Live

AMG Review of Live

Dave Thompson
All Music Guide

Wrapped within one of the most pointless sleeve designs of the age, and so blanketed beneath sufficient vagueness that it was difficult to tell where the Velvets were when this was recorded, Live was a two-LP package that was reasonably described as having been recorded in 1969, under which name it ultimately became known. In fact, shows in Dallas and San Francisco were culled for the 19 songs here, and together reveal the band as it finally shed the Warhol-whipped reputation that launched it, delving deeper instead into Lou Reed's softer side. "Pale Blue Eyes," "Over You," "Ocean," "New Age," and "Lisa Says" all rank among his most tender ballads, and while there's plenty here to entertain fans who prefer the Velvets when they're shattering glass, Live remains a record for the Loaded crowd, while the rest of us stick with our 1966-1967 bootleg tapes.