The Boatman's Call (LP)

'The Boatman's Call', the tenth album by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, was released in March 1997.

The album, which is entirely piano-based and a departure from the band's post-punk catalogue, remains one of the most critically acclaimed releases of Nick Cave's career.

The bulk of the album was recorded at Sarm West Studios in London, though further recordings, including overdubs, were later done at the famed Abbey Road Studios.

Musically, the album is sombre and minimalist in mood. Cave's voice is mostly accompanied by piano and few other instruments.

Many of the lyrics seem to reflect on Cave's personal relationships and spiritual yearnings at the time of writing. Some songs are thought to be directed at either the mother of Cave's oldest son Luke, Viviane Carneiro (in 'Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere?') or PJ Harvey, with whom he had a brief relationship around that time (as referenced in 'West Country Girl', 'Black Hair' and 'Green Eyes').

Cave performed 'Into My Arms' at the funeral of Michael Hutchence and demanded that the TV cameras be shut off for his performance out of respect for Hutchence.

For this LP, The Bad Seeds were Mick Harvey, Blixa Bargeld, Thomas Wydler, Conway Savage, Martyn P. Casey, Jim Sclavunos and Warren Ellis.

The album was co-produced by Flood.