Chic Mystique mystery
- Sheila Klein
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Chic Mystique mystery
The Velvet Underground never fails to intrigue and mystify. Does anyone know anything about the keyboard instrument that first gurgles into the improv brew of "Chic Mystique" at approx. 15:30, and arises to the surface at approx. 16:45? It sounds to my ears like, of all things, a melodica, yet I'm aware of no other use of that instrument in the VU's known work.
I'd guess it's John playing it, but can't readily detect what instrument disappears from the brew (which could be a deductive clue) prior to its uptaking. Could this barely-known recording have, somehow, been the root of Augustus Pablo's introduction of melodica into Jamaican music? WTF?!?!
I'd guess it's John playing it, but can't readily detect what instrument disappears from the brew (which could be a deductive clue) prior to its uptaking. Could this barely-known recording have, somehow, been the root of Augustus Pablo's introduction of melodica into Jamaican music? WTF?!?!
Re: Chic Mystique mystery
It is interesting, and I've always assumed it was a melodica - certainly has that sound. I wondered if possibly Nico played it? If you can pick it a tune on a harmonium I figure you could pick one out on a melodica. That said, I've always found it impossible to decipher the actual instruments on Chic Mystique, let alone who plays them.
Keep the faith
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Re: Chic Mystique mystery
We'll never know, but they did from time to time invite friends to play with them onstage, so who knows.
- Sheila Klein
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Re: Chic Mystique mystery
Which friends do you mean?
Re: Chic Mystique mystery
Hey,I"m not got dropbox neither gmail acount,Any kind soul can send me a Pm, looking hear these songs,love early stuff thanks.
But there are no stars in New York sky, they're all on the ground.
This is the place where she lay her head when she went to bed at night....
This is the place where she lay her head when she went to bed at night....
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Re: Chic Mystique mystery
Have you read Uptight The Velvet Underground Story? One is mentioned in there. I don't recall a name. They would do things from time to time like perform with Allen Ginsburg.
- iaredatsun
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Re: Chic Mystique mystery
I can take the files to work on Weds. I will wetransfer them to myself and send you a link.
underground, overground
Re: Chic Mystique mystery
Nice offer man,but got this stunnig song from Phil and is on phone for while ago,thanks.
But there are no stars in New York sky, they're all on the ground.
This is the place where she lay her head when she went to bed at night....
This is the place where she lay her head when she went to bed at night....
- iaredatsun
- Now jelly rolls in the street
- Posts: 1764
- Joined: 08 Jun 2004 21:38
- Location: London, Texas
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Re: Chic Mystique mystery
There's a reference here http://www.monoculartimes.co.uk/monomus ... cale.shtml (about the Cale "New York in the 60s" releases) that says "[It] sounds like elasticated shortwave irruptions accompanied by a busted cortina".
There's a reference here to a Rosedale cortina https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalog ... s-lot-132/ which is a keyboard-with-chords instrument.
If the author is right, could that be the source of the Chic Mystique "melodica" sounds?
Never heard of a cortina before though.
There's a reference here to a Rosedale cortina https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalog ... s-lot-132/ which is a keyboard-with-chords instrument.
If the author is right, could that be the source of the Chic Mystique "melodica" sounds?
Never heard of a cortina before though.