A great record ...
4
By fjgallagher
The live version of Street Hassle is worth the price of admission.
Great Live Album
5
By Michael Milktoast
While acerbic commentary is provided by Lou Reed throughout, there is not as much as this album's reputation would lead you to believe.Triumphant and aggresive versions of tender songs are what the focus of this set should be. Walk on the Wild Side is the only song where Lou does stand-up comedy for the entire 17 minutes. It is amusing to hear an artist so burned out by his most famous song that he deconstructs how mundane it is during a performance of the very song,this moment may have been the birth of postmodern rock criticism.The majority of the songs on this album are like the end of a love affair; where one reads the love letters one final time before you set them on fire.
Lou's Classic Coke Ramblings
4
By TommyG714
I went to a few of these shows @ the BL. The were all very different and interesting in their own right, It's really a time capsule of the late 70's and some good reminiscene's about the Factory days. If you want classic R+R versions get the Lou Live/ R+R Animal show.
Lou talks too much!
3
By I am rage against the green light
I've been a huge Lou Reed fan since when I was in high school. All 4 of the Velvet Undergound albums are considered to be my favorite albums ever and I always believe, as any other Reed fans argue, Lou Reed's solo career was hugely underated somewhat. However, once thing that I am not satsfied musically with Lou Reed is definitely his live skill. I've been to his live shows twice and thought he talked too much. I bought 2 the velvet live albums and 3 solo live albums including this one and thought wow Lou Reed should stop talking. Someone can argue it's just his style, but most of his words are not as humorous as Ray Davies' or as inspirational as Neil Young's but often dull and random. Now that his drug days are over, though the age matters much in performing, I wish Lou will make his live album masterpiece pretty soon.
Not Lou's strongest outing
2
By 2for2true
I bought this used album several years ago (o.k., 20 years ago) because Rock 'n' Roll Animal is simply one of the best rock albums ever....so, I figured, a two album set, twice as good - right?
Not even close.
What you get with this collection is about twenty minutes of music, and an hour and a half of Lou berating people - Barbara Streisand, Patti Smith, and the audience in general. Oh, and telling crappy jokes (A man walks into his house and there's a VW beetle in the living room. How did this get here, he asks. Made a left at the kitchen, hahaha). Seriously. Whenever I find a big LR fan, I'll pull this out, put it on and watch their expression....I haven't found anyone that can last past side one.
Hey Lou, I love ya buddy. Don't get me wrong. You've got a ton of great work out there....but this should have stayed at the Bottom Line.
Buy The Album!
4
By mpdonn
This has one of the best live versions of Sweet Jane out there. Lou's irreverent and spontaneous commentary in between verses is priceless. Years ago I spent hours combing the record store of St. Marks Place in NYC trying to find this album. Vintage Lou!
