My dad has distinct memories of seeing the music video for I Love You Suzanne back when he was stationed in Cyprus while he was a peacekeeper. They'd get sent VHS tapes with MTV recorded on them, and that video got a good amount of airplay apparently.
Cool story about your dad and that fun video. Love Lou! I only regret not getting into his music until 1989. But to be honest, I probably wouldn't have liked his music back in the '70s because I was too much into stuff like Dylan, Young, Rundgren, Oldfield, Cooper, and prog rock and fusion. I would have deemed Lou's music too "simple" for my taste at the time, haha. By the late '80s I was looking for exactly that kind of "simplicity" that I'd previously steered away from.
I always thought it was interesting that Fernando, who played with some of the most virtuosic players on the planet, would have also enjoyed playing the 3-4 chords of Lou's songs for several years there. Just goes to show he must have enjoyed backing Lou and Lou's music, and yes he definitely enhanced Lou's music in many many ways.
Oh, by the way, forgot to mention how much I appreciate your comment about Lou's guitar playing. With me, it isn't always about skill but the ability to create an individual voice, especially one that matches the artist's personality, is an extension of his artistic intent, and that's what I love about Lou. Prince and Neil Young are other examples of this. Not saying they aren't talented as well, but for me what puts them in the pantheon is the personality of their playing. Neil's playing is a wailing outsider, a wounded animal, Prince's a strutting superstar, larger than life. Lou's guitar is a street poet, just like his words, just like his voice.
I agree, Chris. It is the sound and approach to the fretboard and strings that matters to me. Both Lou and Neil are in my top 10 favorite guitarists, for exactly the reason you mention here - the personality of their playing.
I thought i was only the one who really liked it!! I know a few Lou Reed fans who never really took to It .I thought the melodies were really catchy and thought that He was really using his voice effectively not just talking the lyrics. Its my most played Lou Reed album love the humour sounds like he was having a great time maybe thats why some dont like it !!! Great video glad you like it.Cheers Jeff
I bought this album when it came out and for some reason I had lukewarm, mixed feelings about it at that time. I guess that I felt that it was too polished and streamlined, also I think that the songs were too middle-aged for me - being very much a young buck at that point. However I did see him perform live a few months later in Hartford CT, for the first time, and he was great! - I remember him doing “Turn To Me”, “New Sensations” (my favorite track on the album), also “Down At The Arcade”, and during the encore “I Love You Suzanne”... about 5 years ago, I picked up a CD copy and started playing it a lot in my car, and it has now become one of my preferred Lou Reed albums - for some of the same reasons why I originally wasn’t crazy about - now seemed to be its best virtues.. I’m much, much more likely to play “New Sensations” now than “Berlin”, or “Street Hassle” at this point in my life... Nice review Jeff as usual..
I remember having a bit of a let-down at first also, because I bought New York before buying the rest of his '80s albums and none at the time seemed to meet the quality of that New York album.....but it wasn't long before I enjoyed all of them and came to really appreciate them. And you know what? I like all of Lou Reed's albums more today than I did in my 20s and 30s back in the '80s and '90s. Being and old fart has seemed to actually enhance my appreciation for this man's work. I'll bet seeing Lou at this time was great - I've seen the videos of course and he was perhaps at his best performing level, it seems. (I worked in Hartford, CT back in the early '90s, Thomas!) Thanks again, Thomas. Jeff
I don't feel fully qualified to call an album great or not great, but I know what I enjoy. I bought New Sensations in college and really, really enjoyed the album. I've listened to is as an "oldster" and still think it's great. I also liked the "I Love You Suzanne" video. Enjoy your channel.
We're in complete agreement here, a totally underrated album. What, Lou isn't allowed to have fun? That being said, I've always felt that some of the songs are misinterpreted. For instance, every review I've read that mentions the song Turn To Me assumes it's about friendship, but I think the "turn to me, turn to me" is the voice of addiction, or even an actual pusher, that or those voices we sometimes have inside ourselves urging us to follow them into the dark side. Lou is still recovering from his divorce here, so of course there's the usual cynical bluster. My Friend George is a dark song, and What Becomes a Legend Most, with a less 80s arrangement , could easily fit on the first Velvet Underground album. That being said, there is a positive vibe to this album, but so what? The title track, as uncharacteristic as it is, might be my favorite song by him, a mellow and existential journey, where Lou's motorcycle is once again used as a metaphor for freedom. And I love your analysis of Fly Into the Sun. During times like these, we need that track, need Lou with his ability to face the darkness and call it for what it is and even laugh about it, laugh at it. Great review, Jeff.
Wow, I think you are right, Chris! I love your interpretation of Turn To Me. It makes perfect sense. Another alternative explanation (that I didn't mention in the video) for What Becomes A Legend Most is that it is about a groupie and not the performing artist. What do you think about that song, interpretation-wise? But I think Lou remained married to Sylvia all through the '80s, so I don't think this album has anything to do with his divorce that occurred years later.....unless I am completely wrong about the dates.....I think they were divorced in the early '90s. Thanks for the comments, Chris! Jeff
@@CalicoSilverYou know, you might be right about the divorce. After Legendary Hearts, I just assumed their relationship was over, so much acrimony on that album that carries over onto some of the songs on this one, but I didn't do any actual research, so I will take your word for it. I always interpreted Legend as being a Sunset Boulevard type narrative, but I really like your take on it. Who's to say? Lou isn't around anymore to set us straight, not that we would want him to, I appreciate the ambiguity, leaving it open to personal interpretation. Until the next Lou review, Mistrial, which, again, based on your comments, I have a feeling we're in agreement on. Unjustly maligned, overall a pretty good record, but not among his best work.
The first Reed album i ever bought, on tape...this was back when nobody in the mainstream was talking about Lou....bought mainly on the back of the great vid for I love you Suzanne and reading a review in Rolling Stone. Even bought the live concert they released of that tour. Personally prefer it to Legendary Hearts and his other earlier 80's albums....the follow-up was not so great...apart from a couple of tracks.
Hahaha! I bought this on tape back then also, Dirk. And had that VHS tape of the concert also - great stuff. Love this period of Lou's output. Haha, you might want to skip my upcoming review of Mistrial, because even while I agree with you that it is far from being as good as these earlier '80s albums, I still enjoy it quite a bit....as bad as it could get at times, haha. Just a Reed fanatic, I reckon. Thanks for your comment! Jeff
Hey Jeff...I watched Warlock yesterday... pretty good ! I think they should’ve developed the romance between Quinn and Fonda... rather than the two female leads ! ;-/
This to me is Lou Reed at his least cynical and most lighthearted just a funny and enjoyable album if my red joystick doesn't make you laugh or the accompanying video to I love you Suzanne is just 80s cheese at its best
Haha, yeah, it is funny. When I first heard the album, I heard "chimpanzee", and within seconds discovered my error after the next few lines of the song......but to this day, when I hear that song, I still hear "chimpanzee" and chuckle.
Been coming back to this one a lot lately. 80’s production, but not overpoweringly so, just right.
Just right, indeed. Just plain FUN Lou Reed. I love it!!
Great reveiw! Thanks for sharing your personal experiences as well.
Thanks, Sven! Jeff
My dad has distinct memories of seeing the music video for I Love You Suzanne back when he was stationed in Cyprus while he was a peacekeeper. They'd get sent VHS tapes with MTV recorded on them, and that video got a good amount of airplay apparently.
Cool story about your dad and that fun video. Love Lou! I only regret not getting into his music until 1989. But to be honest, I probably wouldn't have liked his music back in the '70s because I was too much into stuff like Dylan, Young, Rundgren, Oldfield, Cooper, and prog rock and fusion. I would have deemed Lou's music too "simple" for my taste at the time, haha. By the late '80s I was looking for exactly that kind of "simplicity" that I'd previously steered away from.
fernando!....one of lou's finest compliments....good stuff jeff...peace always....rocky
I always thought it was interesting that Fernando, who played with some of the most virtuosic players on the planet, would have also enjoyed playing the 3-4 chords of Lou's songs for several years there. Just goes to show he must have enjoyed backing Lou and Lou's music, and yes he definitely enhanced Lou's music in many many ways.
Enjoyed that review very very much Jeff, thank you dude 😀
Thanks, Mick. I love talking about Lou Reed albums....it always puts me in a good mood.
Oh, by the way, forgot to mention how much I appreciate your comment about Lou's guitar playing. With me, it isn't always about skill but the ability to create an individual voice, especially one that matches the artist's personality, is an extension of his artistic intent, and that's what I love about Lou. Prince and Neil Young are other examples of this. Not saying they aren't talented as well, but for me what puts them in the pantheon is the personality of their playing. Neil's playing is a wailing outsider, a wounded animal, Prince's a strutting superstar, larger than life. Lou's guitar is a street poet, just like his words, just like his voice.
I agree, Chris. It is the sound and approach to the fretboard and strings that matters to me. Both Lou and Neil are in my top 10 favorite guitarists, for exactly the reason you mention here - the personality of their playing.
I thought i was only the one who really liked it!! I know a few Lou Reed fans who never really took to It .I thought the melodies were really catchy and thought that He was really using his voice effectively not just talking the lyrics. Its my most played Lou Reed album love the humour sounds like he was having a great time maybe thats why some dont like it !!! Great video glad you like it.Cheers Jeff
Yeah Lou just exudes good vibes here which is one of the reasons I like his ‘80s albums. Thanks Trevor. Jeff
I bought this album when it came out and for some reason I had lukewarm, mixed feelings about it at that time. I guess that I felt that it was too polished and streamlined, also I think that the songs were too middle-aged for me - being very much a young buck at that point. However I did see him perform live a few months later in Hartford CT, for the first time, and he was great! - I remember him doing “Turn To Me”, “New Sensations” (my favorite track on the album), also “Down At The Arcade”, and during the encore “I Love You Suzanne”... about 5 years ago, I picked up a CD copy and started playing it a lot in my car, and it has now become one of my preferred Lou Reed albums - for some of the same reasons why I originally wasn’t crazy about - now seemed to be its best virtues.. I’m much, much more likely to play “New Sensations” now than “Berlin”, or “Street Hassle” at this point in my life... Nice review Jeff as usual..
I remember having a bit of a let-down at first also, because I bought New York before buying the rest of his '80s albums and none at the time seemed to meet the quality of that New York album.....but it wasn't long before I enjoyed all of them and came to really appreciate them. And you know what? I like all of Lou Reed's albums more today than I did in my 20s and 30s back in the '80s and '90s. Being and old fart has seemed to actually enhance my appreciation for this man's work. I'll bet seeing Lou at this time was great - I've seen the videos of course and he was perhaps at his best performing level, it seems. (I worked in Hartford, CT back in the early '90s, Thomas!) Thanks again, Thomas. Jeff
I don't feel fully qualified to call an album great or not great, but I know what I enjoy. I bought New Sensations in college and really, really enjoyed the album. I've listened to is as an "oldster" and still think it's great. I also liked the "I Love You Suzanne" video. Enjoy your channel.
Thanks, Bill. I haven't seen that Suzanne video in many years. I will look it up today and enjoy it. Thanks again. Jeff
We're in complete agreement here, a totally underrated album. What, Lou isn't allowed to have fun? That being said, I've always felt that some of the songs are misinterpreted. For instance, every review I've read that mentions the song Turn To Me assumes it's about friendship, but I think the "turn to me, turn to me" is the voice of addiction, or even an actual pusher, that or those voices we sometimes have inside ourselves urging us to follow them into the dark side. Lou is still recovering from his divorce here, so of course there's the usual cynical bluster. My Friend George is a dark song, and What Becomes a Legend Most, with a less 80s arrangement , could easily fit on the first Velvet Underground album. That being said, there is a positive vibe to this album, but so what? The title track, as uncharacteristic as it is, might be my favorite song by him, a mellow and existential journey, where Lou's motorcycle is once again used as a metaphor for freedom. And I love your analysis of Fly Into the Sun. During times like these, we need that track, need Lou with his ability to face the darkness and call it for what it is and even laugh about it, laugh at it. Great review, Jeff.
Wow, I think you are right, Chris! I love your interpretation of Turn To Me. It makes perfect sense. Another alternative explanation (that I didn't mention in the video) for What Becomes A Legend Most is that it is about a groupie and not the performing artist. What do you think about that song, interpretation-wise? But I think Lou remained married to Sylvia all through the '80s, so I don't think this album has anything to do with his divorce that occurred years later.....unless I am completely wrong about the dates.....I think they were divorced in the early '90s. Thanks for the comments, Chris! Jeff
@@CalicoSilverYou know, you might be right about the divorce. After Legendary Hearts, I just assumed their relationship was over, so much acrimony on that album that carries over onto some of the songs on this one, but I didn't do any actual research, so I will take your word for it. I always interpreted Legend as being a Sunset Boulevard type narrative, but I really like your take on it. Who's to say? Lou isn't around anymore to set us straight, not that we would want him to, I appreciate the ambiguity, leaving it open to personal interpretation. Until the next Lou review, Mistrial, which, again, based on your comments, I have a feeling we're in agreement on. Unjustly maligned, overall a pretty good record, but not among his best work.
The first Reed album i ever bought, on tape...this was back when nobody in the mainstream was talking about Lou....bought mainly on the back of the great vid for I love you Suzanne and reading a review in Rolling Stone. Even bought the live concert they released of that tour. Personally prefer it to Legendary Hearts and his other earlier 80's albums....the follow-up was not so great...apart from a couple of tracks.
Hahaha! I bought this on tape back then also, Dirk. And had that VHS tape of the concert also - great stuff. Love this period of Lou's output. Haha, you might want to skip my upcoming review of Mistrial, because even while I agree with you that it is far from being as good as these earlier '80s albums, I still enjoy it quite a bit....as bad as it could get at times, haha. Just a Reed fanatic, I reckon. Thanks for your comment! Jeff
Hey Jeff...I watched Warlock yesterday... pretty good ! I think they should’ve developed the romance between Quinn and Fonda... rather than the two female leads ! ;-/
Haha!!!! ;-)
This to me is Lou Reed at his least cynical and most lighthearted just a funny and enjoyable album if my red joystick doesn't make you laugh or the accompanying video to I love you Suzanne is just 80s cheese at its best
I agree 100%. Thanks for your comment.
Suzanne is Suzanne Vega
Is that so? I wasn't aware of that, but I suppose it make sense, her being the NYC gal that she is. Thanks, Al! Jeff
@@CalicoSilver ruclips.net/video/QamfNyvYfl8/видео.html
Thanks Al!
Chimpanzees.......thanks for that laugh
Haha, yeah, it is funny. When I first heard the album, I heard "chimpanzee", and within seconds discovered my error after the next few lines of the song......but to this day, when I hear that song, I still hear "chimpanzee" and chuckle.