The Velvet Underground singles collection due out soon
If you’re like me, anytime you see the name The Velvet Underground mentioned in a headline, you’re probably secretly hoping that by some small chance a force beyond us has managed to reunite Lou Reed and John Cale for an apocalyptic-like one-off. Unfortunately, this has yet to occur. That being said, the following news is still pretty awesome and will certainly suffice until maybe quite possibly that reunion does go down.
We’re happy to report (via Tiny Mix Tapes) that September 15th will see Sundazed Records releasing a brand new box set titled The Velvet Underground Singles 1966–69. As the title indicates, the set will be centered around singles released by the Underground between 1966 and 1969, seven to be exact. Among those included will be four 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 (see tracklist below).
All the singles will be “exact reproductions,” presented on 7″ vinyl, and packaged in a “distinctively designed” box, along with rare vintage photos and new liner notes by Rolling Stone’s David Fricke. The set will cost you $39.98 and is available for pre-order via sundazed.com.
Now, Run Run Run and go get your copy!
The Velvet Underground Singles 1966–69 Tracklist:
01. All Tomorrow’s Parties b/w I’ll Be Your Mirror (Verve VK-10427)
02. Sunday Morning b/w Femme Fatale (Verve VK-10466)
03. White Light/White Heat b/w Here She Comes Now (Verve VK-10560)
04. White Light/White Heat b/w I Heard Her Call My Name (Cancelled single)
05. Temptation Inside Your Heart b/w Stephanie Says (Cancelled single)
06. What Goes On b/w Jesus (MGM K-14057)
07. VU Radio Spot b/w VU Radio Spot 2 (MGM VU-1)
Sterling Morrison is dead. There is no point in trying to reunite the Velvet Underground at all.
Yes Drella was a tour d’ force! It is true that since I was too young to see the VU during their original incarnation, it was an unbelievable treasure to be able to see the original line-up live. I saw 5 of the european shows and I can now die a happy man, but I can admit that as good as they were, it was not 1966-70 era VU. They definetly did not embarass themselves however, and there were many moments of brilliance, for example the guitar/viola duel on Hey Mr Rain; spectacular! The closest to early VU was the Paradiso show, the smallest venue of the tour. Seeing them in a 2000 capacity converted church brought back echoes of them Live at the BTP
I’m sure Reed’s ego is everlarge and overlarge, but he may also not want to sink into retreads of past accomplishments and output … a reunion act that manages to be as exciting and innovative as the originally explored territory is rare.
And not only did the band reunite for the 1993 Europe gigs, Cale and Reed worked together for the excellent Songs for Drella LP.
I meant… reunite now (like this very second). Sorry for any confusion.
The VU did reunite for a series of dates in Europe 1993; (plus a one-song reunion in paris 1990)but due to Lou’s everlarge ego, they disbanded shortly after, putting an end to a US tour, new studio material and an MTV unplugged! PS the exact reproductions include “Sundazed” added to the label to prevent some scumbag trying to sell them as originals on eBay.
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
[...] Velvet Underground singles collection due out this fall [...]
Aug 31st, 2009 at 9:05 am
[...] addition to The Velvet Underground Singles 1966–69, a brand new box set dedicated to the band’s singles, September will also bring with it the release of an illustrated box set that looks to chronicle [...]