Nico / Little Sister (Fluteless Organ Enhanced Synchronized Version)

It is widely reported that Nico hated the flute arrangements on her "Chelsea Girl" album and had requested drums and more guitars, but those pleas were denied. The result greatly disappointed her and reportedly reduced her to tears. Despite this, there are still many stunning moments on that record. However I personally share her opinion about some of the arrangements and most especially those that included the flute. To my ears it seems wildly out of place and a misguided representation of her intentions.
One night while listening to "Little Sister" in bed, my right ear bud fell out. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I could hear the song almost entirely without flute. After making a double mono left side mix of the track, which had the added bonus of highlighting the wonderful organ performance of John Cale, I found that it was massively improved. I then thought (for fun) I would attempt to add the denied instrumentation Nico originally requested. This is the result of that exercise from 2019.
Then in 2021 the great director Todd Haynes released his phenomenal documentary "The Velvet Underground". This included an unseen short colour newsreel section of Nico silently performing downstairs at The Dom in 1967. The original audio (narrated by Barbara Walters!) was the studio recording of "Femme Fatale" but it did not match the video. I closely re-watched this footage with the sound muted and by reading her lips, I determined that she was actually performing a section of "Little Sister". I also think I can make out John Cale accompanying her on guitar, which makes this video even more appropriate.
In 2024, now armed with some additional technical skills, I've managed to carefully synchronize this newsreel footage to augment this re-imagined arrangement, while adding other unrelated footage/screen tests and photographs from the period to fill in the visual gaps. The synchronized video portion begins around the 30 second mark...so be patient!
It's a shame the footage is so brief, but then again, it's a miracle it exists at all.
Here are the known music credits.
Recorded at Mayfair Recording Studios in New York City in April/May 1967
Nico - Vocal
Lou Reed - Electric Guitar/Composer
John Cale - Organ/Composer
Microbunny (added enhancements) - Floor Toms/Snare/Ride Cymbal/Vibraphone/Electric and Acoustic Guitars (2019)
I do not own or have any rights to anything contained in this video or the original audio.
If anyone has a legal objection to this video, please contact me and I will remove it immediately.
If anyone is able to get this to the eyes and ears of John Cale or Todd Haynes, please do it!
Thanks for listening!