John Cale recorded five '3rd' album songs with VU?

[iaredatsun]

This is possibly quite amazing.

Over at Steve Hoffman, member syscrusher just spotted that a Lou Reed Archive tape with '3rd' albums songs in the archive is dated July 1968. If true that is five '3rd' album songs played with John Cale. And makes me wonder whether the date of Beginning To See The Light on 45th WLWH is incorrect.

The Velvet Underground: "Never Get Emotionally Involved With A Man, Woman, Beast, or Child"

The Velvet Underground [1969 Album]
560624
XII - 4/68 [Velvet Underground]
1968 July 5
Jesus
Pale Blue Eyes
Beginning To See The Light
Story Of My Life
If You Close the Door [After Hours]

[peppergomez]

those songs don't really lend themselves to Cale's distinctive talents, though,but I do recall reading something about him playing viola on Story of My Life back when they played it live in '68

It's too bad they didn't record What Goes On with him on organ. That would be worth hearing.

[dial4]

Yes I agree, didn't record their concerts or film them, a poor decision. Without Cale & Nico, almost all the magic was gone.

[iaredatsun]

those songs don't really lend themselves to Cale's distinctive talents, though,but I do recall reading something about him playing viola on Story of My Life back when they played it live in '68

It's too bad they didn't record What Goes On with him on organ. That would be worth hearing.

I've heard it stated before, but I can't find a reference to when Cale played Story of My Life. Do you know when or where that information came from?

I think what's interesting to me is, as I'd long time suspected, that they were developing the 3rd album before Cale left – and I'd like to hear it. If such recordings exist and that date is correct.

Agree that Cale playing WGO would have been fantastic.

[Wick Pick]

Story of My Life is on the setlist for Poor Richard's in Chicago June 23 - July 3, 1966, along with "PB Eyes" and some other oddities.
Quite remarkable especially given that it was the first gig without Lou Reed. Weren't those the songs Lou secretly wanted to play but John wasn't having it?

[peppergomez]

It might have been a mention of Story of My Life in either '68 Crawdaddy or a Lester Bangs piece, but it was def confirmed that the tune was in their set list at that point. They were playing WGO then, too.

[peppergomez]

Story of My Life is on the setlist for Poor Richard's in Chicago June 23 - July 3, 1966, along with "PB Eyes" and some other oddities.
Quite remarkable especially given that it was the first gig without Lou Reed. Weren't those the songs Lou secretly wanted to play but John wasn't having it?

Sterling is on record as saying something like "If I wrote a song like Pale Blue Eyes, I wouldn't make you play it"
I don't think he like it that much, either

[Wick Pick]

I remember that quote. It’s too bad, the song went on to be one of their most enduring songs. I would have loved to hear the 1966-era band do a studio version.

[lurid]

Story of My Life is on the setlist for Poor Richard's in Chicago June 23 - July 3, 1966, along with "PB Eyes" and some other oddities.
Quite remarkable especially given that it was the first gig without Lou Reed. Weren't those the songs Lou secretly wanted to play but John wasn't having it?

Didn't later research cast doubt on the accuracy of the dating of that set list?

[Wick Pick]

It's possible though I'm not aware of it. It's definitely a Cale ere setlist, it's in his hand, and it is written on paper from the restaurant down the street from Poor Richard's. There is also a Morrison interview where he confirms that 'Searching' was born as an instrumental during the Poor Richard's stand.