Family Tree (Dig)

Nick Drake | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tsunami Label Group
• ASIN: B000PTYS2W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,235 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Come in to the Garden (Introduction)

2. They're Leaving Me Behind

3. Time Piece

4. Poor Mum

5. Winter Is Gone

6. All My Trials

7. Mozart's Kegelstatt Trio

8. Strolling Down the Highway

9. Cocaine Blues

10. Blossom

11. Been Smoking Too Long

12. Black Mountain Blues

13. Tomorrow Is a Long Time

14. If You Leave Me

15. Here Comes the Blues

16. Sketch, Pt. 1

17. Blues Run the Game

18. My Baby's So Sweet

19. Milk and Honey

20. Kimbie

See all 27 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You'd think there wouldn't be much more to present by a songwriter who recorded three albums in his lifetime and has been dead since 1974. However, interest in Nick Drake's riveting music has grown enormously in the new millennium. Rarities were added to a number of posthumous collections, but with Family Tree his estate has brought forth an hour of music that predates his first album, Five Leaves Left. This set illuminates Drake's musical background, with his mother and sister appearing, and even Drake himself on clarinet for a Mozart trio. He covers traditional numbers as well as songs by Dylan, Blind Boy Fuller, and Jackson C. Frank. There are clear links to his own early compositions, including a couple early versions that appeared on his debut. Some of this has circulated on bootlegs over the years, but here assembled and sonically polished, it radiates with warmth. Recorded in casual circumstances, there are bits of chatter and laughter between songs, painting a picture of a happy, loving home scene. --David Greenberger

Product Description

Family Tree, to be released on June 19th, 2007 on Tsunami LG/Fontana, will feature previously unreleased tracks from the vaults of the Estate of Nick Drake. The album, produced by Drake Estate manager Cally, tells the story of Nick Drake's musical development in the years prior to recording his official debut, Five Leaves Left. Family Tree explores the upbringing of an artist who in his tragically short career produced three albums which continue to be treasured by fans. Recorded in the late 1960's, the 28 tracks feature lo-fi recordings made on a reel-to-reel tape recorder. In addition to the release of Family Tree, 2007 will see the release of an upgraded version of the Fruit Tree Box Set which includes Nick Drake's three original studio albums, a new book, as well as a DVD of the A Skin Too Few documentary.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Come Into The Garden, July 14, 2007

By 

K. H. Orton (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Family Tree (Dig) (Audio CD)

If you're seeking this out, I don't have to tell you what a special & rare talent Nick Drake is. Suffice it to say, this one is for die-hard fans. Those seeking proper introduction should proceed directly to Way To Blue or Pink Moon.

One of the most prized recordings in my collection has long been the Nick Drake bootleg, Tamworth-In-Arden 1967/68. I usually avoid buying boots, but couldn't resist the plethora of completely unheard/unreleased songs. Now, most of that material has been lovingly compiled (with a few surprises, as well as omissions) & cleaned up considerably in terms of the sound quality. Half of the songs are written by Drake & half are rather obscure covers, including 3 songs by the legendary Jackson C. Frank. Fans of Drake will hardly be disappointed.

Among the self-penned selections, the real highlights are the haunting "Leaving Me Behind" and "Come Into The Garden". "Rain" and "Bird Flew By" reveal a talent that is nearly fully formed. "Strange Meeting II" & "Been Smoking Too Long" were included on the Fruit Tree box set appendix, Time Of No Reply. Both are welcome here. (According to the liner notes that collection is soon to be re-released).

More than likely, fans will not be as thrilled with the two songs, written & sung by Nick's mother, Molly. But to be frank, I like them both even if they are a bit jarring amidst the rest of the set. Its nice to hear where Nick got some of his talent from.

Lovingly compiled & with copious liner notes (Nick's sister, Gabrielle's are quite moving) this is certainly worth the price of admission for longtime & new found fans of this brilliant and truely unique artist.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars someone left the cassette recorder on, October 12, 2007

By 

Jim Z "music aficionado" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Family Tree (Dig) (Audio CD)

And boy , am I glad they did. VERY primitive recordings that do not detract one iota from the performances. If you looked up this undiscovered gem , you know what you'll get from Nick Drake recordings. Thanks to the powers that be that put this out.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's like listening Nick playing in your living room, August 23, 2007

By 

Jofp Gallagher (Manassas Park, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Family Tree (Dig) (Audio CD)

This album has been a pleasant surprise. I knew it was a Lo-Fi recording when I purchased it, but the sound and general quality is much better than what I thought. For Nick Drake's fans, this is a must have. The traditional tunes included in this album blend so well with Drake's own music that it seems they were written by him. The song "My Baby's So Sweet" is probably my favorite of those. Drake's "Blossom" is a great tune that should have been included in his three released albums. In summary, although for some Drake's music sounds a bit depressing, this albums is a relax pill. I put it on, and just want to chill out and transport myself to peace.