Le Bataclan '72

Le Bataclan '72 is a live album by Lou Reed, John Cale and Nico, released on October 19, 2004. The album was recorded from the soundboard during the 1972 concert and heavily bootlegged over the years, before it gained an official release in 2004.^[1]

Le Bataclan '72
Live album by Lou Reed, John Cale and Nico
Released	October 19, 2004
Recorded	January 29, 1972
Venue	Le Bataclan, 50 Boulevard Voltaire, 75011 Paris
Genre	Avant-garde rock and roll
Length	71:14
Lou Reed chronology
Animal Serenade (2004) Le Bataclan '72 (2004) Hudson River Wind Meditations (2007)
John Cale chronology
HoboSapiens (2003) Le Bataclan '72 (2004) Process (2005)
Nico chronology
Reich der Träume (2002) Le Bataclan '72 (2004) The Frozen Borderline – 1968–1970 (2007)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Pitchfork	7.6/10[2]

Background and production

The album was recorded during a live show at the Bataclan club in Paris, on January 29, 1972, and was originally broadcast on French TV. The concert marked the first time since the breakup of The Velvet Underground that Reed, Cale and Nico were on stage together.

Release

Though the recording had been bootlegged for years, Le Bataclan '72 was officially released on October 19, 2004, featuring two exclusive bonus tracks (both rehearsals—"Pale Blue Eyes" and "Candy Says"). Due to a problem with tape transfers, the speed is slow compared to the original concert. A speed-corrected version is on iTunes.^[3]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"I'm Waiting for the Man"	Lou Reed	5:40
2.	"Berlin"	Reed	5:29
3.	"The Black Angel's Death Song"	Reed, John Cale	4:42
4.	"Wild Child"	Reed	6:12
5.	"Heroin"	Reed	7:10
6.	"Ghost Story"	Cale	3:27
7.	"The Biggest, Loudest, Hairiest Group of All"	Cale	3:56
8.	"Empty Bottles"	Cale	3:12
9.	"Femme Fatale"	Reed	4:56
10.	"No One Is There"	Nico	5:13
11.	"Frozen Warnings"	Nico	4:57
12.	"Janitor of Lunacy"	Nico	6:46
13.	"I'll Be Your Mirror"	Reed	2:29
14.	"All Tomorrow's Parties" (encore)	Reed	3:13
15.	"Pale Blue Eyes" (rehearsal)	Reed	2:09
16.	"Candy Says" (rehearsal)	Reed	1:43
Total length:			71:14

Personnel

• Lou Reed – vocals, guitar
• John Cale – vocals, keyboards, guitar, viola
• Nico – vocals, harmonium