that band's singer and guitarist Garland Jeffreys.

"We did it in three days. Lou Merenstein and Bob Schwaid showed up, but they were bemused, if not hostile. But I was also very insecure about those songs. They were written that Summer. It was tense. Vintage Violence was basically an exercise to see if I could write tunes. There's not too much originality on that album, it's just someone teaching himself to do something. I was masked on Vintage Violence. I didn't realize it at the time, but the cover tells you that: it show me with a stocking over my face. You're not really seeing the personality."

Reissued with two bonus tracks in 2001:

Fairweather Friend (alternate version)
Wall (outtake - instrumental)

Reissue liner notes by his long time friend Margaret Moser:

"Anyone who had followed Cale's musical adventures after the Velvets with Iggy and Nico might have been surprised at the eclectic songs of VINTAGE VIOLENCE. Countryish pedal steel flourishes on Please and Bring It On Up appear because Cale was ready to broaden his vision, even commercially. The pop balladry of Hello There, Adelaide and Cleo is as lyrically disarming as it is deceptively simple. Even then, Cale's music was full of witty hooks and sly wording. Big White Cloud was the radio single and its symphonic atmosphere (arranged and conducted by Cale) lingers like the lovely melody of the enigmatic Gideon's Bible. The melancholy Ghost Story and the wistfully lovely Amsterdam are often included in his contemporary performances."

New version of Big White Cloud on Smokin' Aces OST

A re-recorded version (longer and with echo effects) of Big White Cloud features on the Smokin' Aces soundtrack. Also included on the DVD of Circus Live.

Musicians:
Harvey Brooks: bass
John Cale: bass, guitar, keyboards, viola
Ernire Coralla: guitar
Garland Jeffreys: guitar, backing vocals
Sanford Konikoff: drums
Stan Szeleste: piano

Other credits:
Producer: John Cale and Lewis Merenstein
Executive producer: John McClure
Engineering: Jim Reeves, Don Meehan
Cover photo: Isi Valeris
Reissue producer: Bruce Dickinson
Mastered at Sony Music Studios, NY

All songs written by John Cale, except Fairweather Friend by Garland Jeffreys who also wrote a short poem for the album's innersleeve:

John Cale, Welshman of sorts
Person of course
Not to be confused with
Velvet or lace or the keeper's face
A past as a sartyr
Disguised as the mad hatter
Who would believe him now?

Singles

Two singles were released to promote the album. Both fail to trouble the charts. Promo copies exist. Those have a light-blue label.

Cleo / Fairweather Friend
7 inch 45rpm single. July 1970
Columbia 4-45154, USA

Big White Cloud / Gideon's Bible
7 inch 45rpm single. 1970
Columbia 4-45266, USA