{"id":4789,"date":"2023-11-02T21:13:11","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T02:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/isplotchy.com\/blog\/?p=4789"},"modified":"2023-11-02T22:01:24","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T03:01:24","slug":"some-kinda-listening-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/isplotchy.com\/blog\/2023\/11\/some-kinda-listening-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Some Kinda Listening Party"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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First, let me start off by saying “SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holy crap, it’s a Velvet Underground covers record by my favorite band! I had no idea it was coming until they released a few singles. I think I might have seen that they played an all-covers show (this is a live album), but I try not to pay too close attention to live shows they play on the East Coast, because it makes me bummed I’m not nearby to see them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had a recent show where their alter-ego band The Willies opened. I seriously talked with my wife about buying a ticket to see them. I didn’t, though. [sad face]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyways, where was I? Oh yeah. Squeeeeeee!! This isn’t a review so much as a celebration, and me just talking about songs I love being played by a band that I love. SO LET’S GO<\/a>!
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Track 1 – “Sunday Morning” – from The Velvet Underground & Nico<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahh, “Sunday Morning”.  First song off the first album.  I’m assuming Dave is playing the xylophone. One of those uncommon songs where Lou Reed sang in super-tender mode. The guitar solo near the end is great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 2 – “Who Loves the Sun” – from Loaded<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love “Who Loves The Sun” coming right after “Sunday Morning”.  Love the backup vocals. This is my favorite VU song sung by Doug Yule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 3 – “There She Goes Again” – from The Velvet Underground & Nico<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kind of weird to hear this, as the R.E.M. cover<\/a> has been the dominant “There She Goes Again” cover for me for decades.  A lot closer to the original, but Glenn doesn’t sing “Better hit her!”. It takes a lot of the (misogynistic) snarl out of the song, and I don’t know how I feel about that.  I know I very well might not sing it either – maybe I’d sing “Better hit her – [gesturing broadly to the audience] BUT YOU KNOW, THOSE WERE DIFFERENT TIMES<\/em>.”  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, it’s better than Michael Stipe’s indecipherable treatment of that line. What the heck was he saying, anyways?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great guitar solo in this cover.  The song has wonderful momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 4 – “What Goes On” – from The Velvet Underground<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SO different than the more sped-up, march-like version on Only Life<\/a>.  This has more of the irresistible swing of the original.  And that two-guitar solo is [chef’s kiss emoji]!  I know they have played this song live with Lou on at least one occasion, wondering which version it was closer to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 5 – “Sweet Jane” – from Loaded<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wasn’t watching the tracklist, and didn’t realize what the song was with the intro.  After they kicked in, I realized they were doing the intro from Loaded<\/em>. If there is a groove that is perfectly made for the Feelies, it’s this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I noticed they stuck with the original, non deluxe boxed-set version, which doesn’t have the restored “Heavenly wine and roses” part. Admittedly, that bridge fits better with the slower rendition of the song found on 1969<\/a>, as well as the Cowboy Junkies cover (which I assume is covering the 1969 version). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think the “Heavenly” bridge does kind of detract from the faster version, though I love when they kick into the “La La La La” part on the VU original. Still, the “La La La” part might not be good enough to warrant the slower bridge [shrugs]. Why am I still talking about this? It’s not in the Feelies version. MOVE ON<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 6 – “Head Held High” – from Loaded<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Head Held High” has never been one of favorite Velvets songs, but the Feelies make it into a nice barn-burner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 7 – “I’m Waiting For The Man” – from The Velvet Underground & Nico<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cover of “I’m Waiting For The Man” is more frantic than the original, like the singer is waiting for his speed dealer instead of weed.  Wait, Wikipedia says<\/a> the man was a heroin dealer. What the hell? I was sure it was about a weed dealer – I thought I read that in an interview somewhere.  This recording is an interesting contrast to the pounding-piano version on the first Velvets album, and the much looser and languid one found on 1969.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side note: Why did Lou Reed never record a song called “Wikipedia Says”?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 8 – “White Light\/White Heat” – from White Light\/White Heat<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 I never really liked the song “White Light\/White Heat”!  Yes, I’m a monster.  I like this version better than the Velvets’ one.  Did I mention I’m a monster? Because I am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 9 – “I Heard Her Call My Name” – from White Light\/White Heat<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 I didn’t hear Glenn sing “And then my mind split open” which is my favorite part of the original.  Still, the mind-splitting guitar in this cover was lovely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 10 – “New Age” – from Loaded<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 I’ve always<\/em> thought “New Age” was kinda corny. Didn’t change my mind with this cover.  I think a buddy of mine might have made me embarrassed to like this song many years ago and I never recovered. (see also “Like the Weather<\/a>” by 10,000 Maniacs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 11 – “That’s the Story of My Life” – from The Velvet Underground<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh man, I love this song so much.  Every band should cover this. Okay, maybe not Coldplay. Coldplay, you stay away from this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track 12 – “All Tomorrow’s Parties” – from The Velvet Underground & Nico<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 So happy they covered this.  So great. Wasn’t surprised they hit it so hard, it’s in the same vein as “Tomorrow Today” off The Good Earth<\/a>.  If I could take a brief detour from this listening party to direct you to another awesome cover of this song by the under-mentioned Athens, GA band The Method Actors<\/a>, it’s here for the listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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