Sal Nunziato's review of the re-release of The Velvet Underground Live At Max's Kansas City
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND LIVE AT HIRAM'S CRABCAKE PAVILLION!
OH WAIT, IT'S "LIVE AT MAX'S KANSAS CITY"...
Possibly the first rock bootleg ever given an official release by a major label, "The Velvet Underground Live At Max's Kansas City" documented their final show before Lou Reed quit the band in 1970. Recorded on a hand-held cassette player from the audience, "Live At Max's" was always a fascinating document, but the crappy sound quality made for rough listening. Now, 34 years after the show and 32 years after it was first released, the good folks at Rhino have given "Live At Max's Kansas City" a sonic makeover. It still doesn't sound like "Kiss Alive II," but fantastic remastering has made it more than just a piece of history -- it's now a great record, too. Featuring material from "Loaded," their swan song, as well as earlier classics like "White Light White Heat" and "Femme Fatale," "Live At Max's" now includes six previously unreleased tracks from the same show. Even without Nico or John Cale, this album is the proof of the Velvet Underground's greatness.
Has anyone heard this new version?
I haven't heard the new one, but considering that Doug Yule's hyperactive brother was on drums (Mo was on maternity leave), Sterling Morrison sounds like he's phoning it in, and Jim Carroll (who recorded the show) was drunkenly rambling during the music on the old one, I can't see how a sonically cleaned-up version would improve the performances.
I thought Bridget Whats-her-face recorded it.
I really like Lou's singing on that album. He sounds so sad. But I have not listened to it in ages as I don't own it on CD.
I thought I remembered that Jim Carroll had recorded it, but I could be wrong. I listened to it just a few months back, though, and then put it away for another couple of years.
I have not listened to that since my turntable broke. Years ago. I don't even remember it well enough to know if I liked it or not.
In better news my husband just acquired an advance copy of the new Paul Westerberg album which I will get to hear tonight. I am excited.
Looks like there's a chance we'll get Marianne Faithful to blurb the book.
crosses fingers
Marianne Faithful? How freaking cool is THAT!!!!!1!
Marianne Faithful? How freaking cool is THAT!!!!!1!
Pretty freakin' cool. Also, she's in Los Angeles right now, so keep your eyes open at the coffee shop.
That's incredible David - good luck!
