The album
The Velvet Underground & Nico with Andy Warhol's famous banana on the cover, has inspired countless artists around the world since its release in 1967. Particularly those musicians and artists who want to color outside the lines felt and feel an affinity with the uncompromising work of
Lou Reed and consorts. The group that can be heard on the tribute I'll Be Your Mirror was brought together
… by Reed's good friend Hal Willner. It's a diverse bunch, each with a personal sound. R.E.M.s Michael Stipe opens the album with Sunday Morning (in which he wittily uses the bass line from Reed classic Walk On The Wild Side), followed by beautiful and less beautiful contributions from Sharon van Etten, Kurt Vile and Andrew Bird, among others. Iggy Pop skilfully closes the album with European Son, just as much noise as the original. If this record proves anything, it's that The Velvets continue to inspire artists to be themselves. (JV)more
