- Groundbreaking Fusion of Art and Sound That Redefined Rock History
This is the Limited Edition released by The HMV Classic Collection and includes a 12" 12-page photo booklet with background information and photos of the Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol
The Velvet Underground & Nico's self-titled album, often referred to as the "Andy Warhol Album", stands as an iconic masterpiece in the history of rock music. Released as a limited edition 12" vinyl LP album by The HMV Classic Collection, it not only showcases the raw and experimental sound of the band but also pays homage to the influential artist, Andy Warhol. Produced by Warhol himself, alongside Tom Wilson, this album serves as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between music and visual art, forever changing the landscape of popular culture.
The Collaborative Spirit:
The collaboration between the Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol is one of the most remarkable artistic unions in history. Warhol, a leading figure in the Pop Art movement, was drawn to the band's avant-garde approach to music and their gritty depiction of urban life. Recognizing the band's potential, Warhol offered his expertise as a producer, adding a unique dimension to their sound.
Influence of Andy Warhol:
Andy Warhol's impact on the album is multifaceted. Not only did he produce the record, but he also introduced the band to German singer and model, Nico, whose distinctive vocals added a haunting and ethereal quality to several tracks. Additionally, Warhol's iconic banana design graced the album cover, becoming an instantly recognizable symbol of the band's association with his avant-garde art movement.
The Experimental Sound:
The Velvet Underground & Nico album defied the conventions of contemporary rock music. The band, consisting of Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker, explored themes of drugs, sexuality, and the underbelly of society through their lyrics and unconventional song structures. This sonic experimentation, coupled with Warhol's production techniques, resulted in a raw and unpolished sound that pushed the boundaries of popular music at the time.
The 12" 12-Page Photo Booklet:
The limited edition release by The HMV Classic Collection features a 12" 12-page photo booklet, providing a captivating visual accompaniment to the music. Filled with background information and photographs of both the Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol, this booklet immerses the listener in the artistic world that gave birth to this groundbreaking album. It serves as a valuable resource, shedding light on the collaborative process and the creative minds behind the project.
Enduring Legacy:
While the album initially received mixed reviews and commercial success was limited, Velvet Underground & Nico has since been recognized as a pioneering work that influenced countless musicians and artists. Its unapologetic exploration of taboo subjects and its innovative approach to sound paved the way for punk, post-punk, and alternative music genres. The album's enduring legacy lies in its ability to challenge societal norms and to ignite a spirit of artistic rebellion that continues to resonate with audiences to this day.
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Producers:
The Velvet Undergroun is aka The Velvets and featured Lou Reed and John Cale |
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Music Genre: Rock |
| Trivia: Produced by Andy Warhol, Tom Wilson |
| Album: Include 12" 12-page photo booklet |
| Record Label: Polydor SPELP 20-A 2490 159 (2490159), RCA Music New York |
| Media Format: 12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record |
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Year and Country: 1967 Made in UK |
Band Members and Musicianson: Velvet Underground & Nico - Andy Warhol |
Complete Track Listing of: Velvet Underground & Nico - Andy Warhol |
This is the original front cover of the 1967 LP album The Velvet Underground & Nico, widely known as the "banana cover." The design is minimal yet striking: a large, bright yellow banana illustrated in Warhol’s distinctive pop art style dominates the center of the white sleeve. The banana features prominent, irregular black marks simulating bruises or wear, giving it a textured, distressed look.
The fruit is slightly tilted to the right with a curved posture, the stem blackened as if to indicate ripeness. Positioned in the lower right corner of the sleeve is the artist's name, Andy Warhol, handwritten in a deep purple cursive script. This signature, understated yet essential, credits the pop art icon who produced the album and introduced Nico to the band.
The original U.S. release included a sticker feature, inviting the owner to "Peel slowly and see," revealing a flesh-colored banana underneath—though this version does not show that interactive element. The clean, white background draws full focus to the banana, making it both a provocative and unforgettable piece of music and art history.
This is the back cover of the 1967 UK LP release The Velvet Underground & Nico. The top section presents the album title in bold uppercase—THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO—followed by the producer credit Produced by Andy Warhol in purple. The Verve logo sits at the top left, while the Polydor catalog reference appears on the right.
At the center is a dramatic red-tinted live performance photograph. The band performs under dim lighting, and behind them looms a large projected image of Andy Warhol’s face, creating a ghostlike presence over the stage. The scene is hazy and dreamlike, capturing the raw and hypnotic essence of their multimedia shows.
Beneath the main image are five headshots of the group members, including Nico. Each portrait is highly stylized with saturated backgrounds and superimposed light patterns—such as polka dots and abstract shadows—adding a surreal and psychedelic quality. These visuals echo the experimental nature of both the music and the album’s artistic production.
The HMV Collection
This image shows the front of the HMV Classic Collection limited edition LP cover for Velvet Underground and Nico. The design diverges from the iconic banana cover, instead opting for a restrained, almost archival aesthetic suited to a collector's release.
Set against a soft, marbled off-white background, the title text appears prominently at the top in bold, black uppercase lettering. Each word is underscored with a fine red line, adding emphasis and subtle contrast. The typography is clean, serifed, and centered for visual balance.
Below the title is a framed black-and-white photograph of the band in performance or rehearsal setting. From left to right: Lou Reed sits holding an electric guitar, Sterling Morrison is beside him, Nico is front and center with her hands resting on a tambourine and microphone stand, Maureen Tucker is seated at a simple drum kit, and John Cale stands in the background. Shadows cast behind the band suggest stark lighting, creating a moody, intimate atmosphere.
In the bottom-left corner of the sleeve, a lavender diagonal banner bears the logo for The HMV Classic Collection, indicating this edition’s exclusivity and collectible status. The overall layout emphasizes the album’s historical importance and stripped-back artistry, appealing to serious vinyl collectors.
This image displays an open spread from the 12-page photo booklet included in the HMV Classic Collection limited edition of The Velvet Underground & Nico. The pages are printed on lightly textured beige stock, giving a vintage, archival feel consistent with the collector’s format.
The left-hand page provides commentary on several tracks from the album, including All Tomorrow’s Parties, Heroin, There She Goes Again, I’ll Be Your Mirror, and The Black Angel’s Death Song. The text is presented in a serif typeface, with section titles in red uppercase for emphasis and body text in black. Each write-up offers insights into the themes, structure, or production of the tracks, interspersed with historical and anecdotal notes.
Two small square images appear below the text on the left page—one in purple tones showing a band performance under spotlight effects, the other a close-up in blue of a band member wearing sunglasses, both adding a 1960s psychedelic aesthetic.
On the right-hand page, analysis of the song European Son is provided, noting its unconventional structure and dedication to poet Delmore Schwartz. A monochrome photograph above the text shows Nico and Lou Reed outdoors in a grassy field, with a pop-art yellow car edited into the black-and-white image—an example of the booklet’s creative collage design.
The page concludes with a section titled Oh, Shut the Door, discussing the album’s release reception and the commercial challenges it faced, including MGM’s discomfort with its explicit lyrical content. A red square with the page number “9” anchors the lower corner, underscoring its place in the curated booklet sequence.
"The Velvet Underground & Nico " Red Colour Polydor Record Label Details: Polydor SPELP 20, 2490 150 , Made in England ℗ 1967 Polygram Records Inc ( New York ) Sound Copyright
This is a close-up of the Side One record label from the UK Polydor release of The Velvet Underground & Nico, catalog number SPELP 20-A (2490 159). The label features a bold red-orange background, a design commonly used by Polydor in the 1960s and 1970s, and is centered by the classic black Polydor logo and white typography.
Around the top rim is a copyright warning in uppercase white text, encircling the outer edge. The text layout is clean and formal, divided into track listings, production credits, and publishing details. All six songs on Side One are listed with songwriting credit to Lou Reed:
1. Sunday Morning
2. I'm Waiting for the Man
3. Femme Fatale
4. Venus in Furs
5. Run, Run, Run
6. All Tomorrow’s Parties
Production credits note Tom Wilson for the first track and Andy Warhol for tracks 2 through 6. Below that, the label reads: "Arrangements by The Velvet Underground". The bottom section states: Original sound recording made by PolyGram Records Inc (New York), with RCA Music Ltd also referenced. The label confirms the album was Made in England and pressed in stereo at 33 RPM.
Recorded live at Max's Kansas City on August 23, 1970, this raw document captures The Velvet Underground near the end of their classic run. With Doug Yule replacing John Cale and Maureen Tucker absent, the band delivers stripped-down versions of their most iconic songs in front of a noisy bar crowd. Taped on cassette by Brigid Polk, it's gritty, authentic, and historically vital.
Live At Max's Kansas City 12" Vinyl LP
This UK release of the groundbreaking 1967 debut by The Velvet Underground & Nico features the iconic Andy Warhol banana cover and a haunting fusion of avant-garde rock and pop. Songs like "Heroin," "Femme Fatale," and "Venus in Furs" pushed lyrical boundaries. Nico’s distinct vocals and Warhol’s pop art presence made this a landmark in music and visual culture.
The Velvet Underground With Nico Gt Britain 12" Vinyl LP
Originally released in 1969, this self-titled third album saw The Velvet Underground shift toward a softer, more melodic sound. With John Cale gone and Doug Yule in, Lou Reed took a more personal, introspective approach. Tracks like “Candy Says” and “Pale Blue Eyes” reveal a gentler side, making this reissue an essential listen for fans of the band’s evolving artistry.
VELVET UNDERGROUND - Self-Titled 12" Vinyl LP