The magic grinder is a mystical tool that appears in various folktales and legends from different cultures around the world. This enchanted device is said to have the power to grant wishes or produce endless amounts of valuable resources. In these tales, the main character usually comes across the magic grinder by chance or through a fortunate turn of events. The grinder itself is often described as an ornate and intricately designed object, adorned with precious gems and metals. Its appearance alone is enough to captivate anyone who comes across it. One of the most famous stories involving the magic grinder is the tale of "The Fisherman and His Wife" from the Brothers Grimm collection.
Sitting with my back straight, it becomes hard to hear
Yet the beauty, however dark, of Magic and Loss is in the asking in the subtle, elegiac lift in Reed s stony sing-speak, the sepulchral resonance of his and Mike Rathke s guitars and the Spartan grace of the storytelling. You can hear the impact of his multi percussion contributions on songs such as Tom Waits Clap Hands from Rain Dogs, and the famous marimba part on Elvis Costello s cover of Don t Let Me Be Misunderstood.
One of the most famous stories involving the magic grinder is the tale of "The Fisherman and His Wife" from the Brothers Grimm collection. In this story, a poor fisherman catches a magical fish who promises to grant the fisherman's wishes in exchange for its release. When the fisherman tells his wife about the talking fish and its offer, she immediately demands the magic grinder.
Life’s Like A Mayonnaise Soda: Lou Reed’s Magic and Loss at 30
When Lou Reed released his sixteenth solo album Magic and Loss on January 14, 1992, he was well adept at making records that resonated with added impact and inspiration.
He had gone the concept route several times before, beginning early on with Berlin and continuing up through Songs For Drella , recorded with his former Velvet Underground colleague John Cale, but none of his previous albums made quite as indelible an impact as this particular effort overall.
“It’s my dream album, because everything finally came together to where the album is finally fully realized,” Reed once wrote. “I got it to do what I wanted it to do, commercial thoughts never entered into it, so I’m just stunned.”
Lou Reed Magic and Loss, Sire Records 1992
So, too, Magic and Loss makes for one of the most personal statements Reed ever offered. Originally inspired by a somewhat strange fascination with Mexican magicians, the narrative shifted when Reed learned of the passing of two people that had been a profound inspiration to him early on — songwriter Doc Pomus, a major proponent of Reed’s work at the start of his stint in the music biz, and a woman only identified as “Rita,” but widely assumed to be “Rotten Rita,” an associate of Andy Warhol’s and one of the regulars at Warhol’s in-spot, The Factory, during the Velvet Underground’s early residency at that same scene.
Despite that personal perspective, Reed’s typically dispassionate voice served up the usual quotient of doom and gloom. “What’s Good” shares some optimism in its melodic make-up, but its lyrics eschews any upbeat intent. “Life’s like forever becoming,” Reed intones before declaring “But life’s forever dealing him hurt…life’s like death without living, That’s what life’s like without you.”
“Sword of Damocles,” meanwhile, takes that sobriety several steps further. “I have seen lots of people die from car crashes or drugs. Last night on 33rd St. I saw a kid get hit by a bus.”
It’s not exactly cheery stuff, and indeed, songs such as “Goodby Mass,” “Cremation” and “No Chance” further affirm the the fact that death and despair get equal emphasis when Reed ruminates on the passing of people that held special meaning for him. This is no walk on the wild side by any means, and it seems all Reed can do to muster the motivation to continue.
Nevertheless, Magic and Loss is fascinating in its own way, and Reed’s tales of death and destiny occasionally strike a conciliatory chord, far removed from his usual edgy intents. It’s a knowing look at mortality from the perspective of a man who saw that demise first-hand and then struggled — successfully — to put it into clear context. Yet, when he elevates the tempo and rocks out with the assertive “Warrior King,” desire gives way to determination and a fierceness fueled by ominous intents. “I wish I was the warrior king in every language that I speak, Lord over all that I survey and all that I see I keep,” he declares before threatening to break his rival’s neck and rip out his “vicious tongue” altogether.
Things get scarier still with “Harry’s Circumcision,” a bizarre tale of a young man who purposely disfigures himself because he feels he too closely resembles his father. Spoken over a tentative strum, it takes the album to an unforeseen level of masochism and manipulation.
Some thirty years on, Magic and Loss remains as passionate and profound as it did on its original release. In some ways, Reed was predicting his own demise from hepatitis on October 27, 2013, a life lost all too soon.
“I was driven by the power and glory with a bravery stronger than lust,” he sings on “Power and Glory Part II” as the set draws to its close. Indeed, Reed’s lust for life was never more evident.
VIDEO: Lou Reed “What’s Good”
“Between two Aprils I lost two friends/Between two Aprils magic and loss…”.
The couple's greed and constant desire for more eventually lead to their downfall. The underlying theme of these tales is often centered around the dangers of greed and the importance of contentment. The magic grinder serves as a metaphor for the unlimited desires and wants that can consume a person if not kept in check. It highlights the idea that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in material possessions alone. The concept of the magic grinder can also be interpreted as a symbol of the power of imagination and creativity. Just like the grinder can seemingly produce anything, our imagination has the ability to bring forth endless possibilities and opportunities. Overall, the magic grinder represents a fascinating aspect of folklore and mythology, providing insights into human nature and the consequences of unchecked desires. It reminds us to appreciate what we have and use our creativity wisely in order to find true happiness and fulfillment..
Reviews for "Exploring Different Cuisines with the Magic Grinder"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The magic grinder". The plot was weak and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. I was hoping for a thrilling and magical adventure, but instead, it felt cliché and unoriginal. The writing style was also lackluster, with no real depth or emotion. Overall, I found it to be a bland and uninspiring read.
2. Mike - 1 star - I honestly struggled to get through "The magic grinder". The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story lacked any real excitement or suspense. The dialogue felt forced and didn't flow naturally, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the world-building was minimal, leaving many unanswered questions. I found myself constantly disengaged and just wanting it to be over. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an enchanting and captivating read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "The magic grinder" fell flat for me. The concept had potential, but the execution was poor. The writing was amateurish, with awkward sentence structures and repetitive phrases. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and unable to fully immerse myself in the story. The characters were also underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointing and forgettable experience.
4. David - 1 star - "The magic grinder" was a complete waste of time. The plot was uninteresting and predictable, and the characters were forgettable and flat. The writing style lacked any real creativity or originality, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the entire book. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. I would not recommend this book to anyone who values their time and wants a truly magical and captivating read.
5. Lisa - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The magic grinder", but it ultimately fell short. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The characters were poorly developed and didn't evoke any strong emotions or connections. The writing style was also lackluster, with no memorable or impactful descriptions. Overall, it was a forgettable read that failed to deliver on its promises.