In Berlin.... or rather, London, Paris, Nottingham and Warsaw...

Lou Reed returns to Europe this June to perform the entirety of his 1973 landmark album Berlin. The European dates will see Reed performing with a 30-piece ensemble including his band, a string and horn section and a children's choir.

The European tour starts June 23rd in Cork, followed by dates in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Belgium and Spain. Due to popular demand for this prestigious show, Berlin will make a special return visit to London, Brussels and Paris. The dates are:

June 23 Cork Marquee
June 24 Belfast Waterfront
June 25 Edinburgh Playhouse
June 26 Nottingham Royal Centre
June 28 Paris Salle Pleyel
June 30 London Royal Albert Hall
July 03 Munich Philharmonie
July 06 Hamburg CCH - Congress Centrum
July 07 Copenhagen Opera House
July 09 Stockholm Annexet
July 11 Tallin Saku Arena (Estonia)
July 12 Latvia Riga Arena
July 14 Warsaw Towar
July 16 Brussels Bozar
July 19 Lisbon Campo Pequeno
July 20 Loule Moinumento Dujarte Pacheco
July 21 Malaga Terral Festival
July 22 Madrid Conde Duque
July 25 Girona Portaferrada Festival
July 26 Benidorm Bullring

Ticket pre-sale for the Nottingham, Edinburgh and London concerts go on sale from 9am GMT on Thursday 6th March at www.artistticket.com.

Tickets for all three UK concerts go on sale to the general public at 10am GMT on Saturday 8th March by calling the ticket hotline on 08444 775 775, 0870 405 0448, or by booking online from www.aeglive.co.uk. (with the exception of the Edinburgh Playhouse concert on 25th June, where tickets will go on sale via 0844 847 2269, www.ticketmaster.co.uk).

I did catch the Berlin show at the Hammersmith Apollo last year, it's definitely worth seeing, it was a special evening indeed.

posted by Editor at 21:24 PM
Old News.

Metal Machine Music? Really?


Yet more news from Lou:

Lou Reed and German contemporary classical avant-garde chamber music ensemble Zeitkratzer are to release a live CD/DVD entitled "Lou Reed: Metal Machine Music - Performed by Zeitkratzer Live". The CD/DVD will be released by Asphodel Records in the UK on Monday 3rd September and in North America on Tuesday 4th September.

Avant-Garde German saxophone player, Ulrich Krieger, transcribed Lou Reed's original 1975 studio album Metal Machine Music to create an acoustic music score for the ensemble to play live. Zeitkratzer premiered Metal Machine Music 'Live' at MaerMusic Haus Der Berliner, Festspiele, March 17, 2002. Lou Reed plays guitar on on track 3. The DVD includes the entire concert mixed in 5.1 Surround and includes an exclusive 25-minute interview with Reed.

Reed's original 'Metal Machine Music' may be the most misunderstood work ever created by a popular musician. The original album, released in 1975, was mostly noise: feedback squalls, amplifier hums and the tortured screech of electronic gadgets. At the time, many felt it wasn't music, but a protest by Reed to his then, record label, RCA.

Avant-garde musicians like John Cage, LaMonte Young, Iannis Xenakis and Reed's Velvet Underground partner John Cale had a considerable influence on the way he approached composition, even his more accessible rock songs. Metal Machine Music was a logical extension of atonal romps like "Heroin" and "Sister Ray." Today, Metal Machine Music is highly regarded by the avant-garde for its contribution to the "noise" movement in popular culture.

---

Really? This could be... interesting.

posted by Editor at 6:59 PM
Old News.

Lou Reed's new DVD - Spanish Fly


More news from Lou:

Sanctuary Visual Entertainment today announced the worldwide DVD release of a live greatest hits collection, capturing the legendary Lou Reed on stage in Spain during Summer 2004. The DVD is released in the UK and Europe on Monday June 6th, followed by North America on Tuesday June 7th.

Aptly titled Spanish Fly: Live In Spain, the DVD features a magnificent set of eleven of Reed's finest songs, including re-worked takes of his Velvet Underground classics 'Sweet Jane' and 'Venus In Furs,' as well as his acclaimed solo work including the undeniable classic 'Walk On The Wild Side.'

Filmed and recorded on August 7th 2004 at the Benicàssim Festival in Spain, Reed is joined by long-time collaborators Mike Rathke on guitar, bassist Fernando Saunders, drummer Tony 'Thunder' Smith and Jane Scarpantoni on the cello. Together, these musicians showcase the artist in a powerful new light, featuring performances that show both stunning range and a resilient edge.

For the full story and photos click here. To pre order your copy, clickity click here.

posted by Editor at 8.43 PM
Old News.

Lou Announces Scotland Date!


News received today from the Lou Reed camp:

Universally acclaimed singer songwriter Lou Reed is to perform at the Gala Concert at Culzean Castle as part of this year's Burns an' a' that! Festival. The legendary musician will perform alongside the Orchestra of Scottish Opera along with a host of other performers who have yet to be announced.

Tickets for this year's Burns an' a' that! Gala Concert at Culzean Castle will go on sale from Monday March 14th. Ticket outlet details will be listed on the following web link (see below). The open-air concert will be staged on Friday May 20th and is set to be one of the major highlights of this year's Burns an' a' that! festival which runs from May 20th until May 29th. Lou Reed will be performing songs at the Gala Concert on Friday May 20th, 2005.

For the full story and photos click here.

posted by Editor at 9.11 PM
Old News.

Lou Announces Scotland Date!


News received today from the Lou Reed camp:

Universally acclaimed singer songwriter Lou Reed is to perform at the Gala Concert at Culzean Castle as part of this year's Burns an' a' that! Festival. The legendary musician will perform alongside the Orchestra of Scottish Opera along with a host of other performers who have yet to be announced.

Tickets for this year's Burns an' a' that! Gala Concert at Culzean Castle will go on sale from Monday March 14th. Ticket outlet details will be listed on the following web link (see below). The open-air concert will be staged on Friday May 20th and is set to be one of the major highlights of this year's Burns an' a' that! festival which runs from May 20th until May 29th. Lou Reed will be performing songs at the Gala Concert on Friday May 20th, 2005.

For the full story and photos click here.

posted by Editor at 9.11 PM
Old News.

Lou Tours the UK and Europe!


Good news for all you Lou Reed fans out there - the NYC man himself is returning to the UK and Europe this year! For the tour dates, please click here.

For those of us in the UK, the 21st of April (Leicester) and the 22nd April (Liverpool) are the dates you're looking for - see you there!

posted by Editor at 7.59 PM
Old News.

R.I.P. Robert Quine

Sad news, Robert Quine, who played with Lou Reed on The Blue Mask has reportedly died aged 61.


From Newsday.com:-

Robert Quine, a versatile punk-rock guitarist who appeared on albums by Lou Reed, Marianne Faithfull and Tom Waits, has died in Manhattan. He was 61.

Police found Quine dead in his apartment Saturday, said James Marshall, a friend. The medical examiner's office would determine the cause of death, but a note found with his body indicated suicide, police said.

Marshall said he believed Quine died May 31.

"He was an extraordinary mixture of taste, intelligence and rock 'n' roll abilities, coupled with major technique and a scholar's memory for every decent guitar lick ever played under the musical sun," Reed said in a statement Monday.

Quine's playing was first heard on record in 1977, on Richard Hell and the Voidoids' "Blank Generation." He also appeared on Reed's "The Blue Mask" in 1982 and in the 1990s played with such artists as Matthew Sweet and Lloyd Cole.

Quine, who was older than most of his punk-rock peers and nearly bald, typically wore button-down shirts and sport coats. He once said he looked like a "deranged insurance salesman."

He was born in Akron, Ohio and graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. He received a law degree from Washington University law school in St. Louis.

Further information about Robert Quine can be found here:- http://home.earthlink.net/~stayclean/bio.html

posted by Editor at 7.34 PM
Old News.

I got my MOJO working...

Just a heads up to those of you in the UK, to let you know that this month's MOJO magazine (with Brian Wilson on the cover) comes complete with a lovely 25 page VU special. I'll scan it in at some point to make available to the non UK cousins...

That's all for now folks!

posted by Editor at 7.34 PM
Old News.

V.U. win award!

As many of you know, I'm Sticking With You was used earlier in the year in a Hyundai advertisement, probably/possibly as a result of being used in the Malvern Caller soundtrack. Anyway, it's been given some kind of award as the best music in an ad... read more here.

That's all for now folks!

posted by Editor at 3.45 PM
Old News.

RIP Elliott Smith



"I'm taking the cure so I can be quiet..."
~Elliott Smith ~ 1969 - 2003~
R.I.P.


posted by Editor at 20:32 PM
Old News.

Middlesbrough

Not entirely VU based, but my boyfriend and his brother have gotten themselves very over excited about the new football player that Middlesbrough (an English club) have signed. He's called Mendieta, and a massive VU fan. Apparently he's going to play his first game against Arsenal on Sunday, and they're all trying to make the club play numerous VU songs before the match - Sunday Morning, Lou's Perfect Day (if they win), oh the list goes on and on.

Now, the question for you lot is, what football chant can they sing, VU based, for Mendieta? Answers on an email.

Oh, and Rob, stop signing up for my forum pretending to be footballers. And remind us to send you the Pete Yorn tickets.

Over and out.

posted by Editor at 12:24 PM
Old News.

Quick link update.

Just to let you know, the VU discussion groups have moved, and can now be found here:

http://www.paperdragonstudios.com/page30.html

The groups have always been lots of fun, so go sign up now!

And don't forget to enter TheVelvetUnderground.co.uk first ever competition, to win a copy of NYC Man: The Collection!

posted by Editor at 11:45 AM
Old News.

All things Lou



Sorry, this'll be a big one, but there's big things a happening in the world of Lou Reed.



BBC Radio 2 (yes them again) had an excellent interview with Lou this evening - it's amazing what a difference an interviewer that Lou actually appears to like can do. Whilst I can't find a link to the actual show just now (will report back if it goes online, however Lou did swear on air at 7.30pm so expect the odd beep), for now you'll just have to content yourself with this: A Lou Reed Quiz. I gave up very quickly.



More excitingly, the NYC Man double cd was previewed/reviewed on the show, and the new mixes do seem to bring something to the whole shebang. However, hopefully we'll be able to bring you a lovely review of this soon, courtesy of those lovely people at BMG, who also sent through a press release. So without further ado:-








LOU REED ASSEMBLES CAREER RETROSPECTIVE

‘NYC MAN-THE COLLECTION,’



TWO CD SET SPANS WORK FROM VELVET UNDERGROUND TO THIS YEAR’S THE RAVEN

SET FOR RELEASE JUNE 3 BY BMG HERITAGE


Lou Reed spent much of January 2003 in a NYC studio, assembling the 31track, 2-cd, career-spanning retrospective album ‘NYC Man-The Ultimate Lou Reed Collection,’ set for release June 3rd by BMG Heritage.

Reed was intimately involved -- the quintessential New Yorker selected, sequenced and oversaw the remastering of ‘NYC Man,’ choosing from over 150 source tapes (masters, multi-tracks, reference copies), making this by far the highest quality sounding collection of his work. Reed sequenced ‘NYC Man’ not chronologically, but sonically, organizing and juxtaposing the songs by how they sound next to each other. In fact, ‘NYC Man’ begins with “Who Am I,” in an unreleased alternate take version from Reed’s new album ‘The Raven,’ and ends with Reed¹s 1969 Velvet Underground recording of “Pale Blue Eyes.”

Disc 1
1. Who Am I
2. Sweet Jane
3. Rock 'N' Roll
4. I'm Waiting For The Man
5. White Light/White Heat
6. Street Hassle
7. Berlin
8. Caroline Says
9.The Kids
10. Walk On The Wild Side
11. Kill Your Sons
12. Vicious
13. The Blue Mask
14. I'll Be Your Mirror
15. Magic and Loss
16. Ecstasy

Disc 2
1. I Wanna Be Black
2. Temporary Thing
3. Shooting Star
4. Legendary Hearts
5. Heroin
6. Coney Island Baby
7. The Last Shot
8. The Bells
9. Perfect Day
10. Sally Can't Dance
11. Satellite Of Love
12. NYC Man
13. Dirty Blvd.
14. Rock Minuet
15. Pale Blue Eyes


posted by Editor at 12:58 PM
Old News.

BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 2 have made The Velvet Underground & Nico their featured album of the week!

Clickety Click!

Thanks to Colm for the heads up.

That is all.

posted by Editor at 3:33 AM
Old News.

Lou Reed Tribute CD Released

In the inbox...

To: editor@thevelvetunderground.co.uk
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 10:50 PM
Subject: New LOU REED TRIBUTE CD Just Released


Hi folks,

The U.S.-based indie label Wampus Multimedia has just released 'After Hours: a Tribute to the Music of Lou Reed,' a definitive retrospective of Lou's amazing career. Check it out at:

http://wampus.com/lou.html

The CD is stocked with great VU covers. Please consider a mention on your cool Velvet Underground page. Any questions, just let me know!

Best regards,
Mark Doyon, Wampus Multimedia

In other news, it's my birthday, spread the word!

posted by Editor at 12:29 AM
Old News.

John Cale Biog : The Update

Oh this is pretty damn good. "Sedation & Alchemy", the new John Cale Biog due out shortly is going to have a limited edition 500 copy hardback edition, with a CD contributed and signed by John Cale himself. Not only that but it has a previously unheard, unreleased, unavailable track called "Imitating Violin". For more information, you should check the Peter Owen website.

posted by Editor at 2:35 AM
Old News.

NME Top 10 Albums of all time

And whatdoyaknow... lets see what makes an appearance then shall we?

1. The Stone Roses "The Stone Roses'
2. Pixies 'Doolittle'
3. The Beach Boys 'Pet Sounds'
4. Television 'Marquee Moon'
5. The Beatles 'Revolver'
6. Love 'Forever Changes'
7. The Strokes 'Is This it'
8. The Smiths 'The Queen Is Dead'
9.The Velvet Underground 'The Velvet Underground & Nico'
10. The Sex Pistols 'Never Mind The Bollocks...'

Now it's debatable (oooh, forum anyone?) as to whether or not the Strokes album would feature in a few years time, but sod that, the VU & Nico hits the top 10. And I thought the NME writers were full of shite...

posted by Editor at 11:32 AM
Old News.