New Lou Reed Compilation Features Rare 1960s Recordings He Made as a Songwriter for the Pickwick Label

A new compilation gathering together tunes by and/or featuring Lou Reed recorded during the influential rocker’s mid-1960s stint as a staff songwriter for the Pickwick Records label will be released in the coming weeks.

Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65 is a 25-track collection of rare recordings that were issued by the long-defunct label. Pickwick specialized in churning out singles that emulated contemporary pop hits but were recorded by unknown artists or non-existent groups created in the studio.

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[RELATED: Lou Reed’s Meditative Final Solo Album, Hudson River Wind Meditations, to Be Reissued]

Reed’s association with Pickwick gave him the opportunity to hone his songwriting prior to the formation of The Velvet Underground. He created tunes in various musical styles, including girl-group pop, garage rock, surf rock, soul, and more. Lou also sang and played guitar on some of the recordings.

Why Don’t You Smile Now Release Details

Why Don’t You Smile Now will be released digitally on September 27, and in physical formats on October 4. The album will be available on CD and as a two-LP set, either on black vinyl or limited-edition colored vinyl. The color-vinyl version will feature one oxblood-red disc and one gold disc.

The CD and two-LP sets will come packaged with a book featuring previously unseen photos, an essay by longtime Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye, and liner notes by acclaimed rock journalist Richie Unterberger.

Why Don’t You Smile Now is the third release in a series of archival recordings being issued by the Light in the Attic label. The series is being created with the cooperation of Reed’s widow, Laurie Anderson, and the Lou Reed Archive.

The first release in the Lou Reed Archive Series was Words & Music, May 1965, a compilation issued in 2022. The second installment of the series was a 2023 reissue of Reed’s final solo studio album, Hudson River Wind Meditations, which originally was released in 2007.

Advance Track from the Compilation

The first song appearing on the compilation, “The Ostrich” by The Primitives, has been released as an advance digital single. The song, which features Reed on vocals, was envisioned as a tune that would launch a new dance craze. When Pickwick sought to put together a real band to promote to the song, John Cale was recruited to join Reed in The Primitives. Reed and Cale would soon form The Velvet Underground after that.

An animated music video for “The Ostrich” has been created and can be viewed on YouTube.

Cover Tunes Featured Why Don’t You Smile Now

Why Don’t You Smile Now includes covers of the early Beach Boys hits “Surfin’” and “Little Deuce Coupe.” The tracks, which both include vocals by Reed, are credited to a group called The Surfsiders.

Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65 Track List:

1. “The Ostrich” – The Primitives
2. “Cycle Annie” – The Beachnuts
3. “I’m Gonna Fight” – The Hi-Lifes
4. “Soul City” – The Hi-Lifes
5. “Oh No Don’t Do It” – Ronnie Dickerson
6. “Love Can Make You Cry” – Ronnie Dickerson
7. “Teardrop in the Sand” – The Hollywoods
8. “You’re Driving Me Insane” – The Roughnecks
9. “Sneaky Pete” – The Primitives
10. “Wild One” – Terry Philips
11. “Really – Really – Really – Really – Really – Really Love” – Spongy and the Dolls
12. “Soul City” – The Foxes
13. “Ya Running but I’ll Getcha” – The J Brothers
14. “We Got Trouble” – Beverley Ann
15. “Why Don’t You Smile” – The All Night Workers
16. “Johnny Won’t Surf No More” – Jeannie Larimore
17. “Tell Mamma Not to Cry” – Robertha Williams
18. “Maybe Tomorrow” – Robertha Williams
19. “Flowers for the Lady” – Terry Philips
20. “This Rose” – Terry Philips
21. “Surfin’” – The Surfsiders
22. “Little Deuce Coupe” – The Surfsiders
23. “Sad Lonely Orphan Boy” – The Beachnuts
24. “I’ve Got a Tiger in My Tank” – The Beachnuts
25. “What About Me” – Ronnie Dickerson