Just got NYC Man: The Lou Reed Collection

[Radical Activist]

So umm...why didn't anyone tell me Lou Reed kicks so much ass? I'm not too happy with my friends who have good taste in music. They should have made me listen to him earlier! How did I miss out on knowing about this guy sooner?

Anyway, good collection and I'm a big Lou fan now.

[quispquake]

1. Make sure & get some Velvet Underground then...

Lou's early band...and his BEST stuff...

[Radical Activist]

3. I will

The collection has a few Underground songs on it. I love David Bowie's cover of Waiting for the Man but I had never heard the original until now.

[Westegg]

2. If you like Lou, you'll like The Velvet Underground...

I consider these albums must-haves: "The Velvet Undreground & Nico," "The Velvet Underground," "White Light/White Heat," "Loaded," "1969: Velvet Underground Live Vols. 1 and 2."

[Radical Activist]

4. Any other fans?

[tigereye]

5. oh yeah

for many years. I love the Velvets, but I like Lou on his own, as well. I stood in line for his autograph, many years ago. He is really good in concert as well.

[Ivan Zero]

6. Yeah, I'm a Lou fan.

It's just amazing how influential the Velvets were, seeing as they barely sold any records. All four of their albums with Lou are essential, so you might as well splurge on the box set ("Peel Slowly & See").

As for his solo stuff, there's a lot of it and it ain't all great, but it's always interesting. My personal favorite is "Berlin", but keep all sharp objects out of reach when you listen to it. "The Blue Mask" and "New York" are both great as well. I've got a soft spot for his "New Sensations" because it was my first Lou album, but it's out of print.

Also, try to get your hands on Lester Bangs' writings on Lou - he had this insane love / hate fan complex toward him.

Finally, if you really want to test your love, try to sit all the way thru "Metal Machine Music".