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The Raven
 
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The Raven

~ Lou Reed
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
Price: £7.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

  • Audio CD (3 Feb 2003)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Wea
  • ASIN: B00007BKGL
  • Other Editions: Audio CD
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 94,654 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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1. Overture
2. Edgar Allen Poe
3. Call On Me - Reed, Lou & Laurie Anderson
4. Valley Of Unrest
5. Thousand Departed Friends
6. Change
7. Bed
8. Perfect Day
9. Raven - Reed, Lou & Willem Dafoe
10. Balloon
11. Broadway Song - Reed, Lou & Steve Buscemi
12. Blind Rage
13. Burning Embers
14. Vanishing Act
15. Guilty - Reed, Lou & Ornette Coleman
16. I Wanna Know (The Pit And The Pendulum) - Reed, Lou & The Blind Boys Of Alabama
17. Science Of The Mind
18. Hop Frog - Reed, Lou & David Bowie
19. Tripitena's Speech
20. Who I Am (Tripitena's Song)
See all 21 tracks on this disc

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Lou Reed has never been one to shirk from an ambitious project, and The Raven is no exception. It consists of readings from the dark poems of Edgar Allen Poe, interspersed with songs of traditional structure (and similar subject matter) and sometimes revisits Reed's previous work ("Perfect Day" for instance)--often with the help of a range of collaborators from the world of music (David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Ornette Coleman) and film (Steve Buscemi, Willem Defoe). Opening with a dramatic monologue delivered over a backdrop of seething guitars, it's reminiscent of the unlistenable tosh of his Metal Machine Music. The atmospherics work though, and it serves as a fitting intro--or perhaps an ominous portent--of things to come.

Any reservations are quickly washed away by the glorious New York brass of "Overture" and the autumnally maudlin "Prologue". In fact, The Raven is among Reed's most affecting work to date--strings, saxophones and horns all combine with Reed's restrained guitar to produce a strikingly effective and aurally pleasing atmosphere. Elsewhere, this contrasts with more typically Reed songs, such as the rattle of "Edgar Allen Poe". With Poe's words embodying much which is close to Reed's heart (obsession, paranoia, self destruction), it's easy to see what attracted him to the project. As a concept album, it doesn't work as well as 1991's New York--partly because more people have experienced the dark and dirty underworld of NYC than the dark and dirty underworld of Edgar Allen Poe, but mostly because the songs on offer aren't as good. That said, this is a beautiful record and, for a change, a worthwhile diversion from rock's norm. --Ben Johncock



CD Description

Lou Reed's epic homage to the work of gothic horror writer Edgar Allen Poe is a sprawling collection of music and poetry, featuring spoken word passages performed by such renownedactors as Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi and Amanda Plummer, and contributions from the likes of David Bowie, Laurie Anderson and Ornette Coleman. Dark and sinister, Reed has attempted to replicate the mood of Poe's work in the music.

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Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
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 (2)
4 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Do not avoid this., 3 Jan 2006
By Elliot Davies "ahttt" (Liverpool, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Rock songs that invoke deep contemplation with splices of Egdar Allen Poetry. How could anyone possibly not admire this opus? People may not enjoy it, but I think it should be admired by everyone. It's ambitious, it's deep, in places it's brutal, in others beautiful. It's long, daring, it works as background music and it survives intense scrutiny. In short, as a piece of work, it's remarkably daring.
It has to be admired.
Enjoyment of this masterpiece, however, like everything, depends upon the individual. I was lucky enough to catch the live incarnations of some of these songs. I heartily believe Vanishing Act to be one of Lou's best songs, and he has a lot of songs. It's so delicate, so fragile, so unlike anything being produced by anyone. Lou's voice has certainly improved with age: Gone is the cool cynicism and wit, to be replaced by a hauntingly beautiful lament of a delivery that I find simply irresistable. Mix this with the absolutely stunning croon of Antony (sometimes as a backing singer, but he makes "Perfect Day" his own) and you have a humbling listen in your hands. It enriches.

"Who Am I?" is the song that got me into Lou Reed. I saw him perform it on Jools Holland in about 2003 and I was so blown away that I bought the NYC Man compilation. I was quite dissappointed with the version found on that, turns out the one I was looking for was here all along. I love it so much. I don't want to repeat myself, so just take any previously used adjectives and apply them here.

So Vanishing Act and Who Am I? are in my opinion two of the most affecting songs ever produced. Whilst the remainder of the album never catches up with these two joys, like I said, it's mightily impressive. Willem Dafoes reading of The Raven is gloriously dramatic, and Steve Buscemi's Broadway Song is very entertaining. Overall, it's a package that's well worth a purchase. Having purchased, you'll not only own two of the greatest songs ever, you'll own a vastly underrated masterpiece that will only truly be appreciated posthumously. And you'll be able to say that you were there from the start!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Re discovered , 13 Sep 2008
By G. D. Ohalloran "Naga" (uk bucks) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I put this on my ipod , having not listened to this since its released in 2003 . This album is totally out on its own like Berlin it was completely overlooked when released !!! if you put it on and listen from start to finish you will be amazed by the genius of Reed yet again, time proves him right .
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