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The Complete Matrix Tapes is a legendary document of The Velvet Underground’s residency at The Matrix in San Francisco from fall of 1969.  The group played the first show of their residency on November 11 and plans were made for club owner Peter Abram to record some of the shows.  By this point, the band had released their self-titled third album featuring a new incarnation of the band, with Doug Yule replacing John Cale as bassist and keyboardist.

With the tape rolling, Yule, Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, and Mo Tucker played a number of then-new songs, including the yet-to-be-recorded “New Age,” “Rock & Roll,” and “Sweet Jane.” These tracks and 40 more feature on UMe’s new 43-track, 8-LP box set version of The Complete Matrix Tapes, due out on July 12.  The limited-edition box set marks the vinyl debut of this material.

Fans will find some familiar fare here, including songs that were previously available on the 1969 Live album (released 1974) and the Quine Tapes bootleg series set, which featured inferior audience-sourced recordings.  But the tracks on The Complete Matrix Tapes have been mixed down from the original multitrack soundboard recordings from four sets on November 26 and 27, 1969.  Among the tracks are 18 songs that were previously only available on the super-deluxe version of The Velvet Underground, alongside nine previously unreleased recordings.  It’s worth noting that, while the press release boasts nine unreleased tracks, the collection was previously released on a 42-track 4-CD set back in 2015.

In any event, the 8 LPs will be housed in a handsome, 12 1/4″ x 12 1/4″ x 1″ box with lift-off lid, unveiling eight individual sleeves for the records.  Also included is a book with photographs and extensive liner notes by David Fricke.  It’s a welcome addition to the LP library of any hardcore Velvet Underground fan, and can be pre-ordered from The Velvet Underground’s Online Shop.

You can find a complete list of tracks below!

The Velvet Underground, The Complete Matrix Tapes [8-LP set] (UMe, 2019) (The Velvet Underground’s Online Shop)

Track Listing:

LP ONE:
Side 1

1. I’m Waiting For The Man (Version 1)
2. What Goes On (Version 1)

Side 2

1. Some Kinda Love (Version 1)
2. Heroin (Version 1)

LP TWO:
Side 1

1. The Black Angel’s Death Song
2. Venus In Furs (Version 1)
3. There She Goes Again (Version 1)
4. We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (Version 1)
5. Over You (Version 1)

Side 2

1. Sweet Jane (Version 1)
2. Pale Blue Eyes
3. After Hours (Version 1)

LP THREE:
Side 1

1. I’m Waiting For The Man (Version 2)
2. Venus In Furs (Version 2)
3. Some Kinda Love (Version 2)
4. Over You (Version 2)

Side 2

1. I Can’t Stand It (Version 1)
2. There She Goes Again (Version 2)
3. After Hours (Version 2)

LP FOUR:
Side 1

1. We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (Version 2)
2. Sweet Bonnie Brown (It’s Just Too Much)
3. Heroin (Version 2)

Side 2

1. White Light/White Heat (Version 1)
2. I’m Set Free

LP FIVE:
Side 1

1. We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (Version 3)
2. Some Kinda Love (Version 3)
3. There She Goes Again (Version 3)

Side 2

1. Heroin (Version 3)
2. Ocean

LP SIX:
Side 1

1. Sister Ray Part 1

Side 2

1. Sister Ray Part 2

LP SEVEN:

Side 1

1. I’m Waiting For The Man (Version 3)
2. What Goes On (Version 2)
3. Some Kinda Love (Version 4)

Side 2

1. We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (Version 4)
2. Beginning To See The Light
3. Lisa Says
4. New Age

LP EIGHT:

Side 1

1. Rock & Roll
2. I Can’t Stand It Anymore (Version 2)

Side 2

1. Heroin (Version 4)
2. White Light/White Heat (Version 2)
3. Sweet Jane (Version 2)