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It's really sad that Nick Drake passed from this life at such a young age. It's obvious he was very talented. That he didn't make it big while he was alive is very surprising. Bryter Layter has four great songs (Chime of the City Clock, One of These Things First, Poor Boy, and Northern Sky) and the rest is very listenable.
It's no Pink Moon, but that hardly matters. The intricacy of Bryter Layter explodes like a flashbulb on "Poor Boy," which is an oceanic gospel-jazz odyssey with samba rhythms and ghostly backing vocals. "One Of These Things First" roils with quiet bitterness, and "Hazy Jane II" lets a sprightly soul rhythm percolate under a lyric that's rife with claustrophobic paranoia. He's backed by various Fairport Conventioneers as well John Cale on this album, and it shows; the songs are like siren coos seeping from a pastoral swath of English countryside, except that they're not weird and inaccessible like those of, say, Tim Buckley in his Starsailor period (not that Starsailor isn't a wonderful album, of course, it's just that it's a bit. There are some pretty instrumentals, too. well, weird and inaccessible). The important thing about Bryter Layter is that it's as sweeping and memorable and melancholic and uncannily beautiful as any other Nick Drake album, but that it's also more lush and intricate than anything else he's put out. "Hazy Jane I" sounds like being left by the love of your life on a gorgeous summer day, and "At The Chime Of A City Clock" is like winning her back in the dead of winter.
Drake's voice, which sounds like what would happen if velvet could sigh, is in fine form, and his maze-like guitar constructions are on display in all their universe-evoking glory. And there are also flutes and strings and pianos, and none of it sounds even remotely pretentious. "Northern Sky" is almost unbelievably gorgeous, and it contains every precious memory I have of my childhood, as well as the intense sense of loss I feel when it occurs to me that I've left those moments behind forever. Neat.
The radio song was a cover version.Funny it took seconds for me to become a fan. And that was back in 1974. So I got the phrase "gonna see the river man. Suddenly there was this beautiful song by a woman.
I cannot grow tired of this. The singing is so full of truth. I was writing at my computer with the radio on. And within minutes I was here at amazon.uk ordering his albums. Those songs could have been written today.
ONE OF THESE THINGS FIRST and the sweet SUNDAY are my favorite tracks. Gonna tell him all I can." I typed it into Google and discovered the amazing Nick Drake. What a amazing song writer and singer. Nick Drake is the rare kind of Artist who really connects.
What can I say about Nick Drake that hasn't been said.It was very late one night. They haven't aged a month.I would say this one is my favorite album. from a man who never wrote anything below brilliant. On the other hand, I'm very happy to know he is getting today the recognition he deserves.The songs are so sharp and intimate you can almost recreate the feeling (if such a thing is possible). and it broke me to learn he died back in 1974 in a (accidental) suicide.How can someone like Nick die. There's no noise. I was instantly captured by it.
Just the full experience.God bless you, Nick. Then I discovered his recordings were some 40 years old. It does not enter my mind that the man who wrote all those beautiful and unique songs can simply die. The arrangements are so tasteful. You did it.
I wish Nick would have a longer career and a longer life.Bryter Layter it`s indeed a fantastic album, you don`t have to skip a single song each one is so emotionally charged and intense, in comparison to pink moon and five leafs left this album features a fantastic band following Nick`s chords at its best It`s hard to tell which song is my favorite in this album cause I Love them all. Bryter LayterFive Leaves LeftPink Moon (this were the only three albums released by Nick, Five leaves left was the first but he was unnoticed at the timem gorgeous album. I own Nicks complete discography but this album to me is something really special. If I would have to recommend an entry to new fans this album will be it.The beauty about Nicks music is that even while he was clearly depressed all songs leave to your own interpretation, it`s like a living soundtrack on your own life, you will find comfort on those velvet chords and acoustic strumming paterns while listening to his beautiful voice.My recommendations:Really get them all. he went somehow notticed and gaining a following cult with Bryter Layter and consumed his own with Pink moon. A 4th album appeared later with 4 tracks that were going to be part of his 4th studio album that never happened plus a few other takes on tap, this album is Time of no reply.Worth it.
Nick Drake was a selfless songwriter.His own identidy on this planet meant less to him than his music did.When his music failed to find an audience all that was left was the feeling "of a remnant of something that's passed".It is hard for me to be judgemental on someone for his possible suicide when you listen to the man's music and find that person put all of his very existence into his songs.Not that it would have been the right thing to do,but the amount of healing thru song this man left on all three of his album's is a lifetime's worth.Bryter Layer is probably my favorite one as it still has the feeling of someone who hopes to reach people which is hard to find on his last album "Pink Moon",which is quite a personal album(Though still a masterpiece).Even the instrumental's are stunningly good.His piano playing is both tasteful and subtle at the same time,which leads me to suspect he may have been just as gifted a pianist as he was a guitarist,but may have been disciplined enough of a songwriter not to overdo anything,which is why all of his song's sound so sculpted and finished.He used his instumental gifts to showcase his poetic whisper of a voice.When I look back on his work's the last thing that comes to mind is wasted talent,but on the contrary talent that was recognized,used with all humbleness,and just never appreciated.The beauty in it all is that we still have his album's to find him immortalized.Nick Drake is "The sweet breeze felt in the top of a tree" and the breeze hold's enough beauty to "Brighten" anyone's "Northern Sky".What an artist.
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