Wednesday, July 17, 2024

The Velvet Underground: Peel Slowly And See (Box Set - Deluxe Edition 1995)

 

Rock 'n' roll group from New York. Known for Andy Warhol's artwork, often cited as one of the more important and influential groups of their era.
Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1996
   


ORIGINAL MEMBERS

            


Lou Reed (b. 2 March 1942 - d. 27 October 2013):
Vocals, Guitar, Piano
John Cale (b. 9 March 1942):
Vocals, Electric Viola, Organ, Bass Guitar
Sterling Morrison (b. 29 August 1942 - d. 30 August 1995):
Vocals, Guitar and Bass Guitar
Maureen Tucker (b. 26 August 1944):
Percussion
           

Peel Slowly and See is a five-disc box set of material by the Velvet Underground. It was released in September 1995 by Polydor. This comprehensive five-disc retrospective of the Velvet Underground chronicles the band from its earliest demo tapes, recorded in 1965, to Lou Reed's final work with band, in 1970. At their notorious peak, Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Mo Tucker epitomized the

sound of intellectual art punks being spontaneously creative in Andy Warhol's Manhattan. Rock & roll has never been the same since Reed's gutter-rock observations and Cale's cool, droning electric viola blanketing the band's mysterious three-chord innovations. It's all here: loads of feedback, classic songwriting, and Reed's transformation from Dylan imitator to sonic-rock auteur. With previously unreleased gems, live performances, and other oddities, this is everything you wanted to know about the Velvets but were afraid to ask.
          

The name of this box set comes from the instruction presented on vinyl copies of the band's debut album to peel back the banana sticker featured on the cover. The set includes all four studio albums by the Lou Reed-era line-ups of the Velvet Underground, alongside demo recordings and live performances, some of which had been previously bootlegged, and some of which had never before been released. Squeeze, recorded after Reed's departure from the band, is not included. The Velvet Underground, the band's self-titled third album, uses the "closet mix", Lou Reed's mix of the album that gives more emphasis to the vocals, and was the mix used on the original release. The band's fourth album, Loaded, is presented with "full-length versions" of three of its tracks, "Sweet Jane", "Rock &

Roll" and "New Age".
CD 1 is a collection of 6 early 1966 Demos recorded at John Cale’s living room.
CD 2 is the entire “The Velvet Underground & Nico” (1967) album plus 2 Nico tunes and an unreleased song.
CD 3 is “White Light/White Heat” (1968) album plus 7 unreleased songs and 2 songs from 1985’s “VU” and one from 1986 “Another View”.
CD 4 is “The Velvet Underground” (1969) album in its ‘Closet Mix’ version plus 5 songs from “VU” and 2 unreleased.
CD 5 is the “Loaded” (1970) album plus 5 unreleased songs, and 2 live songs.
An amazing comprehensive career retrospective from one of the most "underrated" and innovative bands ever to emerge from the 1960’s. The Velvet Underground’s legacy is now a revelation of how minimalism can be the vehicle for great compositions, art, life experiences and decadence all at the same time reflecting what America still is underneath it’s skin. Lou Reed compose a lot of great tunes, melodic, fragile, and strong all at once like a shade in summer.

The Velvet Underground – Peel Slowly And See
Label: Polydor – 31452 7887-2, Chronicles – 31452 7887-2
Format:    Box Set, Compilation, Deluxe Edition
Country: Europe
Released: 1995
Genre: Rock
Style: Classic Rock, Psychedelic Rock 

       



CD1. 1965

 

  
01. Venus In Furs (Demo)   15:33
Written-By – Lou Reed
02. Prominent Men (Demo)   4:53
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale
Written-By – John Cale, Lou Reed
03. Heroin (Demo)   13:34
Written-By – Lou Reed
04. I'm Waiting For The Man (Demo)   9:50
Written-By – Lou Reed
05. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (Demo)   15:50
Written-By – Lou Reed
06. All Tomorrow's Parties (Demo)   18:26
Written-By – Lou Reed

Flac Size: 312 MB

CD2. 1966 /1967

             

  
01. All Tomorrow's Parties (Mono Single Version)   2:49

Written-By – Lou Reed
02. Sunday Morning   2:54
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale
03. I'm Waiting For The Man   4:38
Written-By – Lou Reed
04. Femme Fatale   2:37
Written-By – Lou Reed
05. Venus In Furs   5:10
Written-By – Lou Reed
06. Run Run Run   4:19
Written-By – Lou Reed
07. All Tomorrow's Parties   5:58
Written-By – Lou Reed
08. Heroin   7:10
Written-By – Lou Reed
09.There She Goes Again   2:39
Written-By – Lou Reed
10. I'll Be Your Mirror   2:12
Written-By – Lou Reed
11. The Black Angel's Death Song   3:12
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale
12. European Son   7:47
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker
13. Melody Laughter (Live)   10:43
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker / Christa Paeffgen
14. It Was A Pleasure Then   8:02
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Christa Paeffgen
15. Chelsea Girls   7:24
Written By – Lou Reed / Sterling Morrison


Flac Size: 432 MB

CD3. 1967 / 1968

            

  
01. There Is No Reason (Demo)   2:12
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale
02. Sheltered Life (Demo)   2:52
Written-By – Lou Reed
03. It's All Right (The Way That You Live) (Demo)   2:48
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale
04. I'm Not Too Sorry (Now That You're Gone) (Demo)   2:17
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale
05. Here She Comes Now (Demo)   2:46
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison
06. Guess I'm Falling In Love (Live)   4:10
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker
07. Booker T. (Live)   6:30
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker
08. White Light/White Heat   2:45
Written-By – Lou Reed
09. The Gift   8:17
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker
10. Lady Godiva's Operation   4:54
Written-By – Lou Reed
11. Here She Comes Now   2:02
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker
12. I Heard Her Call My Name   4:36
Written-By – Lou Reed
13. Sister Ray   17:27
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker
14. Stephanie Says   2:49
Written-By – Lou Reed
15. Temptation Inside Your Heart   2:30
Written-By – Jimmy Reed
16. Hey Mr. Rain (Version One)   4:40
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker

Flac Size: 381 MB

CD4. 1968 / 1969

                 

  
01. What Goes On (Live)   5:34
Written-By – Lou Reed
02. Candy Says   4:04
Written-By – Lou Reed
03. What Goes On   4:35
Written-By – Lou Reed
04. Some Kinda Love   3:39
Written-By – Lou Reed
05. Pale Blue Eyes   5:42
Written-By – Lou Reed
06. Jesus   3:24
Written-By – Lou Reed
07. Beginning To See The Light   4:47
Written-By – Lou Reed
08. I'm Set Free   4:04
Written-By – Lou Reed
09. That's The Story Of My Life   2:02
Written-By – Lou Reed
10. The Murder Mystery   8:55
Written-By – Lou Reed
11. After Hours   2:09
Written-By – Lou Reed
12. Foggy Notion   6:47
Written By – Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker / Douglas Yule / Hy Weiss
13. I Can't Stand It   3:22
Written-By – Lou Reed
14. I'm Sticking With You   2:28
Written-By – Lou Reed
15. One Of These Days   4:00
Written-By – Lou Reed
16. Lisa Says   2:57
Written-By – Lou Reed
17. It's Just Too Much (Live)   2:59
Written-By – Lou Reed
18. Countess From Hong Kong (Demo)   3:17
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale

Flac Size: 410 MB

CD5. 1970

               

 
  
01. Who Loves The Sun   2:45
Written-By – Lou Reed
02.Sweet Jane (Full Length Version)   4:06
Written-By – Lou Reed
03. Rock And Roll   4:43
Written-By – Lou Reed
04. Cool It Down   3:04
Written-By – Lou Reed
05. New Age (Full Length Version)   5:07
Written-By – Lou Reed
06. Head Held High   2:56
Written-By – Lou Reed
07. Lonesome Cowboy Bill   2:43
Written-By – Lou Reed
08. I Found A Reason   4:15
Written-By – Lou Reed
09. Train Round The Bend   3:21
Written-By – Lou Reed
10. Oh! Sweet Nuthin'   7:25
Written-By – Lou Reed
11. Satellite Of Love   2:58
Written-By – Lou Reed
12. Walk And Talk It   2:23
Written-By – Lou Reed
13. Oh Gin   2:44
Written-By – Lou Reed
14. Sad Song   3:30
Written-By – Lou Reed
15. Ocean   5:43
Written-By – Lou Reed
16. Ride Into The Sun   3:20
Written By – Lou Reed / John Cale / Sterling Morrison / Maureen Tucker
17. Some Kinda Love (Live)   10:22
Written-By – Lou Reed
18. I'll Be Your Mirror (Live)   2:06
Written-By – Lou Reed
19. I Love You   2:03
Written-By – Lou Reed

Flac Size: 459 MB

LINE - UP


Organ, Viola – John Cale (tracks: 5-15)
Guitar – Lou Reed (tracks: 2-14, 2-15), Sterling Morrison (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6, 3-1 to 3-7, 3-16, 4-1, 4-17, 4-18, 5-1 to 5-19)
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Sterling Morrison (tracks: 3-14, 3-15, 4-12 to 4-16)


Lead Vocals – Doug Yule (tracks: 4-2), Maureen Tucker (tracks: 4-11), Nico (3) (tracks: 2-4, 2-7, 2-10, 2-14, 2-15)
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Backing Vocals – Lou Reed (tracks: 4-2 to 4-11)
Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Guitar [Ostrich] – Lou Reed (tracks: 2-1 to 2-12)
Percussion – Maureen Tucker (tracks: 2-1 to 2-12, 3-1 to 3-16, 4-1 to 4-18)
Bass – Doug Yule (tracks: 4-1, 4-17, 4-18)
Bass, Backing Vocals – Doug Yule (tracks: 4-12 to 4-16)
Bass, Organ, Backing Vocals – Doug Yule (tracks: 4-2 to 4-11)
Bass, Vocals – Doug Yule (tracks: 5-17, 5-18)
Drums – Billy Yule (tracks: 5-1 to 5-19)
Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Backing Vocals – Sterling Morrison (tracks: 2-1 to 2-12)
Viola [Electric] – John Cale (tracks: 2-14, 2-15)
Viola [Electric], Bass – John Cale (tracks: 3-16)
Viola [Electric], Piano, Celesta [Celeste], Bass, Backing Vocals – John Cale (tracks: 2-1 to 2-12)
Viola, Bass – John Cale (tracks: 3-1 to 3-7)
Viola, Bass, Celesta [Celeste], Backing Vocals – John Cale (tracks: 3-14 to 3-16)

Vocals [Co-Vocal] – Doug Yule (tracks: 4-10), Maureen Tucker (tracks: 4-10), Sterling Morrison (tracks: 4-10)
Vocals, Guitar – Lou Reed (tracks: 3-1 to 3-7, 3-14 to 3-16, 4-1, 4-12 to 4-17, 5-17, 5-18), Sterling Morrison (tracks: 4-2 to 4-11)
Vocals, Guitar, Bass – Sterling Morrison (tracks: 3-8 to 3-13)
Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica – Lou Reed (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6, 4-18)
Vocals, Guitar, Piano – Lou Reed (tracks: 3-8 to 3-13, 5-1 to 5-16, 5-19)
Vocals, Organ, Piano, Guitar, Bass – Doug Yule (tracks: 5-1 to 5-16, 5-19)
Vocals, Viola [Electric], Organ, Bass – John Cale (tracks: 3-8 to 3-13)
Vocals, Viola, Other [Sarinda] – John Cale (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6)

NOTES

    


Five compact disc, over six hours of music, featuring:
NEWLY DIGITALLY REMASTERED VERSIONS OF THE BAND'S FOUR ORIGINAL ALBUMS
The Velvet Underground And Nico
White Light/White Heat
The Velvet Underground
(presented in its rare "closet mix" alternate version)
Loaded
(featuring restored versions of "Sweet Jane" and "New Age").
25 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED RECORDINGS
12 historic demos, 7 Loaded-session out-takes and 6 live performances

The Velvet Underground on Urban Aspirines HERE

9 comments:

  1. I can't think of anything about VU that hasn't been said about it somewhere. There is a wealth of literature there. Only that much:
    I recently received a do-cd pre VU from a friend, but i don't know yet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know a poster Quicksilver Messenger Service /Velvet Underground San Diego 5.&6.
    July 1968. Both bands at their peak. What a combibation of two such different and outstanding bands.

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately I don't know this poster. But what a strange concert with these different bands.

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  3. Great band, Great Box-Set, Great post. Thank you Kostas.
    JIM.

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  4. No I was sure we had this before . . . . ?! but trust Kostas for revisiting a classic. Either way it is great!

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  5. Thanks for posting this - a great album

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  6. I cannot thank you enough for ALL you do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to do my best. Thank you very much for your comment.

      Delete
  7. The Raven Records box is excellent too. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's decision is criminal, they sided with Lou Reed who said "no Doug Yule" in the induction of the VU to the Hall of Fame. But Doug is involved in several vital VU albums and was even in Lou's touring bands when Reed went solo. It's a shameful episode in R&R Hall of Fame history.

    ReplyDelete