Tag Archives: Christa Päffgen

Nico: Chelsea Girl

In October 1967, “Verve” label released “Chelsea Girl”, the debut Nico solo album. It was recorded April – May 1967, at “Mayfair Recording Studios” in Manhattan, and was produced by Tom Wilson. The album name is a reference to Andy Warhol’s 1966 movie “Chelsea Girls”, in which Nico starred.

Personnel:

  • Christa “Nico” Päffgen– vocals
  • Jackson Browne– electric guitar
  • Lou Reed– electric guitar
  • Sterling Morrison– electric guitar
  • John Cale– viola, organ, guitar
  • Val Valentin- director of engineering
  • Gary Kellgren- recording, remix
  • Larry Fallon– string and flute arrangements
  • Paul Morrissey- photography

Track listing:

  1. The Fairest of the Seasons – Jackson Browne, Gregory Copeland
  2. These Days – Jackson Browne
  3. Little Sister – John Cale, Lou Reed
  4. Winter Song – John Cale
  5. It Was a Pleasure Then – Lou Reed, John Cale, Christa Päffgen
  6. Chelsea Girls – Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison
  7. I’ll Keep It With Mine – Bob Dylan
  8. Somewhere There’s a Feather – Jackson Browne
  9. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams – Lou Reed
  10. Eulogy to Lenny Bruce – Tim Hardin

Nico

On July 18, 1988, Christa Päffgen aka Nico died aged 49. She was musician (keyboards, harmonium, tambourine), singer-songwriter, lyricist, composer, fashion model and actress,  promoted in the 60’s by Andy Warhol and had few roles in movies including Federico  Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” (1960) and Andy Warhol’s “Chelsea Girls” (1966), but she is best known  by her vocals on the Velvet Underground’s album from 1967 “The Velvet Underground & Nico”.