Words and Music May 1965 - Lou Reed

[simonm]

trigger warning: grumpy




$140?

I'd probably buy this if it was a standard LP, like the 1971 demos, but no thanks. I was already miffed that they made it into a double 45rpm 180g LP (why?), but then I saw the price. Couldn't care less about a 'saddle stitched booklet' or t-shirt either.

there - I warned you I was grumpy.

[hkmartin]

Ah wait, it looks like those tracks are taken from this tape:

https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/ite ... 2e1d74cc91

It's labelled 1967 at NYPL though, wonder what made them change their mind on that?

Not quite. The beginning of the tape is just something random. Apparently something recorded over what was on the tape. They are dating THAT in 1967. Lou's tracks they just identify as "1960s".

I've listened to little bits of this tape, but, there's so much to listen to at the archives, hearing young Lou sing "Michael, Row The Boat Ashore" didn't rise to the top of my list.

"[Lou Reed Playing Cover Songs] 1960s
The beginning of the tape contains a recording of a child named Eric Siedmann performing songs on May 25, 1967. At 11:29 the tapes features Reed, and an occasional second vocalist/instrumentalist playing cover songs."

https://archives.nypl.org/mus/24078#c1552811

[hkmartin]

trigger warning: grumpy




$140?

I'd probably buy this if it was a standard LP, like the 1971 demos, but no thanks. I was already miffed that they made it into a double 45rpm 180g LP (why?), but then I saw the price. Couldn't care less about a 'saddle stitched booklet' or t-shirt either.

there - I warned you I was grumpy.

Well, I just found this url by a little trial and error. This isn't live or official yet. There may well be an offering without the T-shirt etc. that I just didn't find or isn't even up yet. I'll be grumpy too if this is the only way to get the album, but wait until Monday.

[lurid]

I'm with you Simon - I wouldn't pay $140 for this. For me, it's probably the least interesting part of the entire VU oeuvre! I don't think I've listened to Disc 1 of "Peel Slowly" more than once since it originally came out.

Bring on the unreleased material from 1967 or 1968 (if any actually exists, seems doubtful now).

trigger warning: grumpy
$140?

I'd probably buy this if it was a standard LP, like the 1971 demos, but no thanks. I was already miffed that they made it into a double 45rpm 180g LP (why?), but then I saw the price. Couldn't care less about a 'saddle stitched booklet' or t-shirt either.

there - I warned you I was grumpy.

[simonm]

i have the songs from disc 1 of PSAS on a vinyl boot and like the version of Venus a lot, but the rest is not so great. Agree it's the least interesting period, but would be interested to a tape from, say, October '65 to hear them progressing from the folky stuff to the band they would soon be...

[hkmartin]

I found the editions without all the extra fluff. If all you need is a CD, I think $15 is pretty reasonable.
https://lightintheattic.net/releases/8736
https://lightintheattic.net/releases/8737

Agree it's the least interesting period, but would be interested to a tape from, say, October '65 to hear them progressing from the folky stuff to the band they would soon be...

I'd love to hear those tapes too (if they exist), but I wonder how much of a transition it really was. Of all the early stuff we have, I think the Ostrich, which preceded these 1965 demos, sounds the most like the Velvet Underground. It's just speculation, but maybe they more-or-less sounded like the Velvet Underground from the time they first played with a drummer, turned up the amps and played as a band.

[Kill Mick]

I don't think I've listened to Disc 1 of "Peel Slowly" more than once since it originally came out.

I think the issue with Disc 1 of PSAS is actually the inclusion of multiple takes, particularly with the last couple of tracks which get really repetitive. I edited out the best complete take of each track and listen to that much more than the complete disc. A rare example of less being more with the VU...

[iaredatsun]

Listening to the samples, count me out. I wish they had the tracks from the tape with the two Cale piano pieces.

My dream is to have more tapes from the Broom St era, like the 1966/7 five demos that include Here She Comes Now.

e issue with Disc 1 of PSAS is actually the inclusion of multiple takes, particularly with the last couple of tracks which get really repetitive. I edited out the best complete take of each track and listen to that much more than the complete disc. A rare example of less being more with the VU...

Yes. And for that reason the Prominent Men LP was the most enjoyable way to hear that tape, for me.

[lurid]

yea! I will happily pay $15 for this material! Thanks for the link!

I found the editions without all the extra fluff. If all you need is a CD, I think $15 is pretty reasonable.
https://lightintheattic.net/releases/8736
https://lightintheattic.net/releases/8737

Agree it's the least interesting period, but would be interested to a tape from, say, October '65 to hear them progressing from the folky stuff to the band they would soon be...

I'd love to hear those tapes too (if they exist), but I wonder how much of a transition it really was. Of all the early stuff we have, I think the Ostrich, which preceded these 1965 demos, sounds the most like the Velvet Underground. It's just speculation, but maybe they more-or-less sounded like the Velvet Underground from the time they first played with a drummer, turned up the amps and played as a band.

[hkmartin]

Waiting for The Man is now up on Amazon Music, and, presumably, other music streaming services.