by David Chiu
(Band photo by Billy Name via eBay/WikiMedia Commons) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Velvet_Underground_1968_by_Billy_Name.png)
This past year marked the 50th anniversary of the Velvet Underground’s classic and hugely influential debut album The Velvet Underground and Nico, an occasion that former Velvet John Cale marked with concerts in New York City last November. Now the band’s greatest works in addition to that record are being released on Feb. 23 as The Velvet Underground, a limited-edition six-vinyl album set, featuring: The Velvet Underground and Nico, White Light/White Heat, The Velvet Underground, and Loaded, the last album featuring Lou Reed. Also included in the set are Chelsea Girl, the solo debut of Velvets singer Nico, which also contains songs written by Reed and John Cale along with an emerging singer/songwriter named Jackson Browne. The main highlight of this set is the recreated lost 1969 album that features tracks recorded by the Velvets that was planned as their fourth album but was either rejected by MGM or shelved by the band (those tracks were subsequently released on compilation records). The Velvet Underground box also contains a 48-page booklet with a foreword by founding drummer Maureen Tucker.
Here’s the track list for the set, according to a press release:
The Velvet Underground and Nico (March 1967)
Side One
1. Sunday Morning
2. I’m Waiting For The Man
3. Femme Fatale
4. Venus In Furs
5. Run Run Run
6. All Tomorrow’s Parties
Side Two
1. Heroin
2. There She Goes Again
3. I’ll Be Your Mirror
4. The Black Angel’s Death Song
5. European Son
Nico: Chelsea Girl (October 1967)
Side One
1. The Fairest of the Seasons
2. These Days
3. Little Sister
4. Winter Song
5. It Was A Pleasure Then
Side Two
1. Chelsea Girls
2. I’ll Keep It With Mine
3. Somewhere There’s a Feather
4. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
5. Eulogy To Lenny Bruce
White Light/White Heat (January 1968)
Side One
1. White Light/White Heat
2. The Gift
3. Lady Godiva’s Operation
4. There She Comes Now
Side Two
1. I Heard Her Call My Name
2. Sister Ray
The Velvet Underground (March 1969)
Side One
1. Candy Says
2. What Goes On
3. Some Kinda Love
4. Pale Blue Eyes
5. Jesus
Side Two
1. Beginning To See The Light
2. I’m Set Free
3. That’s The Story Of My Life
4. The Murder Mystery
5. After Hours
1969 (recorded May – October 1969)
Side One
1. Foggy Notion (original 1969 mix)
2. One Of The Days (2014 mix)
3. Lisa Says (2014 mix)
4. I’m Sticking With You (original 1969 mix)
5. Andy’s Chest (original 1969 mix)
Side Two
1. I Can’t Stand It (2014 mix)
2. She’s My Best Friend (original 1969 mix)
3. We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (2014 mix)
4. I’m Gonna Move Right In (original 1969 mix)
5. Ferryboat Bill (original 1969 mix)
Side Three
1. Coney Island Steeplechase (2014 mix)
2. Ocean (original 1969 mix)
3. Rock & Roll (original 1969 mix)
4. Ride Into The Sun (2014 mix)
Side Four – Bonus Tracks
1. Hey Mr. Rain (version one)
2. Guess I’m Falling In Love instrumental version)
3. Temptation Inside Your Heart (original mix)
4. Stephanie Says (original mix)
5. Hey Mr. Rain (version two)
6. Beginning To See The Light (early version)
Loaded (November 1970)
Side One
1. Who Loves The Sun
2. Sweet Jane
3. Rock & Roll
4. Cool It Down
5. New Age
Side Two
1. Head Held High
2. Lonesome Cowboy Bill
3. I Found A Reason
4. Train Round The Bend
5. Oh! Sweet Nuthin’
NewBeats 
