A beautiful face, a poetic face with hair covering his eyes, eyes often cast downwards too afraid to face the world. Nick was folk music or singer/songwriter, but also mixed in Jazz influences and lyrics inspired by poetry and literature rather than inspired by Chuck Berry, if you know what I mean.
A Common Misconception
That everything he did was miserable, and will instantly transform even the happiest person into a misery laden depressive on the brink of suicide. Nicks second LP 'Bryter Layter' in particular exudes happiness and joy in places, think of 'Hazey Jane II' in particular, or the gorgeous happy romance of 'Northern Sky.
How To Buy
With an artist who only ever released three albums proper plus a CD of out-takes, it's tempting to just recommend to the curious to buy all three albums, but then again, what if you don't like what you hear? Few people are willing to buy three albums by an artist they are yet familiar with. So, we turn our focus to a compilation put out by Island Records titled 'Way To Blue'. It covers all three of his albums, plus two songs released in 1974 shortly before his death. It flows beautifully and works like a studio album should. 'Way To Blue' is easily listenable and could even work as the only Nick Drake anybody should buy. But, having said that, if you fall in love with 'Way To Blue' you will want to then purchase his three solo albums and the 'Time Of No Reply' set as well. Which will then render 'Way To Blue' somewhat redundant, but I still dig out my copy because it really is a perfect summary of the music and soul of Nick Drake on an easily digestible single CD. As an aside, 'Way To Blue' far exceeded Island Records own admittedly modest expectations, and has now spawned a series of imitation compilations, eg, 'Rock N Roll : An Introduction To The Velvet Underground', etc. For an artist that sold minimal amounts during his short life-span, for this kind of thing to have happened, is rather cool if you ask me.
Download Nick Drake
A selection of Nick Drake songs to download from the web, also forming a nifty 45 minute CD compilation.
1) Hazey Jane I
2) Fly
3) At The Chime Of A City Clock
4) Northern Sky
5) Time Has Told Me
6) River Man
7) Cello Song
8) Fruit Tree
9) Pink Moon
10) Place To Be
11) From The Morning
12) Black Eyed Dog
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