All Yesterday's Parties

[Technophallus]

Who else has this book? I like the book, but I could go on and on about how irritating some of the articles contained within it are. It's funny, I actually dislike the "pro-velvet" articles more. Why does one have to loathe the Beatles or Stones (or Byrds or Lovin Spoonful) to enjoy the VU? And why does "free jazz" carry such unquestioned positive connotations in the rock world? From what I understand, most jazz people don't give a rats shithole about it. Lenny Kaye is a huge exception to the trend, I really enjoyed his stuff.

[Homme Fatale]

I guess "free jazz" was thrown around by musically illiterate rock journos to sound cool while trying to explain some of the more adventurous stuff from the VU, Beefheart, Byrds, Zappa...

Haven't checked the book out.

[Doctor Bob]

Why does one have to loathe the Beatles or Stones (or Byrds or Lovin Spoonful) to enjoy the VU?

Hmm not sure, I guess its to do with a certain loyalty towards the VU and also a deep appreciation of the fact that their music is in a completely different league to the other bands. The realisation that while the Byrds or the Beatles may have their moments (and in fact I'm not even sure that they do), one tiny lyric from Lou Reed like "I'm going to try for the kingdom if I can", with John Cale's screeching viola drone over it, and Moe's primitive tribal beat, and Sterling's speedfreak rhythm guitar, is enough to squash the entire back-catalogue of bands like that into oblivion.

Sterling himself I think was quite partial to that particular viewpoint as well. He liberally berated all manner of artists in his interviews; Dylan, Bowie, Zappa, MC5, etc etc.

Then again there are many bands that hardcore Velvets fans are allowed to like: Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Ornette Coleman, The Supremes, Ray Charles, James Burton etc etc.

[Technophallus]

Why does one have to loathe the Beatles or Stones (or Byrds or Lovin Spoonful) to enjoy the VU?

Hmm not sure, I guess its to do with a certain loyalty towards the VU and also a deep appreciation of the fact that their music is in a completely different league to the other bands. The realisation that while the Byrds or the Beatles may have their moments (and in fact I'm not even sure that they do), one tiny lyric from Lou Reed like "I'm going to try for the kingdom if I can", with John Cale's screeching viola drone over it, and Moe's primitive tribal beat, and Sterling's speedfreak rhythm guitar, is enough to squash the entire back-catalogue of bands like that into oblivion.

You see what I mean. Appreciation of The VU usually comes with a dismissal of contemporaneous groups.

[Cameo Role]

I like the Lovin Spoonful. They are a great band.

Everyone loves Coleman. He was a genius. Was because his newer stuff is a bit lack luster.

[Homme Fatale]

Personally I love The Beatles, The Stones, The Byrds, and many other bands from the late '60s/early '70s era. Of course it must have been different being there at the time but in hindsight that era for me was/is the high point in musical history so far.