Music makes this writer write.For the past couple of years, Brian Eno has had a pretty solid spot on my playlist. Tom Waits will always hold a special place in my dirty ol' heart. But, if I look back at the last fifteen years or so, it's Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, hands down.
Enter, Henry's Dream. Probably my favorite album by Cave & co.
From the opening track, the raw instrumentals and dark lyrics twine together in something that is just beautiful. If you like your music moody and bleak, that is.I sure do.
One of my favorite "love songs" of all time, "Straight to You," gave a name to the mascot of my faux high school in the imaginary town of Springdale:Yes, the Springdale Saints, "drunk and howling at the moon," were named after a Nick Cave song."Heaven has denied us its kingdom
The saints are drunk howling at the moon
The chariots of angels are colliding
Well, I'll run, babe, but I'll come running
Straight to you"
Here's Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds performing "Papa Won't Leave You, Henry" from Henry's Dream. Watch the clip, then listen to the whole album.
(I miss albums...I can listen to Henry's Dream through without skipping a track. Just beautiful.)
11 comments:
I'll have to check that out. What Nick Cave songs I've heard I really like. I'll take your advice and download the whole album, not just one or two tracks. Some albums are like that, where you have to listen to the whole thing for the full experience.
I don't think you'll be sorry. Cave is a moody guy, a so-so singer, but has such a distinctive voice.
I have never heard of them but I will look in to more because I liked it. His vocals reminded me, vaguely, of Johnny Cash.
Jamie - Johnny Cash covered a Nick Cave song, "The Mercy Seat" on one of his later albums--American #: Solitary Man. It's a great listen.
I freaking love Nick Cave-- I need to get on a kick again, it's been too long. Those albums that never make you impatient, never make you fast forward, are so few and far between. And ALWAYS good for writing.
I particularly like seeing which songs writers tie to specific characters. I end up making playlists for each of mine half the time, and there's something half escapist, half voyeuristically awesome about being allowed a look at other peoples'.
I could go on all day about how Nick Cave has inspired me. But as far as favorite albums go, I'd have to say Murder Ballads. Such a genius album. However, my favorite song by Cave and co is probably also Straight At You. Ooh, or Deana. Not sure.
also, have you read his book "And the Ass Saw the Angel?" Not GREAT by any means, but hey, it's Nick Cave...
Katey - I'm totally stealing the playlist idea. Shame on me.
Barry - Once upon a time, I had a copy of that book...
Nick Cave rocks.
For some reason, Nick Cave is one of those musicians that I just never heard of (sadly, like many headbangers, my first introduction to his work was when Metallica covered Loverman). Might have to check it out, though, that kind of moody stuff is what I like to write to.
Danielle - he does indeed.
Jeremy - I had never heard of Cave until I bought The Boatman's Call strictly because of how bad-ass he looked on the cover.
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