Treasury, A [Hybrid SACD] - Nick Drake

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: 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

Advantages: Bach With Vocals.
Disadvantages: Only One More Album To Discover From Drake's Back Catalogue.

...Nick Drake's second album followed in the comet trail left by his wondrous debut 'Five Leaves Left'. Released in 1970 it shows little sign of ageing and despite being name dropped by all and sundry it largely remains an undiscovered classic. For students of the Belle & Sebastian school of melodic folk there is a seam of material awaiting you from this sadly underachieving (in his lifetime anyway) soul. With Drake's extraordinary predication for not telling things as they are the opening cut is dutifully named 'Introduction'. And what a majestic beginning it is too. The orchestration is as pretty as is imaginable being ably directed by Richard Kirby who was responsible for all the lush arrangements on the album. 'Bryter Later' reveals a large quotient of instrumentals, yet their presence ups rather than slows down the ante... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful