RECORD RACK : VELVET: AT LAST, ABOVE GROUND

“V.U.” The Velvet Underground. Verve/PolyGram. This is the long-lost “fourth” Velvet album that stayed unreleased for 15 years, presumably because it was ahead of its time. It still is. Although most of these 10 tunes later surfaced on various Lou Reed solo albums, bootlegs and the incredible “1969--Live” LP (itself issued in ‘74), there are noticeable differences, particularly in Reed’s vocals--warmer and less affected than in his ‘70s daze. However, all the mystery, tension and stark beauty that was the Velvet Underground remain inviolate and in violet. This is the kind of record that makes you want to get together with some friends and strangers, stay up all night and do crazy things.