I felt compelled to write this review after reading some of the negative reviews about this compilation. There are better books on the Velvets available (e.g., Uptight!), yet this volume is indispensable to anyone seriously interested in the Velvets and how they were perceived by their contemporaries. They are now, and forever will be, well known as cutting-edge, avant-garde artists who helped shape a unique sound in the rock and roll arena. But when the Velvets first hit the scene, not everyone "got it." And that is what this book documents. This is an exhaustive reprint of almost all the known writings about the VU, in chronological order, from '65 - '71. Peppered throughout are photos of concert posters, press releases, etc., as well as a well-researched discography of all known songs from the period (though such lists are always subject to debate among fanatics), and a handy index. Heylin is a fantastic writer, particularly his stuff on Dylan and Reed/Velvets. He plays the role as the editor of this book -- not the author -- and in this role contributes an interesting and enjoyable introduction. If you are looking for the definitive biography of the band, check out Uptight! If you already know and love the Velvets, check out this volume and see what the press were saying about them at the time. It's amazing what time does to perceptions. All Yesterdays' Parties: The Velvet Underground in Print, 1966-1971
all yesterday's papers _ clinton heylin
what more can be said about the velvet underground, that has not been already been written? Well, since my own point of view, very little or nothing, unless lou, john or mo decide to publish their own memoirs on the matter, which seems quite improbable. So meanwhile, here comes clinton heylin & decides to recompile most of what was written about them during their heydays. Long before they became a myth, at a time when they really stood for what they were, a simple n.y. city rock & roll band. So take a trip in time, be able to read & try to feel how it was first time around, when the velvet underground were pushing boundaries that most of the today bands have their backs to.
By clinton heylin i strongly recommend -bootleg! the rise & fall of the secret industry & from the velvets to the void-oids (the book that inspired please kill me)
This book is a thorough collection of press releases during the time of The Velvet Underground's years with Lou Reed. It's interesting to see the style and progress of rock journalism over that period. Not a lot of new information for Velvet fans, but interesting reading. - Lou Reed - Maureen Tucker - Doug Yule - John Cale'
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