Berlin: Live at St. Ann's Warehouse

Lou Reed | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Matador Records
• ASIN: B001F2U6WE
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,860 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Berlin: Live At St. Anns Warehouse is a concert film and live album by Lou Reed released in October 2008. The concert film was directed by Julian Schnabel, live at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, NY during five nights in December 2006. Background shots of the characters Jim and Caroline were done by Lola Schnabel. The Berlin tour was the first time Lou Reed had played the full album live in over 30 years, after the original album was a critical and commercial flop. Individual songs had been played, but not the whole thing. The concert film and album both feature three additional songs, Candy Says, Rock Minuet and Sweet Jane, not from the original Berlin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exploration into Desperation, February 18, 2009

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Berlin: Live at St. Ann's Warehouse (Audio CD)

Though Lou Reed has seemingly taken pleasure to twist the noses of the suits who operate the record industry - Metal-Machine Music comes to mind - his true creative energy was behind his third solo effort, the rock-opera, Berlin.

Exploring the reality of living in the anonymous shadows - with the landscape being the cracked sidewalks and dilapidated buildings of urban decay - Reed tackled the bleakness of drugs, depression and desperation of a doomed couple. A planned stage adaptation was abandoned in 1973 after mixed (mostly negative) reviews by critics and poor record sales.

But nearly 35 years later, Reed picked up the pieces of this shattered project by enlisting the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and a 30-piece band for a series of Berlin performances. Prior to the 2007 concert dates, Reed never played the rock-opera in its entirety and rarely utilized the music while on tour.

The power contained in the music has not diminished and Reed is in full flight artistically as the director and performer. A maligned masterpiece, this is street life as the slow storm rises to soon engulf those who believe they can win the game of roulette that's played with a shattered rotating disk .

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely 5+ stars, December 14, 2008

By 

Jim Z "music aficionado" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Berlin: Live at St. Ann's Warehouse (Audio CD)

Truly remarkable. This recording (33 years in the making) takes Reed's classic "Berlin" and stages the entire original LP live.
Live recordings often leave a lot to be desired due to sound quality. Not this one ! This sound is stunning for a live recording. The mix is perfect , and Lou is in perfect "voice".

I played the disc 3 times straight through upon purchase (minus the "extra" non-Berlin tracks) (which I will get to sometime). The entire disc is nothing short of amazing , but "The Kids" and "Sad Song" are the standouts for this listener.......PUT IT IN YOUR BASKET!!!!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent circle, November 20, 2008

By 

B. Cox "cale maniac" (woodstock ga usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Berlin: Live at St. Ann's Warehouse (Audio CD)

a commercial flop when released berlin has always been one of lou reeds masterpiece works. as a rock opera it has a better story than pete towshends tommy. what this live version offers is both a fresh look and a fuller sound quality which makes this release a newer experience. the inclusion of steve hunter of rock and roll animal fame on guitar makes this album worth the price! lou reed has grown as an artist over the years and his best music stands as a testimony. lou reed has made an excellent circle!