Track Listing

1. Waiting For My Man
2. Lisa Says
3. What Goes On
4. Sweet Jane
5. We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together
6. Femme Fatale
7. New Age
8. Rock & Roll
9. Beginning To See The Light
10. Heroin

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43133 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Live

Amazon.com
Originally a two-record set, this live recording has been split and released as separate albums, volume 1 and volume 2. No matter, it's an essential document of one of the finest and most innovative rock bands of all time. 1969: Live catches the band at a juncture in their career, still reeling from the departure of John Cale and settling into the addition of multi-instrumentalist Doug Yule, who would help the band find their rocking heart. Thank god that Maureen Tucker was still around--her inspired, primal drumming makes this recording such a delight. Her quiet thumping on "Lisa Says" is understated and touching, and her timpanic, thunderous rolls on "New Age" are nothing short of awesome. Lou Reed is particularly loose and chatty, more comfortable with his voice as he stretches to hit some tender passages. And the version of "Rock and Roll" here is perhaps the finest of all it's many versions, epic in scope and focused in intensity. --Tod Nelson

Customer Reviews

Must have for VU fans
As far as Velvet Underground live material, I had only heard Live at Max's Kansas City, which I love, so I expected more of the same from the 1969 material, fidelity wise, before I heard this. Surprise! The 1969 series is an enormous step up in quality and the performances are even better.

1969 used to be one volume and it should be still; there is no difference in the liner notes or packaging but there is now a volume 1 and volume 2. Having said this, if you must buy one of these volumes, this is the one. They are both great, but this one rocks more, has a better song selection and a longer running time. It may be blasphemy to say, but I think the versions of What Goes On and Beginning To See The Light here are better than the studio recordings.

Check this out! You won't be disappointed.

Pick up both volumes
I own the album on vinyl (2 LPs, discs 1 and 2), and I must say it's the one VU collection I would take with me if stranded on a desert island. It's not as artsy as VU and Nico or White Light/White Heat, though it't not as "dry" as loaded. This is a good introduction the VU for new listeners.

Proof positive that thr Velvets were a great live band
Recorded in 1969 (but not released until much later), this two-part live album shows the Velvet Underground turning away from the feedback thunderstorms and warped art-rock of their earlier work, and embracing a more song oriented approach. By this time, they'd abandoned electric violist and noise hound John Cale, replacing him with multi-instrumentalist Doug Yule, to startling effect: Where Cale was an artist, Yule was a musician, and an incredibly skilled one at that- just listen to his hypnotic organ solo at the end of "What Goes On" for proof of that. Of course, this is all completely relative- one listen to the scorched-earth catharsis of "Heroin" (included here as a bonus track) or the haunting character study "New Age" should convince you that the Velvets hadn't sold out. And anyway, this album is an absolutely fantastic listen- the Velvet Underground were an energetic live band with a punchy, uncompromising sound and a sharp rock `n' roll edge, and there's evidence of that here in spades. Just listen to that loose, nervy version of "I'm Waiting For The Man," or the euphoric blasts of "We're Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together" and "Beginning To See The Light." There are also plenty of fine examples of Lou Reed's brilliant songwriting- the quiet, pained beauty of "Lisa Says" is a highlight, as is "Sweet Jane," with its sweet, hypnotic melancholy and wonderful guitar riff. Also, dig the icy ballad "Femme Fatale" (which sounds great, even if Nico isn't singing it), and the self explanatory "Rock `N' Roll." It's a fantastic addition to the VU catalogue. Also, be sure to pick up volume two, which is just as good (if not better).