Can’t wait to peel this back slowly and see Johan Kugelberg, the book’s editor, put together. Velvet Underground is, without a doubt, one of the most important bands of all time. If you’ve ever questioned the power of music or whether or not it has influenced the history of fine art and vice versa…VU is your proof. So yea, extraordinary isn’t a crazy adjective to toss around. The Velvet Underground: New York Art covers the band’s genesis and development in the fertile New York scene of the mid- to late-1960s, and include contributions by Maureen Tucker, Doug Yule, Sterling Morrison, John Wilcock (all VU members) and Jon Savage (super talented writer). Lou Reed even wrote the forward himself. What’s got me really excited are the photographs; the book features a bunch of rare objects and artworks, never before seen photographs of the band’s first live show in New York to Andy Warhol’s cover and poster designs, Lou Reed’s handwritten music and lyrics, underground press clippings and controversial reviews, flyers, handbills and posters. There’s even a conversation recorded especially for the book between founding members Lou Reed and Maureen Tucker. What’s not to love about that… sounds like Rizzoli New York has released a gem. More on this one when the mailman delivers. The book costs $50, but for the truly fanatical fans with deep pockets, there’s a special limited edition box set that comes packaged in a windowed clamshell box, and includes a vinyl slipcover that features early album artwork and a 7” single of two tracks signed by members of the band, which can be yours for $300.00.