Half a century after his passing into eternity, Nick Drake‘s music carries on enchanting audiences all around the world, while the essential Englishness of his balladry turned the singer-songwriter into an almost mythical figure whose three full-length platters retain their original sepia-toned hypnotism. And though decrypting such mystic may seem sacrilegious, there have been several attempts, most notable on the “Time Of No Reply” compilation, to look into the secrets of the legendary artist’s creativity, with a recent album of piano covers of his “Five Leaves Left” reflecting other musicians’ love for the fallen hero’s art. That’s why the forthcoming deluxe reissue of his debut feels so important.
The Making Of Five Leaves Left
Titled “The Making Of Five Leaves Left” and set to appear on July 25th on CD and vinyl, both box sets comprising four discs, it’s the deepest dive to date into Nick’s classic, a revealing trip to the core of what’s considered one of the best folk-rock offerings ever. There are demos and out-takes that allow the listener to follow the development of the “Five Leaves” from initial sessions to the finished album which occupies the last platter here, with a 60-page book, penned by Neil Storey in collaboration with Drake’s biographer Richard Morton-Jack, fleshing out this gem’s story in fine detail.
If Nick Drake’s other two records are to receive a similar overhaul, it’s time to start collecting his discography afresh. The price tag doesn’t seem to be too alluring, of course, yet there’s no other way for a fan than, well, way to blue.
Disc 1 – 1st Sound Techniques session aka The Beverley Martyn demo
& Alt Takes from February 1968 to April 1969:
1. Mayfair (1st Sound Techniques session – March 1968)
2. Time Has Told Me (1st Sound Techniques session – March 1968)
3. Man In A Shed (1st Sound Techniques session – March 1968)
4. Fruit Tree (1st Sound Techniques session – March 1968)
5. Saturday Sun (1st Sound Techniques session – March 1968)
6. Strange Face (1st Sound Techniques session – March 1968)
7. Strange Face (rough mix with guide vocal – September 1968)
8. Day Is Done (take 5 – April 1968)
9. Day Is Done (take 2 – November 1968)
10. Day Is Done (take 7 – April 1969)
11. Man In A Shed (take 1 – May 1968)
12. My Love Left With The Rain (Cambridge, Lent Term 1968)
Disc 2 – Paul de Rivas Reel – October 1968 / Out-Takes November 1968:
1. Blossom (Cambridge, Lent Term 1968)
2. Instrumental (Cambridge, Lent Term 1968)
3. Made To Love Magic (Cambridge, Lent Term 1968)
4. Mickey’s Tune (Cambridge, Lent Term 1968)
5. The Thoughts Of Mary Jane (Cambridge, Lent Term 1968)
6. Day Is Done (Cambridge, Lent Term 1968)
7. Time Has Told Me (Cambridge, Lent Term 1968)
8. Three Hours (take 2 – November 1968)
9. Time Has Told Me (take 4 – November 1968)
10. Strange Face (take 1 – November 1968)
11. Saturday Sun (take 1 – November 1968)
12. Fruit Tree (take 4 – November 1968)
The Making Of Five Leaves Left
Disc 3 – Out-Takes from December 1968 to April 1969:
1. Time Of No Reply (take 3 into take 4 – December 1968)
2. ‘Cello Song (take 4 – January 1969)
3. Mayfair (take 5 – January 1969)
4. River Man (take 1 – January 1969)
5. Way To Blue (Cambridge – Winter 1968)
6. The Thoughts Of Mary Jane (take 2 – April 1969)
7. Saturday Sun (take 1 into take 2 – April 1969)
8. River Man (take 2 – April 1969)
Disc 4 – The Original Album:
1. Time Has Told Me
2. River Man
3. Three Hours
4. Way To Blue
5. Day Is Done
6. ‘Cello Song
7. The Thoughts Of Mary Jane
8. Man In A Shed
9. Fruit Tree
10. Saturday Sun
