Remembering Nick Drake - Nick Smart's Black Eyed Dog

Advantages: Nick Drake's Greatest Hits
Disadvantages: May disuade a new listener from listening to his 3 original albums

...The first time you hear a Nick Drake song it takes some convincing that such mature, yet emotionally fragile poetry sprang from someone so young. Having his life tragically cut short at the tender age of 26 in 1974, it is a further tragedy that Nick Drake is still a relatively undiscovered musical genius. Most new listeners today (myself included) seem to stumble across his music on an advert, a coverdisk or background TV music but once you make the discovery, it will guarantee a lifetime of listening pleasure. "Way to Blue" is an excellent collection of arguably Nick Drake's greatest songs and one of those rare CD's that you rarely grow tired of and can take out and play again and again as if revisiting an old friend. This CD will either keep you happy in the knowledge that you have most of his best songs on one CD or encourage you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Vocals, Lyrics, Sound, perfection on a disk
Disadvantages: None for those with out taste

...th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 283 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time." This aclaim comes despite none of his first three albums (this, Bryter Layter and Pink moon) sold over 5000 copies. He is also considered as one of the most influential song writers of the last 50 years, having been cited by Robert Smith (The Cure), Peter Buck (R.E.M), Kate Bush, Paul Weller, American rock band The Black Crowes and recently Jack Johnson has been quoted as saying "I really dig Nick Drake". He got mass exposure after a a VolksWagen Commercial had the song "Pink Moon" as backing music, and within a month the sales of his records had doubled in comparision to the previous 30 years. What happened... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Wonderfully evocative and intriguing
Disadvantages: Not one!

...Over 30 years after his sad death at the age of 26, people are still discovering this songwriting genius. This is my favourite of the three albums released during his lifetime and it is also the most diverse. The CD opens with a short but beautiful track, "Introduction" which sets the scene for what follows. The nine songs thereafter each have a gentility and are wonderfully presented, Nick's deep soft voice and distinctive acoustic guitar style are backed by sympathetic string and brass arrangements, orchestrated by Robert Kirby who recently worked with Paul Weller. Sundry Fairports offer their instrumental expertise (Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg and Richard Thompson on one track) and John Cale plays harpsichord and viola on "Fly". It is difficult to pick standout tracks but my personal favourites are "Hazey Jane I", "Hazey... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful