Search - Velvet Underground :: Velvet Underground & Nico: Rarities Edition

A re-release of the 2nd Disc of the "Deluxe Edition"

Walter Five | 13th Floor Elevator, Enron Hubbard Bldg. Houston T | 05/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Velvet Underground fans pay attention--The Rarities Edition of The Velvet Underground & Nico merely contains the second disc from the 2002 double-disc Deluxe Edition of the 1st album, the mono mix -- along with mono single versions of "All Tomorrow's Parties," "Sunday Morning," and "Femme Fatale," plus an alternate take of "I'll Be Your Mirror". This CD contains NO previously unreleased material. If you are a die-hard VU fan, as I am, you probably already have this material, either from The Deluxe Edition, or from the Australian Bootleg Box Set that came out about 15 years ago, so check your CD stacks before ordering. The material in this disc is Five Stars, but re-labling previously released material is a shoddy practice, and Polydor is also currently re-releasing similar product for a dozen other artists under the title "Rarities Edition." Caveat emptor!"

Yes, it has been released before, BUT...

Nick Reymann | 05/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Velvet Underground & Nico is one of the greatest albums of all time, and the mono mix is the definitive version. This CD was originally released as disc 2 of the "Deluxe Edition" of the album in 2002. However, many fans, including me, did not pick it up as we already had the stereo mix on disc 1 and did not feel the $25 price tag was worth it just for the second disc. This release fixes that complaint, as now it is available separately for half the price. IMO, this CD completely replaces any other issue of the album for sound quality alone, and plus you get the four single versions of songs from the album, making it pretty much complete. If you want demos and outtakes, look at the Peel Slowly and See box set, but if you just want the best version of the Velvet's masterpiece there is, look no further than this release."

A bit of a kick in the face to a lot of fans

Jimmer the Hoft | New York | 05/14/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a rather difficult product to rate, The Velvet Underground & Nico is with out question one of the most influential albums in rock history; It has also become a personal favorite of mine and the availability of the mono mix as a stand alone release would be great news...eight years ago when the deluxe edition was released. Yes this is the second disc of that edition for considerably less, so more than a little frustrating for many. However for new fans this is a great starting point, the rare mono mix is a great, gritty and energetic experience. Ultimately the music is phenomenal and as I said for those that don't have the deluxe edition this is a welcome essential release."