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Peel Slowly and See

The Velvet Underground

Album 1995

About this album

Sound: "A sprawling collection that captures the Velvet Underground's raw experimentalism and lyrical intensity across demos, live tracks, and studio versions."

Where they were

Released in 1995, 'Peel Slowly and See' is a comprehensive box set chronicling The Velvet Underground's influential career. By this time, the band had already solidified their status as avant-garde pioneers since their formation in the mid-1960s, following their breakup in 1973. This compilation serves both as a retrospective of their artistic journey and an introduction for new listeners to their groundbreaking sound.

Why it matters

'Peel Slowly and See' stands out for its extensive archival content, showcasing a wealth of unreleased demos and live recordings that reveal the band's creative process. It has been praised for its historical significance, contributing to the band's legacy by highlighting their influence on rock music and alternative genres. The set is regarded as essential listening for understanding not just The Velvet Underground but also the broader context of 20th-century music innovation.

Essential tracks

  • "Heroin (demo)" — This demo encapsulates the haunting atmosphere and lyrical complexity typical of the band's most famous works, illustrating their ability to tackle dark themes with stark honesty.
  • "Venus in Furs (demo)" — The demo version showcases the raw energy and avant-garde elements that define the band's sound, making it a crucial piece for understanding their artistic vision.
  • "Sweet Jane (full length version)" — As one of their most celebrated songs, this full-length recording exemplifies their blend of melodic structure with lyrical depth, showcasing their impact on rock music.
  • "All Tomorrow’s Parties (single version)" — This track's inclusion in the box set highlights the band's early experimentation with sound and societal themes, cementing its place in the history of alternative music.

Release Date

September 26, 1995

Artist Origin

United States

Tracklist

Disc 1

  1. 1 Venus in Furs (demo) 15:36
  2. 2 Prominent Men (demo) 4:53
  3. 3 Heroin (demo) 13:33
  4. 4 I’m Waiting for the Man (demo) 9:49
  5. 5 Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (demo) 15:50
  6. 6 All Tomorrow’s Parties (demo) 18:25

Disc 2

  1. 1 All Tomorrow’s Parties (single version) 2:54
  2. 2 Sunday Morning 2:57
  3. 3 I’m Waiting for the Man 4:42
  4. 4 Femme Fatale 2:41
  5. 5 Venus in Furs 5:14
  6. 6 Run Run Run 4:24
  7. 7 All Tomorrow’s Parties 6:02
  8. 8 Heroin 7:14
  9. 9 There She Goes Again 2:43
  10. 10 I’ll Be Your Mirror 2:15
  11. 11 The Black Angel’s Death Song 3:13
  12. 12 European Son 7:50
  13. 13 Melody Laughter (live) 10:47
  14. 14 It Was a Pleasure Then 8:07
  15. 15 Chelsea Girls 7:24

Disc 3

  1. 1 There Is No Reason (demo) 2:13
  2. 2 Sheltered Life (demo) 2:54
  3. 3 It’s All Right (The Way That You Live) (demo) 2:48
  4. 4 I’m Not Too Sorry (Now That You’re Gone) (demo) 2:18
  5. 5 Here She Comes Now (demo) 2:47
  6. 6 Guess I’m Falling in Love (live) 4:13
  7. 7 Booker T. (live) 6:32
  8. 8 White Light/White Heat 2:47
  9. 9 The Gift 8:19
  10. 10 Lady Godiva’s Operation 4:56
  11. 11 Here She Comes Now 2:04
  12. 12 I Heard Her Call My Name 4:38
  13. 13 Sister Ray 17:31
  14. 14 Stephanie Says 2:54
  15. 15 Temptation Inside Your Heart 2:32
  16. 16 Hey Mr. Rain (version one) 4:40

Disc 4

  1. 1 What Goes On (live) 5:38
  2. 2 Candy Says (closet mix) 4:05
  3. 3 What Goes On (closet mix) 4:37
  4. 4 Some Kinda Love (closet mix) 3:41
  5. 5 Pale Blue Eyes (closet mix) 5:42
  6. 6 Jesus (closet mix) 3:28
  7. 7 Beginning to See the Light (closet mix) 4:49
  8. 8 I’m Set Free (closet mix) 4:08
  9. 9 That’s the Story of My Life (closet mix) 2:07
  10. 10 The Murder Mystery (closet mix) 9:00
  11. 11 After Hours (closet mix) 2:12
  12. 12 Foggy Notion 6:49
  13. 13 I Can’t Stand It 3:23
  14. 14 I’m Sticking With You 2:31
  15. 15 One of These Days 4:02
  16. 16 Lisa Says 2:58
  17. 17 It’s Just Too Much (live) 3:01
  18. 18 Countess From Hong Kong (demo) 3:17

Disc 5

  1. 1 Who Loves the Sun 2:45
  2. 2 Sweet Jane (full length version) 4:08
  3. 3 Rock and Roll 4:45
  4. 4 Cool It Down 3:06
  5. 5 New Age (full length version) 5:10
  6. 6 Head Held High 2:58
  7. 7 Lonesome Cowboy Bill 2:45
  8. 8 I Found a Reason 4:17
  9. 9 Train Round the Bend 3:22
  10. 10 Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ 7:30
  11. 11 Satellite of Love 3:02
  12. 12 Walk and Talk 2:22
  13. 13 Oh Gin 2:46
  14. 14 Sad Song 3:33
  15. 15 Ocean 5:46
  16. 16 Ride Into the Sun 3:24
  17. 17 Some Kinda Love (live) 10:21
  18. 18 I’ll Be Your Mirror (live) 2:09
  19. 19 I Love You 2:03

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