Nick Drake - Family Tree

Posted by: hungryhalibut on 11 July 2007

My copy of this arrived today, and wonderful it is. 28 tracks recorded largely at Nick's home, prior to his three 'proper' albums. The lofi recording is of no consequence, the songs just shine through, like Nick was in the room. If anyone is wondering whether to get the album, go for it!

Nigel
Posted on: 11 July 2007 by nicnaim
Nigel,

Thanks, good enough recommendation for me.

Regards

Nic
Posted on: 11 July 2007 by Guido Fawkes
Nigel

How come yours came before mine - I ordered it first. Big Grin

Glad it is good - I look forward to mine arriving with even greater expectation. Still puzzles me how a man with such great talent just gave up on himself. Of course, his music lives on.

What's his mum's singing like?

ATB Rotf
Posted on: 12 July 2007 by hungryhalibut
quote:
Glad it is good - I look forward to mine arriving with even greater expectation. Still puzzles me how a man with such great talent just gave up on himself. Of course, his music lives on.

What's his mum's singing like?


Molly's singing on one of the early tracks is a bit dodgy, but fine on the last. It's funny but I prefer Nick's home recording and demo albums to the proper three records - they just seem more commumicative to me - I guess the absence of studio gubbins is responsible. For example, the version of 3 Hours from Made to Love Magic is so much better than the proper version from Five Leaves Left.

Family Tree contains a wonderful letter to nick written by his sister Gabrielle, plus various other pieces - it's a moving experience to listen to the music and read the letter at the same time.

Nigel
Posted on: 12 July 2007 by J.N.
Anyone else watching the excellent 'Sensitive Skin' with Joanna Lumley?

'River Man' was used beautifully at the close of the most recent episode.

John.
Posted on: 12 July 2007 by Michael
I totally agree, Nigel, it is a very moving experience to listen and read the sleeve notes.

I was totally immersed from start to finish.

Wonderful.
Posted on: 12 July 2007 by mike/dallas
Nigel,

How does the sound quality compare to his other works? Some times odds and ends and demos which are released after the fact can be lo-fi/murky.

thanks,

Mike Launer
Posted on: 12 July 2007 by hungryhalibut
quote:
lo-fi/murky


Lofi but not murky is my verdict. It's the music that matters.

Nigel
Posted on: 12 July 2007 by Diccus62
Mine's on order
Posted on: 12 July 2007 by Michael
Mike.. the quality if fairly lo-fi..some tracks more so than others..the music just shines through, however... after a few minutes you tune in to the level of quality.

The tracks are just singer and guitar or piano... so nothing textured to cope with... also nice to have a few snippets of Nick talking and laughing.

If ever there is a case for Naim playing music this surely is a fine test.