The Frozen Borderline 1968 - 1970

'marble index' and 'desert shore' remastered and expanded into a 34 track essential double disc selection of one of rock's most enigmatic vocalists. with 17 previously unreleased tracks in a double card gatefold slipcase. one of the most fascinating figures of rock's fringes, nico worked with an incredible assortment of the most legendary entertainers of the '60s. nico first rose to fame as a european supermodel, also landing a bit part in fellini's 'la dolce vita'. in 1965, rolling stones manager andrew loog oldham recorded a single with her for his immediate label. shortly afterward, she moved to new york, where andy warhol installed her as singer for the velvet underground. the band never really accepted her as a bona fide member and she departed in 1967, but not before contributing unforgettable deadpan vocals to three of the songs on their classic 1967 debut album. nico embarked on a solo career, recording folk-rock-flavoured songs for her debut 'chelsea girl' album with assistance from jackson browne, lou reed and john cale. her 1968 follow-up, 'the marble index', was a dramatic departure that unveiled her doom-laden, gothic persona, produced by cale and prominently featuring her deep vocals, cryptic lyrics, and ghostly harmonium, here remastered and expanded with an array of previously unreleased outtakes and alternate versions. also included is her 1970 reprise records follow-up, 'desert shore' co-produced by cale and joe boyd and also expanded with the previously unheard 1969 demos for the album, all housed in a deluxe package featuring in-depth liner notes and rarely seen photos and memorabilia. the original goth rocker, nico's albums are demanding and bleak, but map a unique and starkly powerful vision that has become more influential with age, and interest in her as a fixture on the andy warhol / factory / new york avant-garde scene is as high as ever, especially with the imminent release of the motion picture 'factory girl' which celebrates the life of edie sedgwick.