Nick Drake

NICK DRAKE – Second LP ‘BRYTER LAYTER Released 55 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

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


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Short Bio

UNCUT MAGAZINE – New Issue With Cover Star NICK DRAKE

Posted on by JL

29 May 2025

UNCUT tells you all about a trove of unreleased music that shines revelatory
new light on NICK DRAKE’s (1948-1974) storied debut, Five Leaves Left, mapping
the album’s genesis via outtakes, alternate versions and rediscovered recordings. In
the company of Drake’s closest collaborators, UNCUT pieces together the true story
behind one of the most mythologised albums of all time.

Also stuff to read about Queens Of The Stone Age, The Who, Brian Eno,
Black Sabbath, Matt Bernigner, new album reviews, and many more.

This month’s Free CD features 15 tracks of the month’s best music.
With S.G. Goodman, Nathan Salsburg, BC Camplight, North Mississippi
All Stars, Witch and more.

You can order a copy and let it have sent to your home. Info HERE.

You Don’t Have To Know The Work Of DRAKE To Enjoy New Tribute Album ‘THE ENDLESS COLOURED WAYS – THE SONGS OF NICK DRAKE’

Posted on by JL

9 July 2023

Two days ago a new NICK DRAKE tribute album, titled
The Endless Coloured Ways – The Songs Of Nick Drake
came out.

Folk songsmith Drake (1948-1974) was/is an inspiration for many singer-songwriters.
His 3 albums, Five Leaves Left (1969), Bryter Layter (1970), and Pink Moon (1972)
were and still are highly influential and widely lauded. The trouble artist died following
an overdose of amitriptyline, an antidepressant, aged only 26.

You don’t have to know Nick Drake and his work. This double tribute album, featuring
25 covers, can easily stand on its own. This is an exquisite compilation with every artist/band giving their Drake pearl of choice a modern-day sound. Splendiferous.

Five TUTV picks

‘Cello Song’ by FONTAINES D.C.
(Almost 1,5 million streams on Spotify)


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‘Three Hours’ by JOHN PARISH & ALDOUS HARDING


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‘Black Eyed Dog’ by CRAIG AMSTRONG & SELF ESTEEM


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‘Which Will’ by CHRISTIAN LEE HUTSONELANOR MOSS


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– ‘Voices’ by THE WANDERING HEARTS–


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FULL ALBUM


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NICK DRAKE: Bio – Discography

JOHN PARISH & ALDOUS HARDING Groove And Move On Their NICK DRAKE Cover

Posted on by JL

25 May 2023


(Photo by Michelle Henning)

On 7th July a new NICK DRAKE tribute album, named
The Endless Coloured Ways – The Songs Of Nick Drake
will be released.

Folk songsmith Drake (1948-1974) was/is an inspiration for many singer-songwriters.
His 3 LPs Five Leaves Left (1969), Bryter Layter (1970), and Pink Moon (1972) were and
still are widely lauded. The trouble artist died following an overdose of amitriptyline,
an antidepressant, aged only 26.

25 covers will feature on the compilation. Involved among others are Ben Harper, David Gray, Craig Armstrong, Liz Phair, John Grant, Irish post-punk heroes Fontaines D.C. and also New Zealand songstress ALDOUS HARDING and longtime PJ Harvey collaborator and celebrated producer JOHN PARISH (also 6 solo LPs on his résumé).

The pair picked Drake’s 1969 composition THREE HOURS from the Five Leaves Left LP.

The duo’s take is a Krautrock-like-spinning masterstroke. It moves and grooves along a hypnotic bass riff and a steady drum beat with doomy synths working their way to the front. Mesmerizing and intoxicating while duet vocals float all over it, alluring and affecting. Special, really special.

Enjoy.

Original.

NICK DRAKE: Bio – Discography

(Nick Drake image: cover of ‘No Time To Reply‘ compilation LP)

The Late Great NICK DRAKE Is The Cover Star Of New UNCUT Magazine Issue

Posted on by JL

15 May 2023

Forty-eight years on from his untimely death, the tragic myth of NICK DRAKE (1948-1974) persists. But there is another Nick Drake: the spirited and untroubled young man, on the cusp of a bright future, who travelled to Europe and North Africa in pursuit of adventure and honed his skills along the way.

In this new issue Drake’s school friends, fellow travellers and assorted eyewitnesses relive the freewheeling times — from playing folk clubs in Aix-en-Provence, France to an audience with the Stones in Marrakesh.

This month’s free CD named MADE TO LOVE MAGIC is a 15-track one, with music
in the spirit of Nick Drake. Artists such as Joan Shelley, Adrianne Lenker, Cass McCombs,
and Robyn Hitchcock are part of it.

Also in this month’s issue: Stephen Stills, New York
Doll David Johanson, Ringo Starr and more.

You can purchase a copy and let it
be sent to your home. Info HERE.

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NICK DRAKE: Bio – Discography

‘PINK MOON’ Album By NICK DRAKE Released 50 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

Back in time

25 February 2022

Artist: NICK DRAKE
Who: Heart and soul singer-songwriter who became
a legend after his death in, after an overdose of amitriptyline,
a prescribed antidepressant. He was only 26.

Anniversary album: PINK MOON
His third and final LP
Released: 25 February 1972 – 50 years ago today

Rolling Stone wrote: Pink Moon is folk icon Nick Drake’s third and last full album — and at less than 30 minutes, it can seem as starkly foreshortened as the singer’s life, which ended in 1974 when he was 26. But as one of Drake’s friends put it, “If something’s that intense, it can’t be measured in minutes.” Rousing himself out of one of the paralyzing depressions that plagued him in his last years, Drake recorded these 11 tracks in two nights, often in just one take. He accompanies himself only on acoustic guitar, except for the title track, on which he overdubs a brief, lovely piano part.

Stream the beauty here…

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NICK DRAKE: Story


Back and front sleeve in one

‘RIVER MAN’ By NICK DRAKE (1969)

Posted on by JL

Knockouts from the past…

25 November 2019

Legendary British singer-songwriter NICK DRAKE died on 25 November 1974,
45 years ago today. He was only 26 and passed away after an overdose of
amitriptyline, an antidepressant. To remember the wayward, romantic and
mentally troubled artist here’s one of his rare singles called RIVER MAN from
his 1969 debut LP Five Leaves Left…

NICK DRAKE: Facebook – Discography