CLOSE WATCH - AN INTRODUCTION TO JOHN CALE

Quite a lot of first-rate material from Cale's early, sometimes lushly orchestrated albums has been included, e.g. "Paris 1919", "Mr Wilson" and "A Child's Christmas in Wales": each and every single one of them melodies to die for! I am especially happy that a space has been found for "Ship of Fools", probably my favourite John Cale song of all time.

Cale's angry, haunted and paranoic side is equally well-represented, by "Fear is a Man's Best Friend", "Leaving It Up To You" and "Cable Hogue": dark and haunting classics all, undoubtedly familiar to anyone who's attended more than one of Cale's live concerts.

John Cale at his saddest can be heard on "If You Were Still Around" and "I Keep A Close Watch", while those who enjoy no holds barred rock'n'roll will undoubtedly be cheered by the splendid "Guts". The compilers of the album can even be applauded for digging up a few relatively obscure gems (from the HONI SOIT album, if I remember it well): "Riverbank" and "Wilson Joliet". Both are definitely worth hearing.

My only complaint is about the dreary, eight minute long rocker "Gun". It would have been far more useful to replace this with one or two proper SONGS, such as "Amsterdam", "Hanky Panky Nohow" or "Chinese Envoy". But nothing is perfect, and some people may even enjoy "Gun" because of Phil Manzanera's extended guitar solo.