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I've pretty much given up on Velvet Underground books because of their propensity to rehash old stories or (especially) personal reflections that always fall flat like we want to hear about someone's next door neighbor's best friend who listened to them and died in a motorcycle accident (always happens). However, this four-year-old collection of interviews and whatnot from #1 Velvets fan Ignacio Julia is a different ball of opium. And besides it must have been remaindered because P.D. Fadensonnen got me this book for Christmas and well, the choice was a whole lot more better than had he sent me pre-skidded underwear.
Although it ain't what I could deem "awe inspiring" it sure is a boss effort. For one thing it was written and compiled by one of the bigger Velvet Underground fans out there who's got any clout. Another is that, even though the same old stories seem to be trotted out there's still a lot of interesting turdbits and insight to be found even for an old fanabla like myself who used to have fantasies about reading every article written in every language (translated of course) about the Velvets, or at least whatever is was being written before they ceased being a cult legend and became a name brand. The interviews with all of the band members ('cept for hard-to-gets like Angus Maclise and Electra) and various other fan faves like Lenny Kaye were also great...I mean I'll listen to anything Kaye has to say even it it is about the Grateful Dead or James Taylor, and any bit of ephemera regarding Lou Reed, at least when he was a representative of civilization at its best, is what I'd call much needed in my energy-starved existence. They even dug that hideous creature Jackson Browne up to talk up the early Nico days and although I hate that pitiful example of singer-songwriterdom (and his role in getting Richard Meltzer fired from ROLLING STONE) at least he does some puttying up the gaps in the Velvets information puzzle.
With Constantine Radoulovich and Philip Milstein seemingly MIA for good I'm sure glad that Julia has taken up the general rah rahs regarding the Velvets. And this is a pretty snazz way to do some Velvet Underground cheerleadin'. 's not bad at all...if you can find it in the cheap part of your locak bookstore it might be a read worth the pilferin'.
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