Lou Reed Albums

    ------ About the album Rock 'N' Roll Animal performed by Lou Reed

A decade or more ago, a stranger told me that a lot of people hate Rock 'n Roll Animal. I was familiar with the record. It is a commercial rock record, a little like one of the live Kiss albums. I'm not an audiophile, but I remember the Lou Reed Rock 'n Roll Animal record for being different from the same songs on the earlier Velvet Underground records. Lou Reed has been at times a semi-comic figure, with rock records such as Sally Can't Dance looking at his role in the sphere of rock music. He's also been a serious commentator, depending on the gravity of his music, between his first LP's with the VU, and later, with records including New York, the city which made him, and for which he is a bit of an unofficial ambassador.
Last night, a friend posted for me a photo of the cover image for Rock 'n Roll Animal, so I'm encouraged to say a little about it. As a kid getting older, I liked Rock 'n Roll Animal because it seems ferocious, living up to its title. The man in leather, collar, and shaved head sang and danced, accompanied by a backing band. The songs are performances from VU's Loaded, The Velvet Underground & Nico, White Light/White Heat, and Lou Reed's Berlin. It was New York City that originated the Velvet Underground, but at the time of Rock 'n Roll Animal, the first official live rock record by Lou Reed was much better received in Europe than in America, given a cursory look back at interviews given by a bewildered but confident young man with several rock records gaining popularity and a hit Top 20 single two years earlier.
The artistic sensibilities of Lou Reed are often grounded in urban reality rounded out with optimism for better days. That said, Rock 'n Roll Animal promises none of that. It may be dubious that any social values in the lyrics and music are well-intended, other than making for a good time, but the entertainment factor of the music is excellent, rivaling or bettering contemporary rock music. Controlled arrangements, compared to the earlier music of the VU, and a powerful vocal delivery by the singer, make it a fine record and not something to be detested. There's even a release1 with a couple of extra songs2 from the concert recording. In my humble opinion, I recommend it!
1 10/01/1974
2 Caroline Says I, How Do You Think It Feels

    ------ About the album Berlin performed by Lou Reed

My name is Ernie Cefalu,
and I created and designed the "Berlin" cover and libretto. I loved working with Lou he was a real professional and when he received the final package he called me to thank me personally for "the most beautiful" album cover he ever had.He is a great musician and an ever better person.

I have done 209 covers to date and the "Worlds Largest" and Only original album cover art collection featuring 70 original Drew Struzan's. Please take a minute and check it out at:

www.originalalbumcoverart.com Thank you - Ernie