Baker's Dozen: J Mascis On His 13 Favourite Records | Page 12 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

11. The Velvet Underground – 1969: The Velvet Underground Live

When I was a kid I had this book of Rolling Stone’s top albums, and a lot of the critics had this record in their top 10, so this was the one I bought. It was the first Velvet Underground album I had; I heard this before any of their studio albums. I think it’s awesome. I bought all the other ones after, too, but something about it is so cool: it’s just the band playing, instead of Nico or all the fanfare with Andy Warhol. There’s something pure about it. I heard ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’ on this album first, with Doug Yule singing, and I still like it better than the version with Nico singing.

PreviousNext Record

Don’t Miss The Quietus Digest

Start each weekend with our free email newsletter.

Help Support The Quietus in 2025

If you’ve read something you love on our site today, please consider becoming a tQ subscriber – our journalism is mostly funded this way. We’ve got some bonus perks waiting for you too.

Subscribe Now