Disco de The Velvet Underground: “Live At Max's Kansas City: Deluxe Edition [Remaste”

It seems appropriate that rocker-muse Bebe Buell once wrote and sang, "Cut my teeth at Max's Kansas City/My soul is pure rock." It was the original rock'n'roll club, with drag queens, actors, hit singers and underground hits in the same room. It had Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger and then-waittress Debbie Harry hanging out in the same place.

Alas, there hasn't really been a place like Max's Kansas City since. So it seems appropriate that a momentous rock occasion took place there: Lou Reed did his final show with the Velvet Underground. Fortunately, a pal named Brigid Polk taped the whole thing, and this "legitimate bootleg" is a rough-cut little slice of what that night was all about.

It opens with drums being clattered, instruments being tested, and a lot of background chatter. Then Reed offers a dignified intro ("you're allowed to dance, in case you don't know"), before launching into several songs that are primarily from "Loaded" and "White Light/White Heat," with stage chatter between songs.

Apparently Reed unexpectedly changed the second set (on the second disc), including material from the "Nico days," early in the band's existance, including a spare, stripped-down version of "I'll Be Your Mirror," a gentle "Candy Says," a suitably hungover-sounding "Sunday Morning," and the way-too-long "Some Kinda Love."

The album is bootleg quality, especially since they didn't have digital recording then, and Polk used a tape. So it's very fuzzy around the edges, a little incoherent here and there; "Femme Fatale" is downright murky. But it's all in remarkably good shape when one considers that it is from 1970.

And to some degree, its rough quality can be seen as a blessing. People like me -- who were born way after Max's Kansas City faded away -- can get a brief taste of what the nightlife at Max's was like, when fashion, art and pop all collided. So the background voices and clattery tuneups just add to the "you are there" quality.

It's also noteworthy because the songs included are among their best, and because Reed delivers them with so much emotion. There's a certain poignancy to his introduction when one realizes that it would be his last show with the Velvets. And it gives a bit of extra oomph to certain songs like "I'll Be Your Mirror."

"Live At Max's Kansas City" is not the best-quality live album there is. But it is a small slice of the psychedelic nightlife for anyone who wasn't lucky enough to actually go there.

This CD is essential for a few reasons. First, this was literally the END of the Velvet Underground. These two performances were either the very last or the nearly-very-last ones that took place before Lou Reed bolted. Secondly, what these recordings do so well, is nail down an exact place in time and history. Brigid Polk and her cheap tape recorder not only recorded a couple of fantastic VU gigs, but she also recorded the clinking of glasses, across-the-table conversations, and the atmosphere of Max's Kansas City. As another reviewer stated, just close your eyes and you're there.

As for the music, though sound fidelity for obvious reasons isnt primo, it shines through. Doug Yule's brother, Billy, was filling in for a pregnant Moe Tucker on drums and contrary to many, I feel he did a great job. Moe is very good at what she does, but Billy's Rock 'N' Roll drumkit was understated and classy. Some say he was too "frilly" or "fancy"...well, he is a Rock Drummer for cryin' out loud and I think he did great. So There! Sterling, as ever, was immaculate, and Lou sang in a pained and beautiful voice...as if he knew what he was about to do (quit).

Before this disc was OFFICIALLY released, it was slotted to contain several rehearsal tracks. Once it WAS released, well, most of those rehearsal tracks were withheld. My suggestion to you? Try to seek out the ADVANCE PROMO COPY of this disc. It contains rehearsal tracks and a "hidden" 11 minute conversation between Patti Smith and another unnamed denizen of that era.

Though I miss Mo Tucker's drumming on this concert recording (she was on hiatus having a baby at the time!) the sound quality is noticeably improved over the original edition. You also get an extended version of 'Some Kinda Love' and nice live versions of 'Candy Says' and 'I'm Set Free' on this remastered deluxe version. Sell your copy of the old version and get this!

Those new to the Velvet Underground or looking for good live material should first purchase both volumes of the "Live 1969" collection. The 1969 sets were professionally recorded and also feature drummer Mo Tucker, who was not on stage for the Max's KC gig. After digesting Live '69, this disc is worth exploring for a couple of reasons. First, this concert, recorded on a hand-held cassette recorder on 8-23-70, would prove to be Lou Reed's last appearance with the VU until the 1990's. (The band performed additional concerts at Max's KC without Reed and over the next couple years was "led" by Doug Yule. This version of the band, which also included Tucker, released a 1973 import-only album "Squeeze" before disbanding.) So despite the fact that the sound quality is not of the highest fidelity and the foundation of the band is missing, its still a good addition the the VU discography. The setting is intimate and Reed seems relaxed performing before a hometown audience. The set also features songs from the 1970 "Loaded" album which was recorded in the spring and early summer. In summary the relaxed playfulness of "Live At Max's KC" provides an interesting contrast to the focused intensity of the "Live 1969" discs.

This was one of the first VU albums I heard as a kid. A classmate (who I was in a garage band with) had it and we damn near wore out the grooves. It inspired us to get a different bass player and do most of the songs on that record. It sounded great until my buddy's mom said we couldn't play with him 'cause she didn't like his look.

I just recently got this record on CD and had forgotten how great it is. Yeah, the sound quality blows. But, keep in mind, it IS the Velevet Underground. Playing's great. Energy's fantastic. Lou's singing is top notch. And best of all, a fan yells out a request for "Heroin". Lou flatly responds, "We don't do Heroin". You can't write that kinda stuff.