Condition: Used
The Velvet Underground - VU
Label: 4 Men With Beards
Catalog#: 4M 136
Format: Vinyl, LP, Reissue
Record VG++
Cover VG++
Country: US
Released: 2008
Genre: Rock
Style: Alternative Rock
Credits: Producer - Andy Warhol (tracks: A3, B1) , Tom Wilson (2) (tracks: A1, A5, B3, B5)
Notes: 180 gram vinyl.
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Credits: Engineer - Michael Barbiero
Executive Producer - Bill Levenson
Mixed By - Michael Barbiero
Producer - Velvet Underground, The
Notes: A collection of previously unreleased recordings. All recordings were originally produced in 1968 and 1969 by The Velvet Underground. A5 mixed Jun 1969, all others mixed Jun 1984.
Rating: 5.0/5
Tracklisting:
A1 I Can't Stand It
A2 Stephanie Says
A3 She's My Best Friend
A4 Lisa Says
A5 Ocean
B1 Foggy Notion
B2 Inside Your Heart
B3 One Of These Days
B4 Andy's Chest
B5 I'm Sticking With You
Some of these tracks are as good as any song released on their original albums. In fact, VU is itself a great album even though it's not intended to be the definitive "Lost Album" of songs recorded for MGM in 1969. Note: some of these songs have received greatly improved mixes on the PEEL SLOWLY AND SEE box set.
"I Can't Stand It" - a driving, slightly off-kilter rocker. (...) *****
"Stephanie Says" - a delicate little beauty, truly one of their best. Features exquisite viola from John Cale, pristine vibes and a sweetly plaintive guitar. *****
"She's My Best Friend" - highly agreeable rocker with several chord changes. Contains some pretty raunchy lyrics in the middle if you're paying attention. ****1/2
"Lisa Says" - Pure Velvet genius - heartbreaking, devestatingly fragile and so incredibly good. Some great, moving piano lines *****
"Ocean" - one of their most sophisticated songs and a testament to their majestic powers. They would go on to record the definitive master that ended up on PEEL SLOWLY AND SEE, but this is a pretty good version. Mo Tucker's straight-up drumming style, normally a powerful asset, becomes as detriment at the climax of this song, but this version is probably just a demo and in all likelihood she hadn't had time to work out the part properly. ****
"Foggy Notion" - an all-time favorite that really JAMS. This is the band at their peak. *****
Back on track with the country-fried "One Of These Days," this one has faux Southern sensibilities from Reed and twangy guitar. Shifts into overdrive towards the end which is way cool. ****
"Andy's Chest" - Much bouncier than Lou Reed's TRANSFORMER version, thanks in large part to Doug Yule's lively bass. Featuring some of Lou's most Dylanesque lyrics, this one's a hoot. ****1/2
"I'm Sticking With You" - A quaint (as in old-fashioned) little number that demonstrates yet another side of this groundbreaking band. Mo Tucker's modest vocal delivery has an irresistable charm. Lou duets with her briefly at one point and it's a golden moment.
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