Fragments Of A

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The DVD release of Fragments of a Rainy Season documents John Cale's April 1992 stark solo performance at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, Belgium. Cale wastes little time tackling 16 assorted self-penned tunes and covers in just over an hour. The Welsh troubadour spends most of the concert seated at a piano, but between title announcements he occasionally moves over to pick away madly at an acoustic guitar. Cale's voice is in fine form, and he is dressed to the nines in an avant-garde suit with a massive part in his hair; his presence is as imposing as his voice is deep. His song selection is mostly quite safe, as he avoids any Velvet Underground moments and instead favors his solo albums, other than two songs from his Wrong Way Up collaboration with Brian Eno. Given his austere dress and the classy setting, it's a pleasant shock when he rips violently into "Fear (Is a Man's Best Friend)" and "Leaving It Up to You." At odds with Cale's artistic, fine performance, director Jacquemin Piel seems asleep at the editing board, randomly resorting to extreme, unflattering close-ups, while lighting designer Pat Dignan misses several musical cues and occasionally bathes the stage in horrible blood red hues and dreadful purples. Without accompanying musicians, Cale still manages a full, sweeping sound, other than on a rather dead reading of "Heartbreak Hotel." The only other criticism is that Cale seems to be rushing to get off the stage. He pauses for less than a second between otherwise perfect renditions of "Paris 1919" and "(I Keep A) Close Watch," which sadly gives the impression his mind is somewhere else, and he doesn't allow the audience time to shift emotional gears. His final experiment, a beautiful cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," is the perfect ending to a tour de force evening. ~ Tim DiGravina