Nick And The Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues

  by Neil Palmer

published: 7 / 1 / 2007

intro

Neil Palmer looks at Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' new double live CD, 'Abattoir Blues'

In recent years Nick Cave shows have become rather sedate, almost literary affairs. More like poetry recitals set to music than the dramatic punk ‘n’ blues frenzied performances of his past. The two concerts, however, featured here from 2003/4 show Cave and the Bad Seeds in a startling return to form. He may well be approaching 50, but Cave performs with an energy and intensity that belies his age. Disc one, filmed at The Brixton Academy in 2004, is as good a substitute for the ‘Abattoir Blues / Lyre of Orpheus’ twin set CDs as you could get, and includes older favourites like ‘Red Right Hand’, ‘The Ship Song’, and the wild, punk groove of ‘Stagger Lee’. The second disc features highlights from the ‘Nocturama’ tour, five promo videos, and two short ‘making of’ films, one of which is shot by long term Cave collaborator Mick Harvey. For fans that had started to give up on what seemed to be the waning high priest of doom and missed both tours, myself included, this two-disc DVD set is a necessary purchase. On this evidence, there is plenty of passionate life left in these still angry, if ageing men yet.