“The Bells” by Lou Reed - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1979Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s

TJR says

The free spirited one co-wrote this with ex-Crazy-Horse Nils Lofgren and introduced experimental jazz trumpeter Don Cherry to his studio group. The results are surprisingly decent, and it's good to hear him pushing buttons to see what will emerge. For one, his vocals sound more enthused than ever. “Disco Mystic” was the album's lead single; Lou does disco and just about gets away with it. “I Want To Boogie With You” is the first half highlight, bordering on the southern soul ballad, with some cool sax from Marty Fogel and appealing gospel-like backing vocals from his girls. “All Through The Night” repeats that disco-ish vibe from earlier, with the main musical bed being used as the background scene in what seems to be a small house party setting. Excellent vocal again. “The Bells” takes us on a 9 minute stretch out to close, Marty Fogel's horn arrangements complementing the detached and mysterious film-esque vibe. This is an album worth return visits.

The Jukebox Rebel
21–Sep–2010

Tracklist
A1 [02:33] 5.1.png Lou Reed - Stupid Man (Lou Reed, Nils Lofgren) Cerebral Pop
A2 [04:30] 5.3.png Lou Reed - Disco Mystic (Lou Reed, Ellard Boles, Marty Fogel, Michael Fonfara, Michael Suchorsky) Cerebral Pop
A3 [03:55] 6.6.png Lou Reed - I Want To Boogie With You (Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara) Cerebral Pop
A4 [02:21] 5.6.png Lou Reed - With You (Lou Reed, Nils Lofgren) Cerebral Pop
A5 [03:29] 5.5.png Lou Reed - Looking For Love (Lou Reed) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
A6 [03:22] 6.0.png Lou Reed - City Lights (Lou Reed, Nils Lofgren) Cerebral Pop
B1 [05:00] 8.3.png Lou Reed - All Through The Night (Lou Reed, Don Cherry) New Wave
B2 [06:09] 5.9.png Lou Reed - Families (Lou Reed, Ellard Boles) Cerebral Pop
B3 [09:17] 7.0.png Lou Reed - The Bells (Lou Reed, Marty Fogel) Prog

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