![n :phila:](./images/smilies/icon_phila.gif)
Inspired by Roy's Dinosaur Jr. post in the 80's thread, I thought doing some classic band threads could be a good way to liven up the Rube. I'll start out of a profile of their first (and best) album The Velvet Underground and Nico from 1967 and follow up with subsequent albums later.
![Image](http://www.linternaute.com/musique/magazine/temoignages/vos-plus-belles-pochettes-d-albums/image/the-velvet-underground-and-nico-18959.jpg)
Warhol was a big part of the Velvet Underground at this point and recruited Nico to join the band. Nico would sing several of Lou's songs and tension developed between her and the band and ultimately between Warhol and the band. Everything works perfectly on this album though and she does a great job with Lou's songs, especially on Femme Fatale and I'll Be Your Mirror. This album captures a scene as well as any album I've ever heard. The Velvets were on the cutting edge of a movement in NY in '67 and the creativity jumps out of the speakers. Everything they play feels off the cuff, but layered and thoughtful at the same time.
Side one
1. "Sunday Morning" (Reed, Cale) ג 2:54
2. "I'm Waiting for the Man" ג 4:39
3. "Femme Fatale" ג 2:38
4. "Venus in Furs" ג 5:12
5. "Run Run Run" ג 4:22
6. "All Tomorrow's Parties" ג 6:00
Side two
7. "Heroin" ג 7:12
8. "There She Goes Again" ג 2:41
9. "I'll Be Your Mirror" ג 2:14
10. "The Black Angel's Death Song" (Reed, Cale) ג 3:11
11. "European Son" (Reed, Cale, Morrison, Tucker) ג 7:46
I'm not going to break down every (amazing) song, but here's some of my favorites. Later in the thread I'll make a comp of some outtakes and b-sides I have.
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I'm Waiting for the Man
The best song about waiting for your drug dealer in harlem you'll ever hear. It's amazing how ahead of it's time this song was.
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Venus in Furs
"Kiss the boot of shiny, shiny leather"
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Heroin
It doesn't get any better than this...the dynamic shifts with the heartbeat drums speeding up and slowing down is so fucking cool. Lou's lyrics and delivery are perfect. Heeeeeeeeeeeeerroooooiiiiiin...White Boy Smack Soul.
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I'll Be Your Mirror
Such a simple song, but one of my all time favorites. Something about the lyric, the melody, and Nico's voice gets me every time. I think I have a version I'll try to find where Reed sings. The Nico version is better, but it's always cool to hear someone sing their own lyrics.