The options where Nick Drake is concerned are limited, but wholly appealing. The downhearted singer-songwriter released only three albums in his 26 years; the posthumous rarities collection, Time of No Reply, rounds out hi... more »s abbreviated oeuvre. The whole lot is contained in the exemplary four-disc Fruit Tree box set. Way to Blue is a scaled-back option for those who are enchanted by Drake's intricate yet cozy lamentations, but feel no need to join the ever-growing legion of Drake completists. But while the 16 songs included here provide a fine introduction to the ill-fated Englishman's work (which seems to fit together no matter how it's sequenced), Drake is one of those rare artists whose entire catalog is worth owning due to its excellence and, sadly, its brevity. --Steven Stolder« less
The options where Nick Drake is concerned are limited, but wholly appealing. The downhearted singer-songwriter released only three albums in his 26 years; the posthumous rarities collection, Time of No Reply, rounds out his abbreviated oeuvre. The whole lot is contained in the exemplary four-disc Fruit Tree box set. Way to Blue is a scaled-back option for those who are enchanted by Drake's intricate yet cozy lamentations, but feel no need to join the ever-growing legion of Drake completists. But while the 16 songs included here provide a fine introduction to the ill-fated Englishman's work (which seems to fit together no matter how it's sequenced), Drake is one of those rare artists whose entire catalog is worth owning due to its excellence and, sadly, its brevity. --Steven Stolder
"I love Nick Drake b/c he is fascinating and his music is unusual and enchanting. If you are unfamiliar with his music, it is definetly a bit different and somewhat challenging to fully comprehend.
To understand the music you must understand the artist. This is not commercial b/c the artist had no desire to be commercial. He was a strange, eccentric shy and tortured artist. Drake seemed to have been a pretty bohemian artist simply trying to pursue his muse.
On this introductory sampler, there are a variety of different forms of music most likely b/c of an experimentation on how to actually produce him. There are sparce, purely accoustical numbers, lushly orchestrated numbers and works that fall in between.
Something that is special about his music is the unique manner in which he played guitar and sang. He played in a variety of unusual guitar tunings (therefore the chord and melody structures were unique sounding).
He was a fingerpicker who pulled at the strings with great force which added a lot of texture (not usually heard with other guitar players) tohis playing.
He sang in a strange whisper so you had this muscular accoustic guitar playing which was strangely coupled with wispy vocals.
Nick Drake's love songs have an etheral beauty to them. My favorite song, "Northern Lights" is, without a doubt, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG I HAVE EVER HEARD, BAR NONE. The song is gorgeous.
I also like the raw, Robert Johnson like, bluesy quality of "Black Eyed Dog"
This is not music that you can fall for upon just an intial hearing. This stuff has to sink in. Once you get it, you will see that Nick Drake is an unusual, uncompromising artist that offers stunning beauty, depth and drama."
A good Introduction
Jon Wadsworth | Watseka, IL USA | 12/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There isn't much of the greatest of Nick Drake that isn't on this album, with the exceptions of 'Fly' and 'Rider on the Wheel'.
This is a definitive statement of Nick's thorough grasp of melancholy beauty."
The album I discovered Nick Drake through
A C SHIELDS | melbourne , australia | 07/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had read about this CD , was intrigued by it and wasn't prepared for the music - got it and heard it through headphones , which really gives Nick's voice greater potency .
I now own everything by Nick .
Yes , there is a 'mystique' that probably helps to sell his records , but that wouldn't be much use if the music was terrible .
A haunting performer and one of the most influential .
Highly recommended .
"
Just started getting into his music...
Matthew D. Zarnstorff | Wisconsin | 04/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"....because I kept getting directed to his songs on iTunes. Great guitar player and songwriter. Many that like alternative music will like the autumnal feel to many of his songs.
Matt Zarnstorff"
A Revelation
Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 09/27/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I only recently "discovered" Nick Drake, and the reason that he has become the legend he is.
It was actually only when I got this CD a present that I took myself the necessary time to get under the skin of his music.
At first listen the music may not appear remarkable, and the songs may also seem somewhat similar and not very catchy. I did however immediately find "Cello Song" and "Northern Sky" more than just plain good songs.
For every new listening more songs emerge from anonymity, and now all songs seem, with a single exception, to be favourites. I have not quite managed to fall for "Fruit Tree" and its classic inspired strings arrangement.
Drake's voice and several of his songs may remind you a little about Donovan in the late 1960's. His guitar playing is at once subtle and incredibly powerful, the same can be said about his voice which is both soft and expressive.
Drake did in his short life, only release three albums, all of which today are considered classics. There are several posthumously released albums with surviving numbers. Among those "Time of No Reply" contains several of his very last recordings from 1974. Some of these songs are among his strongest and moving, especially when you consider that they are written in a strong depressive period that ended with his sad death caused by an overdose of medicine in November 1974. Don't miss the song "Time of No Reply" !!"