Significant longplayers from the past
5 March 2026
The late, idolized and personally troubled British singer-songwriter NICK DRAKE, born Nicholas Rodney Drake, who died by suicide in 1974, only 26, released his 2nd (of his 3) albums, titled BRYTER LAYTER on 5 March 1971, today 55 years ago.
Nick Drake soon after the release: “I had something in mind when I wrote the songs, knowing that they weren’t just for me. The album took a long time to do, in fact, we started it almost a year ago. But I’m not altogether clear about this album – I haven’t got to terms with the whole presentation.”
Rolling Stone: “Drake’s melodies are seldom less than enchanting. Built around acoustic folk-jazz guitar figures and muffled percussion, they become emotionally charged when shaded by arranger Robert Kirby’s poignant, eddying strings. Drake’s impressionistic lyrics are vivid but provocatively sketchy, making them as curiously personal as phrases mumbled in sleep. They’re delivered in an airy, nearly unconscious whisper that blends as naturally into the arrangements as a breeze rippling through tall grass.”
#23 of the “100 Greatest British Albums Ever” – Q Magazine (British music monthly)
#14 of “The Greatest Albums of the ‘70s” – NME (Legendary British music weekly)
#245 of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” – Rolling Stone Magazine
TUTV: Musically his most frolicsome LP. Romantic pearls about loss
and loneliness. 5-star reveries with a relaxing and dreamy timbre.
Intimitaly arranged and orchestrated.
ALBUM
