Moving sentiment, lukewarm music John Cale & Lou Reed being amongst my favourite artists of all time, it grieves me to report that I do not consider Drella to be amongst their best. I think it's to do with the instrumentation, but even after many years of trying hard, I still do not enjoy this album except for A Dream and Hello, It's Me.
The first, spoken by John Cale, sounds like an excerpt from Warhol's diaries (although I'm not sure it really is) whilst the second is a very poignant and tender epilogue with a beautiful melody. The biographical lyrics of all the songs are quite moving, but somehow, something's missing. I am very pleased, though, that many other fans regard it highly.
One of the best hommages ever made Let me just say that I am not a fan of Andy Warhol, nor I ever was. It always seemed to me that much of his work was pure hype, and the minority that really had some value remained unobserved by many of his followers. Nevertheless, one was almost obliged to be thrilled when talking about the times of Andy Warhol, Velvet Underground, The Doors and such...It was the peculiar time in history of twentieth century which is peculiar in itself. And every artist that lived in those times doesen't stop talking or thinking about them, and the ones that didn't pay hommage.
Lou Reed and John Cale belong to the first group. But this album is not hommage to entirety of time, it is an hommage to Andy Warhol. And it is quite a pice of work. Music here plays just as a background, not really taking any part in developing a story, story which is in itself amongst the best thing that Lou Reed has ever written. From opening Intro", trough Style it takes" all the way towards the Dream" this album is a masterpiece. But its reach does not reach so long.
As I have said, this is an hommage to Andy Warhol and as such this album will have no value amongst the people that didn't like him. But nevertheless one has to appreciate the sincerity and passion that one can find in lyrics. The manner in which songs are played are almost nihilistic in its own way, and experience with every new listening just grows and grows.
I never was a fan of Andy Warhol, nor did I become one after this album. But Lou Reed and John Cale remained there, in the narrow space of 'fandom' of my own.
REMEMBERING ANDY WARHOL Just an electric guitar, a piano and a viola are enough to draw the tracks' outlines of this work. A perfect fusion between the Lou Reed underground rock and the John Cale's classic and experimental style. Some tracks are violent, some other are sad. They all remember the Factory years.
Classic concept album from two musical greats A stylish collection of songs that adds up to an elegant exploration of Andy Warhol's life and work. John Cale says in the sleeve notes - "Lou did all the work", but the collaboration is seamless. Lou Reed's affection for his long-time friend Andy Warhol shines through. A great addition to the classic album collection for fans of Lou Reed, John Cale _and_ Andy Warhol.
Incredaibly Personal When i bought this album, i really thought that it would be merely a historical document. I didn't expect the moving, passionate music and lyrics that lay within. This is definately some of the best work done by either Reed or Cale. It made me miss warhol so deeply, even though he died before i was even born.
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