Clips of John Cale performing live during the 1970s are pretty rare, but these takes on “Fear Is A Man’s Best Friend” and “Buffalo Ballet” at London’s Crystal Palace Concert Bowl, on June 7, 1975 (along with guitarist Chris Spedding) are gems.

Last night in New York, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Cale presented the sold-out “Life Along the Borderline: A Tribute to Nico,” joined by The Magnetic Fields, Kim Gordon, Sharon Van Etten, Greg Dulli, Mercury Rev, Alison Mosshart, Meshell Ndegeocello, Peaches and Yeasayer.

Tonight and tomorrow night, Cale performs his landmark album Paris 1919 (accompanied by the Wordless Music Orchestra) plus new material from Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood.

“Fear Is A Man’s Best Friend” gets nicely crazed at the end.
 

 
“Buffalo Ballet”: