According to certain versions , Lou Reed himself admittedly said once that he was not in good shape during this concert ( as a matter of fact I think he was referring to the whole period , circa 1973 , not just the concert ) . Certainly he was close to an all-time low in terms of psicological and physical exhaustion from the abuse of certain substances , but , ( hey Lou , call me what you want ) I disagree with his own statement .One of Lou's statements I fully agree with is the one that says that rock'n'roll saved his life . Another one that admits no dispute is "I don't like to disguise reality" . And that's exactly what he does in this concert/album . His singing is , probably more than ever , raw , painful , desperate at times .One thing you can't deny is his poetry , the way he communicates how he feels when he sees the world around him coming down hopelessly . These are not precisely lullaby songs . Lou doesn't really sing : he spits words and phrases , and the guitars sound like a machine gun at times to match his outburst.This is a classic album , one that gets better and better with the years , like a good wine . One big contributing factor for the great sound here is , no doubt , the guitar tandem of Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner , who were especially inspired that night and provided Lou with a perfect , extraordinary sound environment. Wrapped by these two axemen and propelled by an equally inspired rythm section , Lou was able to shout his guts out . Bad shape ? I call it a marriage made in Heaven .Show me a better version of "Sweet Jane" and I will gladly pay you.Try to match the scorching , spine-shivering intro of Hunter and Wagner's guitars before Lou appears on stage and starts telling us about the mixed-up life of Sweet Jane and other odd characters .The same goes for "Heroin" , with its slow start gradually becoming a vertiginous rush . Life imitates art or art imitates life ? Who cares ?Then Lou goes to a rage-ladden version of "How do you think it feels" , with heart-ripping shouts and all , before he continues with his tales of physical and mental suffering and dark , ambiguous happiness/unhapiness in "Caroline says I" . After that he returns to his adventures with chemicals in an explosive rendition of "White light/white heat" , to me the best ever . I'm ready to take another bet here : show me a better version !Then comes "Lady Day" which doesn't let the standards fall here , although it is probably the less remarkable song in this album .But , hey , Lou couldn't finish without another memorable tour-de-force , so in the best Reed-style and fashion he delivers "Rock'n'roll" , and for the first time in the concert(it ain't over till it's over , right?)there's a song that is sunnier and somewhat hopeful , if you can see it .Can't see it ? Well , ask the man . He said that rock'n'roll saved his life . And , this time , I believe him .