The Academy in Peril

The Academy in Peril
Studio album by John Cale
Released	July, 1972
Recorded	"Brahms", "Intro" and "3 Orchestral Pieces" recorded at Shipton Manor, Oxfordshire "Days Of Steam" and "King Harry" recorded at St. Giles Church, Cripplegate, London.
Genre	Rock
Length	45:24
Label	Reprise
Producer	John Cale
John Cale chronology
Church of Anthrax (1971) The Academy in Peril (1972) Paris 1919 (1973)

The Academy in Peril is a 1972 album by John Cale. Like his previous release, the Terry Riley collaboration Church of Anthrax, it is mostly instrumental. As the title suggests, the album was inspired by Cale's classical training.

"Temper," an outtake from the recording sessions, was later released on the promotional compilation Troublemakers.

The cover concept and art was designed by Andy Warhol.

Track listing

All tracks written by John Cale

Side A

1. "The Philosopher"
2. "Brahms"
3. "Legs Larry at Television Centre"
4. "The Academy in Peril"

Side B

5. "Intro / Days of Steam"
6. "3 Orchestral Pieces: Faust/The Balance/Captain Morgan's Lament"
7. "King Harry"
8. "John Milton"

Single

"Days of Steam" b/w "Legs Larry at Television Centre" 7" New Zealand 1972. Also issued as a promo in the US on Reprise Records.

Personnel

• John Cale - bass, guitar, keyboards, viola
• Adam Miller - vocals
• Del Newman - drums
• Ron Wood - slide guitar on "The Philosopher"
• Legs Larry Smith - narration on "Legs Larry At Television Centre"
• The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - "Days Of Steam" and "King Harry"
• Jean Bois - engineer
• Andy Warhol - artwork
• Ed Thrasher - photography

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	(B) [2]

• allmusic - "The predominantly instrumental release . . . steers away from the more grotesque classical/rock fusions at the time to find an unexpectedly happy and often compelling balance between the two sides."
• Robert Christgau - "There must be more straightforward ways of imperiling the academy than mock-classical mock-soundtracks. Granted, this sounds jake to me, and my continental friends tell me it's excellent of its sort. But I don't much care for the continent (or the sort)--that's why I had to ask them."

References

1. The Academy in Peril at AllMusic
2. Christgau, Robert, "Dean of American Rock Critics" website