Matador Records will be release Lou Reed's Berlin: Original Film Soundtrack digitally on September 30/physically on October 7 on Matador Records. Lou Reed originally released the album in 1973; it was initially panned and considered a commercial flop, then later praised by critics for its somberness. After over three decades of discussion about staging Berlin, it actually happened over four days at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn in December 2006. The forthcoming film was directed by painter/filmmaker Julian Schnabel (Basquiat, Before Night Falls, The Diving Bell & The Butterfly) and tells the story of a self-destructive protagonist named Caroline and her lovers who live in post-war Berlin (all told through the words of Reed, of course). In the staging, Reed is backed by a seven-piece orchestra, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and a cast of performers. The DVD hits shelves on October 14. I just received an advance copy and will file a complete report next week.