Lou Reed - The Blue Mask

After a dispiriting early-'80s slump at Arista Records, Lou Reed renewed himself artistically by changing labels and releasing THE BLUE MASK on RCA in 1982. This was a brave move, since THE BLUE MASK is a resolutely uncommercial album, making no concessions in either its stark, flatly recorded ambience or harrowing themes. However, grace notes abound for the patient listener.

Performing with a no-frills setup for the first time since the Velvets, Reed keenly matches words and music with the sparest of means to achieve the maximum end. THE BLUE MASK pits a hard-earned contentment ("My House," "Women) against the dizzying abyss lurking beneath the surface of life ("Underneath The Bottle," "Waves Of Fear" and, most compellingly, the awesome title track itself). Running through all this, Reed and second guitarist Robert Quine intertwine their instruments, sustaining meditative interludes and codas closer to jazz than rock. Bassist Fernando Saunders' vibrant tone and supple lines also adds a new element of flexibility to Reed's music. Saunders' gentle falsetto backing vocals also make a nice contrast to Reed's famously edgy song-speech.

Recorded at RCA Studios, New York, New York in October 1981. Includes liner notes by Michael Hill.

From in USA
Prog Related
Lou Reed - The Blue Mask - 1982
Tracks.
01. My House (5.27)
02. Women (4.59)
03. Underneath the Bottle (2.30)
04. The Gun (3.41)
05. The Blue Mask (5.06)
06. Average Guy (3.11)
07. Heroine (3.04)
08. Waves of Fear (4.12)
09. The Day John Kennedy Died (4.07)
10. Havenly Arms (4.48)
Members.
- Lou Reed / vocals, guitar
- Robert Quine / guitar
- Fernando Saunders / bass, background vocals
- Doane Perry / drums
Godspeed!

Lou Reed - Mistrial

After three successive accomplished and mature albums, Lou Reed made an attempt to stay current with the stilted Mistrial. Six of the songs are driven by drum machines, which certainly gives the music a robotic feel. However, Reed doesn't help the situation any by turning in a set of songs that are stripped back to their bare rhythms, lacking memorable hooks and melodies. All of these spartan arrangements are designed to attract attention to the lyrics, which aren't among his finest efforts. Reed is in a social protest mode, particularly attacking violence, in both its domestic and global incarnations. Instead of personalizing the material, he relies on platitudes, which tend to make the processed chords and beats of the music even more grating. Nevertheless, he ends the album with two ballads that showcase many of his finer musical and lyrical skills. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1986 album unavailable in the U.S. featuring the tracks 'No Money Down' & 'Mama's Got A Lover'. 10 tracks in all. BMG.

Recorded at the Power Station, New York.

From in USA
Prog Related
Lou Reed - Mistrial - 1986
Tracks.
01. Mistral (3.22)
02. No Money Down (3.10)
03. Outside (3.02)
04. Don't Hurt a Woman (4.00)
05. Video Violence (5.36)
06. Spit It Out (3.40)
07. Original Wrapper (3.38)
08. Mama's Got a Lover (4.12)
09. I Remember You (3.13)
10. Tell It to Your Heart (5.13)
Members.

- Lou Reed / vocals, guitar
- Eddie Martinez / guitar 
- Fernando Saunders  / guitar, piano, bass synthesizer, bass, drum programming, percussion, background vocals
- Rick Bell / tenor saxophone
- J.T. Lewis / drums
- Sammy Merendino / percussion, drum programming
- Jim Carroll / background vocals
Godspeed!

Lou Reed - Transformer

From in USA
Prog Related
Lou Reed - Transformer - 1972
Tracks.
01.Vicious – 2:58
02.Andy's Chest – 3:20
03.Perfect Day – 3:46
04.Hangin' 'Round – 3:35
05.Walk on the Wild Side – 4:15
06.Make Up – 3:00
07.Satellite of Love – 3:42
08.Wagon Wheel – 3:19
09.New York Telephone Conversation – 1:33
10.I'm So Free – 3:09
11.Goodnight Ladies – 4:21 (performed by Herbie Flowers)
12.Hangin' Round" (acoustic demo) – 3:57
13.Perfect Day" (acoustic demo) + "Transformer" Radio Advertising (Hidden Track) – 4:50
Members.
*Lou Reed – guitar, keyboards, vocals
*Herbie Flowers – bass guitar, double-bass, tuba
*Mick Ronson – lead guitar, piano, backing vocals
*John Halsey – drums
*Ronnie Ross – baritone saxophone on "Goodnight Ladies"
*David Bowie – backing vocals
*The Thunderthighs – backing vocals
*Barry DeSouza – drums
*Ritchie Dharma – drums
*Klaus Voormann – bass
Godspeed!