The Velvet Underground's second album is a highly experimental piece, permeated with deliberate distortion, feedback noise, and distorted vocals.
The sound of this album departs from the conventional wisdom of rock music. John Cale's viola transcends its role as a string instrument, functioning as a noise generator. Lou Reed's guitar distorts violently, producing a saturated sound that exceeds the limits of the amplifier. In particular, the 17-minute-plus track "Sister Ray" overwhelms the listener with its chaotic progression of improvisation and noise. At the same time, the album also features a diverse mix of expressions, such as the recitation-centered "The Gift," which had a decisive influence on later alternative rock.
20 TRACKS:
1-1)
White Light/White Heat
1-10)
Stephanie Says (Original Mix)
1-11)
Hey Mr. Rain (Version One)
1-12)
Hey Mr. Rain (Version Two)
1-13)
Beginning To See The Light (Previously Unreleased Early Version)
1-2)
The Gift
1-3)
Lady Godiva's Operation
1-4)
Here She Comes Now
1-5)
I Heard Her Call My Name
1-6)
Sister Ray
1-7)
I Heard Her Call My Name (Alternate Take)
1-8)
Guess I'm Falling In Love (Instrumental Version)
1-9)
Temptation Inside Your Heart (Original Mix)
2-1)
Booker T.
2-2)
I'm Not A Young Man Anymore
2-3)
Guess I'm Falling In Love
2-4)
I'm Waiting For The Man
2-5)
Run Run Run
2-6)
Sister Ray
2-7)
The Gift
Vocals, Guitar - Lou Reed (2-1 to 2-7)
Vocals, Guitar, Piano - Lou Reed (1-1 to 1-13)
Written-By - Lou Reed
Arranged By - The Velvet Underground
Producer - The Velvet Underground (1-9 to 1-13, 2-1 to 2-7)
Vocals, Viola [Electric Viola], Organ, Bass - John Cale
Product Manager - Adam Starr
Mastered By - Kevin Reeves
Mixed By - Kevin Reeves (1-8, 1-11 to 1-13)
Photography By [Pg. 23] - Jonathan Richman
Producer - Tom Wilson (2) (1-1 to 1-8)
Engineer - Gary Kellgren (1-1 to 1-6)
Guitar, Vocals - Sterling Morrison (2-1 to 2-7)
Vocals, Guitar, Bass - Sterling Morrison (1-1 to 1-13)
Percussion - Maureen Tucker
Compilation Producer - Bill Levenson
Engineer [Director Of Engineering] - Val Valentin (1-1 to 1-6)
Engineer - Jack Hunt (1-11 to 1-13)
Research [Photo Archivists] - Jeff Gold
Design [Cover Design] - Acy R. Lehman
Art Direction - Vartan (4)
Research [Photo Archivists] - Sal Mercuri
Production Manager - Monique McGuffin Newman
Photography By [Pgs. 4, 15] - Billy Name
Liner Notes [Essay] - David Fricke
Design - Meire Murakami
Research [Tape] - Andy Skurow
Transferred By [Multitrack Tape Transfers] - Eliot Kissileff
Photography By [Back Cover Photo] - Mario Anniballi
