Lou Reed "Ecstasy" Reprise 9 47425-2 2000 (77:22)
Paranoia
Key of E (4:28)
Mystic Child (5:02)
Mad (4:29)
Ecstasy (4:25)
Modern Dance (4:10)
Tatters (5:55)
Future
Farmers of America (3:02)
Turning Time Around (4:21)
White Prism (4:01)
Rock Minuet (6:57)
Baton Rouge (4:54)
Like
a Possum (18:04)
Rouge (1:01)
Big Sky (6:32)
Lou Reed - lead vocals, guitar, percussion on "White Prism", background vocals. Mike Rathke - guitar. Fernando Saunders - bass, background vocals, background vocal arrangement on "Modern Dance". Tony "Thunder" Smith - drums, percussion, background vocals. And: Don Alias - percussion on "Ecstasy". Laurie Anderson - electric violin on "Rock Minuet" and "Rouge". Steven Bernstein - trumpet, horn arrangements. Jane Scarpantoni - cellos. Paul Shapiro - tenor saxophone. Doug Wieselman - tenor and baritone saxophones.
OK, I admit it. Maybe I haven't been paying close enough attention to Reed's solo career, but I'm going to say this anyways ... this is the best thing he has done in 25+ years. I know, a grandiose claim, but dammit I'm sticking to it! With "Ecstasy" Reed ushers in the 5th decade of his career in style with thirteen new electric songs ranging from mellow ballads to in your face rockers as well as an 18 minute experimental opus(sum). Reed continues to lyrically explore life, (often wayward) love and the inhabitants of New York City's less savory streets as well as a few other interesting subjects: pondering a change of scenery and slavery. Musically this 4 piece has never sounded better and they're embellished to great effect on several songs with horns and minimal orchestral arrangements. The title track is really beautiful with a gentle hand percussion rhythm and cello swells. "Future Farmers of America" rocks, big time. "Rock Minuet" is just that, a minuet composed on guitar, violin and bass. "Like a Possum" is an 18 minute dirge ... two electric guitars copulate in slow motion as Reed delivers a spoken lyric that builds into a cathartic release. Very cool. These songs are 100% Lou Reed: quirky, clever and colorful with a strange and sexually charged sense of melody. Every track is a winner and the album as a whole has a great flow and balance. It's hard to believe this guy is 58 years old ... he's still got a lot to say and offer. The insert features self-portrait photos of Reed in various stages of ecstasy and all of the lyrics. Reed is currently on a world tour throughout the summer and look for re-mastered re-releases of several 70s albums this year courtesy of BMG/Buddah Records ...
Where did I get this cd? - a local Best Buy.