John Cale's soundtracks for two of
Andy Warhol's experimental films of the early '60s, premiered in 1994 and recorded live at a concert at Lille, France, in 1995, are multi-part free-form works on which his keyboards are accompanied by fellow ex-
Velvet Underground drummer Maureen Tucker, pedal steel guitarist
B.J. Cole, and a string quartet. The abstract nature of the films allows
Cale free rein to create impressionistic soundscapes occasionally reminiscent of the ambient work of
Robert Fripp and
Brian Eno.
Cale fans should note that though some of the music is melodic, there is none of the pop or rock found on many of his albums, but then most
Cale fans probably are adventurous enough to give this a try. ~ William Ruhlmann