Lou Reed - Rock 'N' Roll Animal

[mg196]

Artist - Lou Reed
Title - Rock 'N' Roll Animal
Year of Release - 1974
Record Label - RCA
Genre - Rock

In case any of you missed my earlier postings on the topic, this show was recorded on the night of my birth, December 21, 1973. Every birthday it is the only music I play, from beginning to end and without skipping tracks. Usually, I pull out the CD once a year - it makes my birthday all the more special!

Well, my appreciation for this album increases every year. It is the greatest LIVE Rock record I have ever heard.

Yes, I have heard all the great ones, KISS Alive, ABB, and on and on...but there are 3 elements that make this album such an amazing experience: 1) Dick Wagner & Steve Hunter's twin guitar assault, 2) Lou's delivery, 3) the lyrics. Damn, what if Steve Hunter had tried out for Kiss instead of Ace?! You'd have some better music, brother! Funny, but Hunter routinely filled in for Frehley during KISS studio sessions.

Individually, Hunter & Wagner are outstanding guitarists. And even though they are technical masters they still can play with an urgency and ferociousness that other less capable musicians cannot duplicate. I've heard a dozen guitarists play "better" guitar, but when it comes to playing with raw emotion? Forget it. What makes Hunter & Wagner even more amazing is how they play TOGETHER. The way their guitars weave in and out of each other. The way they unselfishly trade solos and play off eachother is incredible. This album is pure 1970's in all its glory, but Hunter & Wagner elevate it to a timelessness that will always make it sound fresh and new.

In an interview, Steve Hunter once said, "That band definitely took Lou Reed into a different direction. Reed talks bad about the Rock and Roll Animal and Lou Reed, Live albums we played on, now. He puts that whole era down. Well, in every place we ever played back then, the press was always putting down Lou Reed and talking about the great guitars of Hunter and Wagner. He hated that! He came to us during the tour and made us stop playing to the audience and entertaining them because we were stealing his show. We didn’t mean to, we were just hot!"

Don't think that is an exaggeration, because Lou is notorious for that kind of stuff, which he also did to Robert Quine in the 80's.

And that leads us to the vocals:

Lou took his Velvet Underground material and supercharged it into a 1970's hard-rock mold. The softer, almost "pop" leanings of Sweet Jane and Rock & Roll have been transformed into amphetamine fueled rages, yet the delivery is focused - like a laser-sight on a tank cannon. This may be the greatest version of Heroin ever recorded, having been described by some as "church at black mass." Gone was the glam-rocker introduced to the world by Mick Ronson and David Bowie. A NEW Lou walked onstage tonight, dressed in tight black leather with a spiked dog collar, speed-freak skinny with a shaved head. When you play this loud, it's like Lou is yelling at YOU. And he HATES you!

This CD was recently remastered with a couple songs that were previously unrelased, bootleg or otherwise. Plus, you hear Lou yell at an audience member to SHUT UP during Caroline Says. The sound quality is a quantum leap from the LP pressings and original CD I have.

If you like Hard Rock in the 70's tradition there is no excuse for this not to be in your collection.

http://www.arrakis.es/~e.miquel/rnranimal/images/loupics/lou73side.jpg http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004RD54.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg http://www.connollyco.com/discography/lou_reed/animalbc.jpg

[Andyman]

It is an excellent album; played the grooves off it back in the day.
I saw Lou twice, but nothing ever measured up to that recording

[RichPA]

Well, my appreciation for this album increases every year. It is the greatest LIVE Rock record I have ever heard.

...

This CD was recently remastered with a couple songs that were previously unrelased, bootleg or otherwise. The sound quality is a quantum leap from the LP pressings and original CD I have.

If you like Hard Rock in the 70's tradition there is no excuse for this not to be in your collection.



Damn, now I have to buy another version of it :D

Seriously, I agree, this is one great rock'n'roll album

[nitrous]

The updated remastered CD of R'N'R Animal is superb. This is one recording that you can replay endlessly for hours, if not days.

[mg196]

Rumor had it that Lou was approached with putting out a 2CD set with Lou Reed Live and Rock 'N' Roll Animal and he turned it down! Damnit! Not surprising, though.

[PioneerHPMLuver]

I was a teen when this album came out. My best friend brought it over one night and we got stoned and played this awesome live record. WOW! Heroin! A life changing album for me...Still have the vinyl and will need to buy the CD thanks to your fine review...
Jim

[PioneerHPMLuver]

PS...for me this is the only Lou Reed album really worth owning...

[thedelihaus]

Half way through your review and I was about to offer you a vinyl version in trade for a cd, you know, being your birthday and all and that cds never live up to the vinyl copies, but ... if the new remastered recording is that good I guess my vinyl copy will resign to allow its grooves to catch dust, and the new cd version is now on the short list of purchasing...

Thanks for the review- looking forward to hearing the newest remaster!

[mg196]

Hey, I want my present! Actually, the vinyl copy I have is pretty much for decoration since I only listen to the CD now. Thanks anyways, though! I enjoy helpin' people decide to spend their money on good music!

[PioneerHPMLuver]

Thanks for the fine review. Just ordered the CD....

[mg196]

Thanks for the fine review. Just ordered the CD....

Don't forget to let us know what you think, HPM!

[PioneerHPMLuver]

Sounds great and the xtra tracks are a nice bonus. Brought back some nice memories. haven't heard it in quite some time. I'm gonna burn a copy for my buddy that brought the album over way back when. I'm sure he'll flip!

[Andyman]

My Ebay vinyl copy just showed up today and is getting ready to go!!

[freddyfender]

Pioneer, ditto on the "teen-gettin' stoned-diggin' Lou lay down his law" thing. this and bowie, mott the hoople, lot's of really fab music back in the day...............

[datsunmike]

I was at the show at the Academy of Music and IMO it was the best show I ever saw him do. Reed was a mercurial performer and some nights he'd be good and others terrible, similar to Van Morrison, same too with Jim Morrison and even Hendrix in his later days. Reed's backup bands constantly changed and some were better than others and the RnR band was one of the best he ever had, but then again I'm a lover of rock not 'art rock' in the vein of the Velvet Underground and some of his concept albums.

I do remember blasting this album in my basement on EV Voice of Theater speakers when it was released and havin' my friends over to party with. Queen's first album was released at about the same time and that was another killer rock album.

[bordeno]

Yup, this is a classic all right.

Love the dual guitars on the intro to Sweet Jane. Sends shivers down your spine. The sound quality on my CD is pretty darn good for live. It isn't the remastered one but I have had it for more than 15 years.

Nice review. The album is overlooked. If I didn't already have it I would have sought it out.

[nitrous]

[QUOTE=datsunmike]I was at the show at the Academy of Music and IMO it was the best show I ever saw him do. Reed was a mercurial performer and some nights he'd be good and others terrible [QUOTE]

I was susposed to go see Reed play at a local college around this time. But the concert was scheduled to start at 3:15 PM(!)on a Tuesday or Thursday.
I had to pass due to a Midterm exam. I could only imagine Lou 's behavior, mood & performance at a matine show at that time in his life!

:no:

[bozak ron]

I saw several shws on that Lou Reed tour and all of them kicked serious butt. Still one of the best live concerts & albums ever.

[Mike Bama]

I have had the RnR Animal since it first came out. The Steve Hunter intro on Sweet Jane is worth the cost, alone. The rest of the LP is just icing on the cake. I talked JPollock into picking up a copy a few months back, and he liked it, as well.

[Mikeymax]

Great Thread , FANTASTIC LIVE ALBUM ! What more can I say ? It's all been said. BUT I JUST GOTTA SAY AMEN TO THE HUNTER / WAGNER TWIN GUITAR ASSULT ! FLAWLESS ! I CAN HARDLY SIT DOWN WHEN I HEAR THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THOSE TWO. DAMN ! Fu!!%#&!!#k all the technical guitar acrobatics. This guitar playin' comes from the SOUL ! :music:

[timw]

Just had to add my 2cents here.....I was never a big Lou Reed fan but always loved this classic live album!!! Had it on "RCA Dynaflex" vinyl. Remember this? You could practiacally bend the album in half and it wouldn't break!
The version of Rock & Roll on this album is just amazing! The guitar solo break in the middle of the song is like nothing I've ever heard before..or since!....(At least I think it's a guitar :scratch2: )
I've got to get the remastered CD w/ the bonus tracks!
Definitely one of those albums that must be played LOUD!!!
Tim

[jimfet]

I saw the band without Lou, live in Chicago. I was in the 11th. grade. They were Alice Cooper's band, on his welcome to my nightmare tour. They were killer. Went to Chicago to see Zappa, and when we got there, it was Cooper and Suzi Quatro playing. Still a very fine concert.

[Strawman]

Lou Reed - Strawman Lyrics
We who have so much to you who have so little
to you who don't have anything at all
We who have so much more than any one man does need
and you who don't have anything at all, ah
Does anybody need another million dollar movie
does anybody need another million dollar star
Does anybody need to be told over and over
spitting in the wind comes back at you twice as hard

Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, going straight to hell
Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, Strawman
Strawman, Strawman, yes

Does anyone really need a billion dollar rocket
does anyone need a $60,000 car
Does anyone need another President
or the sins of Swaggart parts 6, 7, 8, and 9, ah
Does anyone need another politician
caught with his pants down money sticking in his hole
Does anyone need another racist preacher
spittin' in the wind can only do you harm, wow

Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, going straight to hell
Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, Strawman
Strawman, Strawman

Does anyone need another faulty shuttle
blasting off to the Moon, Venus or Mars
Does anyone need another self-righteous rock and roll singer
whose nose he says has led him straight to God
Does anyone need yet another blank skyscraper
If you're like me I'm sure a minor miracle will do
A flaming sword or maybe a gold ark floating up the Hudson
When you spit in the wind it comes right back at you

Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, going straight to hell
Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, Strawman, Strawman
Strawman, Strawman

[mako]

Enjoyed reading your review of this great album. I have the original LP. I think most live LP's sound mediocre at best. This one sounds great. With a feeling that the concert is in your room. Not off in the distance somewhere between the speakers like most live albums sound. I have another live Lou Reed LP that has different songs than RRA but it sounds like the same concert. The album is called "Lou Reed Live". It said it was recorded at the Howard Stein Academy of Music also. The album does not sound as good as RRA but a couple songs have some great guitar work. Thanks again!

[theophile]

mako,
That's correct.The portions of the night were distributed across two albums.Rock and Roll Animal and Lou Reed Live.
My favourite is Rock and Roll Animal.Sounds great on your first teenage stereo and awesome on your killer system.
If the music sounds flat,there's something fundamentally wrong with the system.

[cicero2]

actually, i'm a huge lou reed fan. but i don't have this release.

for those who might be swayed to thinking otherwise, these 70's lps of his are also wonderful:

the bells
coney island baby - my ex girlfriend in sf would often make me think of the song on this album about 'she made jam when she came . . ' cuz . . . well, i thought it was a VU song (maybe it was originally, i still can't find it. nor can i think of the name of the song) and yeah, in agreement w/ the above posts about the great guitars - i luv 'em. in my teens i was a skateboarder and into (mostly bad) punk. most of my friends hate classic rock; some of my ex friends from those days liked some classic rock until befriending people who influenced them not to like 'old' stuff. anyway, i'm one of those people who have, when young, gotten all high-and-mighty about 'regular' people getting into 'alternative' after nirvana hit mtv. er, actually, i wasn't as bad, i got to date a cheerleader on whom i had always had a crush. anyway, i have things like nils lofgren on my list of cds to check out, but a lot of that 70's rock stuff doesn't do it for me. the searing guitars on songs like 'ooh, baby' make me crazy. not that there isn't dull 'weirdo' music - 95% of the solo music done by gastr del sol, anyone? but i believe jim o'rourke makes a lot of that stuff w/ his tongue in his cheek.
street hassle
sally can't dance
berlin
and yeah, there's 'transformer', too. i don't listen to that one much anymore

but when i moved into my new home and can now for the first time in a long time listen to music LOUD AS HE)) AT 4AM, the first thing i put on was street hassle.

used to have all of those on vinyl. i'd get them for $.50 - $2 at the record exchange. nobody else knew anything but transformer and the VU stuff. stupidly, i sold them when i got rid of all my vinyl except for a smattering of 7"s. oh, i used to have some 12" of his that was for a soundtrack w/ some 80's actress who's name escapes me at the moment - 'funky hot hips'

and sure, he's an a++h))=. almost the entirety of john cale's autobiography is a diatribe against reed, but he is responsible for so much great music.

p.s. my least favorite thing about having moved back to cleveland - almost everywhere i go has 80's HITS playing. ugh! a few years ago when i visited friends in manhattan, i was suprised at the bland music played in many establishments. williamsburg was different. does everyplace but SF have a generally boring soundtrack

[Proconsul]

Is there a particular item number/code number for the remastered version we're talking about here?

And hey, I agree totally about the guitarists on this record. Outstanding. Thinking of them caused me to think of another question that's been floating around in my head -- "My Sharona" by The Knack. Ever listen to the guitar solo in the long version? I can't believe that's being played by the band's guitarist. Anyone know if some studio pro did this?

[shacky]

One of my all time favorites too - bought this when it came out. Looking forward to picking up the remastered CD based on feedback here,

I didn't know till this last year that it was basically Mott the Hoople backing him up. Did Bowie have something to do with that combo? I know he helped Mott get on track.

Guitar into is awesome in itself. Then Sweat Jane is better than the original. How are the extra tracks on new CD?

[chuckworkb]

I bought the LP long ago, and always thought this was one of the best live albums I ever owned. I hadn't listened in a long time and dragged it out about 6 months ago, and I still think it is awesome.
The Sweet Jane Intro is amazing, and rock and roll is another rocker.
I also have the CD.
When ever someone new comes over who likes Lou Reed, and even those who think they don't, I always play this for them and they love it.

This is a real good album for some air guitar as well.

[theophile]

One of the best albums ever.Full Stop. :yes:

[bordeno]

Is there a particular item number/code number for the remastered version we're talking about here?

And hey, I agree totally about the guitarists on this record. Outstanding. Thinking of them caused me to think of another question that's been floating around in my head -- "My Sharona" by The Knack. Ever listen to the guitar solo in the long version? I can't believe that's being played by the band's guitarist. Anyone know if some studio pro did this?

Off topic, but the guitar solo is played by Knack lead guitarist Berton Averre, and it is a great solo. By the way, Get the Knack is a great album. It doesn't get much respect (who cares) but its a power pop classic. Many very good cuts, beyond "My Sharona" and "Good Girls Don't"

[mg196]

coney island baby - my ex girlfriend in sf would often make me think of the song on this album about 'she made jam when she came . . ' cuz . . . well, i thought it was a VU song (maybe it was originally, i still can't find it. nor can i think of the name of the song)

Yes, it IS a VU song, titled, "She's My Best Friend" and is found on the VU compilation known as...well..."VU."

used to have all of those on vinyl. i'd get them for $.50 - $2 at the record exchange. nobody else knew anything but transformer and the VU stuff. stupidly, i sold them when i got rid of all my vinyl except for a smattering of 7"s. oh, i used to have some 12" of his that was for a soundtrack w/ some 80's actress who's name escapes me at the moment - 'funky hot hips'

RECORD EXCHANGE!! Down on Coventry or out on Mayfield? The one on Mayfield changed to "CD & Game Exchange" before closing up shop for good. The one on Coventry is mostly games/DVDs now...and Record Revolution is trying to sell new stuff for $20 a pop. It had to revert to a head shop in the front! They got rid of the drug paraphernalia that back in the mid-80's!! Sadly, i really don't see that place hanging around for another 10 years. It will go the way of the Coventry Street Fair and disappear w/ its insane prices and wall of bootleg videos. Oh, and overpriced vinyl in the basement.

Oh, and you are thinkin' about Perfect...where Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis make a little romance and then make YOU wanna ralph!