Nick Drake - Page 2

Daniel Grenier · #16 12-07-2018, 06:13 AM

We must not forget that Nick Drake died really young at 26! Yes, 26 is very young not only to just go and die but to have had several original dozen songs, many records, be a unique and "up there" guitar player. And all this back in the 70s?

I don't know about you but back in the 70s when I was in my early 20s I had accomplished exactly NOTHING musically - like 99.9% of the world. So yeah, Nick Drake qualifies as a Genius to me.

Dreadfulnaught · #17 12-07-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandobart

I grew up in the 60's and 70's unaware of Nick Drake. In the last few years I've heard about him and checked out his tunes on Spotify. His style and delivery were way ahead of his time (late 60's/early 70's). I really want to like his stuff, BUT....by today's standards (or more accurately my standards after hearing so much great music over the years) his music all sounds the same. Its like he wrote 3 great songs and duplicated them on 3 albums. Am I missing something major? What are your top picks among his unfortunately limited discography?

I had heard of him but never heard him. No internet then, and he got no airplay in my area, so if you could not buy his music in a store you just didn’t hear him.
All that has changed now. I like the fact that when I played “Road” in a college coffeehouse most of the students knew it. That did surprise me. I am a bit angry that the guy has a larger following dead than alive. I wish he had been appreciated when he was around to enjoy it.

My favorites are “Road” and “Northern Sky”.

bizango1 · #18 12-07-2018, 10:07 AM

I'm a fan of Nick Drake. I think it's interesting that considering the original post and with only three albums the posters above list fifteen different songs as suggested listening. My favorite Three hours was already suggested. If you like Nick's work you might also like Alexi Murdoch. I got into him first, then read comparisons to Nick and became a fan of him too. I really like Alexi's song Blue Mind.

Dirk Hofman · #19 12-07-2018, 10:26 AM

I can see it. Drake's voice is unique, and lends a sameness to all his work. That said, I love me some nick Drake, and enjoy the heck out of his music.

I also heard him for the first time in the VW ad. Connected with a girl in Seattle over his music, so I have a lot of fun memories of that.

Everton FC · #20 12-07-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizango1

I'm a fan of Nick Drake. I think it's interesting that considering the original post and with only three albums the posters above list fifteen different songs as suggested listening. My favorite Three hours was already suggested. If you like Nick's work you might also like Alexi Murdoch. I got into him first, then read comparisons to Nick and became a fan of him too. I really like Alexi's song Blue Mind.

Good call on Alexi Murdoch. There are certainly similarities. "All My Days is very "Drake", to my ear. Murdoch's good music when I'm out gardening and working in the yard, on a quiet Saturday. Like Drake, I don't understand how people can't like Murdoch's music. Then again, I do understand. Glad I'm on the latter side!

gimme789 · #21 12-07-2018, 02:05 PM

I think his music is great. I love how the acoustic cuts through all the other layered instruments in the mixes. He could have made a great unplugged show.

The rhythm guitar riff in "At the chime of the city clock" is obviously present in Nirvana's "Come as you are".

I think "River Man" is my favorite.

Gone way too early but his music will always live on

catdaddy · #22 12-07-2018, 03:10 PM

I really enjoy Nick Drake's music. It has a most decidedly ASMR-like effect upon me when I listen. Favorite song: Black-eyed Dog

mr. beaumont · #23 12-07-2018, 03:14 PM

I'm a big fan, so in Nick's defense, I'd say it's less that his songs sound the same (the melodies are certainly very different) and more than his albums were coherent statements that had a real sound and vibe that carried through them.

My favorite record is Five Leaves Left, if just for the bookends of "Time" and "Saturday Sun."

FrankHudson · #24 12-07-2018, 03:49 PM

Well of course music is subjective. Different folks like, "don't get, " and actively can't stand the same music all the time.

I've loved Drake since first heard his records. I remember reading about him in some magazine or music paper shortly after he died. I can also recall first hearing that VW ad, and a strum or two in I was thinking "Wait, I know this song..." and then bang, Nick's voice come in. Now-a-days media is all over the "use an obscure song to ad vibe to my commercial/TV show/movie, etc" thing, but it seemed miraculous at the time.

There's nothing he's done I don't like, but I'm a huge fan of those recordings that mix in the string arrangements, and I try to emulate that in my simple way on in my own recording project (many of those on Drake's records aren't that complex, but they're still effective). Different songs capture me in different moods, but if I had to pick one song, "Cello Song" because the way his voice and guitar mix with the strings. Just perfect (to me). I don't play many of his songs (I can't cop his style on guitar) but I've muddled through "Saturday Sun" and "Clothes of Sand."

Joe Beamish · #25 12-07-2018, 04:38 PM

His music is consistently lovely. But I don’t listen often or at length because it tends to be a downer, a bit depressing.

The exception is his second album, Bryter Layter, which I find invigorating. It breathes with the sea breeze airiness of coastal Britain and is well paced and beautiful.

mrcolin2u · #26 12-07-2018, 07:14 PM

Big Nick Drake fan !

First heard of him about 5 years ago and I've been listening to him ever since.

I first heard " Riverman" on a jazz station sung by Andy Bey. A really good cover of the original although I didn't know it was a Nick Drake song at the time.

Joe Beamish · #27 12-07-2018, 07:24 PM

There’s so much to learn from listening to his music, I should add. His touch and his intimacy. Even if you don’t retune or play his songs. Every string matters.

He is a painter with his guitar, truly.

Everton FC · #28 12-07-2018, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Beamish

There’s so much to learn from listening to his music, I should add. His touch and his intimacy. Even if you don’t retune or play his songs. Every string matters.

He is a painter with his guitar, truly.

Very well said.

grosskate · #29 01-03-2019, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandobart

I grew up in the 60's and 70's unaware of Nick Drake. In the last few years I've heard about him and checked out his tunes on Spotify. His style and delivery were way ahead of his time (late 60's/early 70's). I really want to like his stuff, BUT....by today's standards (or more accurately my standards after hearing so much great music over the years) his music all sounds the same. Its like he wrote 3 great songs and duplicated them on 3 albums. Am I missing something major? What are your top picks among his unfortunately limited discography?

Big Nick Drake fan here. I don't agree at all with this. His voice timber and vocal lines make it all kind of similar. The compositions themselves at quite different from a guitarist point of view. Melodies, Rythms, chord progressions and general ideas. How many different tunings did he use in all his songs ? So many... So I don't agree with the 3 songs he duplicated on the 3 albums at all.

Shoreline Music · #30 01-03-2019, 12:29 PM

For decades, when people have asked me, "What reccord should I listen to that I've never heard of?", I tell them "Pink Moon".

When my son went off to college, we got him an iPod (remember those?) engraved with "Go play the game that you learned from the morning".

I guess I'm a fan.