The Velvet Underground & Nico

The music of The Velvet Underground & Nico was very influential and experimental. With a line up consisting of guitarist Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, an untrained drummer Maureen Tucker, vocalist Nico, and violist and bass John Cale, according to David N. Howard’s book Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings, they became the dark-clouded Eastern antithesis to the West Coast’s euphoric sunshine daydream. According to Musicdox's the Southbank Show internet video, together they created the first alliance between avant-garde and pop music. 

The primary songwriters of the five were Lou Reed and John Cale.

Lou Reed, also known as the King of New York, was a rock’n roller from Long Island, New York. Reed was working as an assembly-line songsmith cranking out throwaways novelty tunes by the dozens for Pickwick Records, according Sonic Alchemy. John Cale, according to Sonic Alchemy, was experimental idealist, highly gifted on piano and violin, his reputation as a child prodigy was solidified after performing an original composition on the BBC when he was only eleven years old. Cale’s talents came to the attention of Aaron Copland, an American composing giant, that arranged a Leonard Bernstein scholarship that allowed Cale to study modern composition in Massachusetts. Reed was the leader of the group and Cale’s musical contribution were crucial the groups albums. 

According to the Southbank Show, famous pop artist Andy Warhol, promoted, supported and produced for The Velvet underground. He also added Nico to the band, produced their album “The Velvet Underground & Nico”, which was released in early 1967, according to Sonic Alchemy.

Their album set them apart from other popular recordings of the mid 1960s was that they sung about sex, drugs, and rock and roll and experimenting with singing off beat. 

Overall the Velvet Underground & Nice has impressed me very greatly. It has giving me ideas and has open my eyes to a whole new way of being creative.

References:

Howard, David N. (June 1, 2004), Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings. Hal Leonard Corporation.

Musicdox, (2011, June) The Southbank Show - The Velvet Underground. Retrieved from http://www.veoh.com/watch/v18444087ZF6xZy9c