Notes (and other Noises) From The Underground

  The Velvet Underground came hustling out of Midtown Manhattan’s brownstone gulches high on a cocktail of beat lit, R & B and La Monte Young’s minimalist drones; a miasma of unapproachable menace seeping from every pore. Before joining, John Cale (voted “the most hateful student” at college) had devised a performance piece that consisted of screaming at a plant until it died (the plucky hollyhock survived). The Velvets extended that premise to their audiences (ditto). Brian Eno would later point out that although their first album sold hardly any copies, everyone that did buy it, immediately went out and formed a band in the Velvets image; and almost 60 years on, they remain one of the most influential acts ever. Here’s a another view of the VU. A mix(ture) of Pre-Velvets, Post-Velvets, influences, tributes, parodies and soundalikes. Expect a follow up volume any time soon!  1 At A Solemn Musick (introduction)-Delmore Schwartz 2 We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together-Patti Smith 3 The Ostrich-The Primitives 4 Hitch Hike-Marvin Gaye 5 There She Goes Again-The Velvet Underground 6 All Tomorrow’s Parties-Alan Jenkins & The Kettering Vampires 7 Waiting for the Man-Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark 8 I’ll Keep It With Mine-Nico 9 White Light White Heat-David Bowie 10 Mr. A-The Emperors Of Ice Cream 11 What Goes On-Bryan Ferry 12 Pale Blue Eyes-Paul Quinn & Edwin Collins 13 Crimson & Clover-Tommy James & The Shondells 14 Sweet Jane-Mott The Hoople 15 Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes : Early Mix-Kevin Ayers 16 Anadin-Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoias 17 Little Jack-The Velvet Underground 18 Heartbreak Hotel-John Cale 19 Do It Right-Moe Tucker feat. Daniel Johnston 20 Sally Can’t Dance-Andrea True Connection 21 Metal Machine Music Part One (escerpt)-Lou Reed 22 Sweet Jane (Live)-The Velvet Underground