Originally released in 1973, Paris 1919 is Cale's fourth solo release following his departure from the Velvet Underground. Cale's songs on Paris 1919 are hyper-literate numbers filled with political intrigue and shady characters loosely based around the Versailles Conference alluded to in the album's title. Recorded with help from Lowell George and Richie Hayward of Los Angeles southern-rockers Little Feat and the UCLA Symphony Orchestra. Pitchfork called Paris 1919 "the most accessible and most purely beautiful record of Cale's storied, multi-faceted career."