Good Times. Happy Face/John Cale

Well, a good friend of mine (Savy Gamer) went to Glastonbury this weekend and saw John Cale, but was disappointed when he didn't play his cover of LCD Soundsystem's "All My Friends". So, I Songwriter/musician/Radio DJ/Physicist/All round renaissance man have taken it upon myself to impart my love of music in your eyes and ears. More for the ears later.

Now, John Cale: why I love him (And more importantly, why you should)

First off, he was in the Velvet Underground. If you don't know who they are, y'know that BBC children in need song "Perfect Day"? Written by the less talented member of the band Lou Reed, who also was the vocal on that shitty dance remix of "Satelite of Love" that came out a few years back. Now, go and buy "The Velvet Underground & Nico" (The one with the banana on the front). If you like it, buy "White Light/White Heat"

Then, there's his solo work. In my opinion, this is the biggest reason. His first six or so albums are all classics, but Paris 1919 is one of the best albums ever, up there with The Beatles, Manics, MBV, all the usuals, yes? Go and get it, even if you don't enjoy the more visceral Velvet's stuff, it's absolutely gorgeous.

So, John Cale's solo albums. The first four being Vintage Violence; The Church of Anthrax; The Academy in Peril and Paris 1919, followed by Fear; Slow Dazzle and Helen of Troy, but I'm sure you can look that up on wikipedia. Paris 1919 is the most accessible, follow it up with Vintage Violence, and Fear, then go wherever from there.

He's also kept up with the solo stuff, his last album blackAcetate came out in 2005, and Hobo Sapiens in 2003, the latter receiving the critical acclaim due to such a genius.

Yes I did just use the word genius. It's true.

Another reason would be "Hallelujah". Y'know, when in every TV show they need a heartbreaking song to roll out when they turn life support machines off? Leonard Cohen wrote it, but as Neil from the Young Ones said "No-one ever listens to me. I may as well be a Leonard Cohen record", you can guess that such a heartbreaking song was not best as an original. As I'm sure you'll guess, Cale's version is my favourite, the piano i think works better than the guitar, and Cale's voice betrays the depth, pain and life experience the song requires. I know he's dead, but Jeff Buckley's version is no way near as good, his voice is too thin, and he turned a song about God into a song about sex, which is awful, frankly.

Then, his work as a producer. Not the most prolific producer, but doing Patti Smith, the Stooges, The Happy Mondays and The Modern Lovers gives you some idea of what he's about.

Anyway, the more knowledgeable of you will have noticed I haven't mentioned the "A-G" word. For those of you who know the velvet underground, after Cale left, they became a whole lot less interesting. The last track proper of Vintage Violence is a track called "Wall". I'm not claiming he invented noise, but he certainly brought it into the more mainstream consciousness; I mean, not many people who read the NME have heard of people like John Cage (key piece being 4.33). Without Cale we may not have had shoegaze. On first glance a good thing, but a world without "Sometimes" by My Bloody Valentine is a world not worth living in.

After that, he worked with Terry Riley on "The Church of Anthrax", Cale could be a scary Jackson at times, and was as a consequence a massive influence on Nick Cave. Produced Nico's classic The Marble Index, reinvented the wheel, and picked up Dracula in Memphis

Anyway, what are musicians if you never hear them play?

First, get Paris 1919. If it doesn't change your life you probably don't have a soul and should consult the nearest available priest. Then, Vintage Violence, Slow Dazzle and Fear. If you're hankering after something a little more strange, go for the Church of Anthrax and Nico's the Marble Index, if it's something pop you're after, Nico's Chelsea Girl is the album for you.