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b. 19 June 1948,
Burma, d. 25 November 1974. Born into an upper middle-class background,
Drake was raised in Tanworth-in-Arden, near Birmingham. Recordings made at
his parents' home in 1967 revealed a blossoming talent, indebted to Bert
Jansch and John Renbourn, yet clearly a songwriter in his own right. He
enrolled at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge, and during this spell met
future associate Robert Kirby. Drake also made several live appearances
and was discovered at one such performance by Fairport Convention bassist,
Ashley Hutchings, who introduced the folk singer to their producer Joe
Boyd. A series of demos were then completed, parts of which surfaced on
the posthumous release Time Of No Reply, before Drake began work on his
debut album. Five Leaves Left was a mature, melodic collection which
invoked the mood of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks or Tim Buckley's Happy
Sad. Drake's languid, almost unemotional intonation contrasted with the
warmth of his musical accompaniment, in particular Robert Kirby's
temperate string sections. Contributions from Richard Thompson (guitar)
and Danny Thompson (bass) were equally crucial, adding texture to a set of
quite remarkable compositions. By contrast Bryter Layter was altogether
more worldly, and featured support from emphatic, rather than intuitive,
musicians. Lyn Dobson (flute) and Ray Warleigh (saxophone) provided a
jazz-based perspective to parts of a selection which successfully married
the artist's private and public aspirations. Indisputably Drake's most
commercial album, the singer was reportedly stunned when it failed to reap
due reward and the departure of Boyd for America accentuated his growing
misgivings. A bout of severe depression followed, but late in 1971 Nick
resumed recording with the harrowing Pink Moon . Completed in two days,
its stark, almost desolate atmosphere made for uncomfortable listening,
yet beneath its loneliness lay a poignant beauty. Two songs, "Parasite"
and "Place To Be" dated from 1969, while "Things Behind The Sun" had once
been considered for Bryter Layter. These inclusions suggested that Drake
now found composing difficult, and it was 1974 before he re-entered a
studio. Four tracks were completed, of which "Black Eyed Dog", itself a
metaphor for death, seemed a portent of things to come. On 25 November
1974, Nick Drake was found dead in his bedroom. Although the coroner's
verdict was suicide, relatives and acquaintances feel that his overdose of
a prescribed drug was accidental. Interest in this ill-fated performer has
increased over the years and his catalogue contains some of the era's most
accomplished music. Drake is now seen as a hugely influential
artist.
Discography
Five Leaves Left (Island 1969)****, Bryter Layter (Island 1970)****,
Pink Moon (Island 1972)***.
Compilations
Heaven In A Wild Flower (Island 1985)****, Fruit Tree 4-LP box set
(Island 1979)****, Time Of No Reply (Hannibal 1986)***, Way To Blue
(Island 1994)****.
Bibliography
Nick Drake, David Housden. Nick Drake: A Biography, Patrick
Humphries.
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