DM's Beatles forums
Other music forums => Various Artists, Lyrics, Discographies => Topic started by: on July 21, 2007, 11:32:13 AM
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I was introduced to the music of the late Nick Drake the other night ,who i had never heard before .
His first album " Five Leaves Left " is one of the best records ive ever heard, from begining to end it's simply the work of a genius .
Cello Song inparticular ive not been able to stop playing . Anyone heard this album ?
DaveRam :)
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I've been a big fan for years Dave. A few years ago I was lucky enough to be involved in a show that was staged to celebrate the life of Nick, in music, dance, and film. There is a very famous series of still photographs of him leaning up against a brick wall, as people walk by. We hired a lookalike and made a film of it, but didn't tell anyone. When it came on there was audible surprise all round. It sent shivers down my spine, and I knew it was a fake!
He only has 3 albums - get them all. There is also a pretty good CD of outtakes plus a 'new' song. The producer was listening to an old reel to reel and when it finished just left it running. About 20 minutes later when he'd forgotten all about it this song started playing that nobody had ever heard before!
I could talk all day about him, but I'm going out to watch the cricket, so it'll have to be tomorrow. Happy listening.
Btw, I don't know if you know any John Martyn, but the song Solid Air was written about Nick.
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I have his three regular albums and a rarities compilation (something with Magic in the title, I believe). Bryter Layter is hands down my favorite album of his. I never really understood what everyone hears in Pink Moon, I'm not a big fan of that album. And my favorite Nick Drake song is Hazey Jane II.
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I'm glad that there are other fans of his on this board! I think that he's fantastic and I think that none of his albums falls short of genius. Like BlueMeanie said, you should definitely pick up all three of his albums, and perhaps a compilation of rarities like I did (Made To Love Magic). A new album of his came out last week called Family Album, it's a collection of home made tapes he made in his home. If you're a guitar player, it will inspire you write your own songs and record them, if you're not a guitar player, you're going to want to learn how.
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Thanks BlueMeanie :) ive been and bought the other 2 cds Bryter Later and Pink Moon , have listend to Bryter Later and im very impressed quite a talent our Nick :)
Im supprised from the bit ive been reading about him that he sold only a few thousand records in his lifetime ?
He was as good in my opinion as Elton John and Cat Stevens ?
It's sad about his mental health problems ,which i understand from reading about him will become clear when i listen to Pink Moon
I can see im going to become a big fan as i love what ive heard so far , can't believe after buying and listening to records for the last 30 odd years ive missed somebody as good as this guy :)
DaveRam :)
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I agree with Blue Meanie, get all the Nick Drake albums.
I like a quote from Richard Thompson (who played on some of Nick's songs). He said that when he met the Queen with a bunch of other rock music people, she asked something like, "So what was Nick Drake really like?"
Thompson really did meet the Queen, but made up her quote. Brilliant!
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I bought all 3 of his albums about 2 or 3 years ago & liked some of his work.
Fives Leaves Left is my fav stuff of his & i do have a soft spot for
Bryter Lyter but never got Pink Moon. i think that record is too overated! :-/
Damn shame he left us so young! :'(
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Ive listend to all three albums now and although Pink Moon is a bleak album i like it .
Out of the three i like Five Leaves Left Best , it's just a stunning record and will become a favourite album of mine :)
I can see Nick was a rare talent , it's sad that due to his illness he was not able to continue , but one more album like the first could have broken him into the big time.
Five Leaves Left reminds me a bit of Bowie's Hunky Dory , which itself was over looked on initial release and like Bowie ,Nick maybe should have hung in there a bit longer ,as he clearly had the talent to do it .
Ive a friend who's been mentally ill for many years and it's terrible to see someone suffer in such a way.
But what he was able to produce in his short lifetime im really impressed with, and genius is the correct word to apply to Nick Drake :)
DaveRam :)
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there's a new Nick Drake album out actually...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Tree_%28Nick_Drake_album%29
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It's a fairly grotty collection of badly recorded, badly sounding home demo's and family recordings. Really, this kind of stuff should stay in the attic collecting dust.
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BlueMeanie which album as the track on it that had laid undiscoverd for years ? and what was the song called ?
DaveRam :)
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BlueMeanie which album as the track on it that had laid undiscoverd for years ? and what was the song called ?
DaveRam :)
The song is 'Tow The Line' and the album is 'Made To Love Magic':
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Made-Love-Magic-Nick-Drake/dp/B0001XLVMW/ref=sr_1_5/202-3404864-8865432?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185099521&sr=1-5
And if you really want to know everything, there's a biography by Patrick Humphries - 'Nick Drake: The Biography'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nick-Drake-Biography-Patrick-Humphries/dp/0747535035/ref=sr_1_2/202-3404864-8865432?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185099805&sr=1-2
One more thing, if you're an Elton John fan. Elton recorded 4 Nick Drake songs in 1970 - 'The Sweet Suggestions of the Pink Moon':
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweet-Suggestions-Pink-Moon/dp/B00003IEMK/ref=sr_1_48/202-3404864-8865432?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185100284&sr=1-48
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Nick Drake displays such a fine voice and sense of song-writing...i absolutely adore Riverman. I must, I must get these albums.
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It's a fairly grotty collection of badly recorded, badly sounding home demo's and family recordings. Really, this kind of stuff should stay in the attic collecting dust.
That's exactly what I loved about the album. It allows you to hear him play the music that he loves in his own way, recorded in his own way. I liked the DIY feel of the album and I'm glad the producers didn't intend on deleting the hiss from the record. It would be, to me, like remastering Robert Johnson.
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That's exactly what I loved about the album. It allows you to hear him play the music that he loves in his own way, recorded in his own way. I liked the DIY feel of the album and I'm glad the producers didn't intend on deleting the hiss from the record. It would be, to me, like remastering Robert Johnson.
I guess I'm not that obsessive then. Is any of it the same as that that's on 'Tamworth-in-Arden 1967/68'?
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I believe so, there are a few tracks on this one that aren't on the Tamworth collection, but there are also songs on here that aren't on Tamworth.
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The song is 'Tow The Line' and the album is 'Made To Love Magic':
[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Made-Love-Magic-Nick-Drake/dp/B0001XLVMW/ref=sr_1_5/202-3404864-8865432?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185099521&sr=1-5[/url]
And if you really want to know everything, there's a biography by Patrick Humphries - 'Nick Drake: The Biography'
[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nick-Drake-Biography-Patrick-Humphries/dp/0747535035/ref=sr_1_2/202-3404864-8865432?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185099805&sr=1-2[/url]
One more thing, if you're an Elton John fan. Elton recorded 4 Nick Drake songs in 1970 - 'The Sweet Suggestions of the Pink Moon':
[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweet-Suggestions-Pink-Moon/dp/B00003IEMK/ref=sr_1_48/202-3404864-8865432?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185100284&sr=1-48[/url]
Thank you BlueMeanie ,i saw this album so their's another one to get , is Blackeyed Dog and the last song's he did on Made to Love Magic ? as i would like to hear those last songs he did before he died.
This new album of demo's is it called Family Tree ?
Thank you for all the info BlueMeanie , im really loving Nicks work :)
DaveRam :)
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Yeah It's called Family Tree. Amazingly you would think because of Drake's state of mind during the recording of Black Eyed Dog and Tow The Line, the songs would be dreary and bare just like Pink Moon, but I thought it was rather up beat and still very good. I think every one of his albums are very good and my favorite depends on the mood I'm in.
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Coincidently, I'm listening to Nick Drake's 'Northern Sky' right now, when I stumbled upon this!
I think he is amazing, and the music really reaches the soul (however corny..).
I have to be in the right mood to listen to him though, but when I am, it is perfect! There are certain moments when you can just hear the genuis, so real - Like Jeff Buckley. Also, biking Along in the pitch black to 'river man' whilst stoned, is the most amazing thing ever!
His best album?? IMO, Five leaves left, or Pink Moon.
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Bryter Layter sold just 15.000 copies during Nick Drake's life. It's sad that he died before people started appreciating his work.
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Bryter Layter sold just 15.000 copies during Nick Drake's life. It's sad that he died before people started appreciating his work.
This is the bit i can't get my head round Joost ,why Nick sold so little in his lifetime when the quality of those first two albums is so very good .
What were people listening to in 1970 that was better ? i just don't understand his lack of sales , i mean look how someone like James Blunt sells today ,Back To Bedlam as sold millions and although i quite like James Blunt , i bet he would give anything to create an album like Five Leaves Left , it just does'nt make sense to me ??)
DaveRam :)
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I LOVE "Day is Done"
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I read White Bicycle by his manager (Joe Boyd). Nick was very introverted and incredably difficult to work with. His refusal (or inability, depending on how you look at it) to play live didn't help.
Nick himself was frustrated at his lack of sales. He pointed to Leonard Cohen, who had massive sales, also without ever having played live. He seemed to blame poor management.
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Yep, he rarely played live due to stage fright. I remember a story of him walking off stage at the Festival Hall in a complete mess. That kind of music didn't sell truckloads, and you needed to play live to make a living and to spread the word because you were unlikely to have a hit single that would help to promote you, and the only DJ that played your records wasn't on until 10 at night. John Martyn used to play 250 gigs a year, which is why he made it, and Nick Drake didn't.
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found these on youtube....
"Nick Drake: A Skin Too Few Documentary"
Part 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RPM9uRZ3tN0
Part 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wSK6jpb5ObQ
Part 3: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qb5iR7w_WQc
Part 4: http://youtube.com/watch?v=HAGE3ge09eE
Part 5: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BV0p1QMS5J4
"Nick Drake: A Stranger Among Us Documentary"
Part 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=accJOyEvDeY
Part 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=jec-soXF6x0
Part 3: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BD_ZaIFIA90
Part 4: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gb3FumfpnLQ
rare live footage of "Nick" at a 70's Folk Festival
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CZFnCdTCSXw
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Thanks JMF. Imagine my disappointment when I watched the last on of those links ;D
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;D
I've heard that there's no known video of Nick...such a shame. :'(
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is Blackeyed Dog and the last song's he did on Made to Love Magic ? as i would like to hear those last songs he did before he died.
Both on Made To Love Magic. The album also has a different version of 3 Hours with Rebop Kwaku Baah on congas, and the orchestrated version of Time Of No Reply. Well worth it.
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Thanks for your helpful info everydody , it's becoming a bit clearer as to why he did'nt sell so well in his lifetime.
And i can see if he was unable to perform live it would difficulte to promote him.
Maybe if he had been born a decade later than he was, and was begining his career in the 80's he would have been able to make use of MTV and video's .
Much like Kate Bush was able to do as she's only toured once back in 79, and she's managed to have a different career to what is the norm .
The more im learning about Nick the more fascinating he becomes :)
DaveRam :)
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I was reading "10 Things You Didn't Know about Heath Ledger" and I certainly didn't know #3 on the list which was.
3. He was obsessed with Nick Drake.
Nick Drake was a British singer/songwriter who died in 1974 at age 26 after overdosing on antidepressants. One of Ledger's final artistic statements was a music video for Drake's song "Black Eyed Dog" that he directed and in which he starred. At the end of the clip, Heath depicts himself drowning in a bathtub.
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1580272/20080124/story.jhtml
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Now that's spooky.
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I know right? Hopefully the family of Drake will release that video someday. I'd be interested in seeing it.
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3. He was obsessed with Nick Drake.
Nick Drake was a British singer/songwriter who died in 1974 at age 26 after overdosing on antidepressants. One of Ledger's final artistic statements was a music video for Drake's song "Black Eyed Dog" that he directed and in which he starred. At the end of the clip, Heath depicts himself drowning in a bathtub.
I'm intrigued by this. I wonder if he was asked to do it, or whether he did it off his own back? I can't imagine that it's official, as there's nothing new to promote (Fruit Tree came out last year). Not that the estate would run to having a famous actor in a promo anyway. And why was he depicted drowning? Drake died from an overdose of pills. It doesn't sound like the kind of thing that Drake's family would approve of. His sister Gabrielle is fiercely protective of his memory.
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/paulk58/Nick_Drake.jpg)
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Appearing at a news conference at the Venice Film Festival in September to promote the Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There," Heath Ledger, who died on Tuesday, spoke of his "obsession with an artist by the name of Nick Drake," an English-born singer/songwriter whom he characterized as a "very mysterious figure."
"I was obsessed with his story and his music and I pursued it for a while and still have hopes to kind of tell his story one day," a soft-spoken and fidgety Ledger told the assembled media, though he also said that any such aspirations had "faded away."
But in an eerie postscript to the actor's own death on Tuesday, MTV News has learned that Ledger recently shot and edited a music video for a Drake song called "Black Eyed Dog," so titled because of a Winston Churchill quote describing depression as such. It is also reportedly the last song Drake recorded before overdosing on antidepression medication in 1974 at the age of 26.
A representative for Drake's estate described the "gorgeous" and "extremely moving" clip as a stark black-and-white composition, consisting mainly of the director turning the camera on himself. In the end, Ledger is seen drowning himself in a bathtub.
The video, which has not been released commercially and has apparently not yet leaked to the Web, has been screened just twice, once last Labor Day weekend at the Bumbershoot festival in Seattle and a second time in October at "A Place to Be," an event honoring Drake held in Los Angeles.
http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1580085/20080122/drake_nick.jhtml?rsspartner=rssTicket
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Interesting stuff Paul Cheers for that. We'll have to wait and see then.
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*Thinking out loud* I wonder if Jimmy knew Nick? I consider their stories to be very similar...both died tragically of an OD way too young at age 26.
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They were very different people. Nick was very shy and introverted, and suffered from stage fright. Jimmy doesn't sound like that to me. I can't see how they would have ever come into contact with each other. Different worlds.
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That's true. I've read that Nick only did one interview in his entire life. That would be an interesting read. I wonder if it's on the net somewhere.
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well here's what I found from http://www.rocksbackpages.com/article.html?ArticleID=410
Something else for Nick? An interview with Nick Drake
Jerry Gilbert, Sounds, 13 March 1971
NICK DRAKE IS A SHY, INTROVERTED folk singer who is not usually known to speak unless it is absolutely necessary. But Nick is not the kind of folk singer who will drift into your friendly neighbourhood folk club; in fact, if you've seen him perform, the chances are that it was on the bill of a sellout Festival Hall concert.
but to read the rest of the article you have to pay ??)
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I've written a biog of Nick Drake in the 'Cult Artists' section of the www.rockandpopshop.com site
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I've written a biog of Nick Drake in the 'Cult Artists' section of the www.rockandpopshop.com site
Good read, thanks for that. :)
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Nick Drake is great. His voice is great. I have all of his albums. Bryter Layter is probably my favorite, I just love " one of these things first"
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^^ I also like that one.
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=I4NDLATuL-U
rare bootleg of "Day is Done" :)
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(http://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/bryterlayterad.jpg)
Found this rare ad for Bryter Layter
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Here's a youtuber who does incredible covers of Nick's.
http://www.youtube.com/user/plectrum34
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Thats a bit spooky sounding JMF sounds almost like him maybe just a tad softer on the vocal and slightly less crisp on the finger plucking , but it's a very good impression .
Just got a copy of "Family Tree" which is a collection of home recordings by Nick it as a couple of family songs on it .
Nick's mum Molly Drake was very musical , strange to hear her singing one of her own songs , bit Noel Coward sounding .
Also you get to hear Nick Speak and laugh which is interesting , and there are a few Dylan covers , it's a bit basic sounding this CD but it complets my Drake collection .
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Mad to see this thread again...I was only singing Riverman last night. An inspirational singer/songwriter.
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Here's a treat for you Nick's sister Gabrielle doing a strip in her most famous acting role as Lt Gay Ellis in the 70's Sci-fi series UFO .
It's a pitty we don't have film of Nick , can't see him ever wearing a purple wig and silver suit , much to shy , but his sister certainly was'nt lol
MuXIBOqBitg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuXIBOqBitg)
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Anyone know why we cannay listn to Nick Drake songs on youtube in the UK? Chris Blackwell putting a stamp on things?
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Came across a site the other night that had some really good pictures of Nick .
Here's a few of them , think the first lot are from The Five Leaves Left photo shoot , but are different to the album photos ?
There are are also a few other's i've not seen before (smile)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/zz038r2.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/zz038r6.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/ZZ040.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/nick_42.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/nick_08.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/zz123r1.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/zz122r7.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/zz261.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/nick_39.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/zz122r6.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/nick_19.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/davedodo/513760451_4993d183de_b.jpg)
The Above is Nick's grave it's the little headstone under the tree , Nick lays their with his mum and dad .
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(http://cover.mojo4music.com/uploads/Images/399x567/633761709985413846.Jpeg)
Nick on the June 2009 cover of Mojo.
NICK DRAKE: Continuing our huge Island extravaganza, MOJO's Mat Snow delves into the mind of the lost boy of British folk. 35 years after his untimely death, we ask who was the young man behind the dark myth?