Live at Max's Kansas City

Live at Max's Kansas City
Name	Live at Max's Kansas City
Artist	The Velvet Underground
Released	1972
Recorded	August 1970
Genre	Rock music, Art rock
Label	Cotillion Records
Producer	The Velvet Underground

Live at Max's Kansas City is a live album by the American rock music band The Velvet Underground, recorded in August 1970 at Max's Kansas City, a famous nightclub in New York City, owned by Mickey Ruskin. The album features performances by Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker, and Doug Yule, and includes songs from their previous albums, such as The Velvet Underground & Nico and White Light/White Heat. The Velvet Underground was a major part of the New York City music scene, which also included bands like The New York Dolls and Television (band), and was closely associated with artists like Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick. The band's music was also influenced by John Cale, a founding member of The Velvet Underground, who had left the band in 1968.

Background

The Velvet Underground was formed in 1965 by Lou Reed and John Cale, and was known for their experimental and avant-garde sound, which was influenced by Marcel Duchamp, John Cage, and La Monte Young. The band's early work was closely tied to the Factory (Warhol), a studio and gathering place for artists and musicians, where they would often perform and record. The Velvet Underground's music was also influenced by Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, and they were a major part of the 1960s counterculture movement, which included events like the Summer of Love and the Woodstock Music & Art Fair. The band's live performances were often chaotic and unpredictable, with Lou Reed's deadpan vocals and Sterling Morrison's guitar work creating a unique sound that was both rock music and art rock. The Velvet Underground was also associated with other notable musicians, including Nico (singer), David Bowie, and Iggy Pop.

Recording

The album was recorded in August 1970 at Max's Kansas City, a nightclub in New York City that was a popular venue for rock music and punk rock bands. The recording was made by Brigid Berlin, a member of Andy Warhol's Factory, who used a portable recorder to capture the band's performance. The recording features the band performing songs from their previous albums, as well as some new material, including Lou Reed's "Heroin (song)". The Velvet Underground's live performances were often recorded by Brigid Berlin and other members of the Factory, and these recordings would later be released as part of the band's live albums. The band's music was also influenced by The Stooges, The MC5, and other Detroit rock bands, and they were a major part of the proto-punk movement, which included bands like The New York Dolls and Television (band).

Release

The album was released in 1972 on Cotillion Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. The album was not widely released, and it was not until later that it gained popularity as a cult classic. The Velvet Underground's music was also released on other labels, including Verve Records and MGM Records, and they were a major part of the 1960s music scene, which included bands like The Doors, The Byrds, and The Mamas & the Papas. The band's live performances were often reviewed by critics like Robert Christgau and Lester Bangs, who wrote for publications like The Village Voice and Creem (magazine).

Reception

The album received positive reviews from critics, who praised the band's energetic and unpredictable live performance. The album has since been recognized as a classic of live rock music, and it has been influential to many other bands, including The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and R.E.M.. The Velvet Underground's music was also influential to David Bowie, who covered their song "(I'll Be Your) Mirror" on his album Hunky Dory (album). The band's live performances were also praised by critics like Greil Marcus and Nick Kent, who wrote for publications like Rolling Stone and New Musical Express.

Track listing

The album features the following tracks: Lou Reed's Heroin (song), Sister Ray, Pale Blue Eyes, and I'll Be Your Mirror. The album also includes performances by Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker, and features songs from the band's previous albums, including The Velvet Underground & Nico and White Light/White Heat. The Velvet Underground's music was also influenced by The Kinks, The Who, and other British Invasion bands, and they were a major part of the 1960s rock music scene, which included events like the Monterey Pop Festival and the Isle of Wight Festival.

Personnel

The album features performances by Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker, and Doug Yule. The album was produced by The Velvet Underground, and was recorded by Brigid Berlin. The Velvet Underground's music was also influenced by John Cale, who left the band in 1968 and went on to form The Theatre of Eternal Music with La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela. The band's live performances were often chaotic and unpredictable, with Lou Reed's deadpan vocals and Sterling Morrison's guitar work creating a unique sound that was both rock music and art rock. The Velvet Underground was also associated with other notable musicians, including Nico (singer), David Bowie, and Iggy Pop, and was a major part of the New York City music scene, which included bands like The New York Dolls and Television (band).

Category:Live albums