1968 GOLD ORIG NICO THE MARBLE INDEX Dark Psych GEM

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                                                  ***  ATTENTION! **

ORIGINAL 1968 GOLD ELEKTRA ~ DARK OMINOUS PSYCH GEM

               NICO

       The MARBLE INDEX

                          USA - GOLD ELEKTRA - EKS 74209   

SCARCE and sought after 1968 first printing = ORIGINAL on the GOLD Elektra label that includes the original printed Elektra inner sleeve... probably the most creepiest & morbid of Nico's works...there's definitely something unsettling lurking beyond the murky depths ...

The Marble Index was Nico's second album, a complex and challenging work which could be described as a mixture of gothic-folk, neo-classical and avant-garde, recorded and released in 1968. The album featured long-term associate John Cale, who had worked briefly with Nico during her stint in The Velvet Underground. They would work together again many times in subsequent years. Cale had an extensive background in the world of the avant-garde, having worked with minimalist composers. Cale and Nico here created an album that radically deviated from traditional rock music song structures. Cale said it was the first rock album to do so. He also said that The Marble Index had "made a seminal contribution to the body of modern classical music".

Nico wrote all her own songs on this album and accompanied herself on the harmonium, which has also been referred to as an "Indian pump organ". The lyrics are typically dark and the subject matter far different to the cliched themes of most songs written at that time - and indeed since. The arrangements are abstract and, musically speaking, "cold". The effect is akin to the psychological sound experimentation of famous electronic and serial composer, Karlheinz Stockhausen.

The Marble Index has been described as a "nightmare in sound". It has influenced a wide array of genres in contemporary independent music. Numerous contemporary goth bands have all cited Nico as a seminal influence. Here Nico's Gregorian chant melodies, cryptic lyrics, and wavering harmonium combine with always sparse, consistently absorbing arrangements and eerie background sound effects (courtesy of fellow Velvets exile John Cale) to create a singular work fresh from the mausoleum.

While Marble Index is occasionally tedious, give a listen particularly to "Lawns of Dawns," "Frozen Warnings," and "Evening of Light," and you will feel like you are peering into HELL itself.

MARBLE INDEX is a truly creepy and morbid-sounding album. You and your friends definitely won't be bringing this along to the Halloween party at that abandoned, decaying mansion on the dead-end road.

Sail away, sail away my little boy
Let the wind fill your heart with light and joy
Sail away my little boy
Let the rain wash away your cloudy days
Sail away into a dream
Let the wind send you a fantasy
Of the ancient silver sea
Now you see that only dreams

Side one

1. "Prelude" – 1:00
2. "Lawns of Dawns" – 3:11
3. "No One Is There" – 3:37
4. "Ari's Song" – 3:21
5. "Facing the Wind" – 4:55

Side two

6. "Julius Caesar (Memento Hodié)" – 5:02
7. "Frozen Warnings" – 4:02
8. "Evening of Light" – 5:40

CONDITION: The cover is very stiff and clean near M- with just very slight handling, been in careful hands, no bends, no writing, no split seams...TOP COPY

The vinyl is all shiny clean over both sides visual CLEAN near "EX" (excellent) play grade: revealed a little low surface in opening intro...so quiet with bubbling effects in the background, it's almost impossible to find totally clean copy...though 99% plays top levels clear and smooth. Overall TOP keeper...with clean GOLD levels. One of the hardest to find NICO albums in original press...

                keeper copy!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for more & more of similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record