FORGOTTEN MUSIC #3: CHELSEA GIRL By Nico

Chelsea Girl was German model, actress, and singer Nico’s debut album in 1967.  After recording with The Velvet Underground and appearing in Andy Warhol’s movie, Chelsea Girls, Nico produced this solo album. Nico’s voice sounds like it’s coming from a crypt. John Cale, leader of The Velvet Underground, said Nico was “tone-deaf.” But Nico managed to charm her way into a creative vortex: Bob Dylan wrote a song for her album (“I’ll Keep It With Mine”) as did 17-year old Jackson Brown (“These Days”). At that time in my life, women who looked like Nico and Marianne Faithfull, with their long straight hair and sultry eyes, were irresistible to me. For more on Nico, her music, and her sad ending listen to Ed Ward’s insightful commentary here.

TRACK LIST
1. The Fairest Of The Season 4:06
2. These Days 3:30
3. Little Sister 4:22
4. Winter Song 3:17
5. It Was A Pleasure Then 8:02
6. Chelsea Girls 7:22
7. I’ll Keep It With Mine 3:17
8. Somewhere There’s A Feather 2:16
9. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams 5:06
10. Eulogy To Lenny Bruce 2:44

14 thoughts on “FORGOTTEN MUSIC #3: CHELSEA GIRL By Nico

  1. Jeff Meyerson

    Wow – haven’t thought of her in years. I didn’t realize she died in 1988.

    I do remember THE VELVET UNDERGROUND AND NICO, however, and Warhol’s CHELSEA GIRLS.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      That VELVET UNDERGROUND album was a classic, Bill. Andy Warhol masterminded the insertion of Nico into the group. Nico’s “voice” gave the group a distinctive sound.

      Reply
  2. Richard R.

    I had the Velvet Underground album (vinyl) at one time, but rarely played it and never bothered to replace it with a CD Give me Lou Reed or Dire Straits any time. There was certainly the look back then, Twiggy and all the rest of them.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Yes, willowly girls with long, straight hair were my weakness back in the Sixties, Rick. Now, like Art Scott, I prefer redheads.

      Reply
  3. Patti Abbott

    I think I saw part of that movie at PS 1. They were running Warhol films.
    Someday I’m gonna see a homely woman up here and know something is up.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Nico is best known for her work with THE VELVET UNDERGROUND, Scott. But I’ve always harbored a fondness for Nico’s first solo album. Well worth listening to!

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      You’re spot on, Paul. Nico projected a cool and distant persona that fascinated Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, Jackson Brown, and plenty of other artists.

      Reply

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