Lou Reed - Perfect Night: Live in London |
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Tuesday, 21 April 1998 |
artist:
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Lou Reed |
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album:
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Perfect Night Live In London |
format: |
CD |
label: |
Reprise Records |
release year: |
2003 |
performance: |
7 |
sound |
8 |
reviewed by: |
Jason Karsh |
If Neil Young is the accepted 'Grandfather of Grunge,' what exactly
does that make Lou Reed? The last, interesting male folk singer?
Perhaps the last of the white, urban chronicle-ists of the baby-boomer
set? Well, no matter what category you want to squeeze Lou Reed into
just know that long after both you and he are gone, his musical
influence will live on. Inside this CD's liner notes is the brief story
of how this recording came about, told by Lou Reed himself. Without
retelling it entirely, it is safe to say that he is definitely right
about one thing; he and the band sound great. For the sound alone this
album is worth a listen.
However, it would be unfair to call this album 'perfect,' for while
Lou and his mates do sound great, their set list leaves a little
lacking. First of all, there are a couple of songs which simply
unimpress and, second, there are two glaring track omissions. True,
both "Romeo & Juliet" and "Wild Side" were--and continue to
be--popular, but they are classic, unforgettable Lou Reed numbers which
shouldn't be left out of any so-called 'perfect night.' Thankfully,
"Busload Of Faith" and a nearly six minute version of "Dirty Boulevard"
really serve to cushion the blow and make this album worth the effort.
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