I became a teenager in the 90s, so I grew up with those Reed albums. A UK music mag - Q had New York in their top 10 albums of the year, so I bought the CD, and it blew me away! I followed his output through the 90s up to and including Ecstacy. I love them all, too. New York and Set the Twilight Reeling are my favourites. Magic and Loss is a pretty heavy album for a teenager! In a way, 90s Reed was my 'version' of Reed, as I knew little about his previous albums apart from The Velvet Underground and Transformer. It's funny how so much of life is perspective! It's the same with John Cale. I'm more familiar with his recent releases (say the last 20 years). He is really on a roll right now and is definitely worth checking out! Thanks, Stuart.
I think you're right, Stuart. I find that I very often deem my favorite period of musicians' outputs to be those albums I first listened to. Such is the case with both Dylan and Lou so far. And when I consider making similar videos about other musicians, I find that the same holds true. So I suppose there's a bias there in that we seem to really connect the most with the albums that drew us in initially. Makes sense, I suppose.
I first had an egg cream while attending college in Queens in the 70's. For those not familiar with the beverage, it contains neither egg nor cream. It has just 3 ingredients; milk, chocolate syrup and seltzer water. It's like light chocolate milk with fizz, and it's quite tasty. By the way, your cohost needs to turn on their mic.
It's refreshing to see someone who appreciates an artist's entire catalogue and emphasizing the later music. So often when I watch UA-cam ranking videos, it's the same thing, the artist's newer stuff is at the bottom and their early stuff at the top, as if rock and roll is exclusively a young man's game. Unfortunately, that's how a lot of people see it, but many artists, Reed included, were putting out some of their best music later in their careers. There are some, many, who think Berlin towers over the rest of his solo career, which is kind of sad considering how many albums he put out after that one. Much of the '70s stuff is classic, Berlin included, but I think it was the Blue Mask where Reed really found his voice as a solo artist, vocally, lyrically, musically. Prior to that it was as if his inspiration was being pulled in a hundred different directions, by producers like David Bowie and Bob Ezrin, by the record companies maybe, by his own creative restlessness.The first Reed album I ever bought, believe it or not, was Mistrial, and I loved it, played the heck out of it. Of course my older brother owned Transformer, Blue Mask, Legendary Hearts, New Sensations, so I was familiar with those records, but Mistrial was the first one that was exclusively my own. In retrospect, it's not one of his best, but it's highly underrated, and a bit of fun, frivolity even, before the heaviness of his next three records. My favorite run of records is the Blue Mask through Ecstasy, so there is some overlap in our own preferences. The Raven and Lulu are albums I should probably revisit at some point, especially Lulu, because Reed and Metallica are two of my favorite artists. Anyway, from a fellow Reed fanboy, this video is much appreciated, Jeff.
Hi Chris. I almost chose the period between Blue Mask ‘til the end, but decided that New York and onwards was another whole leap in….well, whatever it is that resonates with me. As for most artists’ later albums being frequently ranked lower than their earlier albums, I have found that so many (most) artists eventually get stuck in auto-pilot later in their careers, resulting in lackluster (or been-there-done-that) albums. It is a rare artist who never gives up on trying to create something new all through their career, at great risk. Lou was one of those rare artists.
I enjoyed this video Jeff! I'm familiar with the first three albums, but I have a lot to catch up with. In the ninties I was young and read an interview with Lou Reed in a swedish music magazine (Pop#19). That amazing interview opened my eyes for his music and music journalism. ❤
Hi Martin. Thanks. I often regret that I didn't get into Lou Reed until practically my 30's, but then I realize that had I heard Lou's music prior to that, I wouldn't have liked it anyway because I was too much into more "sophisticated" music in my 20's....stuff like prog and fusion and the like. So it was actually better that I didn't get into Lou until later. Things work out for the best sometimes.
nice way to end a Friday evening, with some great commentating and presentations of the great Lou! enjoyed and great points made. When you listen, it sounds like you are very focused on his lyrics primarily, and sure you switch to the guitar. I really try to go to lyrics 100% sometimes, but always drift to the guitar. Yes in a dark room and deep listening, I use the headphones. Best times were all throughout his career. ......He was like Bowie or Stones, and played what he felt at each time period. We know vocally it was similar, but lyrically and musically we heard his unique feelings on what he felt right at that time period he made all those albums. but to your point, yep, his later works is extremely unique and not preferred by many. My still needed albums are Lulu and the wonderful Hudson River Wind Meditations Oh well, you and I and some others love everything on the menu! Oh how we miss him!!
I focus on the lyrics when preparing to make one of my silly “review” videos, but honestly I am just like you, Steve. I very often end up fading away from focusing on the lyrics and just settle into the guitar and groove of the music. I do love his lyrics but the magnetic pull of the guitars and rhythm section and arrangements always wins me over.
Its a strange thing but you say its a shame they never put their differences aside. I wonder if they had managed that if the magic would have dissapeared?. So many of the bands I loved burnt brightly for 2/3 years and then collapsed in a mess of disharmony. I think the creative process often flourishes with an element of chaos. Great video..as always.
Great point. When I said that I wished they had "put aside" their issues, I didn't mean that I wish they had resolved their issues....just that they put them aside. Sorta like how good friends often put aside their differing views on politics or religion for many years and focus on what commonalities they share. If I only kept those relationships that totally matched my own thoughts about everything, I'd be one lonely man indeed. Haha!
Lou is by far the most indefensible artistic enthusiasm I've ever had. Even I can't quite understand why I love the guy's music so much. It is clearly not for everyone....I'd go so far as to say that it is not for hardly anyone at all. I used to think that that was a major contributor in how much I liked certain unorthodox artists (their unpopularity with the masses) but I no longer think that. I sincerely love this guy's work, period, and I even love what little I know of the man himself.
Good song, yes. I just heard the Ecstasy album a few days ago and Tatters was one of the songs that especially got my attention....again. That whole album is SO good.
Ha! I hadn't gotten to the end of the video when I wrote my first comment. I appreciate your pity for me over my antithesis toward Trout Mask Replica. For me, weirdness is best when it has an air of spontaneity, whereas TMR is calculated weirdness, which I simply cannot abide. I'm thinking of writing an essay at some point comparing Bone Machine by Tom Waits with TMR, two bizarre albums that combine blues and cabaret and coarse vocalism, yet one moves me deeply and the other leaves me cold. The difference? Genuine emotion! I'm sure you'll disagree with that. You're one of the reasons I no longer believe that no one really likes TRM, they just pretend to, because of how much I respect your musical opinions. But as for me, I still don't get it and probably never will.
100% Jeff!
You nailed the whole thing right here.
Thank you.
John Cale yes-was lucky enough to see him when he passed through Eugene Or.Love all of his music
Yes I need to revisit his music. The last album I bought was long ago when I bought that album with his setting of Dylan Thomas’ “Do not go gentle”.
@@CalicoSilver try John Cale and eno. “Wrong way up”
Perfect timing, Jeff. I’m on the treadmill and needed something to watch, haha.
This would be better to watch when trying to get to sleepzzzzzzzzz……. 😂
I became a teenager in the 90s, so I grew up with those Reed albums. A UK music mag - Q had New York in their top 10 albums of the year, so I bought the CD, and it blew me away! I followed his output through the 90s up to and including Ecstacy. I love them all, too. New York and Set the Twilight Reeling are my favourites. Magic and Loss is a pretty heavy album for a teenager!
In a way, 90s Reed was my 'version' of Reed, as I knew little about his previous albums apart from The Velvet Underground and Transformer. It's funny how so much of life is perspective! It's the same with John Cale. I'm more familiar with his recent releases (say the last 20 years). He is really on a roll right now and is definitely worth checking out! Thanks, Stuart.
I think you're right, Stuart. I find that I very often deem my favorite period of musicians' outputs to be those albums I first listened to. Such is the case with both Dylan and Lou so far. And when I consider making similar videos about other musicians, I find that the same holds true. So I suppose there's a bias there in that we seem to really connect the most with the albums that drew us in initially. Makes sense, I suppose.
I first had an egg cream while attending college in Queens in the 70's. For those not familiar with the beverage, it contains neither egg nor cream. It has just 3 ingredients; milk, chocolate syrup and seltzer water. It's like light chocolate milk with fizz, and it's quite tasty. By the way, your cohost needs to turn on their mic.
Thanks, Daniel.
It's refreshing to see someone who appreciates an artist's entire catalogue and emphasizing the later music. So often when I watch UA-cam ranking videos, it's the same thing, the artist's newer stuff is at the bottom and their early stuff at the top, as if rock and roll is exclusively a young man's game. Unfortunately, that's how a lot of people see it, but many artists, Reed included, were putting out some of their best music later in their careers. There are some, many, who think Berlin towers over the rest of his solo career, which is kind of sad considering how many albums he put out after that one. Much of the '70s stuff is classic, Berlin included, but I think it was the Blue Mask where Reed really found his voice as a solo artist, vocally, lyrically, musically. Prior to that it was as if his inspiration was being pulled in a hundred different directions, by producers like David Bowie and Bob Ezrin, by the record companies maybe, by his own creative restlessness.The first Reed album I ever bought, believe it or not, was Mistrial, and I loved it, played the heck out of it. Of course my older brother owned Transformer, Blue Mask, Legendary Hearts, New Sensations, so I was familiar with those records, but Mistrial was the first one that was exclusively my own. In retrospect, it's not one of his best, but it's highly underrated, and a bit of fun, frivolity even, before the heaviness of his next three records. My favorite run of records is the Blue Mask through Ecstasy, so there is some overlap in our own preferences. The Raven and Lulu are albums I should probably revisit at some point, especially Lulu, because Reed and Metallica are two of my favorite artists. Anyway, from a fellow Reed fanboy, this video is much appreciated, Jeff.
Hi Chris. I almost chose the period between Blue Mask ‘til the end, but decided that New York and onwards was another whole leap in….well, whatever it is that resonates with me. As for most artists’ later albums being frequently ranked lower than their earlier albums, I have found that so many (most) artists eventually get stuck in auto-pilot later in their careers, resulting in lackluster (or been-there-done-that) albums. It is a rare artist who never gives up on trying to create something new all through their career, at great risk. Lou was one of those rare artists.
I enjoyed this video Jeff! I'm familiar with the first three albums, but I have a lot to catch up with. In the ninties I was young and read an interview with Lou Reed in a swedish music magazine (Pop#19). That amazing interview opened my eyes for his music and music journalism. ❤
Hi Martin. Thanks. I often regret that I didn't get into Lou Reed until practically my 30's, but then I realize that had I heard Lou's music prior to that, I wouldn't have liked it anyway because I was too much into more "sophisticated" music in my 20's....stuff like prog and fusion and the like. So it was actually better that I didn't get into Lou until later. Things work out for the best sometimes.
nice way to end a Friday evening, with some great commentating and presentations of the great Lou! enjoyed and great points made.
When you listen, it sounds like you are very focused on his lyrics primarily, and sure you switch to the guitar. I really try to go to lyrics 100% sometimes, but always drift to the guitar.
Yes in a dark room and deep listening, I use the headphones.
Best times were all throughout his career. ......He was like Bowie or Stones, and played what he felt at each time period. We know vocally it was similar, but lyrically and musically we heard his unique feelings on what he felt right at that time period he made all those albums. but to your point, yep, his later works is extremely unique and not preferred by many.
My still needed albums are Lulu and the wonderful Hudson River Wind Meditations
Oh well, you and I and some others love everything on the menu!
Oh how we miss him!!
I focus on the lyrics when preparing to make one of my silly “review” videos, but honestly I am just like you, Steve. I very often end up fading away from focusing on the lyrics and just settle into the guitar and groove of the music. I do love his lyrics but the magnetic pull of the guitars and rhythm section and arrangements always wins me over.
And yes, I deeply miss Lou Reed. When I listen to Magic & Loss now, I think of missing him too.
Its a strange thing but you say its a shame they never put their differences aside. I wonder if they had managed that if the magic would have dissapeared?. So many of the bands I loved burnt brightly for 2/3 years and then collapsed in a mess of disharmony. I think the creative process often flourishes with an element of chaos. Great video..as always.
Great point. When I said that I wished they had "put aside" their issues, I didn't mean that I wish they had resolved their issues....just that they put them aside. Sorta like how good friends often put aside their differing views on politics or religion for many years and focus on what commonalities they share. If I only kept those relationships that totally matched my own thoughts about everything, I'd be one lonely man indeed. Haha!
Great video Jeff. I really need to get back into Lou and this period in particular.
A song I really like from this period is 'Tatters'. I still haven't heard The Raven.
Lou is by far the most indefensible artistic enthusiasm I've ever had. Even I can't quite understand why I love the guy's music so much. It is clearly not for everyone....I'd go so far as to say that it is not for hardly anyone at all. I used to think that that was a major contributor in how much I liked certain unorthodox artists (their unpopularity with the masses) but I no longer think that. I sincerely love this guy's work, period, and I even love what little I know of the man himself.
Good song, yes. I just heard the Ecstasy album a few days ago and Tatters was one of the songs that especially got my attention....again. That whole album is SO good.
Hey Jeff, what do you think of the song both sides now? Also, what do you think of judy collins?
I like Joni’s early folky albums. And I like Judy just fine but never owned any of her records.
How is your team doing in your absence? Maybe you need to spend more time in the bullpen.
Ha! I hadn't gotten to the end of the video when I wrote my first comment. I appreciate your pity for me over my antithesis toward Trout Mask Replica. For me, weirdness is best when it has an air of spontaneity, whereas TMR is calculated weirdness, which I simply cannot abide. I'm thinking of writing an essay at some point comparing Bone Machine by Tom Waits with TMR, two bizarre albums that combine blues and cabaret and coarse vocalism, yet one moves me deeply and the other leaves me cold. The difference? Genuine emotion! I'm sure you'll disagree with that. You're one of the reasons I no longer believe that no one really likes TRM, they just pretend to, because of how much I respect your musical opinions. But as for me, I still don't get it and probably never will.