Name: Drama of Exile (1981 Version)
Brand: Nico

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

LP-MH-8230RT

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Colour

Colour details

Red and Black Swirl

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Discogs ID

Discs

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: Yes

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-08-13

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Rough Trade NYC

Tax rate GB

UPC / Barcode

1 / Extended format: Yes / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: Yes / Signed copies: No / red

Artist

Nico

Genre GB

Classic

Label GB

Modern Harmonic

Exclusive

<i>Drama of Exile</i> is the sixth studio album by German musician Nico. This version was initially released in 1981, and a second release followed in 1983 which was a re-recording of the first one done in May 1981. The album featured a Middle Eastern rhythm section and was produced by Corsican bassist Philippe Quilichini. This was Nico's only album not to feature John Cale.

In Paris in the seven year gap between the recording of The End and the release of Drama Of Exile, Nico appeared to be doing little more than feeding a heavy heroin habit. When she met Aura Records founder Aaron Sixx after a gig there she told him that she was eager to start recording again. He told her to contact him when she was next in London. When she arrived it was with a new harmonium in tow - claiming the previous one had been stolen and that its replacement was a gift from Patti Smith. 

She also brought with her the Corsican record producer Philippe Quilichini and his girlfriend - a half French half Vietnamese creature who Nico would introduce as her new manager, though really she was little more than her pusher. She and Quilichini had already finished the demos of the seven new songs and two cover versions that eventually they would record for the album. Quilichini’s production on the album and in particular Mahamad Hadi’s guitar parts emphasised the eastern promise of the numbers and provided a stirring counterpoint to Nico’s heavily accented teutonic vocals which gave the whole thing a stark beauty. 

“The real surprises on Drama are the covers. Lou Reed’s ‘Waiting For The Man,’ one tune she didn’t sing on that first Velvets album, is invested with a deadened user’s authenticity that Reed’s self-conscious streetcool sneer couldn’t deliver, while Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ has an unexpectedly flexible vocal (Nico gayly intoning ‘I, I will be King’), exuberant playing and a radio-active disco pop arrangement that could even see our lady in the charts after all these exiled years. Still crazy, still smart.” – Sandy Robertson (Sounds Magazine, 1981)

Bonus tracks on the CD: 10.Genghis Khan (Alternate Mix) 11. One More Chance (Alternate Mix) 12. Henry Hudson (Alternate Mix) 13. Waiting For The Man (Alternate Mix) 14. Sixty Forty (Alternate Mix) 15. The Sphinx (Alternate Mix) 16. Orly Flight (Alternate Mix) 17. Heroes (Alternate Mix)

Drama of Exile (1981 Version)

Music GB