"Follow the Leader": The Velvets VS Lou Reed

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Inspired in part by the recent post about the Quine Tapes, I'm wondering: does anyone else rate this song? After hearing it on the Quine Tapes I broke out ol' Rock and Roll Heart and left this track on repeat for the better part of an evening. Great song either way, but I think the Velvets could've done something more interesting with it had they kept it in their repertoire. Lou's coked-up version is deep in the pocket and a great groove, but somewhat obscures the simple and enchanting chord changes of the original.

I know only 8 people on the planet remember Rock and Roll Heart, but one of them must have found their way here. Yes?

― Possum Slimm, Friday, 11 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

deep down inside... haven't heard the quine tapes yet so cannot comment...hard to compare velvets vs lou - both are so different in terms of sound, vision etc.

― geoff, Friday, 11 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

To clarify, I didn't mean to compare Lou and the Velvets in a general sense, but only with respect to this song.

― Possum Slimm, Friday, 11 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Depends on what albums you compare.
The First 4 Velvet disks vs "Rock & Roll Heart", "Take No Prisoners", "Mistrial" and "Set the Twilight Reeling.": Velvets Win.

The First 4 Velvet disks vs "Transformer", "Berlin", "New York" and "Magic & Loss": Um...the Velvets still win, but after a long a bloody battle.

― Lord Custos, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

this seems like kind of a narrow question...I think most people are gonna argue that the velvets triumph over Reed solo on most of the common songs. Anyway, has there been a thread about the best post VU release by any member? Well, i'll just start one...

― g, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Rock and Roll heart is terrible. the album that is. I have two copies of the LP.

Lou never topped his work with the velvets, for voice reasons alone. Berlin, Street Hassle, Growing Up In Public, and Ecstasy all top particular aspects of the VU, however.

― Sterling Clover, Monday, 14 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Really? Gimme details. I've only heard Berlin.

― Lord Custos, Tuesday, 15 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

four years pass...

"Rock and Roll Heart" is shockingly good, to me

― A Viking of Some Note (Andrew Thames), Sunday, 14 May 2006 04:31 (nineteen years ago)

I'm delighted that there's a thread like this! I love the Quine tapes version - in fact it was my favourite song on that whole thing, then later I heard the Lou version and thought "wow this is funky!". Didn't play that version enough though. Must pull it out now for a reevaluation.

― honorary joy division roadie (Bimble...), Sunday, 14 May 2006 06:17 (nineteen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.