John Cale: "My Life in Music" in Uncut

John Cale picks ten records that have made a mark in his career in the April Issue of UK magazine Uncut:

1. All Night Workers - Why Don't You Smile
   

   The record that made me love Lou Reed
   "It's all "Louie, Louie" changes, and the first song that Lou and I wrote on drunken evening. It was the b-side of a single by friends of Lou's. It was my first rock 'n'roll session and the guys were all popping pills. It was my introduction to collaborative songwriting. It had a simple beauty that gave absolutely no indication of the problems we would have later."

2. Frank Zappa - Thing-Fish
3. Terry Riley - In C
4. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
5. Yellow Swans - Dreamed
6. John Cale - Sabotage/Live
   

   The record that makes me miss CBGB
   "We had a lot of fun, recording it there on New Year's Eve. It was dark and greasy. YOu went there to lose control. I retain affection for the place. Not for the $8 beers, bu t it was a centre, and everybody knew about it and gravitated towards it. And at the end, Hilly (Kristal, founder and owner) wanted it moved to Vegas. That is branding. If I was a brand, I'd move to Las Vegas."

7. Martha Reeves and The Vandellas - Dancing in the Street
8. Clips - Wamp Wamp (What It Do)
9. Kokane - Back 2 tha Clap
10. Smetana - Ma Vlast

» uncut.co.uk

Note: Sabotage/Live was recorded in June 1979. Part of the Even Cowgirls Get The Blues was recorded on New Year's Eve 1979.

(Thanks: Ken Clark, mailman & Gary Fox)