American Poet

Excellent

Lou was still in a strong voice and good form when this was recorded, even if one or two of the then-new songs sound rushed and not as good as the album version. There is some hilarious banter too.

Available for years on low quality bootlegs, this rare Boxing Day 1972 Radio Show features a very good-natured Lou and the Tots driving home some great versions of tracks from Lou's 1st 2 RCA Lp's and a few Velvets songs. You have a good few different Lou Live albums out there, from the Heavy Metal Dick Wagner era, to the Lenny Bruce live double in the porno sleeve and the Turgid Live In Italy album as well. But this now sounds sparkling and is without a doubt the best of the Lou live albums out there!

Lou does the business.

'American Poet' is quite possibly the best Lou Reed (officially released) live album of the lot. It was recorded in 1972 around the time of the release of 'Transformer' and was only available in bootleg form up to more recent years.Unlike the excessive 'Rock n Roll Animal' and 'Take No Prisoners' 'American Poet' strips Lou's sound down to reveal what lies at the heart of his music. The mixture of Velvet Underground and solo material here reveals Lou to be a first rate songwriter and his crisp and clear vocal style shows him to be a fine vocalist also.The versions available here are all very strong. I particuarly love Lou's slowed down version of 'I'm Waiting For My Man' and also 'Berlin'. I've never heard 'Berlin' sound so good.'American Poet' does perhaps lack some of the technical proficiency musically that can be found on Lou's later live albums but it does reveal the core of his musical talent to a much greater degree.It's much overlooked but is a real listening pleasure.

Solo concert of Lou Reed 1972 in New York, shortly after his separation from the Velvet Underground and immediately after the completion of his second solo album „Transformer". Contained in the middle of this CD is also a short radio interview with Lou Reed, which doesn't disturb at all, but fits in very well. Lou Reed is at his best. Obviously he never plays a song twice in the same way, which makes his live albums very interesting. In my opinion each song on this CD is excellent, and I don't want to highlight one of them especially.

A long-overdue official release of this early 70's solo outing with his then band, "The Tots". Faithful versions of faves from the early albums, Lou Reed, Berlin and Transformer along with some Velvet Underground tracks. Generally a good collection of singalong favourites for the fan in excellent sound quality.The band's performance is somewhat pedestrian and workmanlike; nevertheless it's a fun, party album for the fan... who hasn't already got the bootleg.

A modern day icon legend rebel outcast floating spinning dreaming.Lou Reed is a true free spirit flying high above us doing the classic making music true to his soul and from the heart.Dont we just love it.A journey into Lous music is always fun filled and never boring......................

Diese liebevoll aufgemacht "Deluxe Edition" zum klassischen Bootleg "American Poet" enthält neben dieser legendären Radio Show in Hamstead vom 26. Dezember 1972 auch die erste Solo Liveperformance von "Lou Reed" (RIP) in der "Alice Tully Hall" in New York vom 27. Januar 1973 mit der Band "The Tots" als Begleitmusiker : "Eddie Reynolds" (Guitar) "Vinny Laporte" (Gutiar) "Bobby Resigno" (Bass) und "Scottie Clark" (Drums). Das liebevoll aufgmachte 16 seitige booklet enthält einige passende Fotos und Infos u.a. aus einem "Village Voice" Artikel zu seiner ersten Show. Die CDs haben eine Mini Vinyl optik und ein oranges mini "RCA Label" mit dem "Lou Reed" Logo und dem Show Namen.Die Radioshow vom Dezember 1972 ist auf sehr vielen Bootlegs zu finden u.a. auf "Live in New York 1972" "Hero & Heroine", "Sweet Jane" und auch unter diesem Titel gab es schon die ersten 1 Cd Veröffentlichungen von 2002 und von diesem Label "Easy Action" eine Version von 2005.Die Aufnahme besticht durch sehr gute Qualität und eine Songauswahl die zur Promotion vom gerade veröffentlcihten Album "Transformer" gut geeignet war und ist. Ein kurzes Interview (5min) vor dem Radiopublikum findet sich nach "Sweet Jane" und vor "Heroin".Die Band spielt die Songs rockig mit etwas "Glam-flair", also eher passend zu Bowie (RIP) "Spiders from Mars" als zu den ursprünglichen"Velvet Underground" Versionen und auch anders als auf der offizielen Aufnahmen zu "Rock n Roll Animal" vom Dezember des Jahres 1973, die doch stark vom Hardrockgitarrenstil der Gitarristen "Dick Wagner"(Rip) und "Steve Hunter", die später zur zweiten Band von "Alice Cooper" gehörten, geprägt wird.Die Soundqualität der ersten richtigen Liveshow fällt vielleicht etwas ab, aber das ist mir persönlich sowieso nicht so wichtig.Die Band spielt natürlich noch jede Menge "Velevt Underground" Material und eher Songs vom "Transformer" Album als vom Debütalbum, da dies doch die schwächeren Songs enthält. "Walk and Talk it" und "I can`t stand it" ebenso auf der dritten "Velvet Undergound" LP/CD enthalten, bleiben somit bei der Liveshow die Ausnahmetracks.Bei der Radioshow gibt es eine frühe Version von "Berlin", welches dann noch auf dem nachfolgenden Meisterwerk gleichen Namens in den richtigen Kontext gestellt wurde.Es gab unter den Titeln " Phantom of Rock" und "Out of The Underground" etc. auch schon bootlegs zu dieser Show in der"Alice Tuley Hall", doch diese CD version gilt als remasterd etc. ob dies wirklich besser klingt kann ich nicht beurteilen, da mir die Vergleichsmöglichkeiten fehlen.Tracks der Show : "White Light/White Heat- Wagon Wheel- I`m Waiting for the Man- Walk and talk it- Sweet Jane- New Age- Vicious-I Can`t Stand it- Satelitte of Love- Heroin- I`m So Free- Walk on the Wild Side- Rock N Roll- Sister Ray"Die Liveshow unfasst damit 14 tracks und als Zugabe eine Version von "Sister Ray" welche eher bluesigangelegt wird als die Noisekakaphonien des Originals vom "White Light/white Heat" Album von "Velvet Underground". Sehr schönes Sammlerstück, vorallem wenn man beide Shows noch nicht hat.

Excellent, live performance, longtime friend with the members of the “Tots”band used as his backing band at the time , happy to see this music available in vinyl

Our "AMERICAN POET" gives us what we'd be asking for were it still day after Christmas in 1972, plus tidbits about the tunes at times. "Waiting For My Man" is a mellower "blast from the past". I LOVE "Vicious" from their new album, TRANSFORMER. "Walk It Talk It" gives off high energy, as do many of the tunes. "Sweet Jane", "Heroin" & "Walk On The Wild Side" do what they usually do for fans, bring them as near to feeling good like love-making with your significant other as possible. Mr. Reed calls this the rock version of "Heroin" & gives a bit of background on how it came to be. I find there are so many versions of his songs (rock, jazzy, sad, be-boppin', bluesy) you may be hearing old lyrics with an unusual mix of music. The other 5 songs hit your button as well, vocals tingle with clarity, the band is tight & 1972 sounds tasty.

Came as described by seller. Excellent purchase with 2xCD's, at a great price.Some of Lou Reed's best shows from this period.

THERE ARE SEVERAL VERSIONS OF THIS BROADCAST AVAILABLE ON CD.I THOUGHT THE PITCH ON THIS VERSION WAS A BIT FAST & THE NOISE REDUCTION WAS A BIT AGGRESSIVE.I ACTUALLY PREFERRED A REEL TO REEL COPY I HAVE OF THE SHOW I RECORDED BACK IN THE 1970'S.I TRANSFERRED MY COPY TO DAT & USED BITS OF THIS CD TO FILL IN FOR SOME BAD EDITING,ie 'THE INTERVIEW & SOME OTHER BITS' THAT WERE CHOPPED IN THE RE-BROADCAST I HAD RECORDED.ALSO THE DISC HAD A BIT OF ECHO THAT A LOT OF REMASTERED CD'S SEEM TO ACQUIRE,WHEREAS MY COPY HAD A 'DRYER' SOUND.ANYWAY THIS IS A GREAT SHOW,IF YOU'VE NEVER HEARD IT YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.THE 'TOTS' ROCK WAY BETTER THAN REED'S SLICK STUDIO BAND.

amazing set. two shoes w/the tots. seriously kickass.

I don't know why I have to write at least 20 words in this review. It is a great album, i had never heard it before in my long life of listening to live lou/velvets material. Just buy it.

Awesome!