Listening to Lou Reed’s ‘Between Thought and Expression’ compilation today. Cassette version. It begins where I was first introduced to Lou - two songs from his first eponymous solo album, ‘I Can’t Stand It’ and ‘Ocean’. I had heard his hit single that need not be named earlier but it was that first album of his that sucked me into his New York City universe. ‘Ocean’ I will remember until the day I die because I often played it on my bedroom stereo before I rode those Atlantic waves to Dream World.
Of course there are a few songs from ‘Transformer’. I am particularly fond of ‘Vicious’ as he encored with it the last time I saw Lou on his ‘Ecstasy’ tour.
‘Berlin’ songs are next. A couple of them close the first cassette’s first side and begin the second. Aside from ‘Lulu’ it is my favourite record of Lou’s. ‘Berlin’ introduced suburban me to how fucked up it can get in the big city. I always thought I would live in a big city and drink as much scotch as Lou. I mastered scotch but passed on the city possibly because of this record.
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal’ and ‘Sally Can’t Dance’ only get a song each. The latter album I bought in England where it got played often. The former is recognized, not quite universally, as one of the very best live albums ever.
‘Coney Island Baby’ is included of course. Probably Lou’s most beautiful song and he wrote plenty of those. “The glory of love...”
Next are few songs from ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Heart’. Bought that record in England and saw Lou on his tour 49 years ago. The title song is my theme song, if, indeed, I have a theme song.
I’m going to leave it there I think. I have CD and cassette versions of this brilliant compilation. I hope Light In the Attic releases it on vinyl soon.
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