VU&N Boxset reviews

[Simon Love]

A review from 'The Guardian' - 18 Oct

All the outtakes in the world can't explain the strange alchemy that went into the Velvet Underground's debut
5 out of 5

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/oc ... uxe-review

What's this?

"the box set contains a different take of opening track Sunday Morning, which carries a distinct hint of the eerie, reverb-drenched atmosphere of the Flamingos' I Only Have Eyes For You or Nolan Strong and the Diablos' remarkable 1954 single The Wind"

Is this a version that's already been released?

Or is it just the single mix?

[peppergomez]

Yesterday's pariahs, tomorrows heroes. That seems to sum Warhol-era VU up for me. I guess that sometimes happens in art.

pepper, I agree in principle but I think they needed to be on the outside. This idea of them as pariahs or outcasts, paints them as victims and, imo, is a bit overplayed in the media and a simplified, romanticised account. Their choice to work underground or on the edge of mainstream culture was a deliberate artistic strategy - at least during the Cale/Warhol era and is not an unusual one in the arts.

Good points. I suspect that leaving the insulated Warhol bubble (as well as the publicity, money, and other benefits it provided) eventually made them (especially Lou) less enthuiastic about being such outsiders.

[simonm]

not part of this discussion really, but got this today:

We're getting in touch to advise you of a Release Date change on an item you ordered from Sainsbury's Entertainment:

#0 "Velvet Underground & Nico [Super Deluxe]"
Velvet Underground & Nico; CD; ?64.99

New release date: 05/11/2012

meh

[iaredatsun]

not part of this discussion really, but got this today:

We're getting in touch to advise you of a Release Date change on an item you ordered from Sainsbury's Entertainment:

#0 "Velvet Underground & Nico [Super Deluxe]"
Velvet Underground & Nico; CD; ?64.99

New release date: 05/11/2012

meh

Yes. Just had a look at my Amazon pre order. That's also been bumped to 5th. All those bangers and catherine wheels going off in the middle of European Son? That sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nkdlunch]

Hard to tell, but there are samples up on Amazon. US release date still says October 30th.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RZ ... 04_s00_i00

[iaredatsun]

Hard to tell, but there are samples up on Amazon. US release date still says October 30th.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RZ ... 04_s00_i00

Thanks for link. This hints at an answer to some of the questions about the sound quality of various parts of the release ? those previously on bootleg. With samples of every track in the set, in a way, I think the link could almost come with a spoiler warning!

[threechordwonder]

Well, the Amazon link lists the timing for It was a Pleasure then as 21.43.

Is this just a simple mistake or has something incredible been discovered?

My head says the former, my heart wants the latter.

[simonm]

...has something incredible been discovered?

This would have been mentioned in the reviews, surely? Must be a mistake. I remember reading that the original tapes of Chelsea Girl were lost, or they would have possibly re-issued the album without the strings + flutes.

[taxine]

....or they would have possibly re-issued the album without the strings + flutes.

That would be a major upgrade,lol.......these samplers sound pretty cool and clean,splendorous !!!

[brianj]

so nice to find this site again.

did everywhere get the memo and everyone is thus waiting till the 5th for this ?