Lou Reed has been the subject of many compilations, one of them being 2003's double-disc, 31-track
NYC Man: The Collection, which covers everything from
the Velvet Underground to 2003's
The Raven. It opens up with an unreleased alternate take of "Who Am I" from
The Raven, then often substitutes studio cuts with live performances, including a healthy selection from
Live in Italy and
Perfect Night: Live in London (only one cut from
Rock 'n' Roll Animal, strangely enough). It contains many big songs -- "Walk on the Wild Side," "Satellite of Love," "Dirty Blvd.," "Coney Island Baby," "Perfect Day," "Street Hassle," "Vicious," plus a host of
Velvet Underground songs, both in
VU and solo versions -- plus some excellent album track selections. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine