This disc captures the VU before history knew what to make of the band; it was just something that existed, till it didn't any longer. Cale and Nico had their own records out by '72 and play a few selections from them here; Reed had not yet released his solo debut. They're old partners at new beginnings, which may be why the album, made with just violin and piano and harmonium and acoustic guitar, sounds at once so tentative and yet so adventurous: "Waiting for the Man" never sounded more like hymnal; "Black Angel's Death Song" never sounded less "unintelligble," as Reed excuses the original by way of nyuk-nyuk introduction; "Femme Fatale" never sounded more alive. They're having fun (Reed introduces the brand-new "Berlin" as his "Barbra Streisand song" and then performs it as though he were Frank Sinatra) as only fellow survivors can, but never at the expense of the music, which takes a deep breath and allows a final grin and bow. Early pressings of the disc close with rehearsal versions of "Candy Says" and "Pale Blue Eyes," which suggest the ultimate, and maddening, what-if?