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Lou Reed talks Metallica collaboration
By CMU Editorial | Published on Friday 1 July 2011
Lou Reed has revealed more information about the previously reported news that he has recorded an album with Metallica, which he has modestly said is “maybe the best thing done by anyone, ever”.
Speaking to New York Magazine, the former Velvet Underground frontman confirmed that the collaboration was to make recordings of songs he has written for a Berlin stage adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s turn-of-the-20th-century ‘Lulu’ plays, ‘Earth Spirit’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’. The stage show, simply called ‘Lulu’, and directed by Robert Wilson, opened earlier this year.
Explaining the structure of the recordings, Reed said: “There are two stories [the stage show] ‘Lulu’ is based on. I rewrote ‘Lulu’ from the get-go, taking the original plot – mostly ‘Earth Spirit’, not ‘Pandora’s Box’ – and followed it essentially from the point of view of Lulu and the various people who love her, until she gets involved with Jack the Ripper. The basics. So the Metallica version will have absolutely all of that and more”.
He added: “The version of the ‘Lulu’ music I did with Metallica is awe-inspiring. It’s maybe the best thing done by anyone, ever. It could create another planetary system. I’m not joking, and I’m not being egotistical”.
The album’s release is currently scheduled for November, at which point you can judge the size of Lou Reed’s ego for yourself.
