Get it right!
tonyscam | Fort Worth, Texas United States | 08/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm appalled at the number of people who think Lou Reed -- or ANYbody -- could cultivate and maintain this high-energy, high-speed stream-of-consciousness comedic rant'n'ramble merely under the effects of alcohol.
. . . alcohol?!?
SPEED, people, speed! Methedrine. Injected, not snorted. It's a matter of record, no pun intended. (Reed may deny certain elements of his past, but not his years as a speed addict.) While there may have been a drink or six in his system, the main fuel was methedrine (as with the original Lenny Bruce himself). If you want to criticize the album for being drug-influenced, at least GET IT RIGHT.
As long as I'm correcting the record, I'll also mention that -- comedy aside -- this album contains a musically magnificent version of "Berlin". I was never wild about the full-length song in the first place, but this version just smokes! And if you hated "Leave Me Alone" on Street Hassle (it's okay, I hate that whole album), you might still like the version here, tightened up and given a memorable melodic riff.
But it's "Satellite of Love" which single-handedly justifies this album's existence. No comedy, no storytelling. Just an inspired reworking of an already-beautiful tune, jazzy ornaments on a new melody that is both boisterous and wistful. And then there's THAT GUITAR . . . .
"
Stands above other live albums
Oscar H | Kansas City, Missouri United States | 09/15/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While most live albums are what you would expect from a concert, Lou grabs the emotions and philosophies of the day and puts it out there. I wish I had been there. The band is great. Lou steps out and gives a show that is honest to himself and the songs. His songs are powerful to begin with, but he puts all this energy and emotion behind the songs, they rachet way up there. Possibly the best live album ever. Certainly the most honest live album. He allows his audience, and us, to see what is truly behind his song writing."