Light in the Attic, in cooperation with Laurie Anderson and the Lou Reed Archive, is thrilled to announce the forthcoming release of Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65. Due out September 27th, the latest installment in LITA’s critically acclaimed Lou Reed Archive Series is a compilation of pop songs penned by Reed during his mid-60s stint as a staff songwriter for the long-defunct label Pickwick Records. The compilation follows on the heels of Lou Reed’s Hudson River Wind Meditations (2023) and Words & Music, May 1965 (2022).

One of the most original and innovative figures in music history, Reed (1942-2013) first gained recognition as co-founder and frontman of the massively influential Velvet Underground. Over the course of his five-decade career, the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer brought his singular vision to an eclectic expanse of musical endeavors, including era-defining albums like 1972’s Transformer and wildly experimental works like the 1975 avant-garde noise classic Metal Machine Music. But before establishing himself as an enduringly iconic singer, songwriter, musician, and poet, Reed got his start as an in-house songwriter (and occasional session guitarist/vocalist) for Pickwick Records—a label specializing in sound-alike recordings that emulated the major pop hits of the day. Encompassing everything from garage-rock and girl-group pop to blue-eyed soul and teen-idol balladry, Reed’s output for Pickwick ultimately offers a fascinating early glimpse at his ever-evolving and truly limitless artistry.

The album has been restored and remastered by GRAMMY®-nominated mastering engineer John Baldwin. Both the 2xLP & CD editions feature in-depth booklets with unseen photos, liner notes by Richie Unterberger (renowned music journalist and author of such acclaimed titles as White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground day-by-day), and an essay by Lenny Kaye (the legendary guitarist, Patti Smith Group co-founder, writer, producer, and curator of seminal garage-rock anthology Nuggets). The double-LP package is designed by multi-GRAMMY®-winning artist Masaki Koike and pressed at world-renowned plant Optimal (Germany). A special color vinyl edition is pressed on “Oxblood” wax (A/B side) and “Gold” wax (C/D side). This release marks the first official anthology of Lou Reed’s work for Pickwick Records and features rarities, cult classics (The Primitives’ “The Ostrich”), & previously unreleased material (The Beachnuts’ “Sad, Lonely Orphan Boy”).

TRACK LISTING

The Primitives - The Ostrich
The Beachnuts - Cycle Annie
The Hi-Lifes - I'm Gonna Fight
The Hi-Lifes - Soul City
Ronnie Dickerson - Oh No Don't Do It
Ronnie Dickerson - Love Can Make You Cry
The Hollywoods - Teardrop In The Sand
The Roughnecks - You're Driving Me Insane
The Primitives - Sneaky Pete
Terry Philips - Wild One
Spongy And The Dolls - Really - Really - Really - Really - Really - Really Love
The Foxes - Soul City
The J Brothers - Ya Running But I'll Getcha
Beverley Ann - We Got Trouble
The All Night Workers - Why Don't You Smile
Jeannie Larimore - Johnny Won't Surf No More
Robertha Williams - Tell Mamma Not To Cry
Robertha Williams - Maybe Tomorrow
Terry Philips - Flowers For The Lady
Terry Philips - This Rose
The Surfsiders - Surfin'
The Surfsiders - Little Deuce Coupe
The Beachnuts - Sad Lonely Orphan Boy
The Beachnuts - I've Got A Tiger In My Tank
Ronnie Dickerson - What About Me

Light in the Attic Records, in cooperation with Laurie Anderson, proudly announces the inaugural title in their ongoing Lou Reed Archive Series: Words & Music, May 1965.

“To hear a tape containing their earliest demos, recorded on May 11, 1965, and locked away until now, is to hear traces of things rarely associated with The Velvet Underground: blues and folk, earthy and traditional, uncertain and hesitant… yet bristling with that rusty, caustic, Lou Reed spirit. It is a revelation.” – Will Hodgkinson, MOJO'.

Released in tandem with the late artist’s 80th birthday celebrations, the album offers an extraordinary, unvarnished, and plainly poignant insight into one of America’s true poet-songwriters. Capturing Reed in his formative years, this previously unreleased collection of songs—penned by a young Lou Reed, recorded to tape with the help of future bandmate John Cale, and mailed to himself as a “poor man’s copyright”—remained sealed in its original envelope and unopened for nearly 50 years. Its contents embody some of the most vital, groundbreaking contributions to American popular music committed to tape in the 20th century. Through examination of these songs rooted firmly in the folk tradition, we see clearly Lou’s lasting influence on the development of modern American music – from punk to art-rock and everything in between. A true time capsule, these recordings not only memorialize the nascent sparks of what would become the seeds of the incredibly influential Velvet Underground; they also cement Reed as a true observer with an innate talent for synthesizing and distilling the world around him into pure sonic poetry.

Featuring contributions from Reed’s future bandmate, John Cale, Words & Music, May 1965 presents in their entirety the earliest-known recordings of such historic songs as “Heroin,” “I’m Waiting for the Man,” and “Pale Blue Eyes”—all of which Reed would eventually record and make indelibly influential with the Velvet Underground. Also included are several more previously-unreleased compositions that offer additional insight into Reed’s creative process and early influences. Produced by Laurie Anderson, Don Fleming, Jason Stern, Hal Willner, and Matt Sullivan, the album features newly-remastered audio from the original tape by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer, John Baldwin. Rounding out the package are new liner notes from acclaimed journalist and author, Greil Marcus, plus in-depth archival notes from Don Fleming and Jason Stern, who oversee the Lou Reed Archive, while the release has been designed by multi-GRAMMY®-winning artist Masaki Koike.

● All tracks previously unreleased.
● Produced in partnership with Laurie Anderson and the Lou Reed Archive.
● Inaugural release in Light in the Attic’s Lou Reed Archive Series.
● Features the earliest-known recordings of “I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Pale Blue Eyes" and “Heroin" as made famous by The Velvet Underground.
● Includes seven unheard Lou Reed compositions.
● Remastered from the original analog tapes by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer John Baldwin.
● Package designed by multi-GRAMMY®-winning artist Masaki Koike.
● Vinyl pressed at RTI.
● LP available on Standard Black Wax plus a Special Limited Color Edition.
● LP & CD include booklets featuring lyrics, archival photos, and liner notes by Greil Marcus, Don Fleming and Jason Stern (LP: 20-pgs, CD: 60-pgs)
● CD & Cassette include six unheard tracks recorded between 1958 and 1964, including early demos, a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” and a doo-wop serenade recorded in ‘58 when the legendary singer-songwriter was just sixteen-years-old

STAFF COMMENTS

Andy says: This is an amazing find and incredible document of one of the greatest song writers of the 20th century. Lou Reed's widow Laurie Anderson feels these home recordings need to be preserved and though Lou had just hooked up with John Cale there is none of their arty explosive, scuzz and sleaze here; these are just pure songs, surprisingly in the folk idiom (though this is 1965 and it's just an acoustic guitar so it clearly makes sense), simply laid down as works in progress. If you're a Lou Reed fan, (and who isn't?), this is a must!

TRACK LISTING

I'm Waiting For The Man - May 1965 Demo
Men Of Good Fortune - May 1965 Demo
Heroin - May 1965 Demo
Too Late - May 1965 Demo
Buttercup Song - May 1965 Demo
Walk Alone - May 1965 Demo
Buzz Buzz Buzz - May 1965 Demo
Pale Blue Eyes - May 1965 Demo
Stockpile - May 1965 Demo
Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams - May 1965 Demo
I'm Waiting For The Man - May 1965 Alternate Version (CD/Cassette Only)
Gee Whiz - 1958 Rehearsal (CD/Cassette Only)
Baby, Let Me Follow You Down - 1963/64 Home Recording (CD/Cassette Only)
Michael, Row The Boat Ashore - 1963/64 Home Recording (CD/Cassette Only)
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Partial) - 1963/64 Home Recording (CD/Cassette Only)
W & X, Y, Z Blues - 1963/64 Home Recording (CD/Cassette Only)
Lou's 12-Bar Instrumental - 1963/64 Home Recording (CD/Cassette Only)

Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, also handling guitar duties on all songs, "Transformer" was Lou Reed's second solo album, but the first containing new songs (his debut consisted reworks of songs he wrote in his Velvet Underground days). "Transformer" is considered Lou Reed's signature album and includes his most known songs as "Satellite of Love", "Vicious"(inspired by Andy Warhol) and "Perfect Day". Rumours has it that, though not credited on the album, "Wagon Wheel" is actually written by David Bowie.

TRACK LISTING

A1 Vicious (2:55)
A2 Andy's Chest (3:17)
A3 Perfect Day (3:45)
A4 Hangin' 'Round (3:32)
A5 Walk On The Wild Side (4:13)

B1 Make Up (2:56)
B2 Wagon Wheel (3:19)
B3 Satellite Of Love (3:39)
B4 New York Telephone Conversation (1:32)
B5 I'm So Free (3:08)
B6 Goodnight Ladies (4:20)

Lou Reed's 2003 album, and 19th solo album "The Raven", is a concept album, recounting the short stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe. The album which features guest vocals from Laurie Anderson and David Bowie (amongst others) This is the first time "The Raven" will appear on vinyl.