Reed, Lou

Rock & Rule (2-Disc Collector's Edition)

Although it featured songs by Debbie Harry, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Cheap Trick, and Earth, Wind & Fire, Rock and Rule (Canada, 1983) never received a general US release. Set in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by mutants, the underdeveloped story centers on the rock star Mok and his efforts to summon a demon from another dimension. Only the voice of aspiring singer Angel can cross the dimensional barrier and free the monster. Mok pursues Angel through series of chases and concerts that produce complications involving her true love/singing partner Omar and his band. Clive Smith's direction is simply inept: the story plods along listlessly; the characters change motivation on a dime; the crude CG special effects are squandered in minor scenes, rather than used to punch up the climax.

Rock and Rule reflects the confusion of the animation industry in the early '80s. Yellow Submarine and Fritz the Cat had proved there was an audience for hip, edgy animated features. But nobody could make a good one, and a series of bombs caused animation to be labeled box-office poison. More than 20 years later, Rock and Rule holds a curiosity value for fans of old rock, but it's not a memorable film. (Rated PG: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity, alcohol, drug, and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

In this acclaimed, animated rock and roll feature, Angel, a member of a punk rock band in the apocalyptic future, is kidnapped by Mok, a legendary super rocker. Obsessed with an evil experiment, Mok plans to use Angel s voice to summon a demon from another dimension. The rest of the band follow Mok to Nuke York in an attempt to rescue her and then the ultimate battle of good vs. evil begins.

Rock and Rule

Although it featured songs by Debbie Harry, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Cheap Trick, and Earth, Wind & Fire, Rock and Rule (Canada, 1983) never received a general US release. Set in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by mutants, the underdeveloped story centers on the rock star Mok and his efforts to summon a demon from another dimension. Only the voice of aspiring singer Angel can cross the dimensional barrier and free the monster. Mok pursues Angel through series of chases and concerts that produce complications involving her true love/singing partner Omar and his band. Clive Smith's direction is simply inept: the story plods along listlessly; the characters change motivation on a dime; the crude CG special effects are squandered in minor scenes, rather than used to punch up the climax.

Rock and Rule reflects the confusion of the animation industry in the early '80s. Yellow Submarine and Fritz the Cat had proved there was an audience for hip, edgy animated features. But nobody could make a good one, and a series of bombs caused animation to be labeled box-office poison. More than 20 years later, Rock and Rule holds a curiosity value for fans of old rock, but it's not a memorable film. (Rated PG: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity, alcohol, drug, and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

In this acclaimed, animated rock and roll feature, Angel, a member of a punk rock band in the apocalyptic future, is kidnapped by Mok, a legendary super rocker. Obsessed with an evil experiment, Mok plans to use Angel s voice to summon a demon from another dimension. The rest of the bands follows Mok to Nuke York in an attempt to rescue her and then the ultimate battle of good vs. evil begins.

Come Together - A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music

A disparate group of performers gathers to celebrate the life and music of John Lennon in this 90-minute concert, recorded in 2001 at New York's Radio City Music Hall and originally broadcast on the WB Television Network. Considering both the setting and the fact that it came just three weeks after the events of September 11, it's not surprising that the show has a somewhat somber tone, but that makes Lennon's message of universal peace somehow all the more relevant. As for the songs, the majority come from Lennon's Beatle days, including "In My Life" (Dave Matthews), "Strawberry Fields Forever" (Cyndi Lauper), and "Dear Prudence" (Alanis Morissette); but it's the material from his solo years that yields the most passionate performances, especially by Shelby Lynne ("Mother") and Lou Reed ("Jealous Guy"). Host Kevin Spacey does a surprisingly effective turn on "Mind Games," and the inclusion of Lennon's son Sean is both appropriate and touching. Nice. --Sam Graham

Classic Albums - Lou Reed: Transformer

This installment of the Classic Albums series looks at the making of Lou Reed's seminal glam-rock solo album, Transformer, featuring a relaxed Reed (though decidedly less glam than he was in '72) looking like he's having the time of his life as he reminisces and isolates separate tracks to illustrate how the album came together. Bassist Herbie Flowers demonstrates how he recorded the swingy, impossibly catchy bass riff in "Walk on the Wild Side," and coproducer David Bowie makes a brief appearance, as do many of Reed's contemporaries and fellow musicians. Many express delight that the tracks sound as fresh as they did when they were recorded, especially "Vicious" and "Perfect Day." DVD bonus interviews include a fascinating tale from Reed on how he first met Andy Warhol--while he and the Velvet Underground were playing in a seedy Village café, being attacked by drunken sailors offended by one of their songs. --Anne Hurley

A Night With Lou Reed

This 1983 concert film was shot during Lou Reed's legendary stand at the Bottom Line in New York City. Reed got his start in Greenwich Village, and indeed this show has a strong air of a hero's return. The former Velvet Underground frontman greets the crowd with a tidy-but-tough "Sweet Jane," then smoothly skips through his then-catalogue of pre- and post-solo career records. "I'm Waiting for the Man" takes us back to the well, while "Wild Side," "Don't Talk to Me About Work," "Waves of Fear," and a stunning version of "Kill Your Sons" reflects something of the scope of Reed's development. A blistering "White Light/White Heat" reminds one of the Velvets' magnificent sting, and the show closes out with an epic take on "Rock 'n' Roll." Reed is backed by a spare ensemble, including the outstanding Robert Quine on guitar, Fred Maher on drums, and Fernando Saunders on bass. Clearly and cleanly photographed, this performance is riveting to see and hear. Keep watching after Reed leaves the stage; his post-show comments about some special moments in front of the audience are well worth catching. --Tom Keogh

Lou Reed - Live at Montreux, 2000

Lou Reed is one of the most influential artists of the rock era. From his days in the sixties as the main singer and songwriter of the Velvet Underground and through his mercurial solo career he has kept his audience and the critics on their toes with dramatic changes of musical direction from album to album. Underpinning everything however has been his unquestionable ability as a songwriter and performer of the highest class.

This DVD contains Lou Reed's only Montreux performance to date in July 2000. This was part of his tour for the acclaimed Ecstasy album and the show features a number of songs from that release as well as Lou Reed classics such as Romeo Had Juliette, Set The Twilight Reeling, Dirty Blvd and Perfect Day.

The line-up for the concert is:
Lou Reed (guitars and vocals)
Fernando Saunders (bass)
Tony Smith (drums)
Mike Rathke (guitars)

Tracklisting:
1) Paranoia Key Of E
2) Turn To Me
3) Modern Dance
4) Ecstasy
5) Smalltown
6) Future Farmers Of America
7) Turning Around Time
8) Romeo Had Juliette
9) Riptide
10) Rock Minuet
11) Mystic Child
12) Tatters
13) Set The Twilight Reeling
14) Dirty Blvd
15) Dime Store Mystery
16) Perfect Day

American Masters - The Musicians (Ella Fitzgerald Something to Live For / Quincy Jones In the Pocket / Lou Reed Rock & Roll Heart)

This gorgeously packaged collector's set features three profiles of American musicians whose work has redefined jazz, rhythm & blues, and rock & roll from the award-winning, critically acclaimed PBS biography series. Includes: Ella Fitzgerald: Something to Live For; Quincy Jones: In The Pocket; Lou Reed: Rock & Roll Heart

Spanish Fly: Lou Reed Live in Spain

Bob Dylan - Celebrating Bob [Import]

Track listing; 01. Opening credits / 02. Like a Rolling Stone - John Mellecamp & Band / 03. License to Kill - Tom Petty & Heartbreakers / 04. Rainy Day Woman #12&35 - Tom Petty & Heartbreakers / 05. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) / 06. My Back Pages - Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, George Harrison / 07. Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan & All-Stars Band / 08. Just Like A Woman - Bob Dylan / 09. I'll Remember You - Bob Dylan / 10. Looking the Time / Thinking About Dreams / Interview Donovan / In The Beginning / On Stage Revisited / The Folk Singer / Blow In The Wind - Bob Dylan / 11. Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan & Tom Petty

Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart

An incredible retracing of the evolution of Reed's remarkable career over three decades. Filled with interviews with Reed, his friends and some of the major artists influenced by Reed including David Bowie, David Byrne, Patti Smith, Suzanne Vega, Dave Stewart, Philip Glass and more. Production Notes, Biographies, Discography, Scene Access, Screen Test, Rare Velvet Footage