For more than 60 years, John Cale has continued to make exciting, challenging and culturally relevant music, including his most recent release, Mercy. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with the Velvet Underground legend about his new music, collaborations and legacy. Plus, the hosts share some of their favorite spy songs and bid farewell to jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter.
John Cale is a founder of The Velvet Underground along with Lou Reed. An acclaimed producer and solo artist, Cale recently released Mercy, his seventeenth solo album. Hosts John DeRogatis and Greg Kot welcome Cale for another interview on Sound Opinions.
Spy Songs
In honor of John Cale’s short-lived “Spy Records” label- and inspired by the spy balloons of recent weeks, Jim and Greg share their favorite songs about spies and espionage. Selections range from reggae to power pop.
Jim:
Johnny Rivers, "Secret Agent Man"
The Fugs, "CIA Man"
Rockwell, "Somebody’s Watching Me"
Lori & The Chameleons, "The Lonely Spy"
The dB’s, "A Spy In the House of Love"
Greg:
Tony Allen, "Secret Agent"
Gene Vincent, "Private Detective (feat. The Shouts)"
The Untouchables, "I Spy (For the F.B.I.)"
Desmond Dekker & the Aces, "007 (Shanty Town)"
Big Boys, "Detectives"
Obituary: Wayne Shorter
Jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter recently died and Greg offers a tribute with an archival assist from Don Was.
Featured Songs:
John Cale, "STORY OF BLOOD feat. Weyes Blood," Mercy, Double Six, 2023
The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Capitol, 1967
John Cale, "EVERLASTING DAYS feat. Animal Collective," Mercy, Double Six, 2023
John Cale, "MARILYN MONROE'S LEGS (beauty elsewhere) feat. Actress," Mercy, Double Six, 2023
John Cale, "TIME STANDS STILL feat. Sylvan Esso," Mercy, Double Six, 2023
John Cale, "NIGHT CRAWLING," Mercy, Double Six, 2023
John Cale, "MOONSTRUCK (Nico's Song)," Mercy, Double Six, 2023
The Velvet Underground and Nico, "Femme Fatale," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967
The Velvet Underground and Nico, "I'm Waiting for the Man," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967
John Cale, "Dying On the Vine (Fragments)," Artificial Intelligence, PVC, 1985
John Cale, "MERCY," Mercy, Double Six, 2023
Johnny Rivers, "Secret Agent Man," ...And I Know You Wanna Dance, Imperial, 1966
Tony Allen, "Secret Agent," Secret Agent, World Circuit, 2009
The Fugs, "CIA Man," Virgin Fugs, ESP-Disk, 1967
Gene Vincent, "Private Detective (feat. The Shouts)," Private Detective (feat. The Shouts) (Single), Columbia, 1964
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