The most noticeable thing about "Camera Obscura", only Nico's sixth solo album in almost 20 years, is how relaxed she seems. Maybe it was a result of the security that now enveloped her, following her rediscovery and total reinvention in the arms of the British post-punk/goth scene - people say that artists do their best work while they're living on the edge, and Nico's canon was living proof of that. But it was all behind her now and, if "Camera Obscura" does not sound positively comfortable, it's at least less despairing than its predecessors. Not that she had changed her stance too much - listening to Nico remains a cathartic, solitary experience. But the claustrophobia that was so essential to each of her albums as far as "Drama of Exile" has given way to vistas that, aided by John Cale's wide-open production, render "Camera Obscura" an easy listen by comparison.
Indeed, the reliance on the studio is so pronounced that there are moments when the album's closest antecedent lies in Cale's own past albums, with Nico's voice buried so deeply inside the mix that it's almost unnoticeable. Both the (studio improvised?) title cut and the lengthy "Fearfully in Danger" are absolutely Cale territory and, if Nico is allowed to shine at all, it's on "My Funny Valentine," executed precisely as one would hope she'd do it - all sad and dark, with just a faint smile playing around her lips - and "Das Lied vom einsamen Mädchen", a strident Teutonic ballad that, were its source better known, would doubtless be as universally effective as her rendition of "Deutschlandlied" proved a decade before. The title, incidentally, translates as "the song of the lonely girls," a subject about which Nico certainly knew a thing or two.
"Camera Obscura" is not classic Nico, but it's by no means disposable. Indeed, accepting that Cale's overwhelming presence should at least earn him a co-billing in the credits, there really is no one else who could have made a record like this.
Indeed, the reliance on the studio is so pronounced that there are moments when the album's closest antecedent lies in Cale's own past albums, with Nico's voice buried so deeply inside the mix that it's almost unnoticeable. Both the (studio improvised?) title cut and the lengthy "Fearfully in Danger" are absolutely Cale territory and, if Nico is allowed to shine at all, it's on "My Funny Valentine," executed precisely as one would hope she'd do it - all sad and dark, with just a faint smile playing around her lips - and "Das Lied vom einsamen Mädchen", a strident Teutonic ballad that, were its source better known, would doubtless be as universally effective as her rendition of "Deutschlandlied" proved a decade before. The title, incidentally, translates as "the song of the lonely girls," a subject about which Nico certainly knew a thing or two.
"Camera Obscura" is not classic Nico, but it's by no means disposable. Indeed, accepting that Cale's overwhelming presence should at least earn him a co-billing in the credits, there really is no one else who could have made a record like this.
(320 kbps, cover art included)
11 Kommentare:
As you point out, this is not considered one of the 'classic' Nico albums, but I agree, it definitely has its moments, Win A Few in particular sounds curiously contemporary and of course, it is worth getting for her rendition of My Funny Valentine. Personally, I have always licked Konig, the last track (not speaking German, I have no idea what it is about, but that is besides the point, the emotion just oozes through).
The documentary on Nico is well worth a watch as the 'Faction' period is well documented, plus it gives you a chance to see her through the eyes of those closet to her - a true original.
Thanks a lot for your comment. Greetings!
Hello Zero, any chances for a re-up?
Thank you very much, Zero!
Vielen Dank für all die Schätze die hier ausgegraben werden. Velvet Underground und auch die Soloalben von Lou Reed, John Cale und Nico sind für mich die Ermutigung in schwierigen Zeiten schlechthin. Ich kenne keine Sängerin die so traurige Musik gemacht hat wie Nico. Und trotzdem ist gerade deswegen ihre Musik in bestimmten Situationen so wertvoll.
Würde mich sehr über einen Re-Upload von diesem Album freuen.
Wolfgang
Hello, zero. Would a new link be possible? I would like to listen to this as I no longer have a turntable to play my lp.
Brian
Hi, could you reup please?
Reupped!
Thanks for this one.
Thanks for this one Zero G! Young the superb keyboard player is local here and Dids the percussionist excellent back up but it must have been harrowing working for the Teutonic ethereal one!? Cooper-Clarke always said the reason she liked the UK (Manchester) so much was the quality of the heroin!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and background info with us. You are both welcome!
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