Nico - Chelsea Girl

AVAILABLE ON FEBRUARY 9TH
LIMITED EDITION 180-GRAM VIRGIN VINYL

The debut solo album (and second studio LP) by German singer Nico, Chelsea Girl was released by Verve Records in October 1967, following Nico's collaboration with the Velvet Underground on their 1967 debut studio album. The title is a reference to Andy Warhol's 1966 film Chelsea Girls, which Nico starred in. Born Christa Päffgen in Cologne in 1938, Nico was a singer, songwriter, actress and model. Besides working with Warhol, she had roles in several films, including Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita (1960). In the 1980s, she toured extensively. She died in Ibiza on July 18, 1988, as the result of a cycling accident at the age of 49. Musically, Chelsea Girl can be described as a cross between chamber folk and 1960s baroque pop. AllMusic reviewer Lindsay Planer gave it four and a half out of five stars, stating that "Nico's inherently bleak delivery is similar to the more modern contributions of Laurie Anderson, Ann Magnuson, and Patti Smith. An unqualified masterpiece." Produced by Tom Wilson, much of the album features instrumental work and songwriting credits from Velvet Underground members Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, and John Cale. "I'll Keep It with Mine" was written by Bob Dylan, while three other songs are by Jackson Browne. 


Tracklist

Side A

1. The Fairest of the Seasons
2. These Days
3. Little Sister
4. Winter Song
5. It Was a Pleasure Then 

 
Side B 

1. Chelsea Girls
2. I'll Keep It With Mine
3. Somewhere There's a Feather
4. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
5. Eulogy to Lenny Bruce


Personnel

Nico – vocals
Jackson Browne – guitars (A1-2, B2-3, B5)
Lou Reed – electric guitar (A3, A5, B1, B4)
John Cale – viola, organ, guitar (A3-5)
Sterling Morrison – electric guitar (B1, B4)
Tom Wilson – producer
Val Valentin – director of engineering
Gary Kellgren – recording and remix engineer
Larry Fallon – string and flute arrangements
Billy Name – photography
Paul Morrissey – photography