The Velvet Forum

I've recently come across a version of "Sweet Jane" that is presented as a demo version David Bowie, as producer, had Lou Reed sing, perhaps backed by Mott The Hoople and/or for their benefit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRzzTHQopl8

Is this a well-known version? Can anyone provide the true story behind it? I found it accompanied by a couple of other songs (Johnny Kidd & The Pirates covers, of all things) which also claimed Reed vocals that were not actually by him, but this one sure does sound like him to me.

It does sound like Lou to me, but the quality and especially the mix is horrible. I'm going for a live recording rather than Trident studios session.

Yes, it's well know to Bowie fans. When it came to recording this song for their All The Young Dudes album, Ian Hunter had trouble with the phrasing for his vocal performance, so Bowie asked Reed to lay down a guide vocal. That's the story as I understand it. And yes, it's Mott playing the music.