Conference marvin::uk_music

442.0. "Lou Reed - Live - 7th June 1989" by FLOCON::KIRKHAM () Thu Jun 15 1989 10:30

    
    Just a quick review of LOU REED who did three gigs at The London
    Palladium recently...
    
    Lou Reed's career has been patchy to say the least.  His early work
    with The Velvet Underground seems to have influenced everyone on
    the fringes of pop for a long time, while his 70s work reminded
    me of seeing an aging professional footballer - there were flashes
    of sheer brilliance, interlaced with a lot of really mediocre stuff.
    
    Early this year, he released an album called "New York" which the
    critics have acclaimed as his best solo effort ever.  In a sense,
    its almost a concept album (URGH!!!!) since almost all the songs 
    seem to have the decay and poverty of New York as the theme.  More
    importantly, the whole thing is done in very minimalist way, which
    suits the material perfectly...
    
    The concerts at the Palladium were in two parts.  The first part
    consisted of nothing but songs from "New York" - a shakey "Romeo
    Had Juliet" was soon forgotten as the band quickly got into their
    stride - "Straw Man" was a highlight, as was "Begining of a Great
    Adventure" where Lou became a jazz crooner for a few minutes...
    
    The second part was a collection of Lou Reed classics, and there's
    no shortage of songs to choose from.  "Walk on the Wild Side" and
    "Sweet Jane" were obligatory, but still managed to sound fresh.
    "Doing the Things We Want Too" and "Love You Suzanne" were thrashed
    out with a passion you rarely see.  
    
    The highlight came towards the end - A vicious controlled thrashing
    of "Rock and Roll" which hypnotised me, and couple of thousand other
    people as well.  
    
    "Its been a real pleasure to play for you..." Lou said after the
    second encore.  Maybe, just for once, he meant it....
    
    - roGER