Friday, October 15, 2010
A busload of Lou
Lou Reed - Bus load of faith
Uploaded by bebepanda. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Lou Reed. Damn. Who out there saw him at Humpin' Hannas in Milwaukee back in the day? Or the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis?
We heard "Busload of Faith" on the Loft yesterday and it brought back some memories. Hard to believe it has been 21 years since we last saw him, the same year -- 1989 -- he released the album New York. We were too late to catch the early Velvet Underground train, but as far as we're concerned Lou Reed circa 1989 is as good as he got, and as good as it gets. We're not alone. Here's what was written about New York on Amazon.com:
New York is arguably Lou Reed's greatest hour as a solo artist. A song-cycle about his beloved city in the '80s, Reed adopts a conversational tone to discuss politics, AIDS, romance, TV preachers, and whatever else is on his mind. While his voice never ranges far, the album kicks into high gear with the twin guitar attack of Reed and Mike Rathke, which takes simple, three-chord rock into a truly transcendent space. "Romeo Had Juliette" cruises like a cab down a bumpy avenue, while "Strawman" curls with rage. Like the city that gives it its name, New York never rests.
We love the line "three-chord rock into a truly transcendent space." That's us! You can buy the CD for $10, but if you don't believe the hype do yourself a favor and at least download "Busload of Faith" for a buck. You'll have a nice companion when you hit the gas with the windows down and the open highway stretched out in front of you.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Lou and the Underground ... Lou live .. Lou walking, always, on the wild side. I never understood the larger world's lack of familiarity with Lou Reed; boy was a legened in his youth, and he's still workin' as a professional photographer. Nice re-revelation, Jim.
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about Lou Reed for a long time but I always liked his Sweet Jane...
ReplyDeleteStanding on the corner, suitcase in my hand
Jack is in his corset, Jane is her vest
And me, I'm in a rock'n'roll band
Ridin'a Stutz Bearcat, Jim
You know, those were different times
Oh, all the poets, they studied rules of verse
And those ladies, they rolled their eyes
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane, sweet Jane
I'll tell you something, that Jack, he is a banker
And Jane, she is a clerk
And both of them save their monies
And when they come home from work
Ooh, sittin' down by the fire
Oh, the radio does play
The classical music, said Jim, the `March of the Wooden Soldiers`
All you protest kids, you can hear Jack say, get ready
Sweet Jane, come on, baby
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane
Some people, they like to go out dancing
Other peoples, they have to work
Just watch me now
And there's some evil mothers
Well they're gonna tell you that everything is just dirt
You know, that women never really faint
And that villains always blink their eyes
And that, you know, children are the only ones who blush
And that life is just to die
But anyone who ever had a heart
Oh, they wouldn't turn around and break it
And anyone who's ever played a part
Oh, they wouldn't turn around and hate it
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane, sweet Jane ...
Lou Reed doesn't appear on my radar when I think of good or great music. If you have a chance, listen to his cover of, "This Magic Moment," on the Doc Pomus tribute album. A great blues collection and Reed just doesn't quite cut it.
ReplyDelete