| Author | Message | ||
     Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 438 Registered: 08-2006 |
Today - March 2 - is Lou Reed's birthday. Not only is he perhaps my favorite musical artist of all time, his birthday has particular resonance. He was born the same date, and the same year, as my father. Both my dad and Lou turned 65 today. In honor of the day, how 'bout a little list making? Top three Lou Reed records - solo, that is. Adding in VU would skew the curve. 1. New Sensations 2. The Blue Mask 3. Street Hassle | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1657 Registered: 03-2006 |
Did your Dad do as much heroin? Aren't things like that surreal? I also wonder what the outside of the envelope really is...the Stones are all that age, or close...will they still be rockin', or attemptin', whatever, at 70? I'm sure Herr Stephan will weigh in, but I don't really know enough about Lou's catalog to venture much of an opinion. Though, I will say that out of what I know by him, "New York" seems to be the most uncomplicatedly enjoyable by him. Did you ever read that great book about the history of punk, "Please Kill Me", Rob? It had some highly interesting stuff on Lou, what kinda guy he is, etc.... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1423 Registered: 05-2005 |
1. Satellite of Love 2. Last Great American Whale. 3. She's My Best Friend happy birhday to the old codger | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1272 Registered: 04-2005 |
Lou's not a nice man, LK. I'd never argue that point. But at the same time, it must be a real drag for a 65-year-old man who's probably not taken drugs in more than 25 years to constantly be identified with drug addiction. But I guess if you write songs like "Heroin" and "Waiting for the Man" that's going to happen. Rob, in best High Fidelity style, I'll take your list of three fave Lou solo albums and raise you two: 1. The Blue Mask 2. Legendary Hearts 3. New York 4. The Bells 5. Transformer Actually, this was hard because it changes: on other days, you might see Berlin, Street Hassle, Ecstasy, and New Sensations on that list. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1295 Registered: 05-2005 |
Happy boifday Lou! Perfect day Satellite of Love Walk on the wild side | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1425 Registered: 05-2005 |
oops read that wrong, thought it was tracks not albums. 1. New York. 2. Blue Mask. 3. Coney Island Baby. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 440 Registered: 08-2006 |
I did read "Please Kill Me," LK, and Kurt's right, Lou's reputed to be an ass. He gives good musak, though, so he's a good foil for my dad - a delightful man who I've never heard sing a note. "The Bells," eh, Kurt? An interesting, cool choice. I'm with you: On a given day, there's a bunch that could make the list. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1276 Registered: 04-2005 |
Actually, Lou comes off as comparatively angelic in "Please Kill Me" in contrast to his portrayal in Victor Bockris's bio from about a decade ago, or John Cale's book from awhile back (coauthored with Bockris...hmm). Thing is, Rob, for all the solo albums he's made, there's maybe 10 truly good ones. Which of those 10 make a top 5 or top 3 list can vary. For example, for years I thought I didn't like "Transformer" very much, but strangely, it's one of my two or three most-played albums of his, so I keep coming back to it. "The Bells," which I don't play a lot (have it on vinyl only) always intrigues and impresses me when I play it. It's a really odd album that few people--Lester Bangs being the most famous--seemed to understand. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 254 Registered: 09-2006 |
Since I'm in agreement with the general consensus for the top 3 (Blue Mask would be #1 for me) instead I'll do the top 3 underrated albums that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. Ecstasy 2. Lou Reed (the debut) 3. Set the Twilight Reeling I stand by 'em all. Is he still cohabiting with Laurie Anderson? That'd be some kind of record for him, wouldn't it? Also, someone whose parents OK'd numerous electroshock treatments to cure his homosexual leanings has a little bit of right to be grumpy with the world...happy birthday, ya bastid. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1427 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, that Cale book is a work of art. Do you have the limited edition cardboard cover book about 12" by 6", some great pics too. I also have Bockris's book on Lou. On your other point, I agree Lou's not made that many good albums compared to his total output, in fact I reckon Cale has made just as many good ones. I havent heard The Bells, must be one of the few by Lou that I havent heard. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1278 Registered: 04-2005 |
Nope, Kev, I have a standard issue U.S. printing of the Cale book, nothing special. But you're right, it is quite an amazing (if not terribly readable) piece of design. "The Bells" is a hard one to recommend. Some people really hate it. Despite song titles like "Disco Mystic" and "I Want to Boogie With You," it's not his commercial dance album, so don't be scared off by that. Most of it is pretty challenging, actually--lots of horns, synths, weird singing, murky sound, etc. If you prefer Lou in the Velvets-style two guitars/bass/drums lineup, it may not work for you. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1299 Registered: 05-2005 |
Songs for Drella is actually my only fave Lou album, th others I can take or leave, so that's why i'll levae my selection as songs only. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 502 Registered: 01-2005 |
My favorite Lou albums: 1. The Blue Mask 2. New York 3. Coney Island Baby 4. Legendary Hearts 5. Transformer I hope that Street Hassle gets a nice reissue soon with some bonus cuts! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1303 Registered: 05-2005 |
Iggy Pop is only 59!!!!! His face looks 110, but his body is pretty unbelievable, wher as ol Lou looks like a Lizard! |