Live at Rockpalast cover

Live at Rockpalast

Recorded
Released

One live with band, one solo, this is the best quality recording of his 1983 jag, a real peak for him. The solo disc is where most of the action is, as Cale turns himself inside out every few songs (see “Guts” and “Cable Hogue”). I like the live band side, made with the Carribean Sunset, who have a sleazy major label new wave hired gun vibe. Cale is so theatrical — possibly musical theater theatrical—that the more florid and goofy his backing, the more I tend to like it. Some genuinely great guitar here, either from Cale or Dave Young. The “Streets of Laredo” here is worth your time.

Sasha Frere-Jones

Suggestions
Jumping Dead Leafs cover

Jumping Dead Leafs

Tolouse Low Trax
Blackdance cover

Blackdance

Klaus Schulze
Dubs cover

Dubs

Jay Glass Dubs
Face Time cover

Face Time

James Rushford, Oren Ambarchi, Kassel Jaeger
Bish Bosch cover

Bish Bosch

Scott Walker
Belladonna cover

Belladonna

Mary Halvorson