New Max's?

[Homme Fatale]

Sounds great. Anybody who's picked it up already care to share any more info about the packaging/booklet...?

[sars]

I'll scan the linear notes and put them up on jimjims.... IF someone else does the same for Loaded: fully loaded. takers?

[MJG196]

I don't love the album (because of the cheesedick drumming - Mo Tucker forever!)

Argh! Leave the Yule's Alone!

Max's is pretty much a straight-ahead rock record, so I feel a straight-up rock drummer fits right in (not that Mo wouldn't). I dont find Billy's stuff to be too frilly at all. Doug and Billy make a great rhythm section...just listen to the interplay between the two on the "Cool It Down" rehearsal: the stuttering drumbeat and bassline at the intro is friggin' great!

I think everyone (in general) hates Doug because he isnt Cale. Doug has been written about in many places as sortof a Lou Mk II...a stooge even. Remember, without Doug, there would never have been a Sweet Jane or Rock & Roll, or the 3rd LP even! With Doug came a "mainstream" artist.

Yeah, on Max's Deluxe WL/WH Lou gets all "avant" with a great two-string solo, but he is also spitting out, "SHE SURE IS FUNKY!" If you hate Billy's "Rock Drummer" pose, then you should also hate Lou's between-verse filler! The Yules do a great job and I'll stand up for them every time.

Sorry about the rant!

[sars]

Don't get me wrong, I like the Yules. I dig the gray album, and I like Doug's base and vocals and I even like Squeeze. I think Mo compliments the Velvets music better than Billy. I guess I called him cheesedick because of the cowbells. He just keeps ringin' and ringin'. Not to say he's a poor musician or a wannabe or anything, 'cause he's not, he's very good, I just prefer Mo. The Velvet's first three albums are gritty and a drummer who's hard and loud contributes to that edginess and one who is too busy or ornamental dilutes it, in my opinion. I'm not hatin' or attacking, I just love me some Maureen Tucker and I'm standing by that. (oh, and Billy Yule, if you're reading this I'm sure you're a very nice person and not at all a cheesdick, and you're a good looking kid to top it all off. xxoo)

[waldo jeffers]

Picked up the new version this past weekend ay my local Border's. Was intially undecided about doing so, since I already have the Flowers of Evil boot which, to be honest, is a far more substantial offering than this Rhino deluxe edition. Of course, I was ultimately glad to have done so. The booklet is pretty nice, with quotes from both Doug and Billy Yule. Does this mark the first occasion where Billy has spoken about his involvement with the VU? If I remember right, in Uptight, Doug said something about him being out in California "doing virtually nothing" but of course that was over 20 years ago. Other luminaries who are quoted in the booklet are Moe, Brigid Berlin, Danny Fields and Jim Carroll. The packaging remains relatively faithful to the original and the sound is OK; there's only so much you can do with an audience recorded cassette tape. If you're a fan you'll definitely want this one, but you know that already.

Although it probably won't happen, it would be cool if Rhino saw fit to make Squeeze available in some way, shape or form. Hell, they could even put out via their Handmade imprint in a limited, numbered edition and charge fans a few bucks more the privilege. Considering some of the prices the original LP has realized on ebay, this would seem a bargain in comparison.

[Homme Fatale]

Although it probably won't happen, it would be cool if Rhino saw fit to make Squeeze available in some way, shape or form.

I couldn't agree with you more! I have the vinyl but I'd love to see that record reissued on CD (maybe even with some post Lou live tracks as a bonus?). People can say what they want about whether or not Squeeze is a legit Velvet Underground record (and the musical merits of the album) but it's not like it never happened... it is an interesting curiosity in the VU discography and one that I think has remained a secret for too long.

[waldo jeffers]

For years I'd been dismissive of the "Squeeze" LP myself, but then somewhere on the web I found a site that was devoted to the LP, which geve me a lot of insight into the LP. And of course, as a fan, I'd harboured a long time curiosity as to what the LP actually sounded like. Therefore, when a copy turned up on ebay I made sure I got one.

My opinion? As a proper Velvet Underground album it's pretty weak. However, if listened to properly as a Doug Yule solo album then it's not that bad at all; still very much in the Loaded vein of things although with an even more pronounced pop sheen. While no argument can be made that the Velvet Underground as a CREATIVE force were pretty much finished when Lou departed the Yule-era VU did make some modestly enjoyable and engaging music; it's simply a matter the listener having to lower his or her expectations when approaching "Squeeze" and "Final V. U."

[Pig Related]

I thought the Loaded - Fully Loaded Edition Rhino Records did was really great, so I'll definitely buy this Deluxe Edition. The fact I don't have the regular version (except copied on my hard drive) helps too.

It isn't released yet over here though. Which interferes with my plan of buying it.

[MJG196]

For those interested, there is a Advance Promo Deluxe Edition up on ePay. I am pretty sure this is the one with all the rehearsal tracks that were deleted before release. The image isnt showing up on my computer so I can't verify:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... eName=WDVW

[tarbaby2]

THe only songs on the eBay selection that are not on the new release are "Cool It Down" and "Who Loves The Sun". So, unless you are a fanatic about those two songs, the commercial release of the extra Max's stuf is way cheaper.