Hot tears come splashin on down

Way back in 1984, would anyone have predicted that Nick Cave would eventually become accepted and lauded by the mainstream?

It seems unlikely.

Cave, an ex-heroin addict, is not your typical pop star. His wordy songs are on the whole dark, gloomy affairs, preoccupied with themes of death, violence, love, despair and religious imagery. Onstage he alters from raging like a maniacal preacher man to balladeer. Offstge, he's intelligent, articulate and unwilling to compromise his artistic vision. He doesn't actively court unnecessary fame. Doesn't live his life in the tabloids. It is, I think, fair to say that his status is completely at odds with the culture of celebrating inanity and obsession with fame for fames sake that currently permeates every fibre of our modern existence. That he has come to be celebrated for his art by all and sundry is pleasantly surprising. When I first heard him way back in 1993, I could never imagine for one minute that he would achieve that status. I guess it's a testament to consistently releasing quality records and being so focused on your muse that the mire of short term shite that surrounds you will eventually slip away and leave you to be celebrated.

Anyway a couple of weeks ago, BBC4 dedicated a whole evening of programming to him. The night started with an exclusive and intimate gig by Nick And The Bad Seeds. Recorded in front of a small, seated crowd, it captured the band on top form. Much better than when I saw them a couple of months ago. The rawness was still very much apparent but the sloppiness that blighted the Birmingham gig seemed to have been stamped out. Nick was on blistering form.

The rest of the evening consisted of a repeat of the 'Songwriters Circle' show where Nick, John Cale and Chrissie Hynde played a couple of their own compositions on the instruments they were originally written on. Cale and Cave were entertaining and delivered stripped back versions of classics from their back catalogue. Hynde however, was as smug and annoying as ever. I’m not sure why but I find her completely insufferable. A feeling only increased as she completely misjudged an attempt to harmonise with Nick and almost ruined 'Henry Lee' for me.

The evening finished with a compilation of Nick's many appearances in different guises on Later With Jools Holland. It offered a chance to revisit some truly amazing performances. While he may physically age, his music remains vital no matter when or with who it was recorded. Something highlighted pretty well by this Peel Session from 1984. Which brings us back neatly to where this post began.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - saint huck (Peel Session 28/03/1984) originally available on 'From Her To Eternity'

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - I put a spell on you (Peel Session 28/03/1984)

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - from her to eternity (Peel Session 28/03/1984) originally available on 'From Her To Eternity'

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