Lou Reed - NYC Man The Ultimate Collection
by John Clarkson
published: 24 / 5 / 2003
Label:
Select Label
Format: CD
intro
Timely, frequently surprising reappraisal of Lou Reed's lengthy career, with tracks chosen and remastered by Reed himself
The world probably doesn't need another Lou Reed compilation at the moment. Over the course of the last decade, there have been a dozen or so such things, some concentrating on Reed's time in the Velvet Underground, some on his now thirty year long solo career, and others still on both of them. This double CD, however, differs from most, as Reed has chosen and remastered all the tracks on it himself. Despite his assertion on its sleeve that "anybody who's a fan of me or the Velvet Underground will be delighted to hear what this stuff sounds like-the way it's supposed to sound", the differences between the older versions of these songs and these new versions are neglible, consisting of minor extensions on running times, and occasional additions of extra guitar notes here and there. Where this album stands out, however, is in Reed's selection of songs. All the hallmarks of Reed's career and previous compilations are there-'Walk on the Wide Side' and 'Perfect Day' from 'Transformer' ; 'I'm Waiting for the Man' from 'The Velvet Underground and Nico' ; 'Pale Blue Eyes' from 'The Velvet Undergeound', and 'Rock 'n' Roll' from 'Loaded'. There are, however, some genuine surprises and obscurities as well. There is a thunderous version of 'Heroin' plucked from 1984's little known 'Live in Italy' album, while 'I'll Be Your Mirror', rather than being the Nico sung version from 1967, features Reed at his most world weary, and is taken from 1998's almost equally oblique 'Perfect Night : Live in London'. Elsewhere there are other gems as well such as the beautiful, enigmatic title track from 1979's 'The Bells' ; the mock blues of 'Temporary Thing' from 1976's 'Rock 'n' Roll Heart' and 1982's feedback-ridden paean to masochism, 'The Blue Mask'. Reed took a not entirely unfair critical mauling earlier this year for his latest album 'The Raven', a misunderstood but musically mediocre rock opera about Edgar Allan Poe. While there is nothing new here for affeciendoes, 'NYC Man' somewhat restores the balance, and serves as a timely reminder of just how good Reed really is.
Track Listing:-
1 Who Am I2 Sweet Jane
3 Rock And Roll
4 I'm Waiting For The Man
5 White Light/White Heat (Live)
6 Street Hassle
7 Berlin
8 Caroline Says I
9 The Kids
10 Walk On The Wild Side
11 Kill Your Sons (Live)
12 Vicious
13 The Blue Mask
14 I'll Be Your Mirror (Live)
15 Magic And Loss
16 Ecstasy
17 I Wanna Be Black (Live Edit)
18 Temporary Thing
19 Shooting Star
20 Legendary Hearts
21 Heroin (Live)
22 Coney Island Baby
23 The Last Shot
24 The Bells
25 Perfect Day
26 Sally Can't Dance
27 Satellite Of Love
28 Nyc Man
29 Dirty Boulevard
30 Rock Minuet
31 Pale Blue Eyes
profiles |
1942 - 2013 (2013) |
Denzil Watson looks back on the career and life of Velvet underground front man and solo artist Lou Reed, who died at the age of 71 in October |
A Personal Tribute (2013) |
The Journalists and the Media (2013) |
Lou Reed's Berlin (2008) |
Lou Reed's Berlin (2008) |
live reviews |
Hammersmith Apollo, London, 1/7/2007 |
Lou Reed has recently been touring Europe with his bleak early 1970's masterpiece, 'Berlin', and both a choir and brass and strings section. John Clarkson finds that it has lost none of and impact almost 35 years on from its original release and the New York rocker on fantastic form |
Barbican, London, 28/5/2003 |
favourite album |
Rock 'n' Roll Animal (2010) |
Jeff Thiessen examines Lou Reed's classic 1974 live album, 'Rock 'n' Roll Animal' |
Metal Machine Music (2010) |
The Blue Mask (2002) |
features |
Lou Reed (2013) |
John Clarkson writes of ten of his favourite songs in the solo career of the late Lou Reed |
The Raven (2003) |
reviews |
Berlin : Live at St Ann's Warehouse (2008) |
Live reworking of Lou Reed's infamously controversial 'Berlin' album, which shows that Reed still has the power to enthral and shock |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart