'The Velvet Underground Singles 1966-1969' (vinyl singles boxed set reissue reviewed)

LA Times ^ | September 24, 2009 | By Robert Hilburn

[ClearCase_guy]

I have wide ranging tastes, and listen to a lot of music which some people would consider “different”. But somehow, despite multiple attempts, I’ve never understood the appeal of the Velvet Undergound.

[a fool in paradise]

TRACK LISTING:

Single One
All Tomorrow's Parties / I'll Be Your Mirror—Verve VK-10427

Single Two
Sunday Morning / Femme Fatale—Verve VK-10466

Single Three
White Light/White Heat / Here She Comes Now—Verve VK-10560

Single Four
White Light/White Heat / I Heard Her Call My Name—Cancelled single

Single Five
Temptation Inside Your Heart / Stephanie Says—Cancelled single

Single Six
What Goes On / Jesus—MGM K-14057

Single Seven
VU Radio Spot / VU Radio Spot—MGM VU-1

"The seven singles included in The Velvet Underground Singles 1966–69 comprise the four Velvets singles originally released in the U.S. on the Verve and MGM labels, plus an additional pair of singles that were prepared for release but never made it to the marketplace and a special radio-only promotional single... The singles feature alternate mono versions that differ in significant ways from the songs' better-known stereo album versions."

[sand lake bar]

It’s kinda like snails or sweetbreads. A few might be tasty, but not a whole bucketful.

[Skooz]

For me, their music ranges from absolutely mesmerizing and incredible to dull and plodding. Not a whole lot in-between.

On the whole, I like the Velvets. When they were good, they were very very good. Way ahead of their time.

I also find it interesting that two polar and intractable opposites of rock n roll, Prog Rock and Punk, trace their lineage through the Velvets. That's quite a trick.

[allmendream]

When speaking of the influence of the Velvet Underground someone pointed out

‘How influential could they have been, they only sold a few thousand records?’

to which someone else replied

“Yes! But everyone who bought one of their records started a band!”

[proxy_user]

There is a fantastic version of ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ done by June Tabor with the Oyster Band.

[hc87]

I have wide ranging tastes, and listen to a lot of music which some people would consider “different”. But somehow, despite multiple attempts, I’ve never understood the appeal of the Velvet Undergound

They are the root of all Alternative Rock and, I think, worth a listen if you like the genre. If you're looking for an introduction, I'd suggest "VU" which was released in the '80s as a collection of studio material that never made it to album, due to the departure of John Cale and Lou Reed from the group. It has good material and a few songs ended up being re-recorded by Reed and released on his solo albums.

[Jagman]

New York sleaze, hard drugs, pretentious lyrics, two-chord song structures, and a little electroshock therapy thrown in for good measure. What’s not to like!

[JoeProBono]

[a fool in paradise]

[JoeProBono]

[PhilDragoo]

The Velvet Underground & Nico - I'll be your mirror

[a fool in paradise]

Whatisthis? Some kind of competition?

[JoeProBono]

[Daffynition]

I'm clueless. What's the competition again?

[reagan_fanatic]

[a fool in paradise]

Take two, they're small.

[radiohead]

I’ve been listening to a lot of VU over the past few years, some of which I remember when it first came out, some of which I’ve found fooling around on iTunes.

I have to admit I like this stuff. It sounds as good to me today as it did back then. I thought it might sound dated, but it doesn’t. It just sounds good.

[Daffynition]