Musical Fancies

Last week, a bootlegged copy of a 1967 live performance of The Velvet Underground surfaced, being the only live recording of the band from that year.  While mostly elaborating on previously recorded material, this recording also includes the previously unreleased single "I'm Not a Young Man Anymore" as well as a 19 minute version of "Sister Ray".  Apparently, this is relatively important news in the rock community, since the recordings are over 40 years old.  Check out the new (I mean, old) V.U. single here.

The saga-metal quartet Man-o-war, who in 1994 shattered The Who's world record of loudest concert (129.5 decibels and 126 decibels, respectively), are the cheesiest musicians alive.  One must wonder if these guys are actually serious.  Here is a 1987 video of their song "Gloves of Metal", in which their rehearsed performance plays out like a Frank Frazetta (Conan the Barbarian, Heavy Metal) calendar.

For those of you who are into Electric Light Orchestra (which should be the case if you like The Beatles), you may be familiar with popular songs like "Telephone Line" and "Strange Magic".  You might not be familiar with the musical efforts of previous E.L.O. band members, such as Roy Wood's doo-wop inspired Wizzard.  Here are videos for "Angel Fingers" and "Rock and Roll Winter".  A quick warning to those who are into contemporary, baby-faced pop:  these guys are kind of ugly.

Lastly, I wanted to post a video of old Sly and The Family Stone rehearsals from 1971.  There are four or five songs in this compilation, including a tear-jerking version of their classic "Stand!".  This is the kind of band practice I would love of be part of.