| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (52 min. 5 sec.) ; 309755536 bytes |
| Series |
Great Australian Albums ; Series 2, Episode 2 |
| Summary |
Nick Cave is Australia's pre-eminent lyricist. The group the Bad Seeds was formed in the early 1980s in Europe around the core team of Cave and his musical director Mick Harvey. The make-up of the group has gradually evolved over time. This evolution of band members has been a constant dynamic in Cave's musical career. Throughout his career, Cave has maintained a consistent lyrical style entirely peculiar to himself. He is one of the most self consciously literary of rock performers. Murder Ballads, recorded in 1995 was made as the band reached the cusp of stardom. The album marked a significant turning point in Cave's development as an artist and the group's success. The album draws on ancient songs, which Cave has dramatically reinterpreted. It also represents the apotheosis of his 'narrative' style and is a harbinger to the more intimate and confessional albums that have followed.Murder Ballads contained duets with Cave's friends including Kylie Minogue on the song "Where the Wild Roses Grow". This track was Cave's first #1 hit in Australia and in the UK. The record also features PJ Harvey with whom Cave had a significant personal relationship.The murder ballad is a traditional form that stretches back to the Middle Ages and on this record Cave has self-consciously placed himself in that tradition. He adapts poetry from John Milton, draws on classic blues songs and traditional English poetry as well as writing some of his own in that style. Given the totality of these songs it's a shift from Cave's more personal and intimate style though he has said it freed him, and in future his songs became even more personal. The dynamics of the Bad Seeds are key to Cave's artistic world. Murder Ballads was recorded almost live and with a great deal of spontaneity. Discussions on the sessions, primarily with Mick Harvey and bass player Martyn Casey illuminate the creative dynamic in the Bad Seeds. This issue is as critical as Cave's lyrics to the success of the group. New musicians came into the group at this point, notably violinist Warren Ellis, and changed the sound of the Bad Seeds. Cave's work has been powered by struggle; a desire to achieve and to react against and better the previous album. This film reveals the internal struggle within the Bad Seeds and in Cave himself. Features new interviews with:Jillian Burt, Martyn Casey, Nick Cave, Tony Cohen, Dave Graney, Mick Harvey, Rowland S Howard, Kylie Minogue, Conway Savage, Bernard Zuel (Commissioned by SBSi, in English) (Documentary Series) (Part 2 of 4) |
| Notes |
Closed captioning in English |
| Event |
Broadcast 2011-02-27 at 00:50:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: M |
| Subject |
Artists.
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Cave, Nick, 1957-.
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Rock music.
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Singers.
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Australia.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Burt, Jillian, contributor
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Cohen, Tony, contributor
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Ellis, Warren, contributor
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Graney, Dave, contributor
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Harvey, Mick, contributor
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Meltzer, Larry, director
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Minogue, Kylie, contributor
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savage, Conway, contributor
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Zuel, Bernard, contributor
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