NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS - LIVE FROM KCRW

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.

“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.

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

1.	"Higgs Boson Blues"
2.	"Far from Me"
3.	"Stranger Than Kindness"   A2
4.	"The Mercy Seat"
5.	"And No More Shall We Part"
6.	"Wide Lovely Eyes"
7.	"Mermaids"   B1
8.	"People Ain't No Good"
9.	"Into My Arms"
10.	"God is in the House"
11.	"Push the Sky Away"   B2
12.	"Jack the Ripper"