Lou Reed

Stuck "Transformer" on the tt a week or so ago. Thought yeah, I like his stuff might aswell give it a listen........ Damn this is good!!! Have been playing it alot! What to follow it up with though?

 

I take it you have the first two Velvet Underground albums (The Velvet Underground and Nico, and White Light/White Heat)? If not, get them! And the double Velvet Underground Live 1969 as well, which is fan-bloody-tastic (especially for the version of "What Goes On").

All best on vinyl, of course...

Not a big fan of Lou solo, but Berlin is pretty essential, and I really like The Blue Mask, mostly because Robert Quine is such a great guitarist. Oh, and Metal Machine Music if you want to annoy the neighbours. A lot.

-- Ian

 

Cheers Ian.

This is the only thing of his I have. Well, there's a couple of hundred records about the house (MOstly my dads and some of older brothers in there too), and i've just been picking things out. I'd obviously heard perfect day and wild side before, but I don't think i'd ever previously listened to a whole album! Very impressed! Infact, i'll put it on again now

 

In that case, run to your nearest record emporium and get the Velvets albums ASAP. Bloody marvellous.

-- Ian

 

I really like "songs for drella", an album he made together with John Cale. But first get the Velvet ones.

 

Don't forget the third Velvets LP, The Velvet Underground –_Pale Blue Eyes, What Goes On, I'm Set Free. Mmmmmm, nice. I also like Songs for Drella, but if it's Reed's solo stuff you're interested in, New York is a must. Anybody who recommends Metal Machine Music is being a mischievous monkey. It's only useful for annoying neighbours if you stay way clear of the area yourself. Say a couple of miles.

 

Cheers for the replies. Some MOre stuff to be added to the list for santa

The guys lyrics are excellent! Shaving honey bears, and a woman who's nose grew to her feet so she smells with them! Makes sense really!

 

Another vote for New York, one of my favourite albums.

 

coney island baby

 

Actually, I quite like it. Bit long, however.

-- Ian

 

'Magic and loss' is good for a laff/suicide

 

Ah - but Metal Machine Music is 4 exactly equal length sides - so is perfect for use on 8track cartridge, and this is apparently one of the most sought after in 8trackland

Transformer rules - I just wish *I* had it on vinyl. Vicious is a fantastic track - in fact, sod it - they are ALL fantastic!

 

Metal Machine Music is the victim of much unfair bad press IMO. I like it.

VU & Nico can be had in the HMV sale for £14.99 for the deluxe edition remaster which includes a very good mono mix.

Berlin is an essential album, as is New York, his latest effort, The Raven, is pretty damned good as well. Get the 2cd version if you can find it. www.101cd.com has it for £13.99 which is way cheaper than the £20-25 the shops charge.

Transformer is available as an audiophile vinyl release. They had it in HMV a few months back at £8.99. I should've picked it up at the time.

Also, there's a recently issued CD of a superb one-off concert from Jan. 29th 1972 - http://www.spincds.com/loureedbatacalan.htm

 

'Hey that c**t's not breathing
I think she's had too much
of something or other
you know what I mean
I don't mean to scare you
but you're the one who came here
and you're the one who's gonna take her when you leave....'

from


The brilliant, black, gloomy
Street Hassle album from 1978

Bob