Customer Reviews

Way to Blue

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I bought this album a little over a month ago, having heard of Drake's genius from various sources. Not a single day has passed that I don't listen to it all the way through. When listening to Nick Drake, you almost expect to turn around and see him performing right behind you; that is something which can only be said of the TRUE greats.

When I hear something like "River Man" or "Cello Song", I get a shiver. However, it's not an uncomfortable shiver; it's the shiver one gets when you hear something so achingly beautiful, so rich, that you can't help but let it overwhelm you. The sound of Nick Drake IS the sound of seeing the sun come up at 5:00 AM.

This album is a perfect greeting to Nick's music, and has sent me on a musical journey which I can't wait for.

way to blue is the perfect beginning for you if you don't know much about nick drake. i first learned about nick drake after i heard pink moon on a cabrio commercial. i am so happy i bought this cd because it has such a beautiful and unique sound. some of the lyrics can be haunting,but in a good way. i am listening to this cd right now and it is inspiring. his music played throughout an episode of young americans the other night which shows that nick drake is finally being recognized in a big way. It is only sad he can't be here to enjoy it. you will not regret investing in his music,so buy it today and discover true talent.

Not everybody will find Drake to their liking. His sad, melancholy voice seems too breathless to be anything more than a muted whisper. Yet it's that sense of immense quiet that makes his albums so riveting (especially both versions of "Hazy Jane"). The music is always tasteful, often acoustic, sometimes orchestral. And the creme-de-la-creme of Brit folk-rockers were there to lend a helping hand. WAY TO BLUE isn't meant to be taken as anything more than a great introduction to a superb talent. From there, get into the individual albums. And, if you find you can't connect with this stuff after only a couple of listens, listen some more... eventually the songs stick in your mind and melt in your psyche. Believe the hype.

Please, please, please buy this CD. Drake died after a fatal, and arguably accidental, overdose of anti-depressants in the mid-70's. Since his death, the three studio albums he has recorded have built to huge cult status, and deservedly so. This is magical, timeless music which defies genre and target audience. The simple fragility of Drake's impeccable guitar work and vocals are heartbreaking, and this is definitely a good jumping-off point before picking up Bryter Layter and Five Leaves Left.

Picking standout tracks is futile, because each song has its own budding personality, but Northern Sky is clearly one of the greatest songs ever written, while River Man, Fruit Tree and Way To Blue are all truly wondrous. No gushing now, but this is a must.

How could one possibly put their feelings about Van Gough's Starry Night into words? It can't be done. Nick Drake is rather like a Van Gough for your ears. I just can't put the impact of his music into words. I've been buying records since I was 14 and I'm now 47 years old. This is one of the best purchases I've ever made. My collection includes works by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ralph Towner, The Beatles, King Crimson, Dave Matthews, Van Morrison, Eric Dolphy etc. In other words, I'm a prolific listener with varied tastes and as a musician, I know real art when I hear it. The closest I've heard musically to Drake's style would be John Martyn, Bert Jansch, Fairport Convention, that sort of thing... Only this is better. This music is haunting and, if you have any soul, it will expose things you never even realized were within you.

If you have enough pennies to buy only one CD this year, this is it. Warning: Way to Blue will leaving you hungering for more and there are only 4 CDs available from Mr Drake who flew from this world at the tender (but some how ripe) age of 26 years.

Buy it now!

If you haven't discovered Nick Drake then you need to. There's not a lot to tell, but a hell of a lot to hear. Acoustic guitar, a haunting voice, maybe some piano or cello, and songs to make you weep. He really had insights that few others have. Maybe they brought on his depression, or vice versa, it's too late to ask him now. But nobody else could say what he said (or if they could, they haven't yet). You won't always understand what his songs are about, intellectually, but at a deeper level you'll know what they meant and what he felt. That's worth the price on it's own.

If you like Nick Drake, visit my member page, maybe I've reviewed other music you should her, but haven't. And by the way, try to find Iain Archer. He's not Nick, but he's good!

As a long time fan of Drake it is heartening to hear an American audience sing the praises of essentially a very English artist. Drake has been immensely influential (listen to early John Martyn for example - "Solid Air" is dedicated to Drake) but although emulated, he has never been equalled. An extremely gifted and unique guitarist with a talent for arrangement, his songs range from intensely private guitar and whispering vocal duets on Pink Moon, Black Eyed Dog, Things Behind the Sun, to luscious string arrangements on Way To Blue, Cello Song, River Man or the more jazzy ensembles of Hazy Jane, Northern Sky, and One of These Things First. Drake's vocal delivery and superb lyrics help complete the mood - the existential but never brooding lyrics on the subjects of life, death and relationships have poetic and universal truths - not like the bland or self obsessed material so common these days - listen to "Time Has Told Me", "Northen Sky" or "Fruit Tree" (or just read them). Drake was a creative, thoughtful and sensitive person and his music demands a similar response. It is a profoundly rewarding experience. "Way to Blue" is a rich introduction and wonderful value but, really, you'll want to buy Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter and Pink Moon which all contain gems of equal value.