Fragments Of A Rainy Season

John Cale's powerful voice, masterful musicianship, and songwriting chops provide a complete introduction to an underestimated genius.

Ask any seasoned music fan what his/her favorite solo album to come from the Velvet Underground is, and you’re almost assured to hear the name of a Lou Reed album as the answer spoken back. That’s a perfectly reasonable outcome.

After all, Reed had fronted the Velvets for virtually the entirety of their existence. Furthermore, his persona was the driving force behind the Velvet Underground, especially after the departure of Nico, and the influence of Andy Warhol had faded a bit.

Albums like Transformer, New York, or Rock n’ Roll Animal, if we’re accepting live submissions are all superb choices. That trio of records summarizes so much of what is great about Lou Reed. They are also in my mind, lacking the bona fides to claim the top spot.

For my money, John Cale’s Fragments Of A Rainy Season is the live album to best sum up the finest output of the post-Velvets years. It is Cale’s finest work, showcasing him as a masterful musician, and a tremendously gifted songwriter. It is also the re…