The Velvet Underground and Nico Turned into a 6CD Boxset

"This is the way that pop ends," Simon Reynolds wrote, in his incisive cultural survey Retromania. "Not with a bang, but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing." These wise words seem plenty pertinent when surveying the latest reissue of the Velvet Underground's immortal 1967 debut The Velvet Underground and Nico.

On October 1, Universal will issue the album in its latest incarnation: a 6CD(!) boxset filled with all kinds of alternate takes, rarities, and minutia to solicit the obsessive fan. No word on its RRP, but this thing will surely cost the serious fan some serious coin.

As well as stereo and mono versions of the album itself, there's its 'sister' album, Nico's Chelsea Girls, and a host of live recordings on stage, in studio, and at Andy Warhol's factory. Let's see if you make it through to disc four...

The Velvet Underground and Nico Box Set Track List:
Disc One:
The Velvet Underground & Nico [Stereo Version]:
1. "Sunday Morning"
2. "I'm Waiting for the Man"
3. "Femme Fatale"
4. "Venus in Furs"
5. "Run Run Run"
6. "All Tomorrow's Parties"
7. "Heroin"
8. "There She Goes Again"
9. "I'll Be Your Mirror"
10. "The Black Angel's Death Song"
11. "European Son"
12. "All Tomorrow's Parties [Alternate Single Voice Version]"
13. "European Son [Alternate Version]"
14. "Heroin [Alternate Version]"
15. "All Tomorrow's Parties [Alternate Instrumental Mix]"
16. "I'll Be Your Mirror [Alternate Mix]"

Disc Two:
The Velvet Underground & Nico [Mono Version]:
1. "Sunday Morning"
2. "I'm Waiting for the Man"
3. "Femme Fatale"
4. "Venus in Furs"
5. "Run Run Run"
6. "All Tomorrow's Parties"
7. "Heroin"
8. "There She Goes Again"
9. "I'll Be Your Mirror"
10. "The Black Angel's Death Song"
11. "European Son"
12. "All Tomorrow's Parties [July 1966]"
13. "I'll Be Your Mirror [Alternate Ending, July 1966]"
14. "Sunday Morning [Alternate Mix, December 1966]"
15. "Femme Fatale [December 1966]"

Disc Three:
Nico, Chelsea Girl:
1. "The Fairest of the Seasons"
2. "These Days"
3. "Little Sister"
4. "Winter Song"
5. "It Was a Pleasure Then"
6. "Chelsea Girls"
7. "I'll Keep It With Mine"
8. "Somewhere There's a Feather"
9. "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"
10. "Eulogy to Lenny Bruce"

Disc Four:
Scepter Studios Sessions:1. "European Son [Alternate Version]"
2. "The Black Angel's Death Song [Alternate Mix]"
3. "All Tomorrow's Parties [Alternate Version]"
4. "I'll Be Your Mirror [Alternate Version]"
5. "Heroin [Alternate Version]"
6. "Femme Fatale [Alternate mix]"
7. "Venus in Furs [Alternate Version]"
8. "Waiting for the Man [Alternate Version]"
9. "Run Run Run [Alternate Mix]"
The Factory Rehearsals [January 1966]:
10. "Walk Alone"
11. "Cracking Up/Venus in Furs"
12. "Miss Joanie Lee"
13. "Heroin"
14. "There She Goes Again [with Nico]"
15. "There She Goes Again"

Disc Five:
Live at Valleydale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio:
1. "Melody Laughter"
2. "Femme Fatale"
3. "Venus in Furs"
4. "The Black Angel's Death Song"
5. "All Tomorrow's Parties [Lou Reed]"

Disc Six:
Live at Valleydale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio:
1. "Waiting for the Man"
2. "Heroin"
3. "Run Run Run"
4. "The Nothing Song"