Lou Reed — once the androgynous rock poet of the Velvet Underground, then a godfather of punk, now a weathered icon of courage and adventurousness in American music — in two astonishing live concerts, one from New York's fabled Bottom Line in 1983, one from the 2004 Benicassim Festival in Spain. With selections deftly mixed and matched for maximum effect, these two concerts allow us to time-travel between key phases of an amazing career, as Reed reinvents classic songs from his Velvets and early solo period and presents adventurous new work — always with the unmistakable droning, dissonance, and literary intelligence that are part and parcel of the Lou Reed approach to rock and roll, and to his adventures in post-classical minimalism and even free jazz, all key to his unique sensibility.

Edgy singer-songwriter Lou Reed performs a classic set in this 2004 concert held at the Benicàssim Festival in Spain. Joined by guitarist Mike Rathke, bassist Fernando Saunders, drummer Tony "Thunder" Smith and cellist Jane Scarpantoni, Reed plays fresh versions of Velvet Underground classics "Sweet Jane" and "Venus in Furs" and solo tunes including "Walk on the Wild Side." Also included are a gallery of 14 photographs taken by Reed.

Film tribute to Lou Reed, who died in October, which looks at the extraordinarily transgressive life and career of one of rock 'n' roll's true originals With the help of friends, fellow musicians, critics and those who have been inspired not only by his music but also by his famously contrary approach to almost everything, the documentary looks at how Reed not only helped to shape a generation but also helped to create a truly alternative, independent rock scene, while also providing New York with its most provocative and potent soundtrack. With contributions from Bob Ezrin, Mick Rock, Lenny Kaye, Paul Auster, Moe Tucker, Boy George, Thurston Moore, Andrew Wylie, Victor Bockris, Holly Woodlawn, Mary Woronov and Steve Hunter.

In 1972, Lou Reed's second solo album Transformer elevated him from a minor cult figure to one of the best known and most talked about artists in rock & roll, with its incisive portrait of the demimonde and the distinctive hit single "Walk on the Wild Side." Classic Albums: Lou Reed -- Transformer offers a look at the making of this landmark album, with Lou Reed and engineer Ken Scott offering an in-depth perspective on the recording sessions, and Herbie Flowers revealing how he came up with his memorable bass line for "Walk on the Wild Side."

The Bottom Line in New York City 1983 1. Sweet Jane / 4:07 2. I'm Waiting For The Man / 4:03 3. Martial Law / 3:40 4. Don't Talk To Me About Work / 2:15 5. Women / 4:16 6. Waves Of Fear / 3:19 7. Wild Side / 4:50 8. Turn Out The Lights / 3:00 9. New Age / 4:49 10. Kill Your Sons / 5:46 11. Satellite Of Love / 5:58 12. White Light / White Heat / 3:55 13. Rock 'n' Roll / 6:59

Lou Reed's melancholy album played live on stage. A phenomenal live performance by Reed, Rathke, Wasserman and Blair (and Jimmy Scott!) of this powerful concept piece. Also has live performances of 'A Dream', 'Dirty Blvd.', 'Sweet Jane', 'I'm waiting for the Man', 'Rock 'n' Roll', 'Satellite of Love' and 'Walk on the Wild Side'. Produced both in VHS and LD formats.

Unusual interview on the occasion of Lou Reed's concert in Vienna . Highly personal, funny and rambling.

A documentary on the making of Martin Scorsese's 1977 Jazz drama New York, New York

This installment of the Classic Albums series looks at the making of Lou Reed's seminal glam-rock solo album, Transformer, featuring a relaxed Reed (though decidedly less glam than he was in '72) looking like he's having the time of his life as he reminisces and isolates separate tracks to illustrate how the album came together. Bassist Herbie Flowers demonstrates how he recorded the swingy, impossibly catchy bass riff in "Walk on the Wild Side," and coproducer David Bowie makes a brief appearance, as do many of Reed's contemporaries and fellow musicians. Many express delight that the tracks sound as fresh as they did when they were recorded, especially "Vicious" and "Perfect Day." DVD bonus interviews include a fascinating tale from Reed on how he first met Andy Warhol--while he and the Velvet Underground were playing in a seedy Village café, being attacked by drunken sailors offended by one of their songs. --Anne Hurley Lou Reed with the help of Andy Warhol at the 'Factory', made The Velvet Underground a massively influential band. However it was Transformer, Lou Reed's second solo album, which took him from cult hero of The Velvet Underground to international superstar status. The program takes a track-by-track look at the album, which was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. In an exclusive interview in New York, Lou Reed talks of the making of the album and together with Ken Scott, the original engineer, takes us through the multi-track tapes of "Perfect Day" "Vicious", "Satellite Of Love" and "Walk On The Wild Side" amongst others. In London Herbie Flowers shows us how the bass line on "Walk On The Wild Side" was recorded, creating what is one of the most famous riffs in popular music. Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics talks of Lou Reed's influence on him as a songwriter and musician. The program is illustrated throughout with archive footage of Lou Reed in concert, The Velvet Underground, Andy Warhol and the 'Factory' and features exclusive new acoustic material from Lou. This program provides a unique insight into the process behind the recording of Transformer, which perfectly captured the spirit of the early 1970's, and illustrates why today it is still considered a truly Classic Album.

A Lou Reed concert at the Bottom Line in New York City, 1983. Tracklist: Sweet Jane, I'm Waiting For The Man, Martial Law, Don't Talk To Me About Work, Women, Waves of Fear, Walk on the Wild Side, Turn Out the Lights, New Age, Kill Your Sons, Satellite of Love, White Light / White Heat, Rock And Roll.