Sounds very clear and warm. I believe this pressing is mastered from the analogue tape.

This pressing sounds muddy. Too compressed. Later pressing like Japan first sounds much better.

When you play this record, Lou is singing in front of you. This is the best pressing of the Closet mix.

Never reviewed this back when I first got it, but I LOVE the way this release sounds.If someone were to ask you “What’s so great about vinyl?”, I’d recommend playing just a sample of this album via “Candy Says” w/ headphones on; the subtleties that come to life through this medium & make one’s inner ear tingle are enough to convert even the most rigid skeptic...but maybe I’m a bit biased. ????

Good quality and pressing on my version. Nice blue color.

Hello can someone tell me if this is the first pressing or not?

No, I believe The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground is the earliest East Coast pressing, and The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground ("ASCAP edition") the earliest West Coast - they both match the white & yellow-label promos at least.

I bought this to listen to as my other copy is too valuable and I didn't do any research on this release. It's by far the worst pressing in my collection. Tons of crackles and pops. Loud ones throughout the record. Do not buy this version and always do research first.

Colour vinyl will more often than not be problematic, pops and crackles running rampant.

This version is NOT the "closet mix". That info should be fixed so people aren't misled like I just was.

My copy is "MADE IN HOLLAND" on label plus minimal differences in runout

Nice pressing, like others have said not the closet mix. Still a nice, quiet vinyl. Only question is who decided on the yellow MGM label from the 50s? Wish they had used the Blue/gold like the original.

Testimonials on Hoffman threads consistently state that this 1971 UK reissue (2nd UK version) sounds excellent, many stating that it’s one of the best sounding pressings, if not the best of VU’s 3rd s/t album, especially of Reed’s closet mix... http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/the-velvet-underground-vinyl-comparison-thread.386306/

I have seen these offered as "vintage" test pressings because of rainbow beeing around this long..there is a mono vu and nico of this ca. year 2000 series on popsike that sold for 600$ as a "vintage" ..but..they are not ! so..beware!

Does anyone know which mix this is , valentin or Closet ?

Does anyone know which mix this is , valentin or Closet ?

Does anyone know which mix this is , valentin or Closet ?

From credicts on the back - Director of Engineering: Val Valentin.

Never knew about the other Valentin mix, nice to have this one.

The albums' all about the song "Pale Blue Eyes" ...Not being one of the band’s favorite albums for most people, nearly all of the songs found on this outing are themed regarding freedom and love … though for me, the album was all about the song “Pale Blue Eyes,” which was rumored to have been considered as a B-Side, and as part of an EP, though never seemed to actually materialize. Rolling Stone magazine said, ”Pale Blue Eyes” is a folky ballad that never really gets off the ground either musically or lyrically.It’s seldom in our short sweet lives that we’re able to remember a seminal moment in our musical history, with “Pale Blue Eyes,” a haunting, almost frighteningly deeply personal relentlessly touching number laced with emotional longing and sadness that documents an experience that most of us have shared, though have been unable to bring into existence outside of our splintered souls, being that seminal moment for me.The song was a brilliant success in my mind, both lyrically, emotionally and musically, with the fact that it didn’t really get off the ground making it all that more accessible and personal. “Pale Blue Eyes” had every element that would define my musical existence and serve as a temple, encapsulating at every turn all that I’d be looking for in music for the rest of my life. Of course the band Love would deliver the chilling “Signed D.C.” along with “A Message to Pretty,” but on a whole, these sort of low keyed, low flying songs were seldom delivered, seldom given voice, and never was an album themed along these lines until Spacemen 3 presented Perfect Prescription in 1989, and later The Darkside would float the more soaring, yet cut from the same cloth All That Noise, albums that just shivered me to the bone, making me realize that I wasn’t alone in my desire to capture these elusive moments of laid back, nearly drugged out, emotional stoner laced bits of intoxication that floated in darkness, seemed to singularly exist within the construct for those with damaged souls, and the need to touch the wounds. Of course, then came Galaxie 500, and their three releases that breathed the same collective breath as mine, beat at the same heartbeat level and structured every chord, every note, and every verse around the emotional angst that’s hung around me like a hazy fog of interpersonal satisfaction.These sort of songs are not meant to be shared with others, they’re designed to encompass those personal moments when one is alone with their own thoughts, their own shattered existence, though are neatly, almost embarrassingly tucked away, like a tattoo one keeps covered, because it reveals far too much as to the nature of one’s being.As to the album as a whole, this was The Velvet Undergrounds third release, and their first with Doug Yule who was replacing John Cale, where they attempted to settle things down and bring a calmness to their music. There were other changes as well, with Yule singing the opening track “Candy Says,” and this time out, recorded in sunny California.*** The Fun Facts: It’s claimed that the song “Pale Blue Eyes” was inspired by Shelley Albin who actually had hazel eyes, with Reed noting this in his book “Between Thought and Expression”, Lou Reed’s first true love [while at Syracuse University], and who was married to another man at the time. Shelley Albin would agin be referenced in the song “New Age” from the Loaded album. “New Age” in its original text includes a reference to Lou Reed’s bi-sexuality when he wrote “It seems to be my fancy to make it with Frank and Nancy.” Though later, the studio version is written from the point of view of a fan addressing a “fat blonde actress.” The song “Candy Says” was about Candy Darling, a Warhol Factory hanger-on who would again make an appearance on the Lou Reed song, “Walk On The Wild Side.”As to the album artwork, the images were taken by Billy Name, with whom Reed was also having a sexual relationship, and inspired the song “Some Kind Of Love,” saying that "No kinds of love are better than others ..." Billy was another Warhol Factory regular who’s skull & dagger tattoo showed up on the cover of White Light White Heat. The cover photo was taken with the band sitting on the infamous couch in The Silver Factory, and shows Lou Reed holding a copy of the magazine Harper’s Bazaar, dated October 1968.Review by Jenell Kesler

Hi, does anyone know of a white (vs black) background version of this album? Same picture, just on a white backdrop.I quickly saw one yesterday, in someone's collection. I didn't get the details, but can't find any reference to it on Discogs. The guy had a bunch of VU stuff, all orginal, he bought back in the day. Said the cover is rare....it must be, I can't find mention of it. Thanks!

speaking of classic : confident and passionate a laid back self examination *****

This version actually sounds really good. Pretty surprised when I picked it up for only $10

Val Valentin's, not Lou's Closet Mix. Too bad, since the '85 Valentin reissue is pretty easy to find. I'd like a nice quiet copy of the rarer Closet Mix. Should have been a double with both in a gatefold.

Could someone let me know if they're selling the 'Bedroom Mix' of this disc ? My understanding is that the different mixes are so radically different as to be nearly different versions. The version I have came with a Velvets boxed set in the early 90s. It's a great record but I didn't notice any special intimacy in the production. So if you have the Bedroom Mix for a reasonable price (10ish or less but I'm flexible) please let me know and you've got a sale. [email protected]

"The Murder Mystery" incorrectly listed at 8:35. The full lenght is 8:55.

This is a really solid pressing if you are looking for the "Closet Mix" and don't want to spend a fortune. I Recently picked up a copy and it sounds amazing.

This canadian release does not have Lou Reed's closet mix.

That is correct. This Canada issue was mixed by Val Valentin. However the listing has now been updated to reflect that.

Does anyone else find their pressing a little "noisy" ? Purchased mine new from HMV and experiencing some bad clipping.

Yeah it does a little. Kind of a bassy sound.

There's too much bass on this pressing, causing some noise/saturation sometimes... it harms the original sweet feel of this album, that's a shame...

I have a 165g transparent blue vinyl version not in Discogs. Looks similar to the European release but with yellow MGM as this US release.

This edition consists of the Val Valentin mix rather than the Lou Reed "closet" mix.

Does anyone know if this is the "Closet Mix" or the Valentin mix? Previous MGM 180gram repress had Valentin mix and apparently sounded like it was mastered from CD, can anyone who has listened to this one comment on the mix and sound quality of vinyl please?

Really nice pressing on this one! Strong and bold vocals, really enjoy hearing Lou play through these songs. My favourite.

One of the greatest classic albums-Lou Reed's lyrics are superb and experimental - Some Kinda Love is a standout, and the "closet" version appears on this west German CD release, along with a handful of others that are different than Val Valentin's versions

WHAT IS THIS VERSION.... The reissues on this LP are a nightmare.....

A very few people received truncated versions of the Matrix songs in 2006 as seeds to trigger a write-in campaign to get Universal to finally cough up the money the owner of the tapes was after. It shouldn't have been too hard - after all, way back when, Universal had taken (ahem) several of the Matrix songs and released them on 1969 Live and then paid the owner after the album's release and after being taken to court and sued for theft. An example of taking a bootleg and making an official release where the record company was dodgier than the bootleg owner. But Universal for 1969 Live took songs from second-or third-generation pressings. The Matrix are 1st generation, the rightful owner has finally provided access, and the finest-sounding live Velvets from the 1960's is now available in full at last!

Probably the best, and most listenable, of the three 'super-deluxes'. The two Matrix discs are outstanding. I had no idea that this stuff was available in such stunning quality. Puts the Quine Tapes and even 1969 Live into the shade (some tracks appear on both but in inferior quality). There's more to come from the Matrix apparently - so 2015 might be a good year for VU fans.The Matrix club in San Francisco was part-owned by Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane and it had its own recording equipment built in - hence the great quality.

Only just seen your post = apologies for tardy reply. If you care to wade through this thread on the Velvet Forum http://akson.sgh.waw.pl/~kg23187/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=144840 you may find out more (its 30+ pages long and I haven't got the time atm, sorry!). There is more VU Matrix material out there - this 45th anniverary set is not the end of it. But - the info is quite vague at the moment.... have a look through anyway - these guys know what they are talking about with the VU. Some of them even help out with the compiling etc. Polydor are also unlikely to give us it all in one go - when they can milk more money out of the tapes.In the meantime - the 6cd set is def worth getting. The 2 Matrix cds are mind-blowing and the 37 minute Sister Ray is worth the price on its own.

Hi there,Where have you heard that there is more forthcoming form Matrix tapes? I am debating whether to buy 2CD release (with fewer Matrix tracks) and Deluxe 6CD (with more tracks, obviously) and knowing that there will be more to come - a couple complete concerts even? - might help me make my decision.Anything you can provide info-wise would be appreciated,Gary

As far as I know none of the represses have the Closet mix. They sound like they were mastered from the 1996 CD.

This has Lou Reeds mix of Some Kinda Love. The record sounds absolutely incredible

Beautiful pressing. Love listening to this copy.Should also be noted that my copy plays the Valentin mix. Sounds like everybody has this mix on their copy...

Mine is not Closet Mix. Also it's VERY hard to see the track breaks. Still, a very nice sounding reissue. I'll have to play my old one to hear the beautiful Closet version of "Some Kinda Love."

The story goes that MGM USA supplied the wrong masters to the UK in 1969 and the very first pressing of The Velvet Underground's third album has a mix by Val Valentin which differs substantially to the later 'Closet Mix' (apparently done by Lou Reed). The difference is most notable on Some Kinda Love which is actually a completely different take of the song. Reed's singing is very different (not so 'sexed up'), the lyrics are slightly different and the sound is brighter and more defined, especially on the guitars. The cowbell is also lower down on the Valentin mix. No one knows for sure how many copies of the first issue were pressed but estimates are 250-300 of the 1G matrix pressing and about the same for the 1-R. After this limited first UK issue all subsequent pressings were the 'closet mix'. The closet mix was also used in all other territories.The 1999 Simply Vinyl SVLP 110, November 1999 pressing is also supposed to be the Valentin mix but I haven't heard it to confirm.As stated in the notes - the album's artwork is also different to the later issues. The image of Lou is split horizontally on the back sleeve of this UK issue only. The name of the band is also set higher on the front cover.

I have a very nice looking copy of this album, with only hairline visible scratches, but it sounds TERRIBLE! Of course, it's largely a very quiet album and so inevitably surface noise will seem more intrusive, but still... are there a lot of poor pressings of this record or am I just unlucky?

I’m a bit late here but I have one in NM and it sounds great. Hope this helps :)

Same here.

Definitely one of my favorite records ever. Some of the songs are just so calming, like Candy Says and Pale Blue Eyes, lacking that aggressiveness of Heroin from the Velvet Underground and Nico, instead honing in on that blissful apathy of the drug itself. In other places though the record shows some real nice experiments, e.g. The Murder Mystery, which i've heard in so many post-punk (revival) sounds, with its odd structure and krautrock-like piano jam ending. The ending couldn't be nicer with Moe Tucker playing us out with such a nice voice, just like on I'm Sticking With You. This is the perfect driving at night record.

Lou Reed's Mix...

warning-- not every 180 gram MGM pressing of this reissue contains the "closet mix." the one i just bought doesn't.

missing "VELVET UNDERGROUND - The Velvet Underground" (Rare 1969 first issue German pressed Stereo 10-track vinyl LP on the MGM blue and gold label. 665114)

My matrix codes read:Side 1: SE4617 Side1 MGS 1824 Rev. FinalSide 2: SE4617 Side2 MGS 1825 Rev. FinalWhat does this mean? Anyone know?Addendum: Found out, just another run.