Initially a model and actress, German singer Nico moved into music and found fame when she sang three songs on the Velvet Undergrounds debut album before starting work on a solo career.
The Music industry is often criticised for being ruthless and money driven, and there’s no doubting that at times it can be, but then they come out with a release like this. Despite good reviews when it was first released, it was a commercial failure, so to spend more cash remastering it, add in a load of bonus material and reissue it seems an odd move from a commercial perspective, but for music lovers it’s a great move as we not only get the original album but also some rare material to listen to.
Newly remastered the album sounds better than ever. The sound is beautifully clear and the vocals are haunting. The album contains six songs written by Nico, along with two other songs – a version of the German national anthem ”Das lied der Deutschen”, and a cover of ”The End” by the Doors.
Nico’s cover of the Doors hit ”The end” is absolutely superb. It was always a strange song, and Nico’s version makes it darker and more eerie.
The bonus material is mainly from the John Peel session of 3rd December 1974, with one from an earlier John Peel session, two from The Old Grey Whistle Test.
With the Harmonium giving the album a distinctive sound as with her previous albums, with this album we also have synths from Brian Eno as well as John Cale playing a multitude of instruments to really help give the album a unique sound.
It’s a great album – it’s got a unique bizarre and slightly dark feel to it. Definitely an album worth listening to.
Nico – lead vocals, harmonium
John Cale – bass guitar, xylophone, acoustic guitar, synthesizers, organ, marimba, triangles, cabaça, boobams, glockenspiel, percussion, piano, electric piano
Phil Manzanera – electric guitar
Brian Eno – synthesizers
Vicki Wood – backing vocals
Annagh Wood – backing vocals
Track listing:
DISC ONE – The Original Album remastered for the first time
1. It Has Not Taken Long
2. Secret Side
3. You Forget To Answer
4. Innocent and Vain
5. Valley of the Kings
6. We’ve Got The Gold
7. The End
8. Das Lied Der Deutschen
DISC TWO
1. Secret Side – John Peel Session 20th February 1971 – First Time on CD
2. We’ve Got The Gold – John Peel Session – 3rd December 1974 – Previously Unreleased
3. Janitor of Lunacy – John Peel Session – 3rd December 1974 – Previously Unreleased
4. You Forget To Answer – John Peel Session – 3rd December 1974 – Previously Unreleased
5. The End – John Peel Session – 3rd December 1974 – Previously Unreleased
6. Secret Side – Old Grey Whistle Test – 7th February 1975 – Previously Unreleased
7. Valley of the Kings – Old Grey Whistle Test – 7th February 1975 – Previously Unreleased
8. Das Lied Der Deutschen – June 1st 1974 – Previously Unreleased
9. The End – from June 1st 1974
