On October 27th, 1971, Lou Reed walked into the first recording session of his solo career. “I’m So Free: The 1971 RCA Demos” is a collection of those rare recordings [previously available as a short-lived digital release for copyright purposes – TSD]. This is Lou as few have ever heard him: it’s the songwriter at work, pure and alone, before the noise, swagger and legend. Released on vinyl for the first time, the 13 tracks on this LP are an unprecedented addition to Reed’s rock & roll life on record.
His next four decades – more than 30 studio and concert albums of lyric challenge, incendiary guitar and iron-willed vision until his death in October 2013 start here.
The final iterations of these demos can be found across Reed’s discography on albums including Lou Reed, Transformer, Berlin, and Sally Can’t Dance.
The Fat Angel Sings 