Search - Nick Cave :: The Secret Life Of The Love Song & The Flesh Made Word: Two Lectures By Nick Cave

Thoroughly Edifying and Enjoyable

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 06/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since I have become a Nick Cave fan and have evangelized his music to friends and acquaintances, I've been frequently asked why his music is so dark and brooding. Well, now here I've found some answers and you can too.
In Cave's first lecture, he explains the concepts of "saudade" and "duende" and puts forth the proposition that a love song is not a true love song unless it contains elements of these concepts. Then he goes on to explain why this is so. His lecture is interspersed with his playing of five examples of love songs he has written that are steeped in saudade and duende.
In the course of his talk, he also mentions other musicians like Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and others whose writings betray a deep understanding of those concepts.
In the second lecture, Cave speaks of how the Bible came to influence his writing after the death of his father who had inspired him to write. Songs from his earlier band Birthday Party and early Bad Seeds are informed by the Old Testament and filled with "bile and puke", but also with the beauty of the Psalms. Later Cave songs have been inspired by the Gospels and show a new and brighter view of life and love. He talks a bit about God and his view of humanity's connection to the divine. Lest this scare anyone off, I should add that his talk is exploratory and explanatory, not preachy in a Jesus freak sort of way.
I learned quite a bit by listening to this fine CD and have come to understand the music of Nick Cave to the point to where I can explain it to others. Cave has a good speaking voice and a manner which makes interesting what he has to say. I find The Secret Life of the Love Song & The Flesh Made Word to be thoroughly edifying and enjoyable. I recommend it highly not just to hard-core Nick Cave fans, but to anyone who has an interest in writing."

Beyond Amazing

Bill R. Moore | New York, USA | 08/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is amazing. Amazing not only in how good it is, but even the mere fact that it exists. How many artists would release a CD like this? And in case you are wondering what kind of CD this indeed is, I will attempt to clarify. For one thing, it's not "a bunch of boring lectures" like you may be fearing. What it is instead, is this: the nearly 50 minute title lecture-which features Nick waxing philosophical on the love song, it's meaning, purpose, and relevance, it's role in his career; laced with commentary on his works and autobiographical ancedotes that any Cave fan will love. This piece also features 5 musical interludes, West Country Girl (considerably different arrangement), People Ain't No Good, Sad Waters (a new take on a classic), Love Letter (subsequently released on No More Shall We Part, and new at the time), and Far From Me (Cave talks a lot about the song and it's origin.) The second track is a 17 minute entirely spoken word piece in which Cave talks about The Bible-his view of it, how it influenced him and his writing, and a bit more about his life. Although this CD is usually pretty hard to find and perhaps a bit expensive, I declare it a must for any Cave fan. It is very enjoyable to listen to, Cave picks some great topics, waxes enjoyable on them, and has, to boot, an excellent speaking voice. Stunning."

Nick Cave's Love Letter

Poor Napoleon | TX United States | 03/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Nick Cave states in this recording that the genre of rock music is becoming devoid of musicians who allow the soul to inhabit their recordings. Of course, Cave's soul inhabits all his recordings and this one is no exception. He begins by discussing what drives people to write love songs and what makes a love song last. As he exmines the nature of the love song, he draws from various sources to illustrate his point. Everyone from the Bible, to the poet/playwright Frederico Garcia Lorca, and Kylie Minogue is cited. Nick Cave's lectureis an intelligent, educated exploration of the seemingly ubiqutous love song. When your'e done listening to the recording, you find yourself shuffeling through your record collection and find that Cave is right in what makes the love song last.Cave's second lecture, The Flesh Made Word, provides an interesting look at the Bible and how it helps to shape the imagination. For Cave followers, this lecture also provides listeners with reasoning for Cave's tortured bout with divinity."