Lou Reed Live, a live album by Lou Reed released in 1975, makes my list for several reasons. First and foremost, Lou was an incredible songwriter, penning some of the best lyrics in all of rock music. He wasn’t the greatest vocalist, but his deadpan New York voice fit his songs perfectly. Second, his band on this record (which featured the world class guitar tag team of Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter) simply played killer hard rock music to beef up those amazing songs. Alice Cooper knew this band was top notch and he bought them out from under Lou’s nose and used them to great effect on his Welcome To My Nightmare album. Lou Reed Live was recorded on the same night as the more well known Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal album. I’m hoping they are eventually released in sequence, because both records are truly amazing. My favorites on this one are Oh Jim, Vicious, a really cool Walk On The Wild Side, Satellite Of Love, and the incredible Sad Song, which got me through a really rough spot in my life. Every time I hear any of this stuff, it makes me want to go immediately to my guitar and play.
Written By Braddon S. Williams
VinylLair.com 
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