Tag Archives: Underground

After 45 Years, "The Velvet Underground" Stands the Test of Time

Mother Jones

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The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground—45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition
Polydor/Universal Music Enterprises

Following the radical and overpowering White Light/White Heat, the Velvet Underground’s third, self-titled, album initially seemed like a lesser effort, but it has more than stood the test of time. With cofounder and main creative foil (or foe) John Cale out of the band, leader Lou Reed assumed complete control, crafting a set of relatively understated songs that range from rockin’ (“What Goes On”) to surprisingly gentle (“After Hours”).

At six discs, 65 tracks, and five hours of music, this behemoth collection offers plenty to savor (although casual fans might prefer the two-disc distillation). If three different mixes of the original album suggests overkill, the mono version does reveal different textures to the music, while a fourth disc of sessions for an abandoned fourth album contains a slew of genuine gems, including the raucous “I’m Gonna Move Right In,” a touching “She’s My Best Friend,” and an early look at the Reed standard “Rock & Roll.”

The final two discs, featuring live performances from November 1969, are simply terrific, highlighted by the exuberant “We’re Gonna Have a Real Good Time Together,” a 30-minute-plus take on “Sister Ray” and the anthemic “Sweet Jane.” Nearly a half-century later, the raw heart and tender soul of the Velvet Underground are wondrous indeed.

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After 45 Years, "The Velvet Underground" Stands the Test of Time

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Reissues With Benefits: The Velvet Underground’s "White Light/White Heat"

Mother Jones

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The Velvet Underground
White Light/White Heat 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition
UMe

White Light/White Heat is one legendary album that lives up to the hype. The Velvet Underground’s second release, and the last to feature the founding lineup of Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Mo Tucker (at least until the band’s reunion in the ’90s), it’s a grimy, exhilarating blast of confrontational noise, credited with launching everything from punk to industrial rock to ambient music. This impressive three-disc set offers mono and stereo versions of the original release, plus a slew of pretty-enticing extras from the era. The highlights are the title song, “I Heard Her Call My Name” and the still mind-blowing 17-minute epic “Sister Ray,” wherein Reed seems both offhand and sinister at once, like Bob Dylan transformed into a sneering New York City degenerate. Only “The Gift,” a gruesome spoken-word tall tale recited by Cale in his entrancing Welsh lilt, has not aged well.

Among the additional songs, standouts include two versions of the eerie “Hey Mr. Rain,” the atypically playful “Temptation Inside Your Heart” and the first official release of an oft-bootlegged live show from 1967, featuring the terrific and otherwise unavailable “I’m Not a Young Man Anymore.” Lou Reed’s recent passing has inevitably renewed interest in his work, but White Light/White Heat would be essential listening in any case.

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Reissues With Benefits: The Velvet Underground’s "White Light/White Heat"

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