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Elly Roberts reviews
Berlin: 2007 Tour Edition: 
Lou Reed took a walk on the dark side for his UK premier of his masterpiece, Berlin.
Enigmatic Reed marshaled his troupes a childrens choir, small wind-stringensemble and band (including Berlins original guitarist Steve Hunter) througha mesmerizing 90-minute set.
There was a peculiar air of formality and great sense of occasion for hishighly anticipated and long overdue return to these shores. It was a trulyrare appearance for the iconic ex-Velvet Underground frontman, and one wellworth waiting for.
Flanked by tasteful set and projected images, the cult icon astonished hisloyal fans with one of the greatest gigs ever. Yes, ever. Twenty minutes late,clad in jeans and red t-shirt, he casually graced the stage to a wall of cheersand whistles as he silently took centre stage. Not a word spoken until the endof the main set, the star looked somewhat hesitant. People could hardly believetheir eyes that he was actually here. I certainly couldnt.
The mean and moody Berlin, a dramatic story about a drug fuelled couple fallingapart, was given new life as it ran in non-chronological order beginning withthe kids dressed in blue gowns singing the Sad Song chorus, that stylisticallyset the scene.
From the off, there was a gripping atmosphere, which contrasted sharply withthe tension under which the album was recorded in London back in the early ’70s.Next, the spotlight fell on Reed as he opened with “In Berlin, by the wall”.This pseudo-classical song was segued by a thumping intro to Lady Dayfollowed by sumptuous choral back-up and blistering solos by Hunter.As the military footage rolled behind to introduce Men Of Good Fortune,Reed changed guitar, one of several on the night.
The complex Oh, Jim saw a flourish of band excitement bringing shoutsof “Come on Steve” and “Come on Kate” (back-up singer) as heegged-on their dazzling individual talents into the crescendo. A classicallyrooted Interlude allowed Reed to do, for the first time, a sublime andunderstated solo.
Reprising Caroline, 2, it became the most breathtaking piece of thenight, with Reed accentuating each painful lyric well beyond the originalversion. Berlins most harrowing and powerful sequence came by way of TheKids with images rolling behind the band as it led to the screaming wailsof the frantic child.
In sharp contrast, The Bed proved to be the mostdisturbing of all, as the tragic suicide of Caroline unfolded. The bed iswhere their children were conceived, and its also where she slashed herwrists. Sad Song, again, was the stirring finale of a truly memorableBerlin live.
“Thanks for letting us bring Berlin here”, he said. “Its a dreamto bring Berlin to life, in its full regalia.”
As a bonus, we were treated to some faves Sweet Jane, Satellite Of Loveand anthemic Walk On The Wild Side, predictably brought the house down.
One of the greatest moments in rock history, surely, and I can say ‘I wasthere.’
Incredible.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.