Take No Prisoners (2-CD Set) [Import, Live]

Lou Reed | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Live
• Label: Bmg Int'l
• ASIN: B00000739W
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #480,569 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Coney Island Baby

2. Street Hassle

3. Walk On The Wild Side

4. Leave Me Alone

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Recorded at New York's Bottom Line in 1978 following the release of the acclaimed Street Hassle, this live document probably isn't for the casual Lou Reed fan. But if you appreciate pre-New York Lou, Take No Prisoners demonstrates, perhaps more than any other Reed artifact, the importance of major attitude and myth to classic punk. Often called "the Lou Reed comedy album," Prisoners has the totally revved-up artist coming on like a rock & roll Lenny Bruce as he delivers often hilarious monologues: Sweet Jane" and "Walk on the Wild Side" are nothing but that, with the band vamping behind him. Reed's targeted subjects include Barbra Streisand, Robert Christgau, Patti Smith, politics, the music biz, members of the audience, and, most importantly, himself. It's terrific if you like that kind of thing. The band's terrific, too, especially on "Coney Island Baby" and "Street Hassle." But as live rock albums go, this one is best viewed as the funniest of the genre, and it's reportedly one of Lou's faves. --Bill Holdship

Product Description

1992 RCA reissue of his 1978 double live album for BMG Music& recorded at the Bottom Line in New York City. Contains 10tracks, including both solo gems and classics from his dayswith the Velvet Underground, including 'Walk On The WildSide', 'Satellite Of Love', 'Sweet Jane', 'Pale Blue Eyes','Street Hassle', 'Berlin' and 'I'm Waiting For My Man'.Double slimline jewelcase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CLASSIC late-70's LOU, November 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Take No Prisoners (2-CD Set) (Audio CD)

Contrary to most of the critics (both casual and professional), I LOVE this album. Angry, visceral, and hopped-up on drugs, Lou Reed put together an intense, entertaining live album in 1978. Most of the songs turn into vicious monologues (Walk on the Wild Side), but other songs are absolutely beautiful (Coney Island Baby). DON'T expect straight-ahead reinterpretations of classics here. DO expect a uniquely cynical, venomous, and powerful performance by Reed with a great backing band, and excellent production qualities.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lou Reed as Lenny Bruce, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Take No Prisoners (2-CD Set) (Audio CD)

"Take No Prisoners" can be summed up in a simple statement, Lou Reed as a meth fueled Lenny Bruce. A must listen for pop culture junkies ,this record is the anti-Frampton Comes Alive. In this performance Lou vents his feelings on everything and shows the then punk genegation what punk is all about

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's two kinds of Lou, and this is both!, March 11, 2002

By 

Charles R. Grey (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Take No Prisoners (2-CD Set) (Audio CD)

...I personally think that Lou's great because he can be at his very worst and very best at the VERY SAME TIME. Take No Prisoners is a prime example. Yes, Lou sounds wasted and cranky and not very interested in playing actual songs. He can't sing and doesn't even try most of the time. That said, he also puts in one of the smartest and most powerful performances I've ever heard, moving from ripping the critics a new one to dropping into a stone cold groove and ripping the roof right off the house and making it look easy. His backing band is awesome, and the production is A plus. A glorious mess. Oh man, if they would just release a box set with the full versions of the shows these songs (or parts of songs) came from sometime, I'd NEVER take it out of my CD player.

"I do Lou Reed better than anyone," he says during Walk on the Wild Side. And then he proves it.