In Brief

*** 1/2 The Velvet Underground, “Live MCMXCIII,” Sire. The Velvets were so far ahead of their time that they still sound cutting-edge when reuniting two decades after their prime. This record of June’s three Paris concerts finds the band in fine form, respectful of its legacy but too restless not to monkey with it. Some might prefer the jam time be devoted to “Sister Ray” instead of “Mr. Rain,” but most everything else of note is here. Just be sure to spring for the two-disc, 23-song set over the 10-song single CD.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent).