# CHRIS CONNELLY To Release New Album Dedicated To NICO

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/chris-connelly-to-release-new-album-dedicated-to-nico/
- Published: 2022-09-14T11:00:00-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

**CHRIS CONNELLY to release new album dedicated to NICO. Preview first ‘Eulogy to
Lenny Bruce’**

_“Connelly, with his beautiful timbre and artistic candour, delivers a haunting 
and touching rendition of Nico’s music. Nobody performs quite like this masterful
musical chameleon and here, he channels her fabulously, honouring her with depth
and personability…  impeccable delivery and smoothness”_ ~ **[The Spill Magazine](https://spillmagazine.com/spill-music-premiere-chris-connelly-eulogy-to-lenny-bruce/)**

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/cw3wbccDWnvE1mWhInG6Hcm8Anooy6J9lm0w0pF2oZQ%
3D/PromoAccessory_008177.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**Photos by Shayna Connelly**

Alternative music legend [**Chris Connelly**](http://www.chrisconnelly.com/) has
announced he will be releasing a long-player paying tribute to the iconic [**Nico**](https://open.spotify.com/artist/0IwlY33zbBXN7zlS9DP2Cj)**.**
Originally planned as 10 tracks featuring Connelly’s versions of her songs, once
recorded, he decided to write a parallel album of his own compositions, spanning
the life of one of the most unique, tragic and misunderstood female artists in the
history of music. The result is the 24-track** **[**‘Eulogy to Christa: A Tribute to the Music & Mystique of Nico’**](https://chrisconnelly.bandcamp.com/album/eulogy-to-christa),
to be released in late autumn.

Ahead of this, the Chicago-based Scottish counter-culture artist presents the album’s
first single [**‘Eulogy to Lenny Bruce’**](https://chrisconnelly.bandcamp.com/track/eulogy-to-lenny-bruce),
heralded by some as Connelly’s finest vocal performance. Appearing on Nico’s 1967
album [**‘Chelsea Girl’**](https://open.spotify.com/album/6O62Cqi0YqOytEbFmeLyjU),
this song was penned by the tragic [**Tim Hardin**](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tim-hardin-mn0000505532/biography)
about the equally tragic [**Lenny Bruce**](https://lennybruce.org/) with the lyrics
slightly altered, Nico describing her sorrow and anger at Bruce’s death.

Connelly once again worked with producer and long-time Connelly collaborator [**Chris Bruce**](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/chris-bruce-mn0000089453/credits),
a band member of **Meshell Ndegeocello**, who has also worked with **Seal, Aaron
Neville, Bob Dylan, The Waterboys, My Brightest Diamond, Cheryl Crow **and** Sam
Phillips**.

‘Eulogy to Christa’ sees Connelly purposefully adopting the personas of Nico, **
Lou Reed **and** John Cale** – even **Andy Warhol** makes a cameo!

Connelly speaks of these early influences: “I was not a stranger to her music, I
had been playing The Velvet Underground & Nico to death for about a year, but knew
nothing of her solo work until Cosey Fanni Tutti played me ‘Desertshore’ whilst 
I was visiting her in London in the summer of 1980… Nico’s output was spartan, at
that age, I didn’t know why, but I was drawn in deep to the myth, as well as the
myth of Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground and the concentric rings of influence in
their wake, like so many musicians.”

The album was inspired by the brilliant book** **[**‘You Are Beautiful and Your Are Alone’**](https://www.jenniferotterbickerdike.com/books)
by author **Jennifer Otter Bickerdicke**, who contributed to the liner notes for
the album. She writes, “This is a record to be played at full blast, all the way
through, as a commemoration not just to Nico the person, the musician, but to art
for art’s sake, for making something because it is important and needs to be done–
an idea that is as rare and precious as Nico herself.”

Even the photos of Nico featured in the album artwork have particular significance:
the cover shot was taken by author **Alastair MacKay **from the audience at the 
Nite Club in Edinburgh in 1981, where a 15-year-old Connelly was also in attendance.
The inside photo of Nico was taken in 1982 by Chicago photography legend **Howard
Goldblatt**.

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/ow5E7RzoPXJxfqZjr4GXjgpF6Q9KdD8hhuIghXBHbXY%
3D/PromoAccessory_757915.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**Photos by Shayna Connelly**

The Nico material spans from her first** Jimmy Page**-composed single B-side through
her time with **The Velvet Underground**, to her intense and unique solo recordings
up until her death. In song, Connelly follows her from Berlin to New York via Paris,
Ibiza, and Rome, then back through Paris, London, Edinburgh, Manchester and up to
her tragic and needless death in Ibiza.

This is a labour of love, empathy, sadness, acting and channeling, along with Chris’s
adoration of the dark corner of rock inhabited by the Velvets and their peers.

Chris Connelly’s creations span almost forty years. Since early days with [**Fini Tribe**](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fini-tribe-mn0000798708/biography)
in his native Edinburgh, Connelly has [**over twenty solo releases**](https://chrisconnelly.com/discography/).
He frequently collaborates with other musicians, building on notable projects with**
Ministry, The Revolting Cocks and Pigface** and contributing to newer ones such 
as **Cocksure** and **The Joy Thieves**. He has also [**published four books**](https://chrisconnelly.com/books/),
encompassing poetry, autobiography, and fictional narrative.

As of September 12, ‘Eulogy to Lenny Bruce’ will be available across digital music
platforms, including . The full ‘Eulogy to Christa’ album’ will be released digitally
on November 11 by **Shipwrecked Industries** in the USA andcan already be pre-ordered
via [**Bandcamp**](https://chrisconnelly.bandcamp.com/).. The physical release will
happen on December 4 via the same label and also [**Easy Action**](https://easyaction.co.uk/)
in the UK.

To celebrate the release of ‘Eulogy to Christa’, Connelly will perform tracks from
the album with the help of **Matt Walker, Carolyn Engelmann** and other members 
of **Sons of the Silent Age**. Scheduled for Thursday, November 10 at Gman Tavern
in Chicago, tickets can be obtained at [**http://bit.ly/ChrisConnelly_1110**](http://bit.ly/ChrisConnelly_1110).

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/gPAjh9yX1z30g2IlDlfzJD6cqucAN8xfRE2ifigzYoY%
3D/PromoAccessory_709132.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**CREDITS**
‘Eulogy to Lenny Bruce’ written by Tim Hardin‘Eulogy to Lenny Bruce’
published by Spirit Music, copyright Spirit One Music o/b/o Allen Stanton ProductionsRecorded
at The Rock Noir July 2021 / January 2022Mastered by James Scott at [Populist Recording and Mastering](http://www.populistrecording.com/)
Produced by Chris BruceChris Connelly: Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, harmonium,
harmonica, keyboards, bassSleeve design by Greg RolfesLayout by Kimberly BlessingCover
photo of Nico by Alastair MacKayInside photo of Nico taken by Howard GoldblattPublicity
by Shauna McLarnon @ Shameless Promotion PRManagement: Kimberly Blessing @ Shipwrecked
IndustriesChris Connelly is published by Bicycle Music/Concord BMIDedicated to Nico(
Christa Päffgen) 1938 – 1988For the lovers on St. Stephen’s

**FOR FANS OF:** 
Nico, The Velvet Underground, John Cale, Lou Reed, David Bowie,
Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Brian Eno, Throbbing Gristle

**Keep up with Chris Connelly**
[Website](http://www.chrisconnelly.com/) | [Bandcamp](https://chrisconnelly.bandcamp.com/)
| [Facebook](https://facebook.com/ChrisConnellyOfficial) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Connelly_Chris)
| [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/connellyofficial) | [Soundcloud](https://soundcloud.com/chrisconnellyofficial)
| [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisConnellyDotCom) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chris-connelly/44132448)
|  [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/4IZgjF9Cb5w0gQTUOYSCQK) | [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/entity/Chris-Connelly/B000AQ6VYI)

**Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR**
[Website ](http://www.shamelesspromotionpr.com/)
| [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/shamelesspromotionpr) | [Twitter](http://twitter.com/shamelesspr_)
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| [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/company/shamelesspromotionpr)

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