The Velvet Underground will extend their 50th anniversary festivities into 2018 with limited edition vinyl box set. The New-York based band formed in 1964, but didn’t release an album until 1967. Their debut album was titled, The Velvet Underground & Nico, and became one of the most iconic rock albums of all time. Although the avant-garde album, which featured the German singer Nico, was not well-received during its time, later on critics and fans alike began to realize how instrumental the album was in the rock world. It influenced the formation of many punk bands with its anti-conformist subject matter and nihilistic attitude.
The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) will be one of six albums to be featured in the box set. The box set will also feature their studio albums White Light/White Heat (1968), The Velvet Underground (1969) and Loaded (1970). Nico’s debut album, Chelsea Girl (1967), which featured Lou Reed (vocals, guitar), John Cale (multi-instrumentalist) and Sterling Morrison (guitar), will also be a part of the box set. Lastly, but certainly not least, a reconstruction of The Velvet Underground’s lost 1969 LP will be featured in the box set. While some tracks from this “lost” album have been featured on outtakes on other albums, this will be the first time the tracks are on a vinyl release. All the albums are pressed into vinyl and presented on stereo.
The box set is due for a February 23rd release date. The box set, which will be limited to 1,000 copies, is available for preorder now. According to Rolling Stone, the box set comes equip with 48 page booklet featuring a foreword written by one of the two surviving members of the group, Moe Tucker (drums). The booklet also features vintage photos of the band.
Velvet Underground 50th Anniversary Track List
The Velvet Underground and Nico
Side One
1. “Sunday Morning”
2. “I’m Waiting For The Man”
3. “Femme Fatale”
4. “Venus In Furs”
5. “Run Run Run”
6. “All Tomorrow’s Parties”
Side Two
1. “Heroin”
2. “There She Goes Again”
3. “I’ll Be Your Mirror”
4. “The Black Angel’s Death Song”
5. “European Son”
Nico – Chelsea Girl
Side One
1. “The Fairest of the Seasons”
2. “These Days”
3. “Little Sister”
4. “Winter Song”
5. “It Was A Pleasure Then”
Side Two
1. “Chelsea Girls”
2. “I’ll Keep It With Mine”
3. “Somewhere There’s a Feather”
4. “Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams”
5. “Eulogy To Lenny Bruce”
White Light/White Heat
Side One
1. “White Light/White Heat”
2. “The Gift”
3. “Lady Godiva’s Operation”
4. “There She Comes Now”
Side Two
1. “I Heard Her Call My Name”
2. “Sister Ray”
The Velvet Underground
Side One
1. “Candy Says”
2. “What Goes On”
3. “Some Kinda Love”
4. “Pale Blue Eyes”
5. “Jesus”
Side Two
1. “Beginning To See The Light”
2. “I’m Set Free”
3. “That’s The Story Of My Life”
4. “The Murder Mystery”
5. “After Hours”
1969 (recorded May – October 1969)
Side One
1. “Foggy Notion” (original 1969 mix)
2. “One Of The Days” (2014 mix)
3. “Lisa Says” (2014 mix)
4. “I’m Sticking With You” (original 1969 mix)
5. “Andy’s Chest” (original 1969 mix)
Side Two
1. “I Can’t Stand It” (2014 mix)
2. “She’s My Best Friend” (original 1969 mix)
3. “We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together” (2014 mix)
4. “I’m Gonna Move Right In” (original 1969 mix)
5. “Ferryboat Bill” (original 1969 mix)
Side Three
1. “Coney Island Steeplechase” (2014 mix)
2. “Ocean” (original 1969 mix)
3. “Rock & Roll” (original 1969 mix)
4. “Ride Into The Sun” (2014 mix)
Side Four – Bonus Tracks
1. “Hey Mr. Rain” (version one)
2. “Guess I’m Falling In Love” (instrumental version)
3. “Temptation Inside Your Heart” (original mix)
4. “Stephanie Says” (original mix)
5. “Hey Mr. Rain” (version two)
6. “Beginning To See The Light” (early version)
Loaded
Side One
1. “Who Loves The Sun”
2. “Sweet Jane”
3. “Rock & Roll”
4. “Cool It Down”
5. “New Age”
Side Two
1. “Head Held High”
2. “Lonesome Cowboy Bill”
3. “I Found A Reason”
4. “Train Round The Bend”
5. “Oh! Sweet Nuthin'”
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