Pieter's profile

Elegant & melodious, 5 Jul 2009

This classic 1973 album has been enhanced by the addition of 11 tracks of demos and alternate takes. Paris 1919 is atypical for John Cale, being consistently tuneful and mainstream with little experimentation. Some of his most poetic lyrics are found on these elegant songs, most of which are ballads that bring to mind the music of Scott Walker at his creative peak on Boy Child 67-70. A reggae ditty and a powerful rock song ensure stylistic variety.

There is a subdued, desolate air about Child's Christmas in Wales, Hanky Panky Nohow and Half Past France while subdued,… Read more

Some of the best from the early period, 4 Jul 2009

This compilation of her late 70s and early 80s work draws heavily upon Nina Hagen's first two albums, Nina Hagen Band (1978) and Unbehagen (1980). The albums Nunsexmonkrock (1982), Fearless (1983) and In Ekstasy (1985) contribute only Zarah, My Way and Smack Jack.

The best tracks are TV Glotzer (White Punks On Dope, originally by The Tubes), African Reggae (her German version of Lene Lovich's Lucky Number which is titled Wir Leben Immer Noch), Unbeschreiblich Weiblich and Natürtrane… Read more

Christian attitudes to Israel, 4 Jul 2009

This extraordinary work delicately exposes Christian Antisemitism (although the author politely employs the term "Anti-Judaism"), relating the history of gentile usurpation of the heritage of the Jewish people. This mindset became popular with Augustine's amillennialism; reformers like Luther & Calvin accepted the doctrine of supercessionism or replacement theology and it has persisted in Reformed theology up to the present day. Jewish Christians are given a voice and the author holds the attitude of the Apostle Paul up as an example, in particular his love for Israel as expressed in the letter to the Romans chapters 9 to 11.

In essence, the book seeks answers from scripture on… Read more