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Music CD - The Velvet Underground: 1969: Velvet Underground Live, Vol. 1
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Music CD: 1969: Velvet Underground Live, Vol. 1
Artist: The Velvet Underground
List Price: $9.98
Our Price: $5.98
Your Save: $ 4.00 ( 40% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Tracks:
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1. Waiting For My Man
2. Lisa Says
3. What Goes On
4. Sweet Jane
5. We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together
6. Femme Fatale
7. New Age
8. Rock & Roll
9. Beginning To See The Light
10. Heroin
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0042283482326
Format: Live
Label: Island / Mercury
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Island / Mercury
Release Date: 1990-10-25
Studio: Island / Mercury
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Pick up both volumes
Comment: I own the album on vinyl (2 LPs, discs 1 and 2), and I must say it's the one VU collection I would take with me if stranded on a desert island. It's not as artsy as VU and Nico or White Light/White Heat, though it't not as "dry" as loaded. This is a good introduction the VU for new listeners.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Proof positive that thr Velvets were a great live band
Comment: Recorded in 1969 (but not released until much later), this two-part live album shows the Velvet Underground turning away from the feedback thunderstorms and warped art-rock of their earlier work, and embracing a more song oriented approach. By this time, they'd abandoned electric violist and noise hound John Cale, replacing him with multi-instrumentalist Doug Yule, to startling effect: Where Cale was an artist, Yule was a musician, and an incredibly skilled one at that- just listen to his hypnotic organ solo at the end of "What Goes On" for proof of that. Of course, this is all completely relative- one listen to the scorched-earth catharsis of "Heroin" (included here as a bonus track) or the haunting character study "New Age" should convince you that the Velvets hadn't sold out. And anyway, this album is an absolutely fantastic listen- the Velvet Underground were an energetic live band with a punchy, uncompromising sound and a sharp rock `n' roll edge, and there's evidence of that here in spades. Just listen to that loose, nervy version of "I'm Waiting For The Man," or the euphoric blasts of "We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together" and "Beginning To See The Light." There are also plenty of fine examples of Lou Reed's brilliant songwriting- the quiet, pained beauty of "Lisa Says" is a highlight, as is "Sweet Jane," with its sweet, hypnotic melancholy and wonderful guitar riff. Also, dig the icy ballad "Femme Fatale" (which sounds great, even if Nico isn't singing it), and the self explanatory "Rock `N' Roll." It's a fantastic addition to the VU catalogue. Also, be sure to pick up volume two, which is just as good (if not better).
Customer Rating:
Summary: for me, it all started here
Comment: Like many, I'm sure, I missed the V.U. totally when they were a band. Finally, as the 70s wore on, I started reading how great and influencial they were, and of course by that time I was familiar with Lou Reed. So, I saw this LP at a record store on sale for, like $4.99 and bought it. I think I read a rave review of it somewhere. I remember the first thing that impressed me was the sound. It was up front and in your face, yet the subtle nuances like Tucker's cymbal work was also captured. In short, it sounded perfect, sort of like "Get Your Ya Yas Out". Lou Reed is best known for his "narrative", harder voice, but in truth he can be a heck of a pop singer, with a sweet voice and gentle vibrato. He's on this night, as is the rest of the band. All the song choices are excellent, and they are all must hear versions.
I could rave on, but really, there is no need. This is by far the best recorded live V.U., and the band performance is incredible. Even if you're not already a V.U. fan, this is not a bad place to start.
It's how I did it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Postcolonial flashback
Comment: Born in India in 1976, I heard this group in 2006 after graduating from an art school in the US, the way I could associate with these voices only confirms time-space-less-ness of good music at large!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Late Velvet Underground live
Comment: This disc is consistently good. It reflects the late Velvet Underground which is indisputably Lou Reed's band. I can't imagine why they ever tried to make a studio record after Lou Reed left, but apparently they did.
Each of the four Velvet Underground studio albums is a very different experience. Although this live disc pulls material from all four albums, it is played through a post-Loaded prism which is usually more straightforward rock-oriented. They play rock as well as anyone, but I still think the dynamic between John Cale and Lou Reed was what gave their early work such a special quality.
That said, a lot of these songs are played to the point where monotony becomes positively trance-inducing, and with a casual, absolute conviction that you won't find many places.
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Editorial Reviews:
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Originally a two-record set, this live recording has been split and released as separate albums, volume 1 and volume 2. No matter, it's an essential document of one of the finest and most innovative rock bands of all time. 1969: Live catches the band at a juncture in their career, still reeling from the departure of John Cale and settling into the addition of multi-instrumentalist Doug Yule, who would help the band find their rocking heart. Thank god that Maureen Tucker was still around--her inspired, primal drumming makes this recording such a delight. Her quiet thumping on "Lisa Says" is understated and touching, and her timpanic, thunderous rolls on "New Age" are nothing short of awesome. Lou Reed is particularly loose and chatty, more comfortable with his voice as he stretches to hit some tender passages. And the version of "Rock and Roll" here is perhaps the finest of all it's many versions, epic in scope and focused in intensity. --Tod Nelson
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