The Velvet Underground Unveil New Version Of ‘Sweet Jane’

Fans of the groundbreaking sixties band The Velvet Underground will be buzzing to hear a previously unheard version of the track ‘Sweet Jane’.

The song originally featured on the band’s 1970 LP Loaded, however this alternate take was recorded at The Matrix Club in San Francisco in November 1969.

The unreleased ‘Sweet Jane’ track is included on the Velvet Underground’s new deluxe edition of their 1969 self-titled album.

The reissue is to celebrate the 45th anniversary of The Velvet Underground and will include a never-before released album.

The six-CD set features 65 tracks of various outtakes, alternate mixes, and live recordings. The collection also includes new liner notes penned by David Fricke of Rolling Stone.

Listen to the alternate version of ‘Sweet Jane’ below.

The Velvet Underground was the first record produced and arranged by the band themselves. The LP’s sound marked a definite shift from their first two albums The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) and White Light/White Heat (1968).

The 1969 record consisted mainly of straight rock songs and soft ballads. The Velvet Underground was ranked number 314 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

Hardcore Velvet Underground fans will be most intrigued by the previously unreleased LP, which the group recorded to try and get out of their contract with MGM. It is a ten track album that includes unreleased mixes of songs.

The 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of the 1969 album is available nopw.

Check out a complete track listing for the set below.

DISC ONE: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND

(“The Val Valentin Mix”)

1. CANDY SAYS
2. WHAT GOES ON
3. SOME KINDA LOVE
4. PALE BLUE EYES
5. JESUS
6. BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT
7. I’M SET FREE
8. THAT’S THE STORY OF MY LIFE
9. THE MURDER MYSTERY
10. AFTER HOURS

DISC TWO: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND

(“The Closet Mix”)

1. CANDY SAYS
2. WHAT GOES ON
3. SOME KINDA LOVE
4. PALE BLUE EYES
5. JESUS
6. BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT
7. I’M SET FREE
8. THAT’S THE STORY OF MY LIFE
9. THE MURDER MYSTERY
10. AFTER HOURS
11. BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT (alternate “Closet Mix”)

DISC THREE: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND

(“Promotional Mono Mix”)

1. CANDY SAYS
2. WHAT GOES ON
3. SOME KINDA LOVE
4. PALE BLUE EYES
5. JESUS
6. BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT
7. I’M SET FREE
8. THAT’S THE STORY OF MY LIFE
9. THE MURDER MYSTERY
10. AFTER HOURS

Mono Single released April 1969

1. WHAT GOES ON
2. JESUS

DISC FOUR: 1969 SESSIONS  

1. FOGGY NOTION (original 1969 mix) +
2. ONE OF THESE DAYS (new 2014 mix) +
3. LISA SAYS (new 2014 mix) +
4. I’M STICKING WITH YOU (original 1969 mix) +
5. ANDY’S CHEST (original 1969 mix) +
6. CONEY ISLAND STEEPLECHASE  (new 2014 mix)+
7. OCEAN (original 1969 mix)
8. I CAN’T STAND IT (new 2014 mix) +
9. SHE’S MY BEST FRIEND   (original 1969 mix) +
10. WE’RE GONNA HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME TOGETHER (new 2014 mix) +
11. I’M GONNA MOVE RIGHT IN (original 1969 mix)
12. FERRYBOAT BILL (original 1969 mix)
13. ROCK & ROLL (original 1969 mix)
14. RIDE INTO THE SUN (new 2014 mix) +

+ previously unreleased mixes

DISC FIVE: LIVE AT THE MATRIX

November 26 & 27, 1969 (Part 1)

1. I’M WAITING FOR THE MAN *
2. WHAT GOES ON *
3. SOME KINDA LOVE **
4. OVER YOU *
5. WE’RE GONNA HAVE A REAL GOOD TIME TOGETHER *
6. BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT **
7. LISA SAYS **
8. ROCK & ROLL **
9. PALE BLUE EYES *
10. I CAN’T STAND IT ANYMORE *
11. VENUS IN FURS *
12. THERE SHE GOES AGAIN *

DISC SIX: LIVE AT THE MATRIX

November 26 & 27, 1969 (Part 2)

1. SISTER RAY ***
2. HEROIN *
3. WHITE LIGHT/WHITE HEAT **
4. I’M SET FREE *
5. AFTER HOURS *
6. SWEET JANE **

All mixes previously unreleased.

* previously unreleased performance

** different source mix of this performance appears on 1969: The Velvet Underground Live

*** different source mix of this performance appears on The Quine Tapes Box Set