On the release of a new compilation of Lou Reed’s 1960s compositions at Pickwick Records ... and picks out ten key tracks that serve as guides to an intimidating post-Velvets discography Half a ...

That’s Lou Reed, talking in 1984 in a quote reproduced among the memorabilia in the handsome book accompanying this big black box, compiling most of the albums he released in his first 16 years ...

Lou Reed got his start in the ‘60s fronting the Velvet Underground, the influential noise-rock band that was a commercial bomb but has since become one of rock’s most important groups.