NICK CAVE AND THE BAD
SEEDS
LIVE FROM KCRW
Double
Vinyl LP
OK, this was released last year, I know.
I’ve only just got
a copy....
Recorded at the end of 2013 at the end of a world tour for
Push the Sky away, this captures a performance for California’s KCRW “No rehearsals, no overdubs. This is the
result”. The result is prett damn good.
Not only does it serve as a kind of alternate version of the aforementioned “Push
the Sky Away”, it represents a snapshot of NC&TBS extensive back catalogue. There’s
4 songs from “Push the Sky Away”;
The opener “Higgs Bosun Blues”, “Wide Lovely Eyes”, “Mermaids”, and “Push
the Sky Away”. They benefit, as do all the songs here, from the stripped back
sound courtesy of a truncated Bad Seeds. There’s plenty of room for the songs
to breathe. There’s a lightness to all the songs that gives them a new
dimension.
Nick himself is the consummate performer, and humours the
audience after the first two songs when he asks ”What else?” someone asks for
“Nick the stripper, another asks for “Up jumped the Devil”. Then they’re into “Stranger
than Kindness” from ”Your Funeral My
Trial”, For this listener, a highlight. While Warren Ellis is no Blixa Bargeld,
his wonderfully airy guitar captures the essence of the song marvellously, and
is perfect in this context.
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“The Mercy Seat” is lightened up a little here (if that’s
possible). “Wide lively eyes” and “Mermaids” retain their beauty and mystery as
captured on “Push the Sky Away”. “God is in the house” is lent some extra
humour in this instance courtesy of Nick.
“Jack The Ripper” is rambunctious as ever, the band all
clamouring for attention in their own way. The whole band is tight and
cohesive; there’s a real bond evident with the band. Good to see Barry
Adamson back in the fold, he fits in seamlessly with the others, (Ellis, Percussionist Jim Sclavunos, and
Bass player Martyn Casey), and joins in with their enthusiasm. Along with
Nick, they’re all having a great time.
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Live
from KCRW was released on CD and double LP, as well as a digital download. The album will be rereleased in a forthcoming digital
deluxe bundle of Push the Sky
Away. The double LP features two exclusive tracks, "Into My Arms" and "God is in the House", which were excluded from previous radio
broadcasts of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' KCRW session.
Package wise, this is a winner. Obviously the extra tracks
are a bonus. Nick’s obviously sensed he may be on to something with his vinyl
releases; although he’s always treated vinyl lovers well, he’s canny and astute
enough with his business sense to take advantage of the niche market. The cover
itself is suitably suave, quality cardboard on the gatefold, the artwork of
which isn’t overstated . The vinyl itself is good quality heavy stuff. The
sound itself is fabulous. There’s a real depth and warmth to the songs and the recording. Minor gripe if
any is the absence of an inner sleeve such, but the vinyl is housed in nice
gold-tinged matt sleeves . Download code
included.
A1
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1.
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"Higgs Boson Blues"
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2.
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"Far from Me"
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3.
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"Stranger Than
Kindness"
A2
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4.
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"The Mercy Seat"
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5.
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"And No More Shall We
Part"
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6.
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"Wide Lovely Eyes"
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7.
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"Mermaids"
B1
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8.
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"People Ain't No Good"
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9.
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10.
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"God is in the
House"
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11.
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"Push the Sky Away"
B2
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12.
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"Jack the Ripper"
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