Lou Reed - Kansas City Memorial Hall, Kansas City, May 2, 1973
According to legend, Berlin producer Bob Ezrin told Lou Reed in early 1973 that he had to fire his backing band, the Tots. They weren’t pro enough, apparently. Uncharacteristically, Lou took Bob’s advice and sent the Tots back to Long Island. One problem, though — he was in the middle of a tour!
Moogy Klingman to the rescue! Thomas Pynchon must’ve kicked himself for not coming up with that name. For a brief spell, the Utopia keyboardist and his slick band (including a drummer called “Chocolate”) backed up Lou. This KC gig, 50 years ago this week, was their off-Broadway debut. And though it’s rough in some spots, Moogy and the gang sound enthusiastic, adding some more elaborate rhythmic accents, funk-pop touches and occasionally ambitious backing vocals. It’s radically different from the garage-y Tots, that’s for sure — especially thanks to the presence of Klingman’s keys. Obviously, Cale and Yule had played keyboards with Velvets, but this is a whole ‘nother thing, a sound that Lou would use onstage for the remainder of the 70s. I like Moogy’s intro to the rarely played “Andy’s Chest.” “Piano!” Lou exclaims proudly. “Piano!” So true, Lou.
Weirdest of all is the closing “Sister Ray,” which is light years away from White Light. Almost disco-ish at times, with Chocolate holding down the beat mercilessly, everyone else vamping like their life depends on it. Whip it on me, Chocolate!
More Lou? There’s this little essay I wrote about Loaded over on Aquarium Drunkard (it originally appeared in a Rhino Records promo item a few years ago). And how about an AI-assisted remix of the Velvet Underground? Fuck it, why not.
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