Paris 1919

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Paris 1919 · The Welsh musician John Cale recorded his third solo album in 1972 and 1973 at Sunwest in Los Angeles, with producer Chris Thomas, who had previously worked with Procol Harum. He brought in Thomas for more objectivity in the recording process. Members of Little Feat played on it, including Lowell George and Richie Hayward, together with Wilton Felder and the University of California, Los Angeles symphony orchestra.

Where much of his work is experimental, this album sounds orchestral and accessible, in the spirit of Brian Wilson, the Bee Gees and Procol Harum. The title refers to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, and the lyrics deal with European culture and history of the early twentieth century. Half Past France is, according to him, about soldiers who are already dead. The album was warmly received and is regarded as his best-known solo album.

Listening

Track list

CD 1

1. 1Child's Christmas in Wales (Remastered 2024)3:20Apple Music ↗
2. 2Hanky Panky Nohow (Remastered 2024)2:43Apple Music ↗
3. 3The Endless Plain of Fortune (Remastered 2024)4:10Apple Music ↗
4. 4Andalucia (Remastered 2024)3:51Apple Music ↗
5. 5Macbeth (Remastered 2024)3:04Apple Music ↗
6. 6Paris 1919 (Remastered 2024)4:04Apple Music ↗
7. 7Graham Greene (Remastered 2024)2:59Apple Music ↗
8. 8Half Past France (Remastered 2024)4:17Apple Music ↗
9. 9Antarctica Starts Here (Remastered 2024)2:52Apple Music ↗

CD 2

1. 1I Must Not Sniff Cocaine (Remastered 2024)0:39Apple Music ↗
2. 2Hanky Panky Nohow (Drone Mix) [Remastered 2024]3:02Apple Music ↗
3. 3Child's Christmas in Wales (Rehearsal 1) [Remastered 2024]3:31Apple Music ↗
4. 4Half Past France (Intro Chat) [Remastered 2024]4:27Apple Music ↗
5. 5Macbeth (Take 11) [Remastered 2024]3:37Apple Music ↗
6. 6Hanky Panky Nohow (Guitar Mix) [Remastered 2024]3:41Apple Music ↗
7. 7Fever Dream 2024: You're a Ghost9:12Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗