release date: Sep. 1974
format: 2 cd (2009 Japan reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Velvet Underground
label: Mercury Records - nationality: USA
2-disc live album by The Velvet Underground recorded Oct. 19, 1969, Dallas, Texas, and Nov. 1969, San Francisco, California. Originally the album was released as a double vinyl album. The first cd version (1988) were two separate releases with the title additions "Vol 1" / "Vol 2" respectively with each cd containing one bonus track, hence two versions of "Heroin" on the 2009 two-disc reissue. As Lou Reed had split with the band in 1970, and since the band continued without him for another three years, the album explicitly says: "Velvet Underground With Lou Reed". At this point the band consists of Sterling Morrison on guitar & vocals, Maureen Tucker on percussion, and with newest member (replacing John Cale) is Doug Yule on bass guitar, organ & vocals. Due to obscure intentions about the ownership rights, the band and Lou Reed found itself in a lawsuit when the album was being released [info]. This is a really fine album that should be included in any collection of 5-6 essential Velvet Underground albums.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5 stars ]
