Nick Drake's 'Magic' Saluted On Rarities Set - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 05-19-2004, 06:12 PM

Drake's 'Magic' Saluted On Rarities Set

By Paul Sexton and Jonathan Cohen
Billboard

Nick Drake, the late English artist whose seminal influence is invoked by countless contemporary singer/songwriters, will be the subject of an album of rarities, remixes and unreleased material released due May 24 in the U.K. by Universal/Island.

"Made To Love Magic" spans Drake's early recordings with fellow student and future arranger Robert Kirby at Cambridge University in 1968, through to tracks cut in 1974 that have been remixed by original engineer John Wood as they were meant to be heard. The 13-track set will arrive June 22 in North America.

The album's true rarity is "Tow the Line," a never-before-released track that has not been heard since it was recorded in 1974. Drake died in November of that year at the age of 26 from an overdose of antidepressant medication. Also featured is "Magic," a reworking of one of his earliest songs with a new arrangement by Kirby. This song was released as Drake's first-ever U.K. single on Monday, backed by "Northern Sky," from his second album "Bryter Layter."

"Made To Love Magic" sports an alternate version of "Three Hours" featuring the late "Reebop" Kwaakhu Baah on congas and an unknown musician on flute, recorded two months before the version released on the album "Five Leaves Left." The version of "Hanging on a Guitar" stems from an alternate take with a different vocal. It was while letting this tape run that engineers discovered "Tow the Line."

On Saturday (May 22), BBC Radio 2 will broadcast "Lost Boy -- In Search of Nick Drake," a new documentary hosted by Hollywood star Brad Pitt, who describes himself as a "huge admirer" of his records. "When Radio 2 approached me to get involved in this project, I was delighted to be asked and pleased that I was able to fit it into my schedule," he says.

Drake's profile was raised exponentially in recent years by the use of "Pink Moon" in a 2000 Volkswagen commercial. The album of the same name experienced a huge sales spike afterward, moving more than 73,000 copies in the United States in 2000, according to Nielsen SoundScan, versus the 18,000 copies it sold the previous year. Overall, "Pink Moon" has sold more than 141,000 units since 2001.

Here is the track list for "Made To Love Magic":

"Rider on the Wheel"
"Magic"
"River Man"
"Joey"
"Thoughts of Mary Jane"
"Mayfair"
"Hanging on a Star"
"Three Hours"
"Clothes of Sand"
"Voices"
"Time of No Reply"
"Black Eyed Dog"
"Tow the Line"

Steve M. · 05-19-2004, 10:31 PM

Wow, this is going to be great! I heard about this on Bob Harris's BBC Radio 2 show! Nick Drake is one of the most important artists in the singer-songwriter movement, and, after so many years of his work being out of print, I'm glad to see not only the original albums lovingly restored to their original state on CD, but this new collection as well! I'm sure it will be essential for all Nick Drake fans.

Brad Pitt is a Nick Drake fan? Who'd have thought?

Regarding the 2000 Volkswagen commerical - I don't think I ever saw it. I saw the Styx "Mr. Roboto" one, but not the "Pink Moon" one. And I'm a Volkswagen fan - I even have a 2000 Golf!

Steve M. · 05-24-2004, 11:16 PM

Nick Drake released his debut album, Five Leaves Left, in 1969.

In a year that saw debut albums from Crosby, Stills and Nash, Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, and Neil Young, Drake's effort got lost in the shuffle. But it's still one of the most powerful debut albums ever made. Standouts include the haunting "Day Is Done" and the plaintive "Time Has Told Me," which features a guest appearance from Fairport Convention's Richard Thompson on electric guitar.

The track listing for Five Leaves Left is as follows:

Side One:

Time Has Told Me
River Man
Three Hours
Way To Blue
Day Is Done

Side Two:

Cello Song
The Thoughts of Mary Jane
Man In a Shed
Fruit Tree
Saturday Sun

(All songs are by Nick Drake.)

Steve M. · 05-26-2004, 09:09 PM

Nick Drake's sophomore effort, Bryter Layter, was issued in 1970.

A very adventurous album, both musically and lyrically, Bryter Layter was a song cycle of jazz, folk, and R&B influences that drew comparisons to Van Morrison's Astral Weeks. John Cale, Doris Troy, Richard Thompson, and other Fairport Convention members contributed to this album.

The track listing for Bryter Layter is as follows:

Side One:

Introduction (instrumental)
Hazey Jane II
At the Chime Of a City Clock
One Of Things First
Hazey Jane I

Side Two:

Bryter Layter (instrumental)
Fly
Poor Boy
Northern Sky
Sunday (instrumental)

(All songs and instrumentals are by Nick Drake.)

AKA · 05-26-2004, 09:10 PM

I got An Introduction To Nick Drake a few months ago, and it's great. I'll dive into the proper albums first chance I get.

Steve M. · 05-26-2004, 09:15 PM

Glad to hear it!

I'll be covering 1972's Pink Moon next.

Steve M. · 05-26-2004, 09:24 PM

In the meantime, here's a link to the BBC Radio 2 documentary on Nick Drake that Brad Pitt hosted. Enjoy!

AKA · 05-26-2004, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve M.
In the meantime, here's a link to the BBC Radio 2 documentary on Nick Drake that Brad Pitt hosted. Enjoy!

Excellent!

Steve M. · 05-27-2004, 09:59 PM

Nick Drake released his third and final album, Pink Moon, in 1972.

Producer and enigneer John Wood recorded Drake accompanying himself with a guitar or piano, bringing out a crispness and a unvarnished truth to the songs. When it came time to arrange the tracks, Drake insisted that the album be released as is. The result is what you hear today. Pink Moon is as naked, raw, and honest as almost any artist could get.

The track listing for Pink Moon is as follows:

Side One:

Pink Moon
Place To Be
Road
Which Will
Horn (instrumental)
Things Behind the Sun

Side Two:

Know
Parasite
Free Ride
Harvest Breed
From The Morning

(All songs and instrumentals are by Nick Drake.)

Steve M. · 06-02-2004, 09:47 PM

Here are the lyrics of the songs from Nick Drake's albums, starting with Five Leaves Left.

Nick Drake's first album opened with "Time Has Told Me."

Time Has Told Me - Nick Drake

Time has told me,
You're a rare, rare find,
A troubled cure
For a troubled mind.

And time has told me
Not to ask for more,
For someday our ocean
Will find its shore.

So I'll leave the ways that are making me be
What I really don't want to be,
Leave the ways that are making me love
What I really don't want to love.

Time has told me
You came with the dawn,
A soul with no footprint,
A rose with no thorn.
Your tears, they tell me
There's really no way
Of ending your troubles
With things you can say.

And time will tell you
To stay by my side,
To keep on trying
'Til there's no more to hide.
So leave the ways that are making you be
What you really don't want to be,
Leave the ways that are making you love
What you really don't want to love.

Time has told me
You're a rare, rare find,
A troubled cure
For a troubled mind.

And time has told me
Not to ask for more,
For someday our ocean
Will find its shore.

Steve M. · 06-09-2004, 10:06 PM

River Man - Nick Drake

Betty came by on her way
Said she had a word to say
About things today
And fallen leaves.

Said she hadn't heard the news
Hadn't had the time to choose
A way to lose
But she believes.

Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the plan, for lilac time.

If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows
And all night shows, in summertime.

Betty said she prayed today
For the sky to blow away
Or maybe stay -
She wasn't sure.

For when she thought of summer rain
Calling for her mind again,
She lost the pain
And stayed for more.

Going to see the river man
Going to tell him all I can
About the ban on feeling free.

If he tells me all he knows
About the way his river flows,
I don't suppose it's meant for me.

Oh, how they come and go.
Oh, how they come and go. . . .

Steve M. · 06-17-2004, 08:26 AM

Three Hours - Nick Drake

Three hours from sundown, Jeremy flies,
Hoping to keep the sun from his eyes.
East from the city, and down to the cave,
In search of master in search of a slave.

Three hours from London, Jacomo's free,
Taking his woes down to the sea.
In search of a lifetime to tell when he's home,
In search of a story that's never been known.

Three hours from speaking, everyone's flown.,
Not wanting to be seen on their own.
Three hours is needed to leave from them all,
Three hours to wonder, and three hours to fall.

(REPEAT FIRST VERSE)

Steve M. · 06-21-2004, 10:05 PM

Way To Blue - Nick Drake

Don't you have a word to show what may be done?
Have you never heard a way to find the sun?
Tell me all that you may know
Show me what you have to show
Won't you come and say
If you know the way to blue?

Have you seen the land living by the breeze?
Can you understand a light among the trees?
Tell me all that you may know
Show me all you have to show
Tell us all today
If you know the way to blue.

Look through time and find your rhyme
Tell us what you find.
We will wait at your gate,
Hoping like the blind.

Can you now recall all that you have known?
Will you never fall when the light has flown?
Tell me all that you may know
Show me all you have to show
Won't you come and say
If you know the way to blue?

Steve M. · 07-02-2004, 09:33 PM

Day Is Done - Nick Drake

When the day is done,
Down to earth then sinks the sun
Along with everything that was lost and won,
When the day is done.

When the day is done,
Hope so much your race will all be run,
Then you find you jumped the gun,
Have to go back where you'd begun,
When the day is done.

When the night is cold,
Some get by but some get old
Just to show life's not made of gold,
When the night is cold.

When the bird has flown,
Got no one to call your own
Got no place to call your home,
When the bird has flown.

When the game's been fought,
You sped your ball across the court
Lost much sooner than you would have thought,
Now the game's been fought.

When the party's through,
Seems so very sad for you.
Didn't do the things you meant to do,
Now there's no time to start anew.
Now the party's through.

When the day is done,
Down to earth then sinks the sun
Along with everything that was lost or won,
When the day is done.

Steve M. · 07-16-2004, 11:59 PM

Cello Song - Nick Drake

Strange face, with your eyes
So pale and sincere,
Underneath you know well
You have nothing to fear.
For the dreams that came to you when so young
Told of a life
Where spring is sprung.

You would seem so frail
In the cold of the night
When the armies of emotion
Go out to fight.
But while the earth sinks to its grave
You sail to the sky
On the crest of a wave.

So forget this cruel world
Where I belong,
I'll just sit and wait
And sing my song.
And if one day you should se me in the crowd,
Lend a hand and lift me
To your place in the cloud.

05-19-2004, 06:12 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Nick Drake's 'Magic' Saluted On Rarities Set Drake's 'Magic' Saluted On Rarities Set By Paul Sexton and Jonathan Cohen Billboard Nick Drake, the late English artist whose seminal influence is invoked by countless contemporary singer/songwriters, will be the subject of an album of rarities, remixes and unreleased material released due May 24 in the U.K. by Universal/Island. "Made To Love Magic" spans Drake's early recordings with fellow student and future arranger Robert Kirby at Cambridge University in 1968, through to tracks cut in 1974 that have been remixed by original engineer John Wood as they were meant to be heard. The 13-track set will arrive June 22 in North America. The album's true rarity is "Tow the Line," a never-before-released track that has not been heard since it was recorded in 1974. Drake died in November of that year at the age of 26 from an overdose of antidepressant medication. Also featured is "Magic," a reworking of one of his earliest songs with a new arrangement by Kirby. This song was released as Drake's first-ever U.K. single on Monday, backed by "Northern Sky," from his second album "Bryter Layter." "Made To Love Magic" sports an alternate version of "Three Hours" featuring the late "Reebop" Kwaakhu Baah on congas and an unknown musician on flute, recorded two months before the version released on the album "Five Leaves Left." The version of "Hanging on a Guitar" stems from an alternate take with a different vocal. It was while letting this tape run that engineers discovered "Tow the Line." On Saturday (May 22), BBC Radio 2 will broadcast "Lost Boy -- In Search of Nick Drake," a new documentary hosted by Hollywood star Brad Pitt, who describes himself as a "huge admirer" of his records. "When Radio 2 approached me to get involved in this project, I was delighted to be asked and pleased that I was able to fit it into my schedule," he says. Drake's profile was raised exponentially in recent years by the use of "Pink Moon" in a 2000 Volkswagen commercial. The album of the same name experienced a huge sales spike afterward, moving more than 73,000 copies in the United States in 2000, according to Nielsen SoundScan, versus the 18,000 copies it sold the previous year. Overall, "Pink Moon" has sold more than 141,000 units since 2001. Here is the track list for "Made To Love Magic": "Rider on the Wheel" "Magic" "River Man" "Joey" "Thoughts of Mary Jane" "Mayfair" "Hanging on a Star" "Three Hours" "Clothes of Sand" "Voices" "Time of No Reply" "Black Eyed Dog" "Tow the Line"

05-19-2004, 10:31 PM	#2
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Nick Drake! Wow, this is going to be great! I heard about this on Bob Harris's BBC Radio 2 show! Nick Drake is one of the most important artists in the singer-songwriter movement, and, after so many years of his work being out of print, I'm glad to see not only the original albums lovingly restored to their original state on CD, but this new collection as well! I'm sure it will be essential for all Nick Drake fans. Brad Pitt is a Nick Drake fan? Who'd have thought? Regarding the 2000 Volkswagen commerical - I don't think I ever saw it. I saw the Styx "Mr. Roboto" one, but not the "Pink Moon" one. And I'm a Volkswagen fan - I even have a 2000 Golf!
	__________________ I don't really get out a lot. When I do go out, I couldn't be happier. I love being in a nice milieu. I'm as happy as a clam. Just as long as I'm not in some club playing hip-hop. You hear that sort of thing in a lot of places. That's not my milieu. Rock and roll is good-time music. I love rock. So did my parents.

05-24-2004, 11:16 PM	#3
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left Nick Drake released his debut album, Five Leaves Left, in 1969. In a year that saw debut albums from Crosby, Stills and Nash, Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, and Neil Young, Drake's effort got lost in the shuffle. But it's still one of the most powerful debut albums ever made. Standouts include the haunting "Day Is Done" and the plaintive "Time Has Told Me," which features a guest appearance from Fairport Convention's Richard Thompson on electric guitar. The track listing for Five Leaves Left is as follows: Side One: Time Has Told Me River Man Three Hours Way To Blue Day Is Done Side Two: Cello Song The Thoughts of Mary Jane Man In a Shed Fruit Tree Saturday Sun (All songs are by Nick Drake.)

05-26-2004, 09:09 PM	#4
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Nick Drake - Bryter Layter Nick Drake's sophomore effort, Bryter Layter, was issued in 1970. A very adventurous album, both musically and lyrically, Bryter Layter was a song cycle of jazz, folk, and R&B influences that drew comparisons to Van Morrison's Astral Weeks. John Cale, Doris Troy, Richard Thompson, and other Fairport Convention members contributed to this album. The track listing for Bryter Layter is as follows: Side One: Introduction (instrumental) Hazey Jane II At the Chime Of a City Clock One Of Things First Hazey Jane I Side Two: Bryter Layter (instrumental) Fly Poor Boy Northern Sky Sunday (instrumental) (All songs and instrumentals are by Nick Drake.)
	Last edited by Steve M.; 10-07-2004 at 09:55 PM.

05-26-2004, 09:24 PM	#7
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Nick Drake BBC Radio 2 Show In the meantime, here's a link to the BBC Radio 2 documentary on Nick Drake that Brad Pitt hosted. Enjoy!

05-26-2004, 09:10 PM	#5
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	I got An Introduction To Nick Drake a few months ago, and it's great. I'll dive into the proper albums first chance I get.

05-26-2004, 09:15 PM	#6
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Glad to hear it! I'll be covering 1972's Pink Moon next.

05-27-2004, 09:59 PM	#9
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Nick Drake - Pink Moon Nick Drake released his third and final album, Pink Moon, in 1972. Producer and enigneer John Wood recorded Drake accompanying himself with a guitar or piano, bringing out a crispness and a unvarnished truth to the songs. When it came time to arrange the tracks, Drake insisted that the album be released as is. The result is what you hear today. Pink Moon is as naked, raw, and honest as almost any artist could get. The track listing for Pink Moon is as follows: Side One: Pink Moon Place To Be Road Which Will Horn (instrumental) Things Behind the Sun Side Two: Know Parasite Free Ride Harvest Breed From The Morning (All songs and instrumentals are by Nick Drake.)

06-02-2004, 09:47 PM	#10
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	"Five Leaves Left" lyrics Here are the lyrics of the songs from Nick Drake's albums, starting with Five Leaves Left. Nick Drake's first album opened with "Time Has Told Me." Time Has Told Me - Nick Drake Time has told me, You're a rare, rare find, A troubled cure For a troubled mind. And time has told me Not to ask for more, For someday our ocean Will find its shore. So I'll leave the ways that are making me be What I really don't want to be, Leave the ways that are making me love What I really don't want to love. Time has told me You came with the dawn, A soul with no footprint, A rose with no thorn. Your tears, they tell me There's really no way Of ending your troubles With things you can say. And time will tell you To stay by my side, To keep on trying 'Til there's no more to hide. So leave the ways that are making you be What you really don't want to be, Leave the ways that are making you love What you really don't want to love. Time has told me You're a rare, rare find, A troubled cure For a troubled mind. And time has told me Not to ask for more, For someday our ocean Will find its shore.

06-09-2004, 10:06 PM	#11
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	River Man - Nick Drake Betty came by on her way Said she had a word to say About things today And fallen leaves. Said she hadn't heard the news Hadn't had the time to choose A way to lose But she believes. Going to see the river man Going to tell him all I can About the plan, for lilac time. If he tells me all he knows About the way his river flows And all night shows, in summertime. Betty said she prayed today For the sky to blow away Or maybe stay - She wasn't sure. For when she thought of summer rain Calling for her mind again, She lost the pain And stayed for more. Going to see the river man Going to tell him all I can About the ban on feeling free. If he tells me all he knows About the way his river flows, I don't suppose it's meant for me. Oh, how they come and go. Oh, how they come and go. . . .

06-17-2004, 08:26 AM	#12
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Three Hours - Nick Drake Three hours from sundown, Jeremy flies, Hoping to keep the sun from his eyes. East from the city, and down to the cave, In search of master in search of a slave. Three hours from London, Jacomo's free, Taking his woes down to the sea. In search of a lifetime to tell when he's home, In search of a story that's never been known. Three hours from speaking, everyone's flown., Not wanting to be seen on their own. Three hours is needed to leave from them all, Three hours to wonder, and three hours to fall. (REPEAT FIRST VERSE)

06-21-2004, 10:05 PM	#13
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Way To Blue - Nick Drake Don't you have a word to show what may be done? Have you never heard a way to find the sun? Tell me all that you may know Show me what you have to show Won't you come and say If you know the way to blue? Have you seen the land living by the breeze? Can you understand a light among the trees? Tell me all that you may know Show me all you have to show Tell us all today If you know the way to blue. Look through time and find your rhyme Tell us what you find. We will wait at your gate, Hoping like the blind. Can you now recall all that you have known? Will you never fall when the light has flown? Tell me all that you may know Show me all you have to show Won't you come and say If you know the way to blue?

07-02-2004, 09:33 PM	#14
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Day Is Done - Nick Drake When the day is done, Down to earth then sinks the sun Along with everything that was lost and won, When the day is done. When the day is done, Hope so much your race will all be run, Then you find you jumped the gun, Have to go back where you'd begun, When the day is done. When the night is cold, Some get by but some get old Just to show life's not made of gold, When the night is cold. When the bird has flown, Got no one to call your own Got no place to call your home, When the bird has flown. When the game's been fought, You sped your ball across the court Lost much sooner than you would have thought, Now the game's been fought. When the party's through, Seems so very sad for you. Didn't do the things you meant to do, Now there's no time to start anew. Now the party's through. When the day is done, Down to earth then sinks the sun Along with everything that was lost or won, When the day is done.

07-16-2004, 11:59 PM	#15
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,274	Cello Song - Nick Drake Strange face, with your eyes So pale and sincere, Underneath you know well You have nothing to fear. For the dreams that came to you when so young Told of a life Where spring is sprung. You would seem so frail In the cold of the night When the armies of emotion Go out to fight. But while the earth sinks to its grave You sail to the sky On the crest of a wave. So forget this cruel world Where I belong, I'll just sit and wait And sing my song. And if one day you should se me in the crowd, Lend a hand and lift me To your place in the cloud.
	Last edited by Steve M.; 07-17-2004 at 12:11 AM.