The Velvet Underground: The Legendary Guitar Amp Tapes

Our brief look at the iconic artist's musical legacy

Reed is undoubtedly most known for his visionary guitar work and in 1969 a devoted fan captured his brilliance by recording The Velvet Underground’s 13-song set at Boston’s short-lived, experimental concert venue, the Boston Tea Party. Reportedly, the fan recorded the tracks directly from Reed’s guitar amplifier which rendered the vocals almost inaudible, and the result is nearly two hours of beautifully intense strumming known …

The Velvet Underground & Nico: I’ll Be Your Mirror

Our brief look at the iconic artist's musical legacy

In lieu of a musical guilty pleasure this week, we looked to the other aspect of our two-fold PrivateJam series; a deeply personal tune. One of music’s most revered critics, the New Yorker’s Sasha Frere-Jones, penned a deeply heartfelt postscript about Lou Reed, which began with how Reed inspired him to propose to his wife. He explains, “I handed over a small mirror with a …

Lou Reed & Laurie Anderson: Halloween Parade

Our brief look at the iconic artist's musical legacy

Lou Reed is survived by his wife, the multifarious artist and musician Laurie Anderson. The pair often performed together, and the holiday-appropriate video of their Parisian performance of “Halloween Parade” showcases their unique collaborative energy. Anderson’s just-published, tear-inducing obituary for Reed elegantly outlines their relationship: “Lou was a prince and a fighter and I know his songs of the pain and beauty in the world …