Before he co-founded the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed served as a staff songwriter at Pickwick Records in the mid-1960s. Now, a collection of his songs from that era, performed by various artists associated with the label, has been compiled into an album set for release on September 27. Titled Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65, this album is the result of collaboration between Light in the Attic, Laurie Anderson, and the Lou Reed Archive. It follows previous notable releases, including the solo album Hudson River Wind Meditations and the Velvet Underground demos set Words & Music, May 1965. The album opens with “The Ostrich,” performed by the Primitives and featuring Reed on vocals.
The Primitives’ track, co-written by Reed and performed alongside Terry Phillips of Pickwick, played a pivotal role in the formation of the Velvet Underground as John Cale joined the band during an early tour. Additionally, the album features “Why Don’t You Smile,” credited to the All Night Workers and marking Cale’s first venture as a commercial songwriter before he and Reed departed from Pickwick to establish the Velvet Underground.
The new record has been meticulously restored and remastered, with accompanying liner notes and an essay to provide deeper insights. The double-LP package features a design by Masaki Koike. The cover art and complete tracklist have also been revealed as part of the album’s promotion.
