Preorder Mark Doyle’s PARIS 1919 book, the latest title to be featured in the 33 1/3 series, and make plans to join us for a special event in the record store on Wednesday, February 19th at 4:00 PM when we host Mark Doyle in conversation with Theresa Kereakes. Doyle and Kereakes will discuss John Cale’s classic album and the music scene that was thriving at the time, providing context for the record and its place in music today. Doyle will also read passages from his work and will sign copies of new book for event attendees and those who place a preorder for mail order.

John Cale's enigmatic masterpiece, Paris 1919, appeared at a time when the artist and his world were changing forever. It was 1973, the year of the Watergate hearings and the oil crisis, and Cale was at a crossroads. The white-hot rage of his Velvet Underground days was nearly spent; now he was living in Los Angeles, working for a record company and making music when time allowed. He needed to lay to rest some ghosts, but he couldn't do that without scaring up others. Paris 1919 was the result.

In this vivid, wide-ranging book, Mark Doyle hunts down the ghosts haunting Cale's most enduring solo album. There are the ghosts of New York – of the Velvets, Nico, and Warhol – that he smuggled into Los Angeles in his luggage. There is the ghost of Dylan Thomas, a fellow Welshman who haunts not just Paris 1919 but much of Cale's life and art. There are the ghosts of history, of a failed peace and the artists who sought the truth in dreams. And there are the ghosts of Christmas, surprising visitors who bring a nostalgic warmth and a touch of wintry dread. With erudition and wit, Doyle offers new ways to listen to an old album whose mysteries will never fully be resolved.

Preorder PARIS 1919 by Mark Doyle on our site here and then come out on February 19th at 4:00 PM for our event with Doyle and Theresa Kereakes and get your copy signed by the author!

Preorders for local, store pickup will be available at Grimey’s on Wednesday, February 19th, at our event with author Mark Doyle & Theresa Kereakes.

Preorders for mail order will ship out from Grimey’s on or around Wednesday, February 19th

*Preorders for store pickup will be held for three months after release date. Please pick up your PARIS 1919 preorder no later than May 19th, 2025.