Perhaps it simply reflects current tough times, a retreat into safe stuff that’s easy to sell. I am also a sucker for tribute albums, enjoying the new The Power Of The Heart, a collection of the songs of Lou Reed. It reminds me of Reed himself claiming September Song on a long-ago tribute album featuring the songs of Kurt Weill and turning it into nothing but a Lou Reed song. Lou Reed performing on stage. The Power of The Heart compares favourably with last year’s Velvet Underground tribute, I’ll Be Your Mirror, which, while fun, somewhat failed to capture the sheer grown-up power of its source.
