About This Item
Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Recorded quickly between John Cale producing Patti Smith's Horses and his going out on an Italian tour, Helen of Troy became Cale's third and final studio album for Island Records - This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1975 Island Records UK and is pressed onto high quality 180gm vinyl. Helen Of Troy is a raw, fascinating listen. The title track with it's horns and spoken word is one of Cale's best after the sweet bubblegum of InchChina SeaInch, the album gets increasingly stripped down - the acoustic guitar and piano of InchCable HogueInch and the punkish cover of The Modern Lovers' InchPablo PicassoInch have long been favourites on the album. InchLeaving It All Up To YouInch - in which Cale becomes increasingly disturbed - garnered controversy at the time and was actually removed from later pressings of the album because of it's references to the Manson murders. Cale never lost his ability to shock. Taking it's title from the opening line of Johnny Cash's InchI Walk The LineInch, InchI Keep A Close WatchInch, a track Cale would record again several years later, with it's Robert Kirby-arranged strings and horns, is the closest Cale has veered toward a power ballad. It is a work of great beauty among all the jagged edges of Helen Of Troy. Album Tracks 1. My Maria 2. Helen of Troy 3. China Sea 4. Engine 5. Save Us 6. Cable Hogue 7. I Keep a Close Watch 8. Pablo Picasso 9. Leaving It Up to You 10. Baby, What You Want Me to Do? 11. Sudden Death
