Name: Why Don't You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964 -1965
Brand: Various

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

LITA2121

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Housed in Gatefold Sleeve with 20 Page Booklet

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2024-10-18

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

826853212106

Total Cap

9999

Black LPx2

LITA21211

Oxblood and Gold

Extended format: Yes

826853212113

Red LPx2

LITA2122

With 40 Page Booklet

826853212205

Artist

Various

Genre GB

Classic

Label GB

Light In The Attic

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 and 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 and 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 and 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).

It features rarities, cult classics (The Primitives’ “The Ostrich”), and previously unreleased material (The Beachnuts’ “Sad, Lonely Orphan Boy”).

The Roughnecks - You're Driving Me Insane

Spongy and the Dolls - Really - Really - Really - Really - Really - Really Love

The J Brothers - Ya Running but I'll Getcha

The All Night Workers - Why Don't You Smile

Jeannie Larimore - Johnny Won't Surf No More

Robertha Williams - Tell Mamma Not to Cry

The Beachnuts - I've Got a Tiger in My Tank

Why Don't You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964 -1965 

Music GB

Discover Why Don't You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964 -1965 by Various. A compilation of pop songs penned by Lou Reed during his early career at Pickwick Records. Rarities and cult classics in vinyl and CD formats.