Words for the Dying

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Words For The Dying is an 1989 album by John Cale.

The main part is an orchestral and choral setting of four poems, read/sung by Cale, by fellow Welshman, the poet Dylan Thomas. These were written in 1982 as a response to the Anglo-Argentinian Falklands War. There are also two orchestral interludes, two other solo piano pieces "Songs Without Words", and finally a song by Cale, "The Soul Of Carmen Miranda". It was recorded in Moscow, New York, London, and Suffolk, England. It was produced by Brian Eno.

"The Falklands Suite" was first performed live on November 14th and 15th, 1987 at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Track listing

All tracks composed by John Cale; except where indicated

  • The Falklands Suite
  1. "Introduction"
  2. "There Was a Saviour" (Words: Dylan Thomas)
  3. "Interlude I"
  4. "On A Wedding Anniversary" (Words: Dylan Thomas)
  5. "Interlude II"
  6. "Lie Still, Sleep Becalmed" (Words: Dylan Thomas)
  7. "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" (Words: Dylan Thomas)
  • Songs Without Words
  1. "Songs Without Words I"
  2. "Songs Without Words II"
  • "The Soul Of Carmen Miranda"

Personnel

  • John Cale : vocals, piano, guitar, bass, organ, viola
  • Nell Catchpole : violin, viola on "The Soul of Carmen Miranda"
  • Brian Eno : keyboards on "The Soul of Carmen Miranda"
  • The Orchestra of Symphonic & Popular Music of Gostelradio, Russia
    • Conductor : Alexander G. Mikhailov
  • The Choir of Llandaff Cathedral Choir School, Swansea, South Wales
    • Choirmaster : Dr. Michael Kent Smith

Recording

The Falklands Suite was recorded at Gostelradio Studios, Moscow; engineered by Sasha Karasiov. John Cale was recorded at The Strongroom, London, and Wilderness Studios, Woodbridge, Suffolk, England; engineered by Stephen Taylor and Brian Eno.

Songs Without Words I & II were recorded at the Living Room, New York City, USA; engineered by Paul Rice and Blaise Dupuy.

The Soul Of Carmen Miranda was recorded at Wilderness Studios, Woodbridge, UK.

Other Media

In 1993 an 80-minute documentary film Words For The Dying, directed by Rob Nilsson, was released on DVD. It follows Cale and Eno to Moscow, London, and Wales during the creation of the album.

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