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Nico, born Christa Päffgen in Cologne, Germany in 1938, was a distinctive and influential figure who moved between modeling, acting, and music throughout her career. She first gained prominence as a fashion model and actress in the 1960s, appearing in Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita,” before becoming associated with Andy Warhol’s Factory scene in New York.
Her most famous musical collaboration was with The Velvet Underground, where her deep, haunting voice featured prominently on their 1967 debut album “The Velvet Underground & Nico.” After leaving the band, she pursued a solo career that showcased her unique vocal style and increasingly experimental approach, releasing albums like “Chelsea Girl” and “The Marble Index.”
Her later work incorporated elements of gothic rock and avant-garde music, influencing countless alternative and underground artists. Nico struggled with heroin addiction for much of her later life and died in 1988 while cycling in Ibiza, leaving behind a complex legacy as both a Warhol superstar and a pioneering figure in alternative music.
This box set connects together some legendary and very rare music from Nico and friends including: Lou Reed, John Cale, Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Kevin Ayers, Lutz Ulrich, Tim Hardin, The Blue Orchids and The Faction.
The “Bedroom Tape” is a legendary recording of Lou Reed and Nico rehearsing together, though its exact dating and circumstances have been subject to considerable debate among fans and collectors. The recording was made at Richard and Lisa Robinson’s apartment in New York for a planned solo Nico appearance where Lou was to back her up on acoustic guitar, though the gig itself never took place.
In 1974, Nico and John Cale found themselves in Berlin during a pivotal period for both artists. Nico, the German-born chanteuse who had gained fame with the Velvet Underground and through her association with Andy Warhol’s Factory, was navigating her solo career while battling personal demons. Cale, the Welsh multi-instrumentalist and former Velvet Underground member, was establishing himself as a innovative producer and solo artist. Berlin in the mid-1970s provided a fitting backdrop for their artistic endeavors - a city divided yet creatively fertile, attracting experimental musicians and artists seeking inspiration in its stark, politically charged atmosphere.
Nico’s collaboration with Tangerine Dream in 1974 represents a fascinating intersection of two distinct musical worlds. The German krautrock pioneers, led by Edgar Froese, had established themselves as masters of synthesizer-driven soundscapes and electronic experimentation. When they worked with Nico (Christa Päffgen), the former Velvet Underground chanteuse brought her distinctive deep, haunting vocals and European art sensibility to their cosmic electronic framework.
A set of essential recordings from 1978 with Lutz Graf-Ulbrich, Her longtime partner and collaborator. Nico met fellow German musician Lutz “Lüül” Ulbrich (formerly of Ash Ra Tempel and Agitation Free) in the 1970s, and together they formed a relationship that involved romance, artistic collaboration, heroin, and ultimately a friendship that would last for the rest of Nico’s li
A set of recordings from 1975 with her old friend and sometime collaborator the legendary singer songwriter Kevin Ayres. In 1975, both Kevin and Nico were signed to Island records, with Nico pursuing a solo career post-Velvet Underground, often working with John Cale . Their most notable collaboration that year was a live performance on August 6, 1975, at the Arènes d’Arles in Arles, France.
In 1979, Nico collaborated with John Cale on what would become some of her most critically acclaimed work during sessions that resulted in several recordings. Cale, her former Velvet Underground bandmate, produced and arranged material for Nico during this period, bringing his distinctive musical sensibilities to her stark, haunting vocal style.
On June 5, 1979, Nico performed at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles alongside Tim Hardin and Lutz Ulbrich. This concert featured a mix of Nico’s signature songs from her Velvet Underground days and solo career, as well as contributions from Tim Hardin.
In early 1982, Nico embarked on a significant collaboration with The Blue Orchids, a Manchester-based post-punk band formed by former members of The Fall, including Martin Bramah and Una Baines. The group toured with Nico, serving as both backing group and support act , creating a unique fusion of Nico’s distinctive gothic sensibilities with The Blue Orchids’ angular post-punk sound.
Nico performed a four-date tour of New Zealand with The Faction in February 1986, with concerts at His Majesty’s Theatre in Auckland (February 22), St James Theatre in Wellington (February 23), Carlton Hotel in Christchurch (February 24), and Dunedin (February 25) . This tour came after the successful collaboration between Nico and The Faction on her final studio album “Camera Obscura,”
Altogether, this box set is unmissable for any fans of this enigmatic German chanteuse.
Volume 1 With Lou Reed The Bedroom Tapes 1 • New York • April 1970
The “Bedroom Tape” is a legendary recording of Lou Reed and Nico rehearsing together, though its exact dating and circumstances have been subject to considerable debate among fans and collectors. The recording was made at Richard and Lisa Robinson’s apartment in New York for a planned solo Nico appearance where Lou was to back her up on acoustic guitar, though the gig itself never took place.
Track List
Conversation
Conversation
These Days
Conversation
Conversation
Secret Side acapella
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Conversation
Lou tuning
More tuning
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Conversation, Lou runs
through All Tomorrow’s Parties
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Conversation
These days
I’ll Keep It With Mine #1
I’ll Keep It With Mine #2
Conversation
I’ll Keep It With Mine #3
I’ll Keep It With Mine #4
I’ll Keep It With Mine #5
Conversation
I’ll Keep It With Mine + Conversation
I’ll Keep It With Mine #6
Conversation + playback of the tape
Conversation
Little Sister #1
Little Sister #2
Little Sister #3
Volume 2 With Lou Reed The Bedroom Tapes 2 • New York • April 1970
The “Bedroom Tape” is a legendary recording of Lou Reed and Nico rehearsing together, though its exact dating and circumstances have been subject to considerable debate among fans and collectors. The recording was made at Richard and Lisa Robinson’s apartment in New York for a planned solo Nico appearance where Lou was to back her up on acoustic guitar, though the gig itself never took place
Track List
All Tomorrow’s Parties
I’ll Be Your Mirror
Femme Fatale
Conversation
I’ll Keep It With Mine #1
Conversation
I’ll Keep It With Mine false start
I’ll Keep It With Mine #2
Conversation, playback
Jesse James and
other folk songs
Little Queenie
Little Sister #1
Little Sister #2
Conversation,
with Danny Fields
Playback, conversation
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Conversation, playback
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Somebody
Conversation
Volume 3 With John Cale and Brian Eno, Berlin • October 1974
In 1974, Nico and John Cale found themselves in Berlin during a pivotal period for both artists. Nico was navigating her solo career while battling personal demons. Cale, the Welsh multi-instrumentalist and former fellow Velvet Underground member, was establishing himself as a innovative producer and solo artist. Berlin in the mid-1970s provided a fitting backdrop for their artistic endeavors - a city divided yet creatively fertile, attracting experimental musicians and artists seeking inspiration in its stark, politically charged atmosphere.
Track List
Janitor Of Lunacy
The Falconer
No One Is There
Frozen Warnings
Guts
Abschied
Muetterlein
Child’s Christmas In Wales
Fear
Fear (continued)
Das Lied Der Deutschen
You Forget To Answer
Innocent And Vain
Buffalo Ballet
The End
Volume 4 With Tangerine Dream Paris • December 1974
Nico’s collaboration with Tangerine Dream in 1974 represents a fascinating intersection of two distinct musical worlds. The German krautrock pioneers, led by Edgar Froese, had established themselves as masters of synthesizer-driven soundscapes and electronic experimentation. When they worked together Nico, brought her distinctive deep, haunting vocals and European art sensibility to their cosmic electronic framework. Producing some amazing groundbreaking music.,
Track List
Janitor Of Lunacy
The Falconer
Valley Of The Kings
The End
Abschied
Mutterlein
Frozen Warnings
You Forget To Answer
We’ve Got The Gold
No One Is There
Ari’s Song
Atmospherics
Volume 5
Volume 5 With Kevin Ayres Arles • August 1975
Track List
Genghis Khan
Purple Lips
Tananore
No One Is There
Falling In Love Again
Secret Side
Falling In Love Again
Janitor Of Lunacy
You Forget To Answer
The End
Volume 6 With Lutz Graf-Ulbrich Berlin February 1978
A set of essential recordings from 1978 with Lutz Graf-Ulbrich, Her longtime partner and collaborator. Nico met fellow German musician Lutz “Lüül” Ulbrich (formerly of Ash Ra Tempel and Agitation Free) in the 1970s, and together they formed a relationship that involved romance, artistic collaboration, heroin, and ultimately a friendship that would last for the rest of Nico’s life.
Track List
Gengis Khan
The Sphinx
Purple Lips
Procession
Henry Hudson
Abschied
Konig
Valley Of The Kings
You Forget To Answer
The End
Secret Side
Frozen Warnings
Das Lied Der Deutschen
Volume 7 With John Cale New York February 1979
In 1979, Nico collaborated with John Cale on what would become some of her most critically acclaimed work during sessions that resulted in several recordings. Cale, her former Velvet Underground bandmate, produced and arranged material for Nico during this period, bringing his distinctive musical sensibilities to her stark, haunting vocal style.
Track List
The End
Genghis Khan
Procession
Secret Side
Purple Lips
No One Is There
Henry Hudson
Femme Fatale
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Abschied
Valley of the Kings
The Falconer
Frozen Warnings
Das Lied der Deutschen
Janitor of Lunacy
You Forget to Answer
Volume 8 With Tim Hardin & Lutz Ulrich Los Angeles • June 1979
On June 5, 1979, Nico performed at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles alongside Tim Hardin and Lutz Ulbrich. This concert featured a mix of Nico’s signature songs from her Velvet Underground days and solo career, as well as contributions from Tim Hardin.
Track List
Procession
Purple Lips
Henry Hudson
Femme Fatale
All Tomorrow’s Parties
I’ll Keep It With Mine
A Child’s Christmas In Wales
Misty Roses
Black Sheep Boy
Valley Of The Kings
The End
Volume 9 With The Blue Orchids Leicester January 1982
In early 1982, Nico embarked on a significant collaboration with The Blue Orchids, a Manchester-based post-punk band formed by former members of The Fall, including Martin Bramah and Una Baines. The group toured with Nico, serving as both backing group and support act creating a unique fusion of Nico’s distinctive gothic sensibilities with The Blue Orchids’ angular post-punk sound
Track List
Leicester
I’m Waiting for the Man
Saeta
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Heroes
60-40
Femme Fatale
Procession
Extras
Secret Side
Janitor Of Lunacy
Secret Side
Ari’s Song
My Only Child
Koenig
No One Is There
Frozen Warnings
Volume 10 With The Faction New Zealand February 1986
Nico performed a four-date tour of New Zealand with The Faction in February 1986, with concerts at His Majesty’s Theatre in Auckland (February 22), St James Theatre in Wellington (February 23), Carlton Hotel in Christchurch (February 24), and Dunedin (February 25) . This tour came after the successful collaboration between Nico and The Faction on her final studio album “Camera Obscura,”
Track List
Fearfully In Danger
My Heart Is Empty
Purple Lips
Tananore
Janitor Of Lunacy
One More Chance
Das Lied vom
einsamen Mädchen
Sixty Forty
Win A Few
The End