Must have for VU fans
Surprise! The 1969 series is an enormous step up in quality and the performances are even better. As far as Velvet Underground live material, I had only heard Live at Max's Kansas City, which I love, so I expected more of the same from the 1969 material, fidelity wise, before I heard this.
1969 used to be one volume and it should be still; there is no difference in the liner notes or packaging but there is now a volume 1 and volume 2. Having said this, if you must buy one of these volumes, this is the one. They are both great, but this one rocks more, has a better song selection and a longer running time. It may be blasphemy to say, but I think the versions of What Goes On and Beginning To See The Light here are better than the studio recordings.
Check this out! You won't be disappointed.
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Pick up both volumes
It's not as artsy as VU and Nico or White Light/White Heat, though it't not as "dry" as loaded. I own the album on vinyl (2 LPs, discs 1 and 2), and I must say it's the one VU collection I would take with me if stranded on a desert island. This is a good introduction the VU for new listeners.
Proof positive that thr Velvets were a great live band
By this time, they'd abandoned electric violist and noise hound John Cale, replacing him with multi-instrumentalist Doug Yule, to startling effect: Where Cale was an artist, Yule was a musician, and an incredibly skilled one at that- just listen to his hypnotic organ solo at the end of "What Goes On" for proof of that. Recorded in 1969 (but not released until much later), this two-part live album shows the Velvet Underground turning away from the feedback thunderstorms and warped art-rock of their earlier work, and embracing a more song oriented approach. Of course, this is all completely relative- one listen to the scorched-earth catharsis of "Heroin" (included here as a bonus track) or the haunting character study "New Age" should convince you that the Velvets hadn't sold out. And anyway, this album is an absolutely fantastic listen- the Velvet Underground were an energetic live band with a punchy, uncompromising sound and a sharp rock `n' roll edge, and there's evidence of that here in spades. Just listen to that loose, nervy version of "I'm Waiting For The Man," or the euphoric blasts of "We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together" and "Beginning To See The Light. " There are also plenty of fine examples of Lou Reed's brilliant songwriting- the quiet, pained beauty of "Lisa Says" is a highlight, as is "Sweet Jane," with its sweet, hypnotic melancholy and wonderful guitar riff. Also, dig the icy ballad "Femme Fatale" (which sounds great, even if Nico isn't singing it), and the self explanatory "Rock `N' Roll. " It's a fantastic addition to the VU catalogue. Also, be sure to pick up volume two, which is just as good (if not better).
for me, it all started here
U. Like many, I'm sure, I missed the V. totally when they were a band. Finally, as the 70s wore on, I started reading how great and influencial they were, and of course by that time I was familiar with Lou Reed. So, I saw this LP at a record store on sale for, like $4. 99 and bought it. I think I read a rave review of it somewhere. I remember the first thing that impressed me was the sound. It was up front and in your face, yet the subtle nuances like Tucker's cymbal work was also captured. In short, it sounded perfect, sort of like "Get Your Ya Yas Out". Lou Reed is best known for his "narrative", harder voice, but in truth he can be a heck of a pop singer, with a sweet voice and gentle vibrato. He's on this night, as is the rest of the band. All the song choices are excellent, and they are all must hear versions.
I could rave on, but really, there is no need. This is by far the best recorded live V. U. , and the band performance is incredible. Even if you're not already a V. U. fan, this is not a bad place to start.
It's how I did it.
Postcolonial flashback
Born in India in 1976, I heard this group in 2006 after graduating from an art school in the US, the way I could associate with these voices only confirms time-space-less-ness of good music at large!.
You can see a complete list of all The Velvet Underground discography, or go back to the The Velvet Underground tabs
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