There certainly wasn’t a lot of music in mid to late 1960’s that sounded like the Velvet Underground – or at least went to the wild places they did. In 1968 the VU released their sophomore album, the raw and aggressive White Light/White Heat. Indeed all killer and no filler, their second landmark album closed with the epic 17 and a half minute rocker / sound mess, “Sister Ray”.
Since the VU are a band whose influence is still continually heard throughout the alternative rock music universe, it comes as little surprise that we get a live cover of the track by none other than shambolic folkie Kurt Vile and indie alt-queen Kim Gordon. The duo is joined by Jarvis Taveniere from Woods as well as Steve Gunn.
The live cover comes in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Ground Control Touring booking agency who recently celebrated by holding an all-star concert at New York City’s Webster Hall.
Check out Kurt Vile, Kim Gordon, Jarvis Taveniere, and Steve Gunn perform Sister Ray below, the original version of Sister Ray below that, and if you haven’t already, make sure to pick up Kurt Vile’s excellent 2015 release, b’lieve i’m goin down via Matador Records.
Sister Ray cover:
Sister Ray original:
