Lou Reed - Transformer
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On this week's episode, we look at the second LP by Lou Reed: Transformer. After a disappointing debut solo LP (both critically and commercially), Reed’s solo career was destined to be somewhat short-lived. However, interest to produce his next album by one of the hottest musical acts at the time (David Bowie) prompted Reed’s label to give it another go. Aided by his right-hand man, Mick Ronson, Bowie and Ronson understood perfectly what Reed is trying to accomplish. Reed’s vocals have rarely sounded better than they do here and are a perfect vehicle for his sympathetic descriptions of subjects atypical of most mainstream artists of the time: junkies, homosexuality, prostitution, and even attempted assassinations. Backed by some of the most creative session players in the UK, Transformer is an album of odd juxtapositions. Whether it’s achingly beautifully string arrangements, the intense crunch of power chords, cabaret-style numbers, or jaunty Dixieland-style tunes, somehow the music always seems to provide the perfect foundation for Reed’s gritty and unconventional storytelling.
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THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
John Cale was performing in London at the same time that Lou Reed was recording his first LP. Cale invites Reed to join him and Nico in Paris to perform at the Bataclan Club and Redd accepts, prompting a semi-Velvet Underground reunion. You can watch part of that performance below.
Lou Reed goes full on Glam Rocker!
Listen to Lou Reed and his backing band “the Tots” performing “I'm Waiting For The Man” in December of 1972.
David Bowie and Lou Reed. David Bowie agreed to produce Transformer, which helped the label agree to take a chance on the album. Additionally, he provides some amazing backup vocals to many of the the LP’s tracks.
And Lour Reed with Mick Ronson, the unsung hero of Transformer. In addition to co-producing the LP wiht Bowie, Ronson contributed some amazing guitar work and supplied some sublime orchestration.
Herbie Flowers discusses his distinctive and iconic double bass line for “Walk on the Wild Side.”
The characters described in “Walk on the Wild Side” were based on real-life members of Andy Warhol’s entourage. (Pictured L to R) Holly Woodlawn, Jackie Curtis, and ‘Little’ Joe Dallesandro at Andy Warhol’s Factory in 1971.
Here is the 1997 all-star version of “Perfect Day” that was released as a single to benefit the Children In Need charity. This version went to #1 in the UK for three weeks and earned over £2,100,000 for the charity
