What do you think?
Rate this book
Uptight: The Story of the Velvet Underground
UNUSED old music store stock Cicero 3
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
33 people are currently reading
757 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 5, 2013
My obituary for Lou Reed is now up at The Millions: http://www.themillions.com/2013/11/lo...
just happened upon this one while perusing a stranger's library here on goodreads. Man, this brings me back...
I think for some people (the cool people, the artsy people, the sensitive weirdos and budding poets and intellectual geeks) there's this space of time which opens up in highschool where you become aware of all this cool, alluring, obscure countercultural stuff through hearsay and, at least back in the 90's when I was but a lad, you don't really have the resources to access it. No downloading, cds cost $ you don't really have, the library's picked clean, internet was just a toddler, radio's a joke...where are you going to turn? Who ya gonna call?
Well for me it was sort of about amateur research. I dug in to archived copies of Rolling Stone from the 80's (Lou Reed cover interview! Van Morrison speaks! Marvin gaye re-releases! I was so lonely, so, so very lonely! At least I didn't go to gym class...) and read myself dizzy, imagining the world outside the leafy suburb I called home.
I got into the VU more or less even before I heard them, due to their ubiquity in all the usual places. I went to the over-the-counter-culture store in the city (the lights! the cars! the concrete! smudges on the sidewalk! So innocent!) and timidly asked the supercilious clerk behind the counter what VU record I should pick up first. He looked at me and then sort of titled his head in a kind of bored way, with that "why do you waste my time" look the senior gives to the interloping freshman and said I'd have to pretty much pick up everything. Thanks, fucko. 'preeshiate it.
As luck would have it, Columbia House was having a fire sale on box sets and my friend was picking one up so I could get the beautiful 5-disc retrospective for a pittance. I hurried home. I plopped it into my boombox (yup, yup) and didn't look back. I take great pride in claiming to be the first kid on my block (hell, immediate vicinity) to listen to the VU and of course evangelize among my peers. This is the real shit, folks, nevermind the green day here's white light/white heat...
This was the book my best friend bought after having borrowed (I think) the first and second records- I mean Compact Discs, for accuracy's sake, but indulge me- over a weekend. We passed it back and forth in the library, where we skipped out on gym class and left the relatively less courageous Dave to suffer amid the indignities of parquet and floppy shorts, hearing such tales of derring-do as we sober, well-scrubbed Reagan Babies had never seen...guitars leaned up against amps at the end of a concert, blaring hostile feedback at the already confused and skeptical audience; statuesque, robotic Nico intoning doom and sexual confusion; "Heroin"; the whole Exploding Plastic Inevitable thing (wide-eyed speedfreak runaways accosting curious hipsters amid the silver and charcoal walls of the Factory, shouting "are you a queer?" and "does he eat you out?")....the whole bit.
I'm not especially saying it's a great book. It does the job, it explains some of the myth and gets the milieu right, but it's not as comprehensive as it might be and sort of sketches over the really interesting early backgrounds of the band- Lou's prodigious songwriting skills and misanthropic romanticism, Maureen Tucker the androgynous computer programmer who beat on telephone books to Olatunji and Bo Diddley on weekends, the chilly, intense, classically traind Welshman John Cale...
But when you're 15 and starting to think there's more to life than KISS 108, Forrest Gump and L.L. Bean backpacks this book can be used to keep some doors ajar long enough to hear the music from the other side.
April 20, 2014
I really like oral histories, especially about rock/pop music. This is a very interesting oral history of one the greatest cult bands of all time, the Velvet Underground.
The book has been written/edited/put together by Victor Bockris and Gerard Malanga. Bockris has written among other things a very good biography of Andy Warhol and Malanga of course was Warhol's right hand man during the heyday of the Factory. Because of Bockris' and Malanga's association with Warhol, the link to Warhol and the Factory crowd is nicely made. I particularly liked the part where Ingrid Superstar is asked to describe Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker. Also, the sometimes strained relationship of the band members with Nico is well explored.
The great thing about this book is that it was written in early 1980's when all the protagonists were still alive and the memories from the time the VU was active still fresh in their memory. There was not that much nostalgia at that point and everyone interviewed gives, I think, a pretty accurate picture of the goings on.
The only irritating thing, which to me lost the five stars, is that Bockris and Malanga have theory in their mind that everybody was up-tight in the Factory crowd, NYC art world in general and in the VU. Maybe it was an inside joke of sorts because they have allowed Sterling Morrison to counter that theory in his introduction to the book.
The book has been written/edited/put together by Victor Bockris and Gerard Malanga. Bockris has written among other things a very good biography of Andy Warhol and Malanga of course was Warhol's right hand man during the heyday of the Factory. Because of Bockris' and Malanga's association with Warhol, the link to Warhol and the Factory crowd is nicely made. I particularly liked the part where Ingrid Superstar is asked to describe Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker. Also, the sometimes strained relationship of the band members with Nico is well explored.
The great thing about this book is that it was written in early 1980's when all the protagonists were still alive and the memories from the time the VU was active still fresh in their memory. There was not that much nostalgia at that point and everyone interviewed gives, I think, a pretty accurate picture of the goings on.
The only irritating thing, which to me lost the five stars, is that Bockris and Malanga have theory in their mind that everybody was up-tight in the Factory crowd, NYC art world in general and in the VU. Maybe it was an inside joke of sorts because they have allowed Sterling Morrison to counter that theory in his introduction to the book.
November 17, 2017
A few excerpts of this 1985 Velvet Underground book 'Up-Tight' were in the 1996 oral history of punk rock called 'Please Kill Me', which I read back in the '90's.
The Up-Tight excerpts were used selectively and out of context in Please Kill Me with an agenda by its writers to make certain individuals look lazy and unimaginative (Warhol) and others look superior (Paul Morissey.) Highly suspicious, don't you think?
This oral history 'Up-Tight' is a much more reliable source of information about Lou, Andy, VU and Factory, because a balance was achieved. Differing viewpoints were presented by multiple people on sensitive topics (for example, Mo, Sterling and Steve each contributed their own opinions on why Lou left the band.)
Full of arcane facts, gorgeous b&w photos, and a discography. Solid read, and very amusing!
The Up-Tight excerpts were used selectively and out of context in Please Kill Me with an agenda by its writers to make certain individuals look lazy and unimaginative (Warhol) and others look superior (Paul Morissey.) Highly suspicious, don't you think?
This oral history 'Up-Tight' is a much more reliable source of information about Lou, Andy, VU and Factory, because a balance was achieved. Differing viewpoints were presented by multiple people on sensitive topics (for example, Mo, Sterling and Steve each contributed their own opinions on why Lou left the band.)
Full of arcane facts, gorgeous b&w photos, and a discography. Solid read, and very amusing!
January 5, 2013
Spotty, non-comprehensive. Some good anecdotes & photos. Tries to make an argument that everyone was making everyone else up-tight, and that that was a driving force behind the artistry of the group. I think such an argument is forced, artificial... but, really, the reader can ignore all that. This was a precious & invaluable resource in the pre-Internet days, now I'm not so sure.
November 2, 2009
Actually, just re-read this. I probably first read it about 25 years ago. Oh, the trouble it caused...
It's a great, arty, oral history of one of the greatest bands in creation.
It's a great, arty, oral history of one of the greatest bands in creation.
November 5, 2011
Find out what it was all about by an insider. Essential for anyone who is a fan of VU.
February 19, 2013
Very nice book. The extensive quotes from interviews and other sources are really interesting and work well in this context. This is not designed as a comprehensive account of The Velvets, but it is a very rich slice of the story. The photographs are really great, giving an additional personality and account to this fascinating group and the people around them.
The framing argument about everyone making everyone up-tight and that the success of the band and the E.P.I. came through these tensions and conflicts might seem a bit forced, but is also a very interesting and rather provocative assertion. Sterling Morrison's intro suggests the up-tightness might be played a bit heavy, at the detriment of the sheer fun of being in the Velvet Underground. This intro, however, generates its own tension between the book, its subject and readers - up-tightness continues. Also, there is quite a bit of evidence within the albums to support this claim, particularly in the first two. "Sister Ray" excels to a great degree because doing the song in one take meant each member fought for prominence in the song. Conflict has often bred remarkable artistic achievements, though it doesn't breed band longevity for obvious reasons.
This is a fine entry point to the history of The Velvet Underground. Its lacking in its discussion of the post-Cale work, which kind of does a disservice to everyone involved in those records. But it remains an informative, accessible and short introduction to an important band whose work remains fascinating, challenging and rewarding.
The framing argument about everyone making everyone up-tight and that the success of the band and the E.P.I. came through these tensions and conflicts might seem a bit forced, but is also a very interesting and rather provocative assertion. Sterling Morrison's intro suggests the up-tightness might be played a bit heavy, at the detriment of the sheer fun of being in the Velvet Underground. This intro, however, generates its own tension between the book, its subject and readers - up-tightness continues. Also, there is quite a bit of evidence within the albums to support this claim, particularly in the first two. "Sister Ray" excels to a great degree because doing the song in one take meant each member fought for prominence in the song. Conflict has often bred remarkable artistic achievements, though it doesn't breed band longevity for obvious reasons.
This is a fine entry point to the history of The Velvet Underground. Its lacking in its discussion of the post-Cale work, which kind of does a disservice to everyone involved in those records. But it remains an informative, accessible and short introduction to an important band whose work remains fascinating, challenging and rewarding.
October 5, 2012
While a fantastic tale of the Velvet Underground told in the words of those who were there, the layout leaves something to be desired. The text is small and the book an unusual shape for a biography - someone asked me if I was reading "a coloring book" as that's the size of the book. Rather short, just under 200 pages, but chockfull of interesting tales of the band, photos, advertisements, etc.
Highly recommended, but would love to see a modern reworking with a different layout and page size.
Highly recommended, but would love to see a modern reworking with a different layout and page size.
August 9, 2011
Más que un libro de narrativa convencional, Uptight es un cúmulo de declaraciones literales de los Velvets y la gente de su entorno. No parece que haya explorado suficientemente la relación Reed-Cale, fundamental para la comprension de la creatividad del grupo, así como su ruptura. Pese a todo, es un clásico.
September 22, 2008
Oral history of the band the Velvet Underground. This edition covers the years 1966-1970 with a brief chapter concerning the band's reunion for a series of European concerts in 1993.
Not terribly informative but very fun, indeed.
Deserves a place on any hipster's bookshelf.
Not terribly informative but very fun, indeed.
Deserves a place on any hipster's bookshelf.
July 16, 2012
i dont know why people are so over the moon about this book, maybe cause it is rare. It is basically Heylin's book in glossier packaging. Because I think Heylin's book is better, 2 stars instead of 3. Bockris' bio of lou is better than both.
November 23, 2013
Rarely does a biography of any band keep me entertained and asking for more like this book. Granted, Lou Reed's recent passing contributed to the emotional weight. Still, it is without doubt one of the best books I've read about ANY band, and I highly recommend it.
October 28, 2016
i hadn't read this for over 20 years and it was even better than i remembered - mostly first-hand reminiscences, with little authorial analysis (what there is is unashamedly partisan), with the useful addition of a few pages on the reunion
August 9, 2011
Možná je to překladem, snad redakcí, ale určitě sám autor nepomohl k zážitku ze čtení určitými nedořečenostmi, nesouvislostmi a útržkovitostí textu popřípadě i nepochopitelnou absencí popisu (např. charakteristika What Goes On na albu The Velvet Underground). To vše naštěstí vyvažuje fascinující příběh zrodu legendární kapely a vnitřní pnutí, které vede k postupné a zákonité erozi. Její stylotvorný význam i osud by mohl být s přimhouřením očí připodobněn Kafkově vlivu na moderní literaturu. A podobně jako magická Prahou na prsou nebude ani kabelka s banánem zárukou pochopení jejího génia.
January 18, 2019
Giving this 3 stars but my feelings are complicated. I found this very good at times, but other parts were frankly a lousy waste of paper. It feels like it was thrown together half-finished. Years ago when I got on whatever kick inspired me to pick this up, I also got Bockris's Lou Reed bio, and it looks more like a real book than Up-tight's photo-heavy fan-bio feel, so I hope for better from it, especially because there are some very good parts of this book (especially toward the beginning). But we shall see.
March 17, 2008
Originally published in the mid-80's during a resurgence of interest in the VU, when their music was also being reissued for the first time by Polygram. Mostly talks about internecine band tensions and tour adventures.
September 12, 2018
Not really the Velvet Underground story, more a collation of thoughts and quotes flung together. Would have preferred a more in depth look at the band. Not a poor book by any means just not what I was hoping for.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
August 21, 2008
This is great because the book is mostly interviews (like please kill me). I always enjoy hearing what Mo Tucker has to say, she's a breath of fresh air.
Read
October 22, 2010A document about a band that was anachronistically in the groovy 60s doing songs about existentialism and being one of the antecedents of the Punk music scene a decade later.
July 6, 2016
Got this at the time of publication, mostly the Warhol connection is written in detail as the writers were part of that New York scene in the mid sixties . Brief mention of the nineties reunion.
August 6, 2016
Good. Interesting. Fast reading. For fans obviously.
December 7, 2016
A concise but illuminating insider's account of the band.
February 1, 2019
pretty great - try to find a first edition with all the great pix. who cares about the reunion?
March 31, 2024
So much information spanning the years
Loved this, learnt so much, the extracts from the interviews tell give a great idea of what they were thinking and doing at the time.
Hate to see how they weren't promoted the way they should've been but I've always thought it contributed to their legendary status.
Also love the wry comments about Zappa and Dylan and Lou Reeds opinions on them 🤣
Loved this, learnt so much, the extracts from the interviews tell give a great idea of what they were thinking and doing at the time.
Hate to see how they weren't promoted the way they should've been but I've always thought it contributed to their legendary status.
Also love the wry comments about Zappa and Dylan and Lou Reeds opinions on them 🤣
December 27, 2019
My takeaway from this history of the VU: their story just isn’t that interesting. I was bored from the beginning. A few interesting comments come up in interviews throughout the book, and it’s sad they never had any commercial or financial success. But I was left thinking “who cares?” about these people even though I had thought I cared.
January 2, 2020
Fun oral history with great photos, put together before the increase in interest in the band in the mid-eighties happened. The focus is squarely on the Exploding Plastic Inevitable/VU and Nico/White Light White Heat years, as it should be. Believe about 50% of it in total, perhaps 25% of what Lou Reed says, and maybe 5% of Steve Selsnick's quotes.
April 21, 2021
Not very interesting read, although I appreciate the band. Surprisingly little new information, even though I haven'r read any books about them. I would recommend "Popism: Warhol's sixties" if you are interested in that era. I think a big part of information in this book is in there too, plus it's a much more interesting read overall.
January 10, 2024
I enjoyed this mainly because I like the music of the velvet underground and never really considered the order in which they were recorded or the circumstances of the recordings. There was too much name dropping for me though - a lot of names of people and venues, that don't add anything to the story.
February 1, 2020
.....and it was allllllriiiiighhtt.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews