European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Entertainment walk by Robert Hilburn los Angeles times Given that Lou Reed s deeply affecting new magic and loss album is a poignant reflection on the cancer related deaths of two of the songwriter s closest friends it s surprising to see him Light up a Small Cigar during an interview. By the third puff Reed is self conscious enough about the Large webs of smoke that he addresses the Point. Quot i m trying to give up cigarettes Quot he explains leaning Forward in his chair. Looking at the Cigar in his hand he adds Quot this does t count because i m not Reed wearing a Green sweat shirt and jeans May be known for a dry even wicked sense of humor but he s not laughing. He says he really is trying to give up cigarettes even Banning smoking at the recent band rehearsals for his european tour. There was a time not that Long ago when an anxious Reed went through half a pack of cigarettes during a single interview a and we re not talking about Marathon sessions. Reed 48, has never liked interviews a his attitude during them has been described Over the years As everything from hostile to indifferent. Quot i Don t mind questions about my work but interviews Are always so personality oriented Quot he says. Quot i be been asked questions time after time that i d describe As grotesque and horrible. Questions that a Friend would t even ask a Friend. For years i just took Andy Warhol s advice and Reed s often colourful fabrications about his background and views added to the mystery and debate stirred by his Stark often troubling music with the velvet underground band that was part of the Andy Warhol Circle in the late 60s. The Long Island n.y., native wrote about such themes As drugs and sex in an unflinching Way that was accepted in books and films but which shocked pop audiences. Walk on the wild Side his 1973 Solo hit remains the quintessential pop expression of Urban decadence. Despite occasional brilliance in the 70s and Early 80s, Reed s legacy seemed destined just three years ago to remain tied to his velvet underground compositions which expanded the subject Range and literary ambitions of Rock. But Reed has put together a body of work in the last three years that rivals the artistic glow of his underground Days new York a sobering album about Urban disillusionment songs for Drella a musical biography of Warhol that he wrote and performed with former velvets partner John Cale and now magic and loss which was inspired by the deaths of songwriter Doc Pomus who co wrote such hits As save the last dance Chart for me and Young blood and someone identified simply As Rita. Along with a just published Book titled Between thought and expression selected lyrics of Lou Reed the three collections May finally guarantee that Reed will be seen As one of Rock s greatest artists rather than just one of its most exotic figures. Despite his new Success Reed in t comfortable answering questions because he still feels vulnerable during interviews. Quot we just got so used to being attacked especially when the songs were very sensitive and personal. I know that writers say the reason they ask personal questions is that the work is so personal but there is a line that any sensitive person should recognize Quot he says. Reed s music was so personal because he always wanted it to be More than typical Rock n Roll. Quot i know it sounds pretentious Quot he says Quot but i wanted to elevate Rock n Roll. Bring a Brecht Weill sensibility to it. Why not you re not 15 forever but suppose you like Rock n Roll. Do you want to always keep listening to stuff from when you were a kid Are you doomed to jazz and classical music forever once you pass 30 and 35?. I Don t particularly think that classical or jazz is better music. Music is feels he s on a creative Roll now but it was t always that Way. For a Long time he was afraid he would never regain the old underground Quality. Quot for years i just thought that every once in a while i get Lucky Quot he admits. Quot i mean i still feel that Way but i just know it s not True. I know now that i am a creative person. That is part of my living and breathing. On any Given Day i might not be Able to come up with something. Maybe not even for the rest of the week or the week after but eventually i la be All Reed has worked through a lot a stories about his drugs and the eccentric behaviour of the Warhol crowd Are Well known a to get where he is. He does t say All those experiences Are bad but he feels he could have gotten to where he is today faster if he had t Quot waylaid myself and made things More difficult by doing things like Quot but you re Young Quot he continues Quot and. You re already going 1,000 Miles an hour and the pressures build up. I still have a drink now and then but it s a completely different situation. Before i needed the drugs and liquor. It calmed does he Ever wonder How he made it through the troubled years Reed pauses then answers Quot i guess it s like they say god protects fools and drunks. Now i guess i m on my Lou Reed will be touring in Europe during March. For dates and venues Check the on stage listing on pages 14 and 15. A Lou Reed feels his work has regained the creativity of his velvet underground a singles 1 i m too sexy right said Fred 2 to be with you or big 3 i love your smile Shan ice 4. Diamonds and pearls Prince and the new Power generation 5 remember the time Michael Jackson 6 Don t let the Sun go Down on me George Michael Elton John 7 Tell me what you want me to do Tevlin Campbell 8 smells like teen spirit nirvana 9 All 4 love color me add 10 finally Cece Peniston top a albums t. Robin the wind Garth Brooks 2. Dangerous Michael Jackson 3. Never mind nirvana 4. No fences a Garth Brooks 5 . A color me add 6. Boyz ii men 7. Time love and tenderness Michael Bolton 8. Too legit to quit Hammer 9 Achung baby u2 10. We can t dance genesis country a singles 1. What she s doing now Garth Brooks 2. Better class of losers Randy Travis 3. Maybe it was Memphis Pam Tillis 4. Straight tequila night John Anderson 5. Is it cold in Here Joe duffle 6. Except for monday Lorhe Morgan 7. Dallas a Alan Jackson 8. That s what i like about you Trisha Yearwood 9. The whiskey Ain t working Travis Trutt 10. Mama Don t forget to Pray for me a Diamond rior amp by singles 1. Huh Ash a Boyz ii men 2. Stay a coded 3. Baby hold on to me Gerald Levert 4. Breaking my heart mint condition 5. Can t let go a Mariah Carey 6. Remember the time a Michael Jackson 7 �iat0ngs and pearls Prince and the new Power generation 8. Somebody loves you baby Patti labile 9 ?0t a at vibe r. Kelly amp Public announcement 10 1x5 way1feel about you Karyn White jazz a albums 1. Blue Light red Light Harry Connuck or. 2. The Gershwin connection Dave Grusin 3. You gotta pay the band Abbey Lincoln 4. Uve at Biro land Gerald Albright 5. Dingo Miles Davis 6. The Earl Klugh Trio volume t Earl Krigh Trio 7. The cure Keith Jarrett Trio 8. The Beautiful ones Are not yet born a Branford Marsalis 9. Unforgettable Natalie Cole 10. Kenny Kirkland Kenny Kirkland a compiled by billboard
