Lou Reed – Words & Music May 1965

All tracks previously unreleased

Produced in partnership with Laurie Anderson and the Lou Reed Archive

Inaugural release in Light in the Attic’s Lou Reed Archive Series

Features the earliest-known recordings of “I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Pale Blue Eyes" and “Heroin" as made famous by The Velvet Underground

Includes seven unheard Lou Reed compositions

45 RPM 2LP set pressed on Audiophile-Quality 180-gram black vinyl at RTI

Features the only vinyl release of “I’m Waiting for the Man – May 1965 Alternate Version”

Remastered from the original analog tapes by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer John Baldwin

Package designed by multi-GRAMMY®-winning artist Masaki Koike

Includes bonus 7-inch record, housed in die-cut picture sleeve containing the first-ever vinyl release of six unheard tracks recorded between 1958 and 1964, including early demos, a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” and a doo-wop serenade recorded in ‘58 when the legendary singer-songwriter was just sixteen years old

Saddle-stitched, die-cut 28-page book featuring lyrics, archival photos, and liner notes by Greil Marcus, Don Fleming and Jason Stern

Archival reproduction of letter written by Reed to Delmore Schwartz, circa 1964

Includes CD containing complete audio from the package, housed in die-cut jacket

Entire package housed in stylized, die-cut gatefold LP jacket manufactured by Stoughton Printing Co.

Foil numbered and limited to 7,500 copies worldwide on black vinyl

 

“To hear a tape containing their earliest demos, recorded on May 11, 1965 and locked away until now, is to hear traces of things rarely associated with The Velvet Underground: blues and folk, earthy and traditional, uncertain and hesitant… yet bristling with that rusty, caustic, Lou Reed spirit. It is a revelation.” – Will Hodgkinson, MOJO

 

Light in the Attic Records, in cooperation with Laurie Anderson, proudly announces the inaugural title in their ongoing Lou Reed Archive Series: Words & Music, May 1965. Released in tandem with the late artist’s 80th birthday celebrations, the album offers an extraordinary, unvarnished, and plainly poignant insight into one of America’s true poet-songwriters. Capturing Reed in his formative years, this previously unreleased collection of songs—penned by a young Lou Reed, recorded to tape with the help of future bandmate John Cale, and mailed to himself as a “poor man’s copyright”—remained sealed in its original envelope and unopened for nearly 50 years. Its contents embody some of the most vital, groundbreaking contributions to American popular music committed to tape in the 20th century. Through examination of these songs rooted firmly in the folk tradition, we see clearly Lou’s lasting influence on the development of modern American music—from punk to art-rock and everything in between. A true time capsule, these recordings not only memorialize the nascent sparks of what would become the seeds of the incredibly influential Velvet Underground; they also cement Reed as a true observer with an innate talent for synthesizing and distilling the world around him into pure sonic poetry.

 

Featuring contributions from Reed’s future bandmate, John Cale, Words & Music, May 1965 presents in their entirety the earliest-known recordings of such historic songs as “Heroin,” “I’m Waiting for the Man,” and “Pale Blue Eyes”—all of which Reed would eventually record and make indelibly influential with the Velvet Underground. Also included are several more previously-unreleased compositions that offer additional insight into Reed’s creative process and early influences. Produced by Laurie Anderson, Don Fleming, Jason Stern, Hal Willner, and Matt Sullivan, the album features newly-remastered audio from the original tapes by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer, John Baldwin. Rounding out the package are new liner notes from acclaimed journalist and author, Greil Marcus, plus in-depth archival notes from Don Fleming and Jason Stern, who oversee the Lou Reed Archive.

 

The centerpiece of the inaugural Lou Reed Archive Series release is the Deluxe 45-RPM Double LP Edition of Words & Music, May 1965. Limited to 7,500 copies worldwide, this stunning collection was designed by multi-GRAMMY®-winning artist Masaki Koike and features a stylized, die-cut gatefold jacket manufactured by Stoughton Printing Co., with sequential foil numbering. Housed inside are two 45-RPM 12-inch LPs, pressed on HQ-audiophile-quality 180-gram vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) featuring the only vinyl release of “I’m Waiting for the Man – May 1965 Alternate Version.” A bonus 7-inch, housed in its own unique die-cut picture sleeve and manufactured at Third Man Record Pressing includes the only vinyl release of six previously-unreleased bonus tracks providing a never-before-seen glimpse into Reed’s formative years, including early demos, a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” and a doo-wop serenade recorded in 1958 when the legendary singer-songwriter was just sixteen years old. An accompanying saddle-stitched, die-cut 28-page book features lyrics, archival photos, and liner notes Also included is an archival reproduction of a rarely-seen letter, written by Reed to his college professor and poet, Delmore Schwartz, circa 1964. The set includes a CD containing the complete audio from the package, housed in a die-cut jacket.

 

Words & Music May 1965

 

A1 – I’m Waiting For The Man – 4:43

A2 – Men Of Good Fortune – 4:37

B1 – Heroin – 3:55

B2 – Too Late – 3:12

B3 – Buttercup Song – 4:40

C1 – Walk Alone – 2:56

C2 – Buzz Buzz Buzz – 2:50

C3 – Pale Blue Eyes – 5:02

D1 – Stockpile – 2:35

D2 – Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams – 8:14

D3 – I’m Waiting For The Man (Alternate Version) – 2:06

 

Gee Whiz 1958-1964

 

E1 – Gee Whiz – 1:50

E2 – Baby, Let Me Follow You Down – 1:42

F1 – Michael, Row The Boat Ashore – 1:25

F2 – Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Partial) – 1:12

F3 – W & X, Y, Z Blues – 1:19

F4 – Lou’s 12-Bar Instrumental – 0:32

 

Words & Music May 1965

 

CD-1 – I’m Waiting For The Man – 4:43

CD-2 – Men Of Good Fortune – 4:37

CD-3 – Heroin – 3:55

CD-4 – Too Late – 3:02

CD-5 – Buttercup Song – 4:40

CD-6 – Walk Alone – 2:56

CD-7 – Buzz Buzz Buzz – 2:50

CD-8 – Pale Blue Eyes – 5:02

CD-9 – Stockpile – 2:35

CD-10 – Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams – 8:14

CD-11 – I’m Waiting For The Man – 2:06

CD-12 – Gee Whiz – 1:50

CD-13 – Baby, Let Me Follow You Down – 1:42

CD-14 – Michael, Row The Boat Ashore – 1:25

CD-15 – Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Partial) – 1:19

CD-16 – W & X, Y, Z Blues – 1:12

CD-17 – Lou’s 12-Bar Instrumental – 0:32