Customer Reviews

Nine of Swords

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4 star:		(1)
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Nick Drake's music is some of my favorite music to listen to from a guitar player's standpoint because of his unique tunings and fingerpicking style. Learning a Nick Drake song from scratch is to say the least a daunting proposition. Scott Appel chose to tackle the music of Nick Drake and on this CD really does an impressive job. I was somewhat skeptical to hear his versions of Drake's "Parasite" and "Place To Be" and wondered before hearing them how Scott Appel could possibly bring his own voice to music that is so closely associated with its writer. I can say after hearing this disc in its entirety that Scott Appel not only possesses a great talent on the guitar but also was able to successfully build on Nick Drake's work. His version of Drake's "Bird Flew By" which opens the CD is a beautiful rendition, and his tasteful layering of guitar parts with keyboard definitely adds to the original idea laid down by Nick Drake on his home recording of the song. I was also impressed with Appel's version of "Place To Be"; Appel's lower register vocal adds to the brooding lyrics and really took me by surprise. This CD is subtitled as "Songs by and about Nick Drake", and the little touches here and there remind you of the significance of the subtitle. Appel's original guitar composition "Thanatopsis" contains an instrumental break from Nick Drake's "River Man", and is almost like a wink to the "in the know" listeners who are familiar with Drake's music. Also noteworthy is Appel's song "Blur", in which he demonstrates an interesting combination of alternate guitar tuning and slide guitar. The way the guitar was recorded on this disc sounds crisp and ethereal throughout. I was able to track down a used copy of this CD and it was well worth it. This is a great CD to own even if you are unfamiliar with the music of Nick Drake. If you are a fan of acoustic guitar it is definitely worth purchasing a copy of this album.

This is a wonderful work- Deep, delicate, soothing, magical. Guitar players will enjoy the power of Scott's artful simplicity. Poets will love the lyrical content. Highly recommended.

"Compositions by and about Nick Drake" .... that's a very tall order, and one that seems all too likely to fail. But Scott Appel, granted access to unreleased home tapes of Nick Drake's unrecorded songs by his parents, makes an unqualified success of this tribute in every way. While honoring Nick's work, and hewing very closely to its tone & atmosphere, Scott Appel never yields to merely aping Nick's style & voice. He brings his own musical & artistic passion to it -- and that makes all the difference.

Of course it's wonderful to hear "new" songs by Nick Drake, when we all thought there was nothing left to hear. But Scott does even more, crafting songs that are genuinely inspired by Nick's work, without simply being poor pastiche. There's a real unity & purity to this collection, making it a cohesive artistic work, rather than a mere ragbag in search of a few exploitive dollars. In an odd way, I'm reminded of Shelley's beautiful elegy for Keats, "Adonais" -- both mourning & celebration by one poet for another.

Here you'll find much beauty, tenderness, & melancholy reflection, all of which are rare things these days. A pity this CD is currently out of print; and an even greater pity that Scott himself died much too young, when he obviously had so much more to give. As you can see, prices for used copies can be a bit high -- but in this case, the CD is definitely worth it. For all fans of Nick's work, as well as fans of sensitive, quality songwriting as well -- most highly recommended!

Without a timeline close, I think this must be the first American tribute to Drake. Scott was passionate enough to contact the parents, and gain access to his rehearsal and personal home recordings, which helped him understand Nick's inscrutable tuning systems. From the minute he opens his mouth to sing, "Bird flew by...", I came to realize, there was much to Nick Drake the world had not been privilaged to hear yet. Scott has freed the unpolished nuggets from the drawer, and put a shine on them that is faithful and fitting.

It is not the full-blown production of "Bryter Layter", but the sound is nearly as timeless, without adopting the characteristics of Joe Boyd's production or Robert Kirby's arranging. Let this serve as Appel's crowning achievement as well, as he was also taken from us too early in life. It is worth the search, wherever you come across this!

I've been listening to Scott's music for years now and have always been blown away by his ability to get to the marrow of a song , and lay just that out for the listener with his uncanny twists and turns of harmony. It will floor you.

a masterpiece. thank you scott appel for making real music in a very plastic world!

Last time I heard Scott he only played the guitar. I am so happy to see him return to his original instrument the " Sax "!! Glory to you Scott. Chris