"Bryter Layter" was
Nick Drake's second
album, released in 1970. Like Nick's debut
"Five Leaves Left", the album was produced by
Joe Boyd.
Nick Drake was an
enigmatic talent in
music. Too
shy to perform in public, and never successful during his short life, he is now acknowledged as one of this century's major talents in
folk music. He produced three albums in his 5 year career, plus a number of tracks which were released
posthumously on
"Time Of No Reply".
The fact that Nick was
too shy to perform live created major problems for his
record label Island Records. At a party to promote his new
album "
Bryter Layter", record executives ended up displaying a life-sized cardboard cut-out of the
musician because he was unable to face the crowd.
"Bryter Layter" is probably Nick's most
upbeat album. It features
John Cale (from the
Velvet Underground) on two tracks, as well as members from
Fairport Convention.
Even though this is my least favorite of Nick's four albums, it still contains some of the most
haunting and
gorgeous music I've ever heard. It is on his next and final
album "Pink Moon" that Nick's full talent would bloom, sadly just two years before his
death.
Tracks:
1.
Introduction
2.
Hazey Jane II
3.
At the Chime Of a City Clock
4.
One Of These Things First
5.
Hazey Jane I
6.
Bryter Layter
7.
Fly
8.
Poor Boy
9.
Northern Sky
10.
Sunday