Way to Blue: An introduction to Nick Drake

Arriving at the beginning of what is now seen as the dawning of the singer song writer age (the late 1960's to early 1970's); he passed almost unnoticed during his brief lifetime. He produced several albums of chilling and somber beauty that with hindsight have come to be recognised as peak achievements of both the British folk-rock scene and the entire rock singer/songwriter genre. His was a much darker vision than other writers, with themes of melancholy, failed romance, mortality, and depression lurking just beneath and above the surface. Drake always complained of his lack of success but since his early death, Drake has achieved a far greater stature in the decades following his death, with an avid cult following that grows by the year.

However, even though I have given this a five star rating, it is on the fact the music contained within is of the highest standard. I would recommend purchasing the Fruit Tree Box Set and the Made to Lover Magic album to get the most out of this amazing body of work.

What first strikes you about this man in his voice, soft yet melancholy, almost mumbling the word but with such focus and purpose. The guitar (stunningly delicate finger picked) is just as soft, making this both a gorgeous and unique sound.

There is a fair bit of diversity on this recording, from the ballad "Northern Sky" (featuring the great John Cale) to the almost harrowing masterpiece "Black Eyed Dog". And let us not forget the title track of this album "Way To Blue"; a true masterpiece.

No matter what genre of music you are into, this is a must of any collection, easily up there with "Sergent Peppers" and "Dark Side of the Moon".

Considering that he died in 1974 and his music still lives on, this is a legacy that most people only dream of, Mr. Drake, your music does live on. Watch out David Gray, you have a long way to go before you release songs of this callibre and brilliance.

"Way To Blue: An Introduction" serves both as an intro to his poignant folk music, and also as a sort of "Best of" collection. This album contains selections from his four albums "Pink Moon," "Five Leaves Left," "Bryter Layter," and "Time of No Reply," and these selections are arguably the best of Drake's bittersweet music.

Drake generally stuck to the folk sound -- lots of acoustic guitar and laid-back bass, sometimes dressed up with piano. But he twiddled with that sound in a few songs; the ethereal "Northern Sky" is swathed in organ, piano and celeste, raising it above the average folk song.

What all these songs have in common is a loneliness, a poignancy, and a beauty that is truly heartrending. Drake suffered from depression during his short life, which may explain the tone of songs like the sweet "Time of No Reply," in which he sings sadly, "The time of no reply is calling me to stay/There is no hello and no goodbye/To leave there is no way."

In other songs, Drake describes the fickleness of his fame, the loneliness of his life, and hopes to "forget this cruel world." But also seems to have a kind of optimism about love, which sounds all the more poignant in his smooth vocals. Drake's singing sounds unpolished by computers, making its husky sweetness even more striking.

Long after his death, Nick Drake's bittersweet music lingers on. "Way To Blue: An Introduction" is both an excellent collection of his best songs, and a good introduction to his work.