# Tell the guy who doesn't know much about John Cale's solo albums **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 21, 2007, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-the-guy-who-doesnt-know-much-about-john-cales-solo-albums/408831 "2007-06-21T10:37:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-the-guy-who-doesnt-know-much-about-john-cales-solo-albums/408831/1 "2007-06-21T10:37:38Z")
I remember seeing a John Cale solo show a long time ago (1996-ish?) and really loving it. I don’t have any of his solo albums. Which ones should I start with? Are there any total duds to avoid? I recall liking a fair bit of _Razzle Dazzle_ when I heard it many years ago courtesy of a friend. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-the-guy-who-doesnt-know-much-about-john-cales-solo-albums/408831/2 "2007-06-21T14:35:35Z")
**Honi Soit** remains in my playlist after 20-some years. Arguably worth purchasing for **Dead or Alive** alone, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-the-guy-who-doesnt-know-much-about-john-cales-solo-albums/408831/3 "2007-06-21T14:51:49Z")
The double set [The Island Years](http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1469632&BAB=E) combines three prime Cale albums (all of _Fear_, _Slow Dazzle_, and _Helen of Troy_, plus a couple of bonus tracks) for the price of one CD.