Transformer (album)
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| Transformer | ||
 |
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| Studio album by Lou Reed | ||
| Released | November 1972 | |
| Recorded | August 1972 | |
| Genre | Glam Rock | |
| Length | 36:40 | |
| Label | RCA Records | |
| Producer(s) | David Bowie and Mick Ronson | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lou Reed chronology | ||
| Lou Reed (1972) |
Transformer (1972) |
Berlin (1973) |
Transformer is Lou Reed's breakthrough second solo album, released in November 1972. Unlike its predecessor Lou Reed, eight songs of which were leftovers from his Velvet Underground days, this album contains mainly new material.
It was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, who had been strongly influenced by Reed's work with the Velvet Underground. The album featured hits such as "Walk on the Wild Side", "Perfect Day" and "Satellite of Love", it had more popular appeal than his works with the Velvet Underground and made Reed an international star in his own right.
"Andy's Chest" had been recorded in 1969 for The Velvet Underground's "lost fourth album" (see VU and Another View) and "Satellite of Love" had been demoed for that band's 1970 album Loaded, but neither had been used. For Transformer, the poppy up-tempo feel of these songs was slowed down to turn them into fragile ballads.
It is number 55 on NME's list of "Greatest Albums of All Time." In 2003, the album was ranked number 194 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. [1] It is also on Q Magazine's list of "100 Greatest Albums Ever".
The song "Walk on the Wild Side" became a major international hit, despite its adult subject matter (although it was edited in some countries and banned in others) and it is now generally regarded as Reed's signature tune.
In 2002, a thirtieth anniversary edition was released. In addition to demos of "Hangin' Round" and "Perfect Day", it includes a hidden track featuring an advert for the album.
Cover art from Mick Rock photograph.
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
All songs written by Lou Reed.
- "Vicious" – 2:58
- "Andy's Chest" – 3:20
- "Perfect Day" – 3:46
- "Hangin' Round" – 3:39
- "Walk on the Wild Side" – 4:12
- "Make Up" – 2:58
- "Satellite of Love" – 3:40
- "Wagon Wheel" – 3:19
- "New York Telephone Conversation" – 1:31
- "I'm So Free" – 3:07
- "Goodnight Ladies" – 4:21
[edit] 2002 bonus tracks
- "Hangin' Round" (Acoustic demo) – 3:57
- "Perfect Day" (Acoustic demo) – 4:50
[edit] Personnel
- Lou Reed – guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Herbie Flowers – bass, tuba
- Mick Ronson – guitar, piano, recorder, backing vocals
- John Halzey – drums
- Ronnie Ross – baritone saxophone
[edit] Additional personnel
- David Bowie – backing vocals
- The Thunder Thighs – backing vocals
- Barry DeSouza – drums
- Ritchie Dharma – drums
- Klaus Voormann – bass
[edit] Charts
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Billboard Pop Albums | 29 |
Charts - Single
Single
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | "Walk on the Wild Side" | Billboard Pop Singles | 16 |
