published: 15 /
3 /
2005
Label:
Mute Records
Format: CD x3
Three CD new retrospective from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, which merges together 56 of their B sides and rarities
Review
Wrapped up in a black box, the alternative best of Nick Cave, which even the man in black agrees is his best album, is a fine piece of work. Enclosed over three discs are 56 songs which include four new acoustic versions of his songs and which also represent a very good section of his B side work.
As ever it is very hard work and very moody. Among the gems are covers of Cole Porter's 'What a Wonderful World' (which is a duet with the Pogues' Shane MacGowan)and a near perfect reading of Neil Young's 'Helpless'. Sadly, however, in contrast the Bad Seeds massacre Leonard Cohen's 'Tower of Song' which was recorded after a pub session.
The second of the three CDs features several great recordings from the 'Murder Ballads' period. 'O'Malley's Bar' from that era is split over four tracks, and is vicious as they come, but is nevertheless pure genius.
Unfortunately a lot of this work sounds very much the same after a while. It nevertheless remains a fine piece of work, which is far superior to his last album, 'Abattoir Blues', but one which is ultimately for the hardcore really.
Track Listing:-
1
Deanna (Acoustic Version)
2
The Mercy Seat (Acoustic Version)
3
City of Refuge (Acoustic Version)
4
The Moon Is in the Gutter
5
The Six Strings That Drew Blood
6
Rye Whiskey
7
Running Scared
8
Black Betty
9
Scum
10
The Girl At the Bottom of My Glass
11
The Train Song
12
Cocks 'n' Asses
13
Blue Bird
14
Helpless
15
God's Hotel (Live Radio Session for KCRW Santa Monica)
16
(I'll Love You) Till the End of the World
17
Cassiel's Song
18
Tower of Song
19
What Can I Give You?
20
What a Wonderful World
21
Rainy Night In Soho
22
Lucy (Version #2)
23
Jack the Ripper (Acoustic Version)
24
Sail Away
25
There's No Night Out in the Jail
26
That's What Jazz Is to Me
27
The Willow Garden
28
The Ballad of Robert Moore and Betty Coltrane
29
King Kong Kitchee Kitchee Ki-Mi-O
30
Knoxville Girl
31
Where the Wild Roses Grow (Original Guide Vocal Version)
32
O'Malley's Bar Pt. 1
33
O'Malley's Bar Pt. 2
34
O'Malley's Bar Pt. 3
35
Time Jesum Transeuntum Et Non Riverentum
36
O'Malley's Bar Reprise
37
Red Right Hand (Scream 3 Version)
38
Little Empty Boat
39
Right Now I'm A-Roaming
40
Come Into My Sleep
41
Black Hair (Band Version)
42
Babe, I Got You Bad
43
Sheep May Safely Graze
44
Opium Tea
45
Grief Came Riding
46
Bless His Ever Loving Heart
47
Good Good Day
48
Little Janey's Gone
49
I Feel So Good
50
Shoot Me Down + 6 Others
Band Links:-
http://nickcave.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nickcaveoffic
https://twitter.com/nickcave
http://www.songkick.com/artists/457613
https://www.youtube.com/c/nickcave
https://www.instagram.com/nickcaveoffi
Label Links:-
http://mute.com/
https://www.facebook.com/muterecords
https://twitter.com/MuteUK
https://www.youtube.com/user/themutech