Family Tree

Nick Drake

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2007)
• Original Release Date: July 10, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tsunami Label Group
• ASIN: B000PTYS2W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,632 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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

2007 rarities collection from one of the most influential UK Folk artists of all time. Family Tree tells the story of Nick Drake's musical development in the years prior to his debut album Five Leaves Left in 1969. It features lo-fi recordings made on a reel-to-reel tape recorder at his home, Far Leys in Tanworth In Arden, as well as eight songs recorded on cassette during his sojourn in Aix En Provence. The inclusion of two songs by his mother Molly Drake bears testament to her influence on her son. His final performances on Family Tree, 'Day Is Done' and 'Way To Blue', recorded by his Cambridge friend and arranger Robert Kirby are the end of one story and the beginning of another. Family Tree comprises mostly other people's compositions: the Folk and Blues tunes used by many a young guitarist in the '60s, attempting to master the fretboard. Nick played Jackson C. Frank, Bert Jansch, Dave Van Ronk and, of course, Bob Dylan. Booklet printed on 'bible ' paper for initial pressings only! 28 tracks. Island. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 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 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.

5 of 5 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

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.