(TV) My father was Sister Ray

[Adoinel73@aol.com]

The last issue of I think Mojo had one of the most interesting articles I 
have ever read on The Velvets, concentrating on the Loaded sessions and the 
Yule led Squeeze band.  Incredible stuff, also has an amazing Big Star 
article.
My life would be pretty pointless without my Velvets and Lou-Cale-Nico-Moe 
solo stuff.  
They are and will always be my favorite band (Verlaine and crew a distant 
second).

Disc one of the box set is marred by the editing choices.  Whoever decided to 
not sparate the songs into individual tracks really did a disservice to 
listeners.  The songs are fascinating (The Cale vocal version of Venus In 
Furs is amazing), but without the capability of getting to each take 
separately is tedious.  I found the best thing to do is to scan through and 
make your own tape copies of the individula takes.  Time consuming but well 
worth it.
As far as favorite Velvet album.  White Light White Heat is for me their 
crowning moment.  It is the only one with just the four key members and of 
course has Sister Ray.  Loaded is my least favorite album because without Moe 
it just doesn't sound like The Velvets to me.  

The Blue Mask is easily one of Lou's best albums.  It also clearly marks the 
beginning of his latter period trading axes first with Quine then later with 
Rathke.  
My favorite Reed albums remain his Arista works from 76-80.  Specifically 
Street Hassle and The Bells.  Lester Bangs called them the only true Jazz 
Rock fusion made up to that point and I tend to mostly agree.  The Bells 
especially with Ornette Coeman graduate Don Cherry is essential.  I think 
these albums (Rock and Roll Heart, take No Prisoners and Growing Up In Public 
included) really show how great a vocalist Reed was.  Not a great singer, but 
vocally able to sound like no one else.  His vocals from that period are some 
of the most expressive and creative I have ever heard.  Compare him vocally 
on these records with The Blue Mask and after period.  The difference is 
pretty astounding.  
Buddha is re-releasing Rock and Roll Heart and The Bells in the next few 
months.  Long overdue and important re-issues.  I hope that Reed's back 
catalogue is finally given the respect and attention it deserves.......
Jeremy (us)
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