Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake

Hi Graham, Unfortunately I am unable to make the dates but I went to the Barbican earlier in the year to see part of the Witchseason weekend.
I saw Dr Strangley Strange & Incredible String Band with guests hosted again by Joe Boyd. It was a magnificent evening and I am sure the Nick Drake evening will be great also.

Enjoy, Prem.

The performances last night, played to a packed house, were great and the music sublime. Joy to anyone seeing it in London tonight (sold out) or in Coventry tomorrow.

BTW, Martha Wainwright had been due to perform but was, understandably, absent.

G

Went last night to the Brighton show with my 17 year old son. When we got back he grabbed Fives Leaves Left and ripped it onto his mac. A convert!

The performances were outstanding they all had a deep passion for the songs and music. Robin Hitchcock is still as mad as a box of frogs though!
J

Glad you enjoyed it at Brighton.

Band were excellent at the Barbican (Friday) from which I've just got in (almost 02.00...). The singers were very patchy. Hesitant and tentative performances from several. Three forgot their words, or couldn't read the words on the crib sheets. Dreadful harmonies. (Not sure Martha's sad and understandable absence is responsible for all of that.) Two guitars required to produce somthing like the sound of Nick's one. And even then quite a lot of dreary strumming.

To my mind, quite the opposite of 'devotees paying homage', they gave the impression of being decidedly amateur. Credit to the one of them who confessed to being p*ssed.

If you think I'm being picky in my judgement, I suppose that's because I've been treated to Keith James, who I now realise is the 'master' at interpreting Nick Drake's music today. (And it only needs ONE of him to produce a convincing interpretation of Nick's guitar playing...)

Lisa Hannigan's 'Black Eyed Dog' was a straight copy of Gomez's cover of the same. Imitation is flattery and all that...

Nevertheless, for all that it was worth it for the stick-out moments. Hearing the Robert Kirby orchestrations 'live', and yes, especially 'Riverman'; also 'Time has told me', 'Pink Moon' and of course Danny Thompson.

I was thinking of going to the London concert but reading your report I'm glad I didn't James.

My wife and I went to the concert last night at Warwick University after being made aware of it on this forum.
We had a marvellous evening. The sound system was excellent-makes you realise the scale and spatial information in a live venue cannot even be approached in a home environment.
We thought the artists performed brilliantly. Highlights were Teddy Thomson, Lisa Hannigan-espcially Black Dog,Krystle Warren and Scott Matthews. Well worth the effort.
A lady in the next seat to us explained she lived in Nick Drakes' home village-Tamworth in Arden, where there is an annual reunion.

Thoroughly enjoyed the Barbican gig, one of the live highlights on these past 12 months. The sound was excellent, the arrangements sublime. It was good that nobody tried to be Nick Drake apart from perhaps Scott Matthews who for me was the weakest performer. I don't need imitation I have the records. Each artist had a unique take on the songs, which is surely what an evening celebrating the mans music should be? Robyn Hitchcocks strange but beautiful "I saw Nick Drake" (the only non Drake song performed)was played to a hushed and judging by the applause suitably impressed audience.

A delightful, delightful evening, which can be seen on BBC in March on BBC4 I believe.

Chris

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:


If you think I'm being picky in my judgement, I suppose that's because I've been treated to Keith James, who I now realise is the 'master' at interpreting Nick Drake's music today. (And it only needs ONE of him to produce a convincing interpretation of Nick's guitar playing...)

Picked up some tickets today to see him in March at the Sage, looking forward to it. Thanks for the tip.

Regards

Nic

I'm with Richie here, and therefore can't agree with JWM, as I thought that Lisa Hannigan's 'Black Eyed Dog' was the highlight of the show in Brighton. That said, I've never heard the performance by Gomez. And what was that extraordinary harmonium-like instrument that she was using?

Didn't like the way that Krystle Warren hyped up 'Time Has Told Me', and why did she feel the need to tell a crap joke, at the Brighton show (at least)?

Does anyone know which show/s the BBC recorded? Presumably London.

Graham

Graham

London was recorded they had 6 cameras, and the truck outside said "High Definition" in very large letters!

Caught Lisa Hannigan's gig at the Royal Festival Hall just before Christmas she was stunningly good, and I think it is a harmonium. Her album "Sea Sew" is also very good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=...prefix=Lisa+Hannigan

Chris

Chris, thanks for that.

Lisa Hannigan was a revelation. I may wait to see what the 'deluxe edition' of "Sea Sew" offers before committing myself to a purchase.

Graham

I have See Saw and it is an excellent elpee - thoroughly recommended.

another vote for Keith James. Seen him twice. Excellent.