Circus Live

There are many versions of the live Cale thing, and this was the live band he had running from 2004 to 2006, a muscular outfit anchored by Deantoni Parks on drums. This is maybe the prog version of Cale? At least this is how he tries to present his Velvets side, his Seventies art rock, and his self-dissimilar bag of solo projects from the 21st century, all in one night. The “Heartbreak Hotel” version is souped up with synths and harmonica and is gaudy and gross in the best possible way. “Mercenaries (Ready For War)” is especially good—a little electronic thrum, with bass, under Cale gargling around in the digital echo.