Nick Drake

[Reverend Joshua Sloane]

When I was younger, younger than before
I never saw the truth hanging from the door
And now I'm older see it face to face
And now I'm older gotta get up clean the place.

And I was green, greener than the hill
Where the flowers grew and the sun shone still
Now I'm darker than the deepest sea
Just hand me down, give me a place to be.

And I was strong, strong in the sun
I thought I'd see when day is done
Now I'm weaker than the palest blue
Oh, so weak in this need for you.

Discuss the amazing songwriter, musician, and person that was Nick Drake.

[peerke]

The best music ever made on this planet.
Get all three of his original discs!

[b.dfzo]

I could have been a sailor, could have been a cook
A real live lover, could have been a book.
I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock.
I could be here and now
I would be, I should be
But how?
I could have been one of these things first

I could have been your pillar, could have been your door
I could have stayed beside you, could have stayed for more.
Could have been your statue, could have been your friend,
A whole long lifetime could have been the end.
I could be yours so true
I would be, I should be through and through
I could have been one of these things first

I could have been a whistle, could have been a flute
A real live giver, could have been a boot.
I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock.
I could be even here
I would be, I should be so near
I could have been one of these things first

[CosmicDancer]

Pink Moon is most definately one of my favorites of all time.  Hell, all three of his albums are amongst my favorites.  I had never heard his music until Pink Moon was featured in the volkswagon commercial.  I was at my brother in law's house in Ohio and it came on and I mentioned how great the song on the commercial sounded and he just so happened to have the album.  I went upstairs and listened to the album 4 times straight.  It shook me!!  I immediately bought the box set with all three albums plus time of no reply.  One of the best purchases I have ever made!  That was one case were an artists song being on a commercial was a great thing!  I may not have ever heard him if it weren't!

[Reverend Joshua Sloane]

His talent with words and melody is shocking. He just plopped out of the sky and brought us this music then went back.

[rb]

He was good - been listening to him a fair bit lately. I'm not sure, though, if he was a superb melodist (as some assert). His music was all about the tremendous feel it had when he did it. You ever hear the demos of his songs done by Elton John way back when? (At least, that's what the filename says.) Nick's music needed just the right touch to make it great, which I've only heard Nick give it.

I love his guitar playing. Top-notch; I mean, it makes me want to pick up the guitar again whenever I hear it. Fine, sympathetic string arrangements, and good use of those Fairport Convention fellas.

[donald]

My kids discovered this artist and introduced me and my friends to the music.  I don't know how we missed it the first time around.  Interesting how it cut across generations years after his death.

[koeeoaddi there]

Joe  Boyd's book "White Bicycles" absolutely gushes about nick drake.
not a fan myself, but if you like Nick Drake, Boyd's book is pretty good.
personally, i think Boyd gushes too much about Drake, but then i guess he has the right to.

[El Goodo]

yep, there were 'scurrilous rumours' about Drake and Boyd. I used to be very big on Nick Drake but it is just so intense at times, it begs you to be involved with the music and lyrics and I just cant seem to go there to often nowadays. 

[koeeoaddi there]

yep, there were 'scurrilous rumours' about Drake and Boyd.

really?!
tell me more about these rumours!

[El Goodo]

Most likely rubbish at best. But their are some who believe that a lot of Nick Drake's melancholy arose from the fact that he was confused sexually and that Boyd was an object of his affection. As I said most likely garbage

[peerke]

I never heard that Boyd was gay. Nick was devastated when Boyd fwent back to America taking with him Linda Peeters (later to become Linda Thompson).

[El Goodo]

The rumour doesn't state Boyd was gay, just he was  the object of Nick unrequited affections. As I said before and before , most likely bollox

[shelter]

I was shocked to find out that Bryter Layter sold just 15,000 copies in 1970. Such a great album. I'm not really a fan of Pink Moon though, can't really get into that one.

[Reverend Joshua Sloane]

I'm not really a fan of Pink Moon though, can't really get into that one.

Wow.

Pink Moon is the one album of his which his me emotionally like a punch. From the very first few opening guitar strums. It's warm, loving, weary, wise, and short enough to listen to twice without getting bored. I find Pink Moon to be Nick's "true sound" if he ever did have one. It simply shows off his songwriting skills, guitar playing skills, and the overall subtlety of his work.

You don't get anything from listening to "Parasite" at all? That song cuts me open and drags me around.

[shelter]

I know Pink Moon's everyone's favorite, but I'm generally just not really into music with just a voice and a guitar or just a voice and a piano. I know Pink Moon's a great piece of art, no question, but I just can't get into it. I wish I could.

[Susan]

His talent with words and melody is shocking. He just plopped out of the sky and brought us this music then went back.

That is exactly how i see it.  I love Nick Drake's music...it comes from someplace else, and it takes me to yet another place...unique in all the universe.

[Susan]

And for the BB fans amongst us, Mike Kowalski - who used to be an incredible drummer - can be heard on Bryter Layter.