Enjoyed your review of this album, probably the one Velvets album I would own if I could only have one.
I’m an amateur journalist who is working on a biographical piece about Sesnick. You write that he didn’t own the band’s name when he approached Mercury with the tapes. My understanding is that he definitely did own the name. That’s how he got to release Squeeze in 1973. I think what happened is that both he and Lou needed to sign off on the release of 1969 Live and Lou made his agreement to sign contingent on Sesnick giving up his rights to the name. Not sure why he didn’t do that two years earlier with the Max’s live album. Sterling who was generally on good terms with Sesnick but didn’t like 1969 Live, said later “I signed off on it because Steve Sesnick told me he needed the money.” I’ll hopefully have more information when my revisionist history finally comes out.
Hey, Markus. Thanks for reading the piece and for your comments. My contention that Sesnick didn't own the rights came from an interview with Doug Yule. I think it was referring to a period after Squeeze was released, and Yule may have misspoke. The account you give sounds reasonable. I plan to re edit that in my piece, and I thank you for taking the time.
I bought this in mid 70's having got into them truthfully, really only after getting massively into Lou. Which was due to the hits of Transformer but I bought the first solo album with two songs on this and what became my favorite Lou solo work, "Berlin", plus many more over the years. I included 'Berlin' on my Top 100 albums of all time but was tempted to go with 'Rock and Roll Animal' - for the twin guitar leads. Reed and the VU were really solid live, Mo Tucker was an insanely good drummer, reading about and in a way rediscovering this album was fun, thanks for a great read Marshall! I will seek it out on vinyl again.
Enjoyed your review of this album, probably the one Velvets album I would own if I could only have one.
I’m an amateur journalist who is working on a biographical piece about Sesnick. You write that he didn’t own the band’s name when he approached Mercury with the tapes. My understanding is that he definitely did own the name. That’s how he got to release Squeeze in 1973. I think what happened is that both he and Lou needed to sign off on the release of 1969 Live and Lou made his agreement to sign contingent on Sesnick giving up his rights to the name. Not sure why he didn’t do that two years earlier with the Max’s live album. Sterling who was generally on good terms with Sesnick but didn’t like 1969 Live, said later “I signed off on it because Steve Sesnick told me he needed the money.” I’ll hopefully have more information when my revisionist history finally comes out.
Hey, Markus. Thanks for reading the piece and for your comments. My contention that Sesnick didn't own the rights came from an interview with Doug Yule. I think it was referring to a period after Squeeze was released, and Yule may have misspoke. The account you give sounds reasonable. I plan to re edit that in my piece, and I thank you for taking the time.
Yeah I’m familiar with that Yule quote and I figured that’s where you got it. I too think he misspoke. I’ll let you know if I learn anything new.
Weirdly, especially because of the cover, my local public library had a copy of this in the early 70s.
Mine, too, Patrick! In fact, that is where I first heard it. A friend and I listened and said 'this is the evil Velvet Underground?'
Listening to it on Spotify right now
I bought this in mid 70's having got into them truthfully, really only after getting massively into Lou. Which was due to the hits of Transformer but I bought the first solo album with two songs on this and what became my favorite Lou solo work, "Berlin", plus many more over the years. I included 'Berlin' on my Top 100 albums of all time but was tempted to go with 'Rock and Roll Animal' - for the twin guitar leads. Reed and the VU were really solid live, Mo Tucker was an insanely good drummer, reading about and in a way rediscovering this album was fun, thanks for a great read Marshall! I will seek it out on vinyl again.