 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(July 2015) |
| Words for the Dying | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 38:38 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer | Brian Eno | |||
| John Cale chronology | ||||
| ||||
Words for the Dying is the twelfth solo studio album by the Welsh musician John Cale, released in 1989 by record labels Opal and Warner Bros.
The album consists mainly of oral work, read or sung by Cale. It was written in 1982 as a response to the Anglo-Argentinian Falklands War, using poems written by fellow Welshman Dylan Thomas. There are also two orchestral interludes, two other solo piano pieces "Songs Without Words", and finally a song by Cale, "The Soul of Carmen Miranda".
The album was recorded in Moscow, New York, London and Suffolk, England and was produced by Brian Eno.
"The Falklands Suite" was recorded at Gostelradio Studios, Moscow, engineered by Sasha Karasiov. "The Falklands Suite" was first performed live on 14 November 1987 at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. John Cale was recorded at The Strongroom, London, and Wilderness Studios, Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, engineered by Stephen Taylor and Brian Eno. "Songs Without Words I & II" were recorded at the Living Room, New York City, USA, engineered by Paul Rice and Blaise Dupuy. "The Soul of Carmen Miranda" was recorded at Wilderness Studios, Woodbridge, UK.
Words for the Dying was released in 1989 by record labels Opal and Warner Bros. in the US and Europe and Land in the UK.
It was reissued in 1992, and in 2005 with a different cover.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| PopMatters |   [2] |
| Trouser Press | favourable [3] |
Lou Reed selected the album as one of his 'picks of 1989'. [4]
In its retrospective review, Fact described it as "arguably the last great album John Cale recorded". [5]
In 1993 an 80-minute documentary film Words for the Dying, directed by Rob Nilsson, was released on DVD. It follows Cale and Eno to Moscow, London, and Wales during the creation of the album.
All tracks composed by John Cale, except as indicated.
Side A
Side B
Note: Some CD pressings combine tracks "There Was a Saviour" and "Interlude I" as one track (9:36).
Credits are adapted from the Words for the Dying liner notes. [6]
John Davies Cale is a Welsh musician, composer, and record producer who was a founding member of the American rock band the Velvet Underground. Over his six-decade career, Cale has worked in various styles across rock, drone, classical, avant-garde and electronic music.
Chelsea Girl is the debut solo album and second studio album by German singer Nico. It was released in October 1967 by Verve Records and was recorded following Nico's collaboration with the Velvet Underground on their 1967 debut studio album. It was produced by Tom Wilson, who added string and flute arrangements against the wishes of Nico. The title is a reference to Andy Warhol's 1966 film Chelsea Girls, in which Nico starred.
The End... is the fourth studio album by German musician Nico. It was recorded in summer 1974 at Sound Techniques studio in London and produced by John Cale. It was released in November 1974, on record label Island.
Fear is the fourth solo studio album by the Welsh rock musician John Cale, released on 1 October 1974 by Island Records.
Another Day on Earth is the twenty-fourth solo studio album by Brian Eno, released on 13 June 2005 in the UK and Europe through Hannibal Records, and on 14 June 2005 in the US.
Wrong Way Up is a 1990 album by Brian Eno and John Cale.
Music for a New Society is the eighth solo studio album by the Welsh musician John Cale, released in September 1982 by ZE Records and Island Records. With the suggestion from ZE Records owner Michael Zilkha, Cale performed the album mostly improvised live at Skyline Studios in New York City. The album was a creative shift after several rock-oriented albums, with sparse piano-based performances.
Slow Dazzle is the fifth solo studio album by the Welsh rock musician John Cale, released on 25 March 1975, his second album for record label Island.
HoboSapiens is a solo studio album by John Cale, his first album since 1996's Walking on Locusts. HoboSapiens was released by EMI in October 2003, and was preceded by the EP 5 Tracks in May 2003. A single was released for "Things" shortly after the album's release. Cale co-produced the album with Nick Franglen of Lemon Jelly, and Brian Eno provided the drum loop for the song "Bicycle". The album was met with widespread critical acclaim.
Helen of Troy is the sixth solo studio album by the Welsh rock musician John Cale, released in November 1975. It was the last of his three studio albums for Island Records.
Guts is a retrospective compilation album by John Cale, released by Island Records in February 1977. It includes the songs "Leaving It Up To You", which was deleted from Helen of Troy, and the previously unreleased "Mary Lou". It was compiled by Howard Thompson.
Honi Soit is the seventh solo studio album by the Welsh rock musician John Cale, released in March 1981 by A&M Records, and was his first studio album in six years following 1975's Helen of Troy. It was recorded and mixed by Harvey Goldberg at CBS Studios, East 30th Street and Mediasound in New York City with the intention of making a more commercial album with record producer Mike Thorne at the helm, Thorne would soon be known for his work with Soft Cell. "Dead or Alive" was the only single released from the album but it did not chart. However, Honi Soit is Cale's only studio album to date to chart on the US Billboard 200, peaking at No. 154.
Dylan Marlais Thomas (1914–1953) was a Welsh poet and writer who — along with his work — has been remembered and referred to by a number of artists in various media.
Hugo Largo was an American musical group formed in 1984, known for their unique lineup: two bass guitars, a violin and singer/performance artist Mimi Goese. Their sound has been characterized as art rock, dream pop, ambient and avant-rock.
Artificial Intelligence is the tenth solo studio album by the Welsh rock musician John Cale, released on 6 September 1985 by Beggars Banquet Records.
Hargus Melvin Robbins, known by his nickname "Pig", was an American session keyboard player, having played on records for many artists, including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Connie Smith, Patti Page, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, J.J. Cale, John Hartford, John Stewart, Mark Knopfler, Alan Jackson, Merle Haggard, Roger Miller, David Allan Coe, Moe Bandy, George Hamilton IV, Sturgill Simpson, Conway Twitty, Ween,and Al Hirt. He was blind, having lost his sight at age four due to an accident involving his father's knife.
Caribbean Sunset is the ninth solo studio album by Welsh rock musician John Cale, released in January 1984 by ZE Records.
Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970−1990 is the second compilation album by Welsh musician John Cale, released by Rhino Records in July 1994. It featured songs from Cale's albums released between 1970 and 1990. It includes the songs "Jack the Ripper", an unreleased single from 1978, and "Temper", an outtake from The Academy in Peril album that originally appeared on a 1980 Warner Bros. sampler album, Troublemakers.
"Heavy Seas of Love" is the fifth single by Damon Albarn, from his solo debut album, Everyday Robots. It was released as a single in digital formats on 27 April 2014, via Warner Bros. Records in the US. The song features Brian Eno and The Leytonstone City Mission Choir.
Cobalt Blue is an album by the Canadian musician Michael Brook, released in 1992. Brook supported the album with a North American tour, playing some shows with John Cale.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)