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This is my cover of another Velvet Underground song, written by Lou Reed. It first appeared on VU's third (eponymously titled) album in 1969. At the time, they were veering slightly more mainstream in sound, going more folk rock and less noisy avant-garde than their first 2 albums. "What Goes On" was issued as a single with "Jesus" on the B-side.

I recorded this in 2011 for the I LIKE THE STREET album. My decision was to preserve the drone-y Vox Continental organ sound of the original, but with a wall of loud guitars (thinking of The Posies). I added harmonies in a style that suggest The Hollies if they did glam rock.

This compilation marks the bandcamp debut of this recording.

Notes from 6/14/17 SONG OF THE WEEK:

Lou Reed once said, "If God showed up tomorrow and asked me, 'Do you want to be president?' I’d say, 'No.' 'Do you want to be in politics?' 'No.' 'Do you want to be a lawyer?' 'No.' 'What do you want?' 'I want to be a rhythm guitar player.'" Anyone who’s heard Reed play the song "What Goes On” would affirm this. His manic, solid-perfect guitar is the backbone of the 1969 studio recording, as he sounds happy to be alive, singing, "Lady be good/Do what you should/It's gonna be all right.”

The hypnotic VU original had a trance-y organ, and in concert they’d stretch it to 9-minute otherworldly rumbles. I added this song to my own live set in 2010, then recorded it for my I LIKE THE STREET album. My arrangement stresses the power pop-guitar feel of the tune, taking it into a “glam grunge bubblegum” zone…like The Hollies merged with The Posies.

lyrics

Copyright 1969 UMG / Sony ATV Music BMI. Licensed and used by permission.

credits

from PICASSO​’​S GLAM BAROQUE PSYCHEDELIC SUNSHINE (A collection of 12 way​-​out pop songs), released January 4, 2017
JJB: bass, guitars, all vocals
Scott Francis: mixing
Keith Kavanaugh: drums

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Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

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