NickDrake.com

the_road_warrior · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 94 Location: England

This is a bit of a weird one but here goes:

I don't know much about studio work, but recordings from Five Leaves Left and Bryter Later must surely have had the violins, bass and bongos etc etc recorded seprately from Nick's voice and guitar (which in some cases have been recorded seperately also) so is it not feasible that these albums could be released Pink Moon-style with just Nick's guitar and voice?

I often think when I listen to certain songs ie Chime of a City Clock, Day is Done, 'Cello Song etc, that it would be really nice to just hear Nick's own work, in the same way as that acoustic version of River Man was on Made to Love Magic - its just interesting to hear a version without accompanyment, some of which was over-bearing and intrusive (in my opinion) on Bryter Later for instance.

Could this be done and should it be done?

On the one hand Pink Moon is a beautiful album for all its simplicity and it would show how the songs sounded before they were 'altered/added to' by the producers, but on the other hand Nick seemed happy enough with the music as it was realeased, and it may be a bit of an insult to the quality production work to re-release the albums without the orchestral and acommpanyments.

Would be interesting though...

ThemCityBlues · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 76

I have a feeling Five Leaves Left would stand up and be an enjoyable listen. Bryter Layter might not be as good... Drake definitely wrote some pretty basic guitar parts since he knew the type of album he wanted.

Sylvia · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 145 Location: United States

It certainly would be nice to hear. You can read about the production of these works in Joe Boyd's White Bicycles. A cd released and available on Amazon, Time of No Reply, has some of these selections w/Nick guitar y nada mas. The version of FLY on this cd is especially worth knowing.

peterbroon · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 42

My understanding that the strings and guitar/vocals on Five Leaves Left were recorded together and not separately.

They would have been recorded on separate tracks but even stripping out the strings parts would not work because the sound of the strings was also picked up to some extent by the vocals mic and the guitar mic.

LFSDoc · Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 37

Richie · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 156 Location: Ireland

LFSDoc · Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 37

Richie · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 156 Location: Ireland

Thank you Doc - that was wonderful! Especially Northern Sky.. It really changes the feel of the song, it sounds like he's singing right into your ear. Very interesting to hear a different take on something you're so used to hearing - much appreciated!

HazyJayne · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 105 Location: West Midlands, UK

Hello LFSDoc

Thankyou for that. What a treat for ones ears. Nick so clear and so Nick.
Another tearful ten minutes.

Thanks again.

HJx

Sylvia · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 145 Location: United States

Aw...thanks LFSDoc...just beautiful.

ThemCityBlues · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 76

Adam981 · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 5

Hmm that was interesting, really enjoyed it actually. But then again, it feels kinda weird without the orchestration, afterall that's what made FLL and BL so lush and vibrant.
_________________
"I'm a colour reporter, but the city's been bled white"

bernie49 · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 271 Location: Germany

Thanks LFSDoc,

what an unexpected completely new listening experience ! Very Happy

_________________
"Look through time and find your rhyme / Tell us what you find
We will wait / At your gate / Hoping like the blind"

LFSDoc · Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 37

Eliot · Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Germany

That's amazing! How did he do it? I don't understand how he would be able to do it. Did he rework any of the other tracks? I'd be interested in hearing instrumentals / accapellas - anything in fact!

El