Before forming the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed was a lyricist for other artists at Pickwick Records. Now, his mid-1960s songs, performed by various artists on the label (with occasional contributions from Reed), have been compiled into one album. Releases September 27, Why Aren't You Smiling Now: Lou Reed on Pickwick Records 1964-65 is the product of a collaboration between Light in the Attic, Laurie Anderson and the Lou Reed Archive, following reissues of their last solo album Wind Meditations on the Hudson River and the Velvets demo set Words & Music, May 1965. The opening track, “The Ostrich” by Primitives, features Reed on vocals – listen to it below.
The Primitives song, which Reed co-wrote and performed with Pickwick honcho Terry Phillips, sowed the seeds for the Velvet Underground when John Cale joined the outfit on an early tour. Another song on the record, “Why Don't You Smile” by All Night Workers, was Cale's first credit as a commercial songwriter. shortly after its release, he and Reed left Pickwick to form the Velvet Underground.
John Baldwin restored and remastered the new record, which comes with liner notes by Richie Unterberger, an essay by Lenny Kaye and more. Masaki Koike designed the double-LP package. check out the cover art and tracklist below.
Why Aren't You Smiling Now: Lou Reed on Pickwick Records 1964-65:
