A proper treat on a Friday morning. A song by song compilation of covers of one of the most important Rock albums ever made; The Velvet Undergroud's stellar debut from 1967; The Velvet Underground & Nico. A record that now sounds as if it's hewn in living stone.
Released appropriately on the label it first came out on, Verve, this tribute can't of course and doesn't want to be seen or heard apart from the original. Listening through to it is a constant comparison process with the Velvet's versions to what the songs spoke and speak about.
The Velvet Underground & Nico was very much a product of the New York streets. John Cale, as much an author of the record as Lou Reed or Andy Warhol, said he couldn't believe how dirty the city was when he first arrived from rural Wales.
This record captures plenty of the gritty thrill of urban neophyte experience although it's a damn sight better produced than the original, that record's one obvious flaw. This is a good thing as much that seemed muddy and obscure on that record, no matter how often you played it, now speaks clear. You can hear every one of Reed's words, and that can't be anything but a good thing.
Some of the covers here are comparatively straight, some take more risks, trying to burrow in to the essence of the originals. St. Vincent's spoken and whispered vocal take on All Tomorrow's Parties is by turns irritating and invigorating. Nothing here is shabby though. It's all deeply heartfelt and thought through.
It's difficult to overstate the importance of The Velvet Underground & Nico. It's one of Rock and Roll's few genuine game changers, not at the time of its release where it was a complete critical failure but shortly thereafter, the starting point for innumerable musical and artistic statements and also changing the direction of countless lives who heard and responded to its call.
From here come Bowie and Roxy, Can, The Modern Lovers and New York Dolls, New York and London Punk, Liverpool and Manchester Post Punk, R.E.M. and The Smiths, Nick Cave, Sonic Youth, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Creation Records, Pixies, My Bloody Valentine. So many more. A good half of my record collection. Many other artistic statements of different kinds too. The thrill of discovery. All of the joy and pain of life. Iggy too. One of the last of this generation still standing. It's wonderful hearing him and his take with Matt Sweeney on album closer European Son.
I loved listening to this. It's a valid and realised statement, both moving and thought provoking. Most of all it takes you back to the original. In wonder.
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