Velvet Underground - Live 93 Single CD +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

TERRIBLY UNDERRATED

Joseph A. Kengor | Youngstown, OH USA | 02/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot understand the reason for any negative reviews of this
release... All previous recordings of this wonderful, creative,
original, exciting band's great material were shoddy,; mostly due
to the lack of technology in that time period; it is simply a
BLESSING to be able to HEAR these four musicians playing together
and being recorded using modern equipment. This recording is certainly much better on the ears than anything available
previously. Why carp and nitpick about little things. AMG's
2 star rating is preposterous! At last I can hear what everyone's
playing! And the tunes sung by John Cale are refreshing, especially "the Gift". We VU fans have very few recordings to enjoy - I appreciate all their discs and this is also a very important one. Buy it before it goes out of print."

Wish it hadn't happened...an unfortunate footnote

Joseph A. Kengor | 05/24/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was thrilled about the prospect of a VU reunion back when it happened, and very excited about the release of this CD since the band had split up again before bringing the tour to the U.S. And I'm a shameless VU/Lou Reed fan, forgiving an awful lot of things that other people wouldn't. But after playing this again recently (inspired by the "Quine Tapes" release), I have to say this isn't very good. It hardly ruins the VU legend, but I wish it hadn't happened. It would be a shame if anybody bought this thinking it is a real representation of the Velvet Underground.The biggest problem is that by '93, Lou simply could not sing these songs anymore. His croaking vocals and bizarre phrasing ruin most of the songs here, especially "Venus in Furs" and "Beginning to See the Light." The playing is often a reasonable facsimile of 1968, and it's nice to finally get a well-recorded live document of the Velvets (although Sterling Morrison's guitar is mixed down to the point of inaudibility much of the time...undoubtedly Lou's decision), but it's hard to listen to anything here without wanting to turn it off and go back to the originals.You can tell Reed was the least enthused of the four about the reunion--besides the poor singing and forgotten lyrics, his guitar work is slovenly at times. His work with his own bands in the '90s was far superior (I'd much rather listen to "Perfect Night Live in London" than this). Morrison, John Cale, and Moe Tucker were clearly giving it their all, though. Two of three stars I've given this are for their playing. And if nothing else, the reunion put some well-deserved money in their pockets. Sadly, Sterling wasn't around much longer to enjoy it. So, blame Lou, save your money, and buy the "VU & Nico" or the "Quine Tapes" instead to appreciate these legends properly."

All hail Sterling and Moe

Michael Gross | 09/08/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Lou Reed and John Cale didn't need the short-lived Velvets reunion in '93. They had already reconciled (and clashed again after) with "Songs for Drella." The VU reunion, if anything, tarnished their reputations--Cale far less than Reed, however. For the American fans who couldn't attend the brief tour, this live album is a good document of why it probably shouldn't have happened, at least as far as the two "stars" are concerned--even though no VU fan wasn't curious to hear it, and hoping beyond hope that the magic would still be there. It was in fits and starts, but the "recycle the hits" approach and Reed's inability or unwillingness to sing all but a few of the songs decently spoiled it. However, the album is worth it for what it did for the unsung, quiet heroes of the Velvet Undergound: guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker. Despite being the pillars of the group's rhythmic sound in the '60s, their contribution was always undervalued by their own modesty and the dismal recording quality of the VU's original albums. You could never really hear the true power of their playing, which was the bedrock that made Reed's and Cale's explosive interaction possible. Well, on "Live MCMXCIII" you can finally hear them clearly, and the primal power is still there, undiminished despite 25-plus years on the sidelines. The tour and album also provided the two with some long overdue financial reward for their groundbreaking work. Reed and Cale didn't need the money, but who could begrudge Sterling and Moe finally seeing some payoff? (Sadly, Sterling would not live much longer after this was released.)So think of this album as a worthy contribution to the VU catalog, if nothing else for the dignified and intense contributions of the amazing Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker."

Valuable as a HISTORICAL document...NOT a musical one.

Michael Gross | Burke, VA | 05/03/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, I am a VU nut. I have a hard time giving any of their output anything less than 5 stars. This, however, is the exception to the rule.

Lou's maniacal control of the band during their reunion shows make the songs sound forced and fake. Listen to "Some Kinda Love" and you'll hear Lou trying to play his guitar so hard that he forgets the words to the damn song! The control issues reached into the mixing booth as well, where Lou's loyal sideman, Mike Rathke, put Lou WAY in front of the mix, leaving the oft-Stellar Sterling in the background somewhat. The Velvet Underground could make some very touching and emotional songs, but here, when played in front of a stadium-sized crowd, you just get the impression that everyone was just going through the motions.

Yes, there are some rarities here, like "Mr. Rain," which can be found on the Peel Slowly and See box set, and "Coyote."

What I am most gratified about regarding this CD is that Sterl and Moe finally started to collect some royalties.

If you are a longtime VU fan, I would urge you to get this if only to listen to the VU's last document. Yes, there will be DVD's and remasters and further commercially available bootlegs, but this was the whole band interacting together for the last time (well, not THE last time, but you get it). If you are new to the VU, DO NOT get this. It is not a good introduction to the band at all. If you were looking to purchase your first Rolling Stones album, would you pick Steel Wheels over Sticky Fingers? NO!"

Excellent Live Performances of all the Classics (but one).

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 09/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"`The Velvet Underground Live MCMXCIII (1993)' is a two CD set collected from performances at the Paris (France) L'Olympia Theater. From the response of the audience to the Velvet's performances, I think the myth that only about a thousand people ever actually listened to The Velvet Underground (but, the story goes, each and every one of those thousand started a band influenced by the Velvets.

By some standards, this may not be a `great' live album, in the same league as `The Who Live at Leeds', but I think it is pretty darn good. Since this was recorded at least 25 years after the Velvet's prime and the release of their first two albums, from which most of this material comes, it is really a pleasure to hear Lou Reed and John Cale and Moe Tucker and Sterling Morrison in such good voice. (Well, Moe seems to be a bit raspy and forced on her single solo, but it was done for fun, so it sort of fits).

Since most of the material does come from the first two albums, there is a strong chance that all of your favorites will be here. And, when Lou or John does the vocal on a number originally sung by Nico, I think this live version is actually better, as I was never a big fan of Andy Wharhol's designated chanteuse.

The only number I miss is the last cut of the first album, `European Son to Delmore Schwartz', which was a great closing number. Instead, they close the CDs with a very quiet song, `Coyote', which, frankly, I don't recognize, so it may even be a Lou Reed number.

I am really happy that they stuck to the Velvet's material, even though both Reed and Cale have had successful solo careers. I am also very happy that we have the original four. I don't mean other sidemen couldn't have done as well, but I like to see the original band get the bread for doing the gig and not some pickup musicians backing Reed and Cale.

Thus, to answer the big question on all live or `best of' albums, is this worth the cost of duplicating the numbers. To me, a died in the wool fan and proud owner of two original vinyl albums with banana sticker intact, I believe this is well worth the ability to carry around in one jewel case, an album of good performances by the original band with enthusiastic audience in thrall.

"

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	Velvet Underground Live 93 - Single CD Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock, Classic Rock Japanese limited edition reissue of 1974 album, packaged in a miniature LP sleeve.
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