Nico

Nico – Desertshore (1970/2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 29:16 minutes | 1,11 GB | Genre: Avantgarde, Experimental
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Domino Recording Co

Desertshore is Nico’s third solo album, recorded and released in 1970. It was co-produced by John Cale and Joe Boyd. Like its predecessor The Marble Index (HE 68005LP, 2023), it is an avant-garde album with chamber music elements. The back and front covers feature stills from the film La cicatrice interieure by Philippe Garrel, which starred Nico, Garrel and her son Ari Boulogne. A few of the songs from the album were included on the soundtrack of the film.

(more…)

Nico – The Marble Index (1968/2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 37:35 minutes | 1,31 GB | Genre: Avantgarde, Experimental, Art Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Domino Recording Co

Nico’s second solo album, 1968’s ‘The Marble Index’, has long been out of print. This reissue includes audio mastered from the original tapes and previously unreleased photos of Nico by Guy Webster. Nico’s haunting vocals predicted the Gothic movement and co-producer and Velvet Underground’s band mate John Cale’s startingly modern classical production ensured ‘The Marble Index’s timeless appeal. The iconic music journalist Lester Bangs wrote, “The Marble Index is the greatest piece of ‘avant-garde classical’, ‘serious’ music of the last half of the 20th century so far,” and the New Yorker recently hailed both records as “austere miracles of will and invention.”

(more…)

Nico – Drama of Exile (Deluxe Edition) (1981/2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:13:56 minutes | 683 MB | Genre: Art Rock, Post-Punk, New Wave, Female Vocal
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Modern Harmonic

Nico’s iconic post-Velvets return to rock! As one critic memorably put it, when Nico spoke it was like coffin-lids creaking. When she sang it was like listening to ravens taking off 13 at a time. Nico was like nothing rock music had ever seen or heard before or since.

(more…)

Nico – BBC Peel Session 1971 (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 17:37 minutes | 315 MB | Genre: Folk
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Gearbox Records

Previously only available as a vinyl release on John Peel’s and Clive Selwood’s Strange Fruit label during a brief period in 1988, this four track vinyl EP was the first of two sessions Nico performed for John Peel (the second was in 1974), and was recorded live for BBC Radio One’s Top Gear on 2nd February 1971 and broadcast the following week.This haunting session is Nico at the height of her creative powers as testified by those who saw her solo concerts accompanying herself on harmonium around this time.

(more…)

Nico – Chelsea Girl (1967/2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 45:33 minutes | 1,83 GB | Genre: Rock
Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks.com | @ Polydor Records

Chelsea Girl is the debut solo recording by Nico, the singer on the first Velvet Underground album. The title is a reference to the Andy Warhol film that Nico starred in. The album is a breathtaking collection of orchestral pop and chamber folk highlighted by Nico’s inspired vocals. Chelsea Girlfinds Nico interpreting classics from Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Tim Hardin and more. The work is a stunning piece of art.

4 stars out of 5 – “…The mood remains dark, gothic and mysterious with barely more than flute, guitar, violin, cello and harmonium accompaniment.” – Rolling Stone (more…)