Andalucia (John Cale song)

"Andalucia" is a song written by Welsh musician John Cale, released as the fourth track on his 1973 album Paris 1919. It was covered in 1990 by the alternative rock band Yo La Tengo, in their album Fakebook.

"Andalucia"
Song by John Cale
from the album Paris 1919
ReleasedMarch 1, 1973 (1973-03-01)
RecordedSunwest Studios, Los Angeles, United States
GenreArt rock, baroque pop
Length3:54
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)John Cale
Producer(s)Chris Thomas
Paris 1919 track listing
  1. "Child's Christmas in Wales"
  2. "Hanky Panky Nohow"
  3. "The Endless Plain of Fortune"
  4. "Andalucia"
  5. "Macbeth"
  6. "Paris 1919"
  7. "Graham Greene"
  8. "Half Past France"
  9. "Antarctica Starts Here"

Recording

Andalucia is the fourth song in Cale's 1973 album, Paris 1919. The backing band for the song, and the rest of the album were not credited until 2006 in the expanded version.[1] The lyrics are interpreted in multiple ways - either about Andalusia, Spain, or a person from that area. The lyrics are delivered as though Cale is about to break down, giving the song a delicate feel.[2]

Yo La Tengo

Yo La Tengo covered Andalucia in 1990, in Fakebook, which mostly features covers. The instruments are more low key in this version, placing more emphasis on Ira Kaplan's delivery of the lyrics. It has been described as "only slightly less fragile" lyrics-wise - likely due to Ira Kaplan's American accent as opposed to John Cale's Welsh.[2]

Alternate version

In 2006, a reissue of Paris 1919 was released, featuring bonus tracks - rehearsals and alternate versions, and a hidden track (an instrumental of "Macbeth"). The "Andalucia" rehearsal track is mostly an instrumental, only featuring John Cale singing a small amount of the lyrics. It was recorded earlier than the album version - showing Cale's original visualization for the song - far more delicate.

Release and reception

Following Paris 1919's release in 1973, the reviews were mostly favourable. Rolling Stone calls "Andalucia" the 'most beautiful' song on the album.[3]

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References
  1. Taken from the liner notes to the expanded edition of Paris 1919, released by Reprise/Rhino UK. Notes written by Matthew Specktor, Los Angeles, 2006.
  2. "John Cale/Yo La Tengo: "Andalucia"". Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  3. "John Cale Paris 1919 Album Review | Rolling Stone". Retrieved 13 July 2015.


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