"If God showed up tomorrow and asked me, 'Do you want to be president?' I’d say, 'No.' 'Do you want to be in politics?' 'No.' 'Do you want to be a lawyer?' 'No.' 'What do you want?' 'I want to be a rhythm guitar player.'"—Lou Reed.
SONG OF THE WEEK: “What Goes On” (Velvet Underground cover)
...In 1968 Lou Reed and Velvet Underground were in a Hollywood studio to put the final touches on their 3rd album (“What Goes On” b/w “Jesus” would be the only single from this LP).
Reed’s manic, solid-perfect guitar is the backbone; He sounded happy to be alive, singing, "Lady be good/Do what you should/It's gonna be all right.” The hypnotic VU original had a trance-y organ, and in concert they’d stretch it to 9-minute otherworldly rumbles. I added this song to my own live set in 2010, then recorded it for my I LIKE THE STREET album. I took it into a power pop-guitar “glam grunge bubblegum” zone…like The Hollies merged with The Posies. Listen here (feedback welcome)
#rhythmguitar #velvetunderground #loureed #hollywood #studio #recording #jesus #MGM #powerpop #glam #grunge #bubblegumpop #hollies #posies #president #lawyer #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge #sanfrancisco #williamsport #pennsylvania #felipetorres