Nick Drake rant

Posted by: Jim Ashton on 29 January 2003

Well, not really. I just don't understand why he seems to be SUCH a cult figure, unless it's just the undoubted marketability of a lonesome introverted soul who poured out his heart for a few short years then died young - but that's the cynic in me & he can now shut up.

I first heard Drake on a track called 'Time has told me' on the Island sampler 'Nice Enough To Eat', which also sported stuff by King Crimson, Blodwyn Pig & Spooky Tooth if memory serves. In those late 60's/early 70's years I was a total folk nut and into all of the following and more besides:

Roy Harper
Michael Chapman
Al Stewart
Ralph McTell
Pentangle (+ Jansch/Renbourn solo)
John Martyn
Steve Tilston
Ian A.Anderson
Harvey Andrews
Gordon Giltrap
Loudon Wainwright III
Davey Graham
Bridget St.John

It's not that I dislike ND - I do quite like him actually, most of his stuff is pleasant enough (my favourite track is still the aforementioned one, probably because I've heard it most often) without being IMHO particularly special - it's just I suppose that I tend to judge him in the context of his peers ie the above exalted company. I have never actually owned a Nick Drake record, whereas I currently own LPs and/or CDs by all the above bar two. 'Nuff said?

So, anyway, can anyone please attempt to explain the contemporary 'Nick Drake phenomenon' in the light of these comments?

Meanwhile here's a few recommendations for all you ND fans out there:

1. Steve Tilston - An Acoustic Confusion; utterly, utterly brilliant, IMHO. Originally released on LP on Village Thing and now available on CD from here - trust me, you won't be disappointed.

2. Bert Jansch - Bert Jansch: the eponymous first album with classics like 'I have no time', 'Veronica' and 'Needle of death'. Sheer magic.

3. Michael Chapman - Rainmaker: another first-album stunner with Chapman's trademark lazy vocals and deceptively brilliant guitar.

I could go on to slightly lesser works but these are the three that stand out - IMVHO, as always.

Jim

Posted on: 30 January 2003 by i am simon 2

I discoverd ND about 4 years ago at University.

My music taste has always been diverse, but it certainly has a folky bias, although ND is one of the few true folk artists that I own records by.

For me ND is first a guitarist and musician, second a songwriter and vocalist third a well marketed popstar. Please not both 1 and 2 are very high, with 2 only slightly behind 1)

The very fact that he was to nervous/shy to tour/play live when he was alive was the reason he was not widly popular whilst he was alive, as England did not have FM radio, so that was the only way to become popular.

I dont think his following is cultish, I think that only now is he gaining the popularity he should have had.

Yes his music can be sad and sound miserable, but no one else I have heard can portray emotion and beauty and take you to places that only great music can, like Nick Drake.

Listen to that intricute guitar picking, you can hear how strong his fingers are, and his voice is strong yet restrained and he effortlesly emits emotion, both sad and full of hope.

When you are relaxed and the house is quiet, sit down in your favorite chair and play Black Eyed Dog, it may sound like the most miserable drone you have ever listend to, but listen and hear the beauty in his work.

I am obviously a fan, but that is only because NDs music can provide somthing I have not found elswhere.

Simon

Posted on: 30 January 2003 by Stephen Bennett

At the risk of being accused of pushing 'my mates' the Bowness/Chilvers collaborations and the Samuel Smiles albums would definitly appeal to a Drake fan. 'California Norfolk' is especially good.

Details etc at

www.burningshed.com

Regards

Stephen

PS Can't stand Nick Drakes voice myself. Or the Buckleys.

Posted on: 02 February 2003 by j8hn

u guys are 4gting the magic and vital ingedients. Superb sound, production and string arrangements these give ND records their uniqueness

Posted on: 02 February 2003 by J.N.

'Black Eyed Dog'

was one of the last recordings made by N.D. and his tortured soul pours out of the song.

It is a chilling insight into the mind of a man 'on the edge' but the simple guitar work is still superb.

The earlier 'Bryter Layter' finds him in happier times with beautiful melodies and enigmatic lyrics.

Posted on: 04 February 2003 by Shayman

Seems strange to me that you have such a love of all those great artists you mention at the beginning of your e-mail yet you don't even own a ND record. He is after all very similar to many of them. Perhaps it is the fact that you don't have his stuff to listen at length to that you don't get it.

Its a bit like a Westlife fan saying they hate Boyzone!

Nice music taste apart from ND though Jim.

Jonathan

PS On the inside cover of the latest Half Man Half Biscuit album there are pictures of spoof albums supposedly also available on the same label (like you used to see in the old days.). One is called Charlie Sings Nick. Charlie Drake singing the hits of Nick Drake. That would surely have been a classic!!

Posted on: 06 March 2003 by Jim Ashton

Sorry it's taken me a while to get around to saying this, but thanks to everyone who replied to my non-rant - most interesting. It's always fascinating to hear about the different things people like about different musics, the various things they do to crank up the atmosphere etc.

quote:
Perhaps it is the fact that you don't have his stuff to listen at length to that you don't get it.

Shayman I will admit you're probably right.

Latest news is I've acquired CDR copies of Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter. So this thread may not be dead yet...

Jim