Lou Reed - "Tribute" 3xDVD box set

Shameless cash-in, some worthy info

Another opportunistic repackaging from Pride DVD, this set includes 3 previously-released (unlicensed) documentaries featuring Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. With Lou's passing making recent headlines all over the world, this re-release, however worthy, is still rather shamefully mercenary.

The first DVD, "Punk Revolution NYC", focuses on the 1966-1974 New York proto-punk scene -- The Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, and CBGB's feature most prominently. Also discussed are Television, Suicide, Wayne County, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, and Andy Warhol's influence on the scene. Many of the original artists are interviewed, alongside the usual critics and journalists. This 87-minute film includes a great many historic videos and photos, and with the insights of the artists' themselves, it all makes for a superb portrait.

The next disc is "The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-1973", examining the personal and artistic symbiosis that went on between these rock legends in that era. I've already reviewed this release, on it's own, back in 2010:

http://goatsend.blogspot.com/2010/11/sacred-triangle-bowie-iggy-lou-1971.html

Finally, the remaining DVD in the set is "The Velvet Underground: Under Review". This one covers the band's entire existence and all major releases, and features archival interviews with most VU members and colleagues, as well as Andy Warhol, historians, journalists, and even fans like Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna). With plenty of live footage and photos, this is probably the closest we'll ever get to a comprehensive documentary on the Velvet Underground and their legacy.

So despite serious fans likely already having these volumes, "Tribute" does include some worthwhile material, and could be a good bargain for those who didn't already purchase  these DVDs individually.

Lou Reed dot com

Iggy Pop - "The Document" DVD+CD

Mixed bag of Iggfo

Ah, it's another re-packaged mess from UK label Chrome Dreams. This time, it's a double-disc set of Iggy Pop documentaries. The 72-minute CD, titled "The Classic Interviews", includes 8 radio and TV interviews, from 1977 and Iggy's "Lust For Life" period (one interview also includes friend and collaborator David Bowie) through to a 2005 "Remembering The Stooges" interview. There's some great info here, including the famous 1977 interview in which Iggy explains his take on "Punk Rock", as utilized by the famous Mogwai song of the same name. This disc is evidence that as Iggy ages, his wisdom and well-spoken nature becomes much more apparent. The man is simply a genius.

The DVD is actually a clever re-packaging of an earlier DVD ("The Sacred Triangle:  Bowie, Iggy, & Lou") that focuses on the collaborations and interactions in the 70s-80s between Iggy, Bowie, and Lou Reed. The fact that even the packaging addresses the DVD as "Iggy Pop: The Documentary DVD" is shameful and deceitful. That is not to say it isn't a well-done documentary, but to not acknowledge the truthful contents is mercenary.

Iggy Pop is supreme, and there's some good stuff on "The Document", to be sure. Just be aware of what you're buying.

Chrome Dreams

Iggy Pop dot com

Lou Reed With Nico and John Cale - "Paris 1972" DVD

Filmed for French TV, this quick VHS-transfer of dubious origin is a superb history piece, and contains some fine music. Trouble is, "Paris 1972" runs well under a half-hour in total, is of poor-to-fair quality black & white, and has issues with the audio going out of synch with the video. Haphazard, yes. Historically valid, yes. 

It's great to see newly-solo Reed reunited with his old Velvet Underground bandmates, including the marvelously beautiful Nico and the studious Cale, and although the quality of this release leaves something to be desired, it's still a worthy document, and a must-see for serious Velvets fans. 

(XXL Media)

Lou Reed official site

Lou Reed - "Live Performances 1972 & 1974" DVD

Filmed for European TV, this set compiles a pair of 1974 shows (Paris and Brussels), but the transfer quality is really sub-par, most definitely a degraded VHS. In fact, some of this is so obscure, it's really a sort of rip-off for any Reed fans expecting a serious release. Consider this a bootleg at best.

To further beat this dead horse, Lou Reed in this era was at his most flamboyant, all glammed-up and with a mainstream commercial backing band that butchers classic cuts like "Sweet Jane" and "I'm Waiting For The Man". This is an period best left forgotten, thank you very much.

The only saving grace is the 1972 version of "Heroin", performed with John Cale in Paris. Sublime and classic. Appended to the end as an afterthought, this short clip is the best thing here, by far. Only the most devout Lou Reed fans need apply here. (XXL Media/MVD Visual)

Lou Reed website

"The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy, & Lou 1971-1973" DVD

This full-length UK documentary examines in detail the early 70's collaborations between modern-day rock legends David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed. At the time, all 3 icons were on shaky ground. Bowie was considered a one-hit wonder, and both Reed and Iggy Pop were has-beens, surrounding themselves with drugs and other destructive behaviors. But their meeting in 1971 was a catalyst for some of rock's most iconic and important works.

Bowie, being a devoted fan of Lou Reed's days in the Velvet Underground, ended up producing Reed's successful post-VU solo album "Transformer", spawning radio staples like "Walk On The Wild Side". Likewise, Bowie mixed the proto-punk classic "Raw Power" for Iggy & The Stooges, which, though it failed to make an impact at the time, is now recognized as being one of the earliest "punk" records, and one of rock's most vibrant and unhinged recordings before or since. And beyond these ties, the influences of both Reed and Pop on Bowie himself were the impetus for the creation of Bowie's onstage character, Ziggy Stardust, which propelled him to superstar status. This creative symbiosis between the trio of visionary artists set the stage for the rock of the future, unbeknownst to them.

Including interviews with friends, journalists, and colleagues (and including the outspoken former wife of Bowie himself, Angie Bowie), "The Sacred Triangle" concisely (but thoroughly) ties together the threads between the artists. There are plenty of musical samplings, rare interviews and live footage, and photos to illustrate. I learned a few things, and quite enjoyed this informative program. (Sexy Intellectual via MVD Visual)

"Rock & Rule" (dir: Clive A. Smith)

This feature-length, 1983 Canadian animated rock obscurity is tailor-made for fans of stuff like 'Heavy Metal', Ralph Bakshi's innovative films ('Fritz The Cat', 'American Pop', 'Lord Of The Rings', 'Cool World'), or even Peter Chung's much later 'Aeon Flux' TV shorts. It's the tale of a young rock band who find their lovely co-vocalist (Angel) abducted by an evil rock star (a vaguely Bowie-esque chap named Mok) in order to summon a gigantic demon. Yeah, so that sounds a bit iffy, but stay with it - it's fantasy!
Needless to say, Mok's advances towards the imprisoned Angel are met with resistance, especially from aspiring star and co-singer Omar, who has a romantic interest in Angel himself. With music from Blondie's Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, Lou Reed, Cheap Trick, and Iggy Pop (not to mention Earth, Wind, & Fire), this epic sci-fi rock fantasy tale is interesting and fun, and definitely aimed at adults (the club scene in particular is, well, full of gigantic jiggling breasts). Some segments (the musical interludes) are quite psychedelic, and I'd bet there were more than a few teens who got stoned to watch this way back when...Fine work, and I should add that the soundtrack (in remastered 5.1) is incredible - sounds flew all over the room! Nice touch.