Nico - I'm Not Sayin' / The Last Mile

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 26 / 2 / 2005

Label: Munster Records
Format: 7"

intro

Beautiful repackaging of Nico's very first single from 1965, which features both Brian Jones and Jimmy Page on guitars

This is quite legendary. In fact it is Nico's very first single. It has been given a beautiful repackaging with a lovely sleeve, and also features sleeve notes about the track listings which has details about everything you wanted to know about the sessions in which it was recorded. It was released on the 19th August 1965 on Immmediate Records, and flopped of course, but the interesting thing is it features on guitar Brian Jones of the Stones and the as-of-yet-to be Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page. Jimmy Page also wrote the music for the B side. 'I'm Not Saying' was written by Canadian Gordon Lightfoot, after Dylan offered Nico 'I Keep It With Mine' which she rejected*.It was recorded in the same studio in London's Denmark Street as the Stones used. It has perky vocals, is very girlish in tone and for the mid 60's sounds incredibly modern.It is backed with acoustic guitars and a strong string arrangement with some solid bass and drums filling out the sound. 'The Last Mile'is more reflective of Nico's acknowledged vocal style. It is harder in tone. It again features acoustic guitars and these sound a little Echo and the Bunnymen like. 'The Last Mile' is short and to the point, but of the two tracks 'I'm Not Saying' is the stronger. *NB : Nico did in fact eventually record a version of 'I'll Keep It With Mine' for her 1968 solo debut album, 'Chelsea Girl'

Track Listing:-