Way to Blue [Original recording remastered]

Nick Drake | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000062O
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,031 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #40 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Folk Rock

Track Listings

1. Cello Song

2. Hazey Jane I

3. Way to Blue

4. Things Behind the Sun

5. River Man

6. Poor Boy

7. Time of No Reply

8. From the Morning

9. One of These Things First

10. Northern Sky

11. Which Will

12. Hazey Jane II

13. Time Has Told Me

14. Pink Moon

15. Black Eyed Dog

16. Fruit Tree

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars immortalized by VW, October 11, 2000

By 

"heddo" (Maitland, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Way to Blue (Audio CD)

Another Cabrio convert here. I first saw the commercial and said that it sounded like Belle and Sebastian. My husband commented on my young age (26) and how the song "Pink Moon" was nearly 30 years old. I was stunned. Truly B&S owe alot to Nick Drake. It took me a while to purchase the album. It was suggested to start with WAY TO BLUE and I am quite happy with it. Some of the material sounds dated like "Poor Boy" but reminds me of Patsy and Edina's hippie fantasies on "Absolutely Fabulous" and other songs are timeless. I bought it on the strength of "Pink Moon" but find that "Way to Blue" the most beautiful track on here. It brings tears to my eyes. Worth it. Just buy it. Who cares if it is folk music from the late 60's. This is wonderful music any way you look at it.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way to Drake - Skip the Intro - Proceed to the Fruit Tree, July 12, 2002

By 

Daniel R. Martin (Grand Haven, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Way to Blue (Audio CD)

The hauntingly beautiful music of Nick Drake is an essential addition to any music collection. This introduction, however, will most likely leave you wanting more - so if you can afford it, skip the introduction and proceed directly to the Nick Drake Box Set - Fruit Tree.

Drake's compostions consist generally of soft acoustic guitar, with some tracks featuring beautiful Baroque strings. Drake's voice has been best described as being "otherworldly" - it is hauntingly beautiful. Drake's lyrics are poetic explorations on themes of failed romances, isolation, melancholy, depression, and mortality. The themes are dark, and the delivery incredibly beautiful.

Shortly after listening to this introduction to Nick Drake, I felt compelled to learn more about the man and his music. The Fruit Tree Box Set is perhaps a better buy than this CD, since it provide all of his recorded music (the three albums Drake released between 1969-1972, and the posthumously released disc of rarities, each packaged in separate jewel cases), w\as well as complete lyrics and an insightful essay. While Way To Blue covers material from all four of those albums, it may actually be more economical to skip this introduction and obtain the box set right away.

In response to reviewers who are curious as to the "tragedy" surrounding Drake, the last two songs on this CD hint at the outcome of this tortured, lost soul. He struggled with performing in public, ultimately refusing to tour to support this beautiful music (which is perhaps why so few people have heard of him). Drake battled depression, as his lyrics often demonstrate, and ultimately lost. He died of an overdose of anti-depressants, which some people have speculated was a suicide.

The song "Black Eyed Dog" is a metaphor for death knocking on his own door. The last track, "Fruit Tree" describes fame as a seed that can only grow when planted in the ground - prophetically suggesting that after his death, Drake may finally obtain the recognition and fame his music deserves.

As a warning to those people who have thought about purchasing this CD to cure insomnia, I recommend that you don't do it. While this is beautiful acoustic based music, in my experience, it is not something that will put you to sleep. I generally enjoy listening to music as I drift off to sleep, so one night I put on this CD before going to bed. Normally I'm asleep within five to ten minutes of hitting the pillow, but not this night. Perhaps it was the full moon (silver, not pink), perhaps it was the heat, or perhaps it was the haunting melancholy of Drake's voice, but neither my wife nor I could fall asleep while the CD played. It was as if the music (or Drake's spirit) demanded that we listen to it. And keep in mind, the CD is over an hour long.

I highly recommend adding Nick Drake to your music collection. But beware, if you purchase this introduction, it will likely leave you wanting more. Skip a step and go directly to the Fruit Tree Box Set.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Volkswagen!, June 28, 2000

By 

James Burke (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Way to Blue (Audio CD)

As an avid and longtime music collector, I'm somewhat embarassed to admit that my first introduction to Nick Drake was the gorgeous, now-famous VW Cabrio spot. As a fan of many of critic's darling sensitive songwriter types -- Alex Chilton, J.J. Cale, John Prine, Freedy Johnson, Gillian Welsh, etc. -- I was somewhat surprised that I had never heard the song, nor did I have any idea who sang it. I was equally surprised that none of my music-savvy friends had a clue, either. A little research revealed that the song was "Pink Moon." Intrigued, I picked up this CD.

I must admit that I was at first a bit skeptical, maybe even cocky: If I hadn't heard of this guy by NOW, how good could he possibly be? So, with modest expectations, I picked up a magazine, popped open a a beer and dropped in the disc.

Needless to say, about two minutes into the disc the magazine was dropped, and the beer went warm and flat as I sat, mesmerized, for the next hour. After the final song, I sat for probably five minutes in stunned silence, pondering not only the simple, perfect beauty of what I'd just heard, but also the fact that an artist with such talent could remain so obscure for so long.

Hyperbole aside, music simply does not come more wonderful or moving than this. While one might argue whether there is profound metaphor in Drake's simple, at times cryptic lyrics, the sad, pure genius of these songs is a rare treasure and should not be missed.