B

Drake, Nick

Band members Related acts

- John Cale - viola, harpsichord (1970)
- Ed Carter - bass (1970)
- Lynn Dobson - flute (1970)
- Rocki Dzidzornu - percussion (1969-70)
- Nick Drake (RIP 1974) - vocals, guitar
- Tristam Fry - drums, percussion (1969)
- Paul Harris - keyboards (1969-70)
- Mike Kowalski - drums (1970)
- Clare Lowther - cello (1969)
- Dave Mattacks - drums (1970)
- Chris McGregor - keyboards (1970)
- Dave Pegg - bass (1970)
- Danny Thompson - bass (1969-70)
- Richard Thompson - guitar (1969-70)
- Ray Warleigh - sax (1970)

- none known

Rating: ***** (5 stars) Title: Five Leaves Left Company: Island Catalog: ILPS Year: 1969 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: Available: 1 Price: $60.00	Dead for almost three decades, Nick Drake's one of those folks who's unknown to 99% of music fans, but inspires untold devotion from the remaining 1% who are almost religious in their dedication to the artist. Born to an upper class English family living in Rangoon, Burma, Drake didn't return to England until he was seven. Quiet and introverted from an early age, by the time he was in his teens Drake had become an accomplished guitarist. Having won a scholarship to read English at Fitzwilliam College (not Cambridge as many references list), Drake began playing his own compositions at local clubs. One of those performances was seen by Fairport Convention's Ashley Hutchings, who promptly brought the singer/songwriter to the attention of Fairport producer Joe Boyd. Boyd wasted no time recording some demo material, signing Drake to his own Witchseason label. Produced by Boyd, 1969's "Five Leaves Left" stands as an undiscovered classic (the title referring to the end of a package of cigarette rolling papers). Drawing comparisons to Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks" (not a bad benchmark), material such as the stunning "Time Had Told Me", "Fruit Tree" and "'Cello Song" served to showcase Drake's sweet voice and impressive guitar (check out "Three Hours"). Musically and lyrically much of the material was dark, introverted and deeply personal. Like much of Morrison's catalog, most of the ten selections were characterized by largely acoustic pieces (Drake and his guitar) framed by dreamy pseudo-jazzy influences. Elsewhere, subject to considerable criticsm, Boyd added string accompanyment to "River Man", "Way To Blue" and several other tracks. Personally we didn't find the arrangements distracting. Admittedly, not everyone's cup of tea (don't expect to boogie to this), the results were truly beguiling, making it a debut well worth adding to your collection . (Antilles apparently viewed the collection as being too uncommercial for American audiences. As a result the set didn't see a domestic release until two years after Drake's death.) Try to ignore Bruce Malamut's trying liner notes ... "Five Leaves Left" track listing: 1.) Time Has Told Me (Nick Drake) - 3:56 2.) River Man (Nick Drake) - 4:28 3.) Three Hours (Nick Drake) - 6:01 4.) Way To Blue (Nick Drake) - 3:05 5.) Day Is Done (Nick Drake) - 2:22 6.) 'Cello Song (Nick Drake) - 3:58 7.) Thoughts of Mary Jane (Nick Drake) - 3:12 8.) Man in a Shed (Nick Drake) - 3:49 9.) Fruit Tree (Nick Drake) - 4:42 10.) Saturday Sun (Nick Drake) - 4:00

Rating: ***** (5 stars) Title: Bryter Layter Company: Island Catalog: ILPS- Year: 1970 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: Available: 1 Price: $60.00	Dropping out of college, Drake moved to London where he reluctantly hit the club circuit. Unfortunately, in addition to being painfully shy, Drake suffered from severe stage fright, making many of his performances trying affairs. Drake also found time to work on his sophomore LP, 1970's "Bryter Layter". Continuing his collaboration with producer Boyd, material such as "At the Chime of a City Clock", "Northern Sky" and "Sunday" found Drake continuing to refine his sensitive singer/songwriter credentials. Luckily, musical support from Fairport alumni Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg and Richard Thompson gave the set a tougher and more commercial sound. Stronger and more upbeat material (we use the term loosely), also helped - check out the instrumental title track, "One of These Things First" and "Hazey Jane II" (backed by a great guitar solo from Thompson, the latter literally rocked). Elsewhere, John Cale provided support on "Northern Sky" and "Fly". Showered by praise from English critics, Drake refused to tour in support of the set. Moreover, without a hit single radio shunned the collection and it quickly vanished. Once again, the LP was seen as too uncommercial for American audiences who didn't see the set released domestically until 1977. "Bryter Layter" track listing: 1.) Introduction (instrumental) (Nick Drake) - 1:33 2.) Hazy Jane II (Nick Drake) - 3:41 3.) At the Chime of a City Clock (Nick Drake) - 4:42 4.) One of These Things First (Nick Drake) - 4:46 5.) Hazey Jane I (Nick Drake) - 4:24 6.) Bryter Layter (instrumental) (Nick Drake) - 3:16 7.) Fly (Nick Drake) - 2:56 8.) Poor Boy (Nick Drake) - 6:30 9.) Northern Sky (instrumental) (Nick Drake) - 3:42 10.) Sunday (Nick Drake) - 3:39 Perhaps a reflection of his continued lack of sales (Drake reportedly felt "Bryter Layter" should have been a major hit), or producer Boyd's decision to move to the States, Drake's health took a turn for the worse. Suffering a bout of severe depression, under pressure from family and friends, he agreed to undergo psychiatric treatment. The treatment appeared to have some positive effect, Drake borrowing Blackwell's apartment in Spain, where he wrote material for his next release.

Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Nick Drake Company: Island Catalog: SMAS-9307 Year: 1972 Grade (cover/record): Comments: Available: Price:	Even though the first two album failed to sell (and hadn't even seen an American release), they attracted considerable attention throughout the industry. Already signed to Chris Blackwell's Island Records, growing word of mouth attention led Blackwell to attempt to break Drake to an American audience. Unfortunately, rather than releasing the first two albums, Blackwell opted for a more cost effective compilation. Pulling together eight selections from the first two album (four songs from each LP), "Nick Drake" served as a decent, if odd introduction. Unfortunately, absent any promotional support, the set simply vanished into oblivion, making it one of Drake's harder to find efforts. (Always loved the cover photo). "Nick Drake" track listing: 1.) 'Cello Song (Nick Drake) - 2.) Poor Boy (Nick Drake) - 3.) At the Chime of the City Clock (Nick Drake) - 4.) Northern Sky (Nick Drake) - 5.) River Man (Nick Drake) - 6.) Three Hours (Nick Drake) - 7.) One of These Things First (Nick Drake) - 8.) Fly (Nick Drake) -

Rating: ***** (5 stars) Title: Pink Moon Company: Island Catalog: SMAS-9318 Year: 1972 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: cut out hole; gatefold sleeve Available: 1 Price: $60.00	Having moved out of his folks' home to an apartment in Muswell Hills, 1972's "Pink Moon" was recorded on the fly; reportedly in two days. Even Island executives were surprised by the collection - Drake supposedly left the tapes for the company during a brief visit during a company reception. A true solo effort the collection featured Drake accompanied only by his guitar (a couple of tracks sported keyboards). Incredibly stark and forlorn, almost painful in its isolation, the set still managed to reflect an odd sense of majesty. Highlights included the title track (Volkswagon picked the track for one of it's late-'90s commercials, earning Drake a new legion of fans), "Things Behind the Sun" and "From the Morning". To our ears the biggest surprise came from Drake's impressive guitar (check out his performance on "Which Will"). Like the rest of his catalog, the set vanished without a trace. In the wake of the album's release and dismal sales performance, Drake's mental state continued to deteriorate - he reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown, agreeing to commit himself for a couple of weeks. Frustrated, Drake initially decided to give up music, signing up for a computer training class. The career change was brief. Having recovered some of his stamina, mid-1974 found Drake visiting Paris where he found a fan in singer Francois Hardy (who apparently asked him to write some material for a forthcoming project - Drake reportedly provided Hardy with songs for an LP, but none of the material has ever surfaced). The trip apparently reinvigorated Drake who found the energy to return to the studio where he recorded "Black-Eyed Dog" and three other efforts for a projected album. Sadly before he could complete the album, in late October Drake was found dead in the bedroom of his parent's home. Only 26 at the time of his death, an autopsy ruled his death was a result of an overdose of prescription anti-depressants (it's also been reported to have been an overdose of sleeping pills). (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.) "Pink Moon" track listing: 1.) Pink Moon (Nick Drake) - 2:00 2.) Place To Be (Nick Drake) - 2:35 3.) Road (Nick Drake) - 1:55 4.) Which Will (Nick Drake) - 2:53 5.) Horn (instrumental) (Nick Drake) - 1:17 6.) Things Behind the Sun (Nick Drake) - 3:50 7.) Know (Nick Drake) - 2:25 8.) Parasite (Nick Drake) - 3:30 9.) Ride (Nick Drake) - 2:56 10.) Harvest Breed (Nick Drake) - 1:30 11.) From the Morning (Nick Drake) - 2:25

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