Transformer (album)

Transformer (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Transformer
Type = Studio album
Artist = Lou Reed


Released = 8 December 1972
Recorded = August 1972
Genre = Glam rock
Length = 36:40
Label = RCA Records
Producer = David Bowie, Mick Ronson
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:zlc8b5t4tsqa link]
*Blender Rating|4|5 [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=587 link]
*Robert Christgau (B-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Lou+Reed link]
*Pitchfork (8.4/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/21298-transformer link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/98633 link]
Last album = "Lou Reed" (1972)
This album = "Transformer" (1972)
Next album = "Berlin" (1973)

"Transformer" is Lou Reed's breakthrough second solo album, released in December 1972.Roy Carr & Charles Shaar Murray (1981). "Bowie: An Illustrated Record": p.117] Unlike its predecessor "Lou Reed", eight songs of which were leftovers from his Velvet Underground days, this album contains mainly new material. However, there are still a few songs that date from his VU days--Velvet Underground-recorded versions of "Andy's Chest" and "Satellite of Love" surfaced in 1985 and 1995, respectively; and "New York Telephone Conversation" and "I'm So Free" are known to have been played during the Velvets' run at Max's Kansas City in the summer of 1970.

"Transformer" was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, who had been strongly influenced by Reed's work with the Velvet Underground. The album features some of Reed's best-known songs such as "Walk on the Wild Side", "Perfect Day" and "Satellite of Love", and made him an international star in his own right.

"Andy's Chest" had been recorded in 1969 for The Velvet Underground's "lost fourth album" (see "VU" and "Another View") and "Satellite of Love" had been demoed for the band's 1970 album "Loaded", but neither had been used. For "Transformer", the poppy up-tempo feel of these songs was slowed down to turn them into ballads. Although all songs on the album were credited to Reed, it has long been rumoured that "Wagon Wheel" is actually a David Bowie composition. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:3zfoxzldldhe All Music Guide "Wagon Wheel" review] ] Although there are no known performances of "Vicious" by the Velvet Underground, the song apparently dates from Reed's time in the band and its association with Andy Warhol. According to Reed, Warhol told Reed he should write a song about someone vicious. Reed inquired what he meant by that, and Warhol replied, "Oh, you know, vicious like I hit you with a flower." [ [http://www.lemanszone.dk/vu/quote/vuquotecontent-e.htm Velvet Underground - Quotes ] ]

The first single from the album, "Walk on the Wild Side", became an international success, despite its adult subject matter (it was edited in some countries and banned in others) and it is now generally regarded as Reed's signature tune. "Satellite of Love" was issued as the second single in February 1973. In 2002, a 30th anniversary edition of the album was released; in addition to demos of "Hangin' Round" and "Perfect Day", it includes a hidden track featuring an advert for the album.

The cover art was from a Mick Rock photograph.

"Transformer" is ranked number 55 on "NME" 's list of "Greatest Albums of All Time." RS500|194 [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6599335/194_transformer "Rolling Stone" 500 Albums review] ] It is also on "Q Magazine"'s list of "100 Greatest Albums Ever".

Track listing

All songs were written by Lou Reed.

ide one

# "Vicious" – 2:58
# "Andy's Chest" – 3:20
# "Perfect Day" – 3:46
# "Hangin' 'Round" – 3:35
# "Walk on the Wild Side" – 4:15

ide two

# "Make Up" – 3:00
# "Satellite of Love" – 3:42
# "Wagon Wheel" – 3:19
# "New York Telephone Conversation" – 1:33
# "I'm So Free" – 3:09
# "Goodnight Ladies" – 4:21 (arranged & performed by Herbie Flowers)

2002 re-release bonus tracks

# "Hangin' Round" (acoustic demo) – 3:57
# "Perfect Day" (acoustic demo) – 4:50

Personnel

*Lou Reedguitar, keyboards, vocals
*Herbie Flowersbass; tuba on "Goodnight Ladies" and "Make Up"
*Mick Ronsonlead guitar, piano, recorder, backing vocals
*John Halsey – drums
*Ronnie Rossbaritone saxophone on "Goodnight Ladies"

Additional personnel

*David Bowie – backing vocals
*The Thunderthighs – backing vocals
*Barry DeSouza – drums
*Ritchie Dharma – drums
*Klaus Voormann – bass

Charts

Album

ingle

In popular culture

The "Ron and Fez" show on XM Radio closes every show with "Satellite of Love".

The TV show "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" named its spaceship setting after Satellite of Love.

Notes


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