Bootleg Series, Vol. 1: The Quine Tapes

• Artist: The Velvet Underground
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 16, 2001
• Type: Compilation (best of), Box set
• Genre: Rock

Review

Bootleg Series, Vol. 1: The Quine Tapes is a three-CD compilation of live performances from the Velvet Underground. This is likewise the first in presumably a series of recordings documenting the band's concert visage throughout their brief history. This volume is derived from the semi-legit and non-professional recordings of Robert Quine (guitar), who at the time was a fan as well as a friend of the band. During the intervening years, Quine became a founding member of Richard Hell & the Voidoids and later went on to work with guitarist Lou Reed on his 1982 solo album, Blue Mask. A majority of these recordings are from the VU's swing through the San Francisco Bay Area circa late November/early December 1969. Additionally, they reflect the period just prior to embarking upon the Loaded album. This latter-era band includes: Lou Reed (guitar/vocals), Sterling Morrison (guitar/vocals), Doug Yule (bass/organ/vocals), and Maureen "Mo" Tucker (percussion/vocals). Tucker's contributions are of particular note, as this collection features both "After Hours" as well as "I'm Sticking With You," her only VU-related lead vocals. The track list likewise offers a decent sampling from the group's back catalog, including a few tunes that had yet to be issued at the time these recordings were made. Among them are "Ride into the Sun" and "I Can't Stand It" -- which would initially surface on Lou Reed's self-titled debut -- as well as a few tunes that were never issued on a studio album by the band, such as "Over You," and "It's Just Too Much." These titles are likewise available on 1969: Velvet Underground Live. Potential consumers should note that the no-fi sound quality of this release is at the very worst only a minor distraction. For the most part these recordings are clean. Although they are in mono, they are as enjoyable -- if not more so -- than similarly issued releases, such as the previously mentioned 1969: Velvet Underground Live or Live at Max's Kansas City, both of which were unprofessionally documented. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
I'm Waiting for the Man	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(7:46)
It's Just Too Much	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(4:11)
What Goes On	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(8:28)
I Can't Stand It	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(6:23)
Some Kinda Love	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(4:51)
Foggy Notion	Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, Sterling Morrison, Hy Weiss, Doug Yule	The Velvet Underground	(4:44)
Femme Fatale	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(3:17)
After Hours	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(3:05)
I'm Sticking With You	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(2:51)
Sunday Morning	John Cale, Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(2:59)
Sister Ray	John Cale, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, Sterling Morrison	The Velvet Underground	(24:03)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Follow the Leader	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(17:08)
White Light/White Heat	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(10:06)
Venus in Furs	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(5:17)
Heroin	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(8:14)
Sister Ray	John Cale, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, Sterling Morrison	The Velvet Underground	(38:00)

CD 3

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Rock & Roll	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(6:52)
New Age	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(11:21)
Over You	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(2:43)
The Black Angel's Death Song	John Cale, Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(5:56)
I'm Waiting for the Man	Lou Reed	The Velvet Underground	(11:39)
Ride into the Sun	John Cale, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, Sterling Morrison	The Velvet Underground	(11:14)
Sister Ray/Foggy Notion	John Cale, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, Sterling Morrison, Hy Weiss	The Velvet Underground	(28:42)

Credits

Robert Quine (Engineer), Lou Reed (Guitar), Lou Reed (Guitar (Rhythm)), Lou Reed (Vocals), Maureen Tucker (Drums), Maureen Tucker (Vocals), The Velvet Underground (Main Performer), Margaret Goldfarb (Production Coordination), Bill Levenson (Series Producer), Sterling Morrison (Guitar), Sterling Morrison (Guitar (Rhythm)), Sterling Morrison (Vocals), Doug Yule (Organ), Doug Yule (Bass), Doug Yule (Vocals), Doug Yule (Photography), Vartan (Art Direction), Mathieu Bitton (Design), Jeff Willens (Remastering), Jeff Willens (Digital Compilation)