The Guardian has reported that New York proto-punk legends The Velvet Underground will reissue their self-titled 1969 album in a deluxe, six-CD set for its 45th anniversary Nov. 24.
Included in the set will be alternate mixes, live recordings and a case-bound book with liner notes from Rolling Stone writer David Fricke. In total, the set will span 65 tracks across six discs.
The first disc will include the album's original stereo mix, while Disc 2 includes frontman Lou Reed's famous "Closet Mix," which emphasizes the guitar and vocals. The third disc includes a mono mix of the album, while the fourth includes an unreleased album recorded in 1969, featuring songs such as "Lisa Says," "I Can't Stand It" and "Ocean," which were later included on the 1985 compilation album VU. The set's last two discs include live tracks recorded at the Matrix in San Francisco in November 1969.
Originally released in March 1969, The Velvet Underground marked a turning point for the massively influential band. It was their third album overall, and their first without multi-instrumentalist John Cale, who left in 1968 and was heavily responsible for the avant-garde sound of Velvet Underground's first two albums.
Cale was replaced by bassist Doug Yule, and instead of continuing with the abrasive noise rock sound of their 1968 sophomore effort White Light/White Heat, the band went in a completely different direction by embracing a folksier, more subdued sound.
Check out "Pale Blue Eyes," one of the highlights from The Velvet Underground:
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