XPN’s Gotta Hear Song of the Week: “Walk On The Wild Side” by Joseph Arthur

Singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur returns with a new album, his tribute to rock and roll legend Lou Reed, who passed away in October. The 12 song tribute, simply titled, Lou, is coming out on May 12th on Vanguard Records. Arthur recorded and produced Lou by himself. In the liner notes to the collection Arthur writes:

I made a rule:
No drums or electricity.
Lou was electric.
The only way I know to give new life to something as rich with life as Lou’s songs and recordings is to go about them in a completely different way.

Below, listen to Arthur’s cover of “Walk On Wild Side.” Sans the signature sax solo and bass line of the original, Arthur uses a sparse souding acoustic guitar and a rich piano tone and turns the song into a beautiful melancholic ballad. RIP Lou. Good work, Joe.