Lou Reed - Words & Music, May 1965 CD/LP/DLX 2LP+7"
Released in tandem with the late artist’s 80th birthday celebrations, the album offers an extraordinary, unvarnished, and plainly poignant insight into one of America’s true poet-songwriters.
Capturing Reed in his formative years, this previously unreleased collection of songs—penned by a young Lou Reed, recorded to tape with the help of future bandmate John Cale, and mailed to himself as a “poor man’s copyright”—remained sealed in its original envelope and unopened for nearly 50 years. Its contents embody some of the most vital, groundbreaking contributions to American popular music committed to tape in the 20th century.
Through examination of these songs rooted firmly in the folk tradition, we see clearly Lou’s lasting influence on the development of modern American music – from punk to art-rock and everything in between. A true time capsule, these recordings not only memorialize the nascent sparks of what would become the seeds of the incredibly influential Velvet Underground; they also cement Reed as a true observer with an innate talent for synthesizing and distilling the world around him into pure sonic poetry.
2LP/7" - Includes bonus 7-inch record, housed in die-cut picture sleeve containing the first-ever vinyl release of six unheard tracks recorded between 1958 and 1964, including early demos, a cover of Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right, and a doo-wop serenade recorded in ‘58 when the legendary singer-songwriter was just sixteen-years-old.
Tracklist:
- CD -
1. I'm Waiting for the Man
2. Men of Good Fortune
3. Heroin
4. Too Late
5. Buttercup Song
6. Walk Alone
7. Buzz Buzz Buzz
8. Pale Blue Eyes
9. Stockpile
10. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
11. I'm Waiting for the Man
12. Gee Whiz
13. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down
14. Michael, Row the Boat Ashore
15. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Partial)
16. W & X, Y, Z Blues
17. Lou's 12-Bar Instrumental
- LP -
1. I'm Waiting for the Man
2. Men of Good Fortune
3. Heroin
4. Too Late
5. Buttercup Song
6. Walk Alone
7. Buzz Buzz Buzz
8. Pale Blue Eyes
9. Stockpile
10. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
- DLX 2LP + 7" -
1. I'm Waiting for the Man
2. Men of Good Fortune
3. Heroin
4. Too Late
5. Buttercup Song
6. Walk Alone
7. Buzz Buzz Buzz
8. Pale Blue Eyes
9. Stockpile
10. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
11. I'm Waiting for the Man (May 1965 Alternate Version)
1. Gee Whiz (1958 Rehersal)
2. Baby Let Me Follow You Down
3. Michael, Row the Boat Ashore
4. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Partial)
5. W & X, Y, Z Blues
6. Lou's 12-Bar Instrumental
About this product: this release is available on CD, LP and DLX 2LP formats.
The CD is housed in a die-cut sleeve. Includes a 60-page booklet and six extra tracks.
The LP is pressed on black vinyl. Includes a 28-page booklet.
The DLX 2LP is pressed on 2x 180g black vinyl, housed in a gatefold die-cut sleeve. Includes a CD version, a bonus 7", a 28-page booklet and a download code.