Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 17, 2020 7:00:45 GMT
Lou Reed - Growing Up in Public (1980) Following the jazz-rock (con)fusion of The Bells, Lou abruptly changed direction yet again for his final album for Arista. Growing Up in Public is a collection of very personal and direct songs. A commercial, mainstream sound is aligned to very literate lyrics about personal relationships. No sign of drugs or decadence this time out. It got a meh reaction on its release however it has aged really well and there’s loads to enjoy here for the Lou Reed fan in your life. The whole album ended up on the Lou Reed Definitive playlist.
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 17, 2020 12:38:43 GMT
Lou Reed - The Blue Mask (1982) Back on RCA Records, The Blue Mask is Lou as rock n roll elder statesman. It was released around the time of his 40th birthday which was also the point when he got clean. Lou is also back playing guitar, and with a second guitarist, the talented and distinctive ex-Voidoid Robert Quine, to push him. The rhythm section, bassist Fernando Saunders and drummer Doane Perry, were no slouches either. Great musicianship is aligned to a batch of committed and literate songs crafted by a serious and sober Lou. Upon its release the critics competed to heap praise on this album and it is undeniably impressive. However, none of the songs are especially memorable and this is an album I admire more than love. Favourite tracks: My House, Women, Underneath The Bottle, The Gun, The Blue Mask, Average Guy
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 18, 2020 9:11:39 GMT
Lou Reed - Legendary Hearts (1983) Another of the 1980s mature, sober and adult Lou Reed albums. It follows on from The Blue Mask, with the same backing musicians, although here Robert Quine was either removed or mixed right down after some kind of disagreement, which makes it all sound very simple and pared back. It’s another restrained listen which relies on the literate and considered songwriting. I’m not too keen on it but, as always, there’s a few songs which stand out… Legendary Hearts Martial Law The Last Shot Betrayed
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 18, 2020 11:13:52 GMT
Lou Reed - Live In Italy (1984) Live In Italy is a double live album recorded in September 1983, at the ruins of Circus Maximus in Rome, on a world tour to promote most recent album Legendary Hearts. Curiously it contains quite a bit of Velvets material and only two songs from Legendary Hearts. It’s gets better as it goes along. Lou seems to be phoning it in on openers Sweet Jane and I’m Waiting for My Man however by disc two things improve. The 15 minute hybrid of Some Kinda Love / Sister Ray is worth the price of admission alone. Robert Quine’s guitar is outstanding on some tracks. Sadly the strained relationship between Reed and Quine was already on borrowed time and, perhaps, the tension undermines some of the performances. A solid Lou Reed live album though.
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 18, 2020 14:02:54 GMT
Lou Reed - New Sensations (1984) I prefer Lou when he doesn’t take himself too seriously. On The Blue Mask, and Legendary Hearts, Lou was bidding to be Rock's Greatest Poet and putting more effort into the lyrics and less on the portentous tunes. I find those albums a bit worthy and wearisome. Here, by contrast, he seems more focussed on writing thoughtful and interesting pop music. New Sensations is a real gem - tuneful and erudite - the perfect blend of upbeat and thought provoking. Robert Quine created the riff for I Love You, Suzanne and, upon hearing it, Lou wrote the lyrics. Lou didn’t give Robert Quine a writing credit which further strained their tense relationship. That said, he was still part of the group for the world tour in support of the album.
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 20, 2020 8:54:03 GMT
Lou Reed - Mistrial (1986) One of Lou Reed’s worst albums, Mistrial sounds rushed and full of mediocre songs. The extensive use of a drum machine adds to the sense that this was knocked off in too much of a hurry. It all sounds very dated. The title track, Video Violence and Mama’s Got a Lover are the best of a bad bunch.
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 21, 2020 9:34:29 GMT
Lou Reed - New York (1989) Everyone - critics and listeners alike - agreed this is peak Lou. By keeping it musically spare it still sounds fresh in 2020. It’s a world away from the typically 80s sound of Mistrial and all the better for it. If anything, it most echoes the latter day sound of the Velvets. The serious and literate songs are elevated by simple, catchy melodies and confident vocals. This really is Lou at his best - and he’s got something to say, covering such disparate topics as: corruption, politicians, the environment, AIDS, parenthood, street life, Andy Warhol, child abuse, relationships etc. A total classic. Every track is a winner. And it’s got a good cover too.
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 22, 2020 15:38:05 GMT
Lou Reed & John Cale - Songs for Drella (1990) It’s a shame that Lou Reed and John Cale annoyed each other as together they create magic. The death of Andy Warhol, an artist both revered, was the catalyst to bring them together for the first since 1968 with the Velvets. Both seem focused on creating a fitting tribute to their friend. The simple songs are accompanied either by just Cale's keyboards, or Reed's guitar, with one of them singing. Each song is about Warhol’s life, or their feelings about him. It’s both touching and powerful.
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 24, 2020 7:25:01 GMT
Lou Reed - Magic and Loss (1992) Lou Reed’s musings on death. Despite getting some great reviews it is all a bit samey, and a maudlin listen. I doubt may people choose to play this more than once in a while. Every now and again though the tempo picks up to lift the mood and these are the best moments Best tracks: What's Good, No Chance, Gassed and Stoked
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Post by Lord Emsworth on May 27, 2020 9:47:28 GMT
Lou Reed - Set the Twilight Reeling (1996) Lou rediscovers a bit energy on this mid 1990s effort with plenty of electric guitar in the mix, all of which means it’s quite well regarded, especially after the previous two more adult and restrained LPs (Songs For Drella, Magic And Loss). Sadly, and despite being more fun than its predecessors, it’s not actually particularly good. Best songs: NYC Man, Set the Twilight Reeling
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