The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band from the mid 60s. Fronted by the enigmatic Lou Reed, this band was influential on many rock bands since.

They released their debut album which features a picture of a banana on their album sleeve. This great album spawned many great songs and in particular, two of my favourites from the band 'Femme Fatale' and 'Sunday Morning' in which Nico, a German singer guested on the vocals to great effect. Her haunting, warm and deep resonant vocals was both startling and memorable ever since i started listening to them.

John Cale, the band's guitarist played out a brilliant viola section through 'Sunday Morning', adding a very atmospheric mood to the christmasy jingles that littered all over the song. Listen for yourself.

Listen to 'Femme Fatale' here.

'You're written in her book,
You're number thirty-seven have a look...'

- Femme Fatale