Transformer [Import]

• Stereo reissue edition
• 1xLP pressed on 180-Gram Audiophile Black Vinyl
• Housed in a standard sleeve

It is well known that comparisons seldom get to the root of the matter, but in the case of Lou Reed, for example, they certainly reveal the unassuredness of those people who made them. Is he or isn't he the Chuck Berry or Sergeant Pepper of the Seventies, or is he deliberately building up an image of himself as an ultra-sensitive Frankenstein, who lived out his neuroses and drug trips in horrific sound? Some records are so unbelievably repulsive, « raged the magazine Rolling Stone, that one would best like to take physical revenge on the artists who commit such offenses.

The album "Transformer", however, can by no means be classified as a case of "acoustic bodily harm'. It appeared just a few months after the somewhat unsuccessful appearance of Lou Reed's fairly underground first release and rocketed straight into the charts. This production had two British guardian angels to help it on its way, namely David Bowie and Mick Ronson, both of whom obviously knew how to steer Reed's songwriting qualities into safe waters, without watering down his biting sarcasm and humorous provocation.

And that's why grating guitar rock ("Vicious") is found alongside a bittersweet, tender ballad ("Perfect Day") and even an old-time jazz parody ("Goodnight Ladies") which is sung with a tongue a heavy as lead. Why then compare this highly original music mix with others, when it's so much easier to hear this record for what it is - a truly cult album?

Artwork, Design – Ernst Thormahlen
Backing Vocals – The Thunder Thighs
Bass – Klaus Voorman
Bass, Double Bass [String Bass], Tuba – Herbie Flowers
Drums – Barry Desouza, John Halzey, Ritchie Dharma
Mastered By [Tape Mastering] – Arun Chakranerty
Mixed By – Mike Stone
Photography By [Black & White] – Mick Rock
Photography By [Color] – Karl Stoeker
Producer, Arranged By [Songs, Strings, Bass], Backing Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Recorder, Mixed By – Mick Ronson
Producer, Arranged By [Songs], Backing Vocals, Mixed By – David Bowie
Written By, Arranged By [Songs], Guitar, Mixed By, Vocals – Lou Reed