Way to Blue: An Introduction to Nick Drake by Nick Drake
Performed by: Nick Drake
Editorial Reviews:
The options where Nick Drake is concerned are limited, but wholly appealing. The downhearted singer-songwriter released only three albums in his 26 years; the posthumous rarities collection, Time of No Reply, rounds out his abbreviated oeuvre. The whole lot is contained in the exemplary four-disc Fruit Tree box set. Way to Blue is a scaled-back option for those who are enchanted by Drake's intricate yet cozy lamentations, but feel no need to join the ever-growing legion of Drake completists. But while the 16 songs included here provide a fine introduction to the ill-fated Englishman's work (which seems to fit together no matter how it's sequenced), Drake is one of those rare artists whose entire catalog is worth owning due to its excellence and, sadly, its brevity. --Steven Stolder
If you like "Way to Blue: An Introduction to Nick Drake by Nick Drake , you might also like ...
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Just started getting into his music...
Comment: ....because I kept getting directed to his songs on iTunes. Great guitar player and songwriter. Many that like alternative music will like the autumnal feel to many of his songs.
Matt Zarnstorff
Customer Rating:
Summary: The album I discovered Nick Drake through
Comment: I had read about this CD , was intrigued by it and wasn't prepared for the music - got it and heard it through headphones , which really gives Nick's voice greater potency .
I now own everything by Nick .
Yes , there is a 'mystique' that probably helps to sell his records , but that wouldn't be much use if the music was terrible .
A haunting performer and one of the most influential .
Highly recommended .
Customer Rating:
Summary: A good Introduction
Comment: There isn't much of the greatest of Nick Drake that isn't on this album, with the exceptions of 'Fly' and 'Rider on the Wheel'.
This is a definitive statement of Nick's thorough grasp of melancholy beauty.
Customer Rating:
Summary: this is a complicated and demanding form of music
Comment: I love Nick Drake b/c he is fascinating and his music is unusual and enchanting. If you are unfamiliar with his music, it is definetly a bit different and somewhat challenging to fully comprehend.
To understand the music you must understand the artist. This is not commercial b/c the artist had no desire to be commercial. He was a strange, eccentric shy and tortured artist. Drake seemed to have been a pretty bohemian artist simply trying to pursue his muse.
On this introductory sampler, there are a variety of different forms of music most likely b/c of an experimentation on how to actually produce him. There are sparce, purely accoustical numbers, lushly orchestrated numbers and works that fall in between.
Something that is special about his music is the unique manner in which he played guitar and sang. He played in a variety of unusual guitar tunings (therefore the chord and melody structures were unique sounding).
He was a fingerpicker who pulled at the strings with great force which added a lot of texture (not usually heard with other guitar players) tohis playing.
He sang in a strange whisper so you had this muscular accoustic guitar playing which was strangely coupled with wispy vocals.
Nick Drake's love songs have an etheral beauty to them. My favorite song, "Northern Lights" is, without a doubt, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG I HAVE EVER HEARD, BAR NONE. The song is gorgeous.
I also like the raw, Robert Johnson like, bluesy quality of "Black Eyed Dog"
This is not music that you can fall for upon just an intial hearing. This stuff has to sink in. Once you get it, you will see that Nick Drake is an unusual, uncompromising artist that offers stunning beauty, depth and drama.
Customer Rating:
Summary: POWERFUL & COMPELLING Music!
Comment: WOW!!! I am actually 27 years old and never listened to much Nick Drake,
however, I do have lots of other music very similar. BUT...There is no
real comparison to his emotion and thought provoking lyrics, as well as the
ensemble of different instruments(such as his use of orchestral
arrangement).
I was introduced to the "Way to Blue" CD through my wife,
who perhaps has such great excellent music taste(as well as myself...
of course!) Ha-Ha...that was just a little joke...I'm not trying to be
smug or whatever it would be called. In the past year, I have been
recovering from an addiction problem, and she told me that she listened
to the CD "NON-STOP"!!! while I was away at a rehab. I have listened to
it over and over today only to be overwhelmingly discovered by how the
meaning of the lyrics of Track 2(Hazey Jane 1) can relate to her feelings
about me and her love for me. That is a RECOVERY track even if it wasn't
meant to be! Sorry, trying not to be corny...but ULTIMATELY this CD is
FANTASTIC!!BUY IT RITE NOW!!!!!!
EAN: 0044003823921
Format: Original recording remastered
Label: Island
Manufacturer: Island
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Island
Release Date: 2003-05-06
Studio: Island
 | Format: Audio CD List Price: $13.98 Our Price: $8.50 Your Save: $ 5.48 ( 39% ) Availability: N/A Average Customer Rating:  |
Editorial Reviews:
The options where Nick Drake is concerned are limited, but wholly appealing. The downhearted singer-songwriter released only three albums in his 26 years; the posthumous rarities collection, Time of No Reply, rounds out his abbreviated oeuvre. The whole lot is contained in the exemplary four-disc Fruit Tree box set. Way to Blue is a scaled-back option for those who are enchanted by Drake's intricate yet cozy lamentations, but feel no need to join the ever-growing legion of Drake completists. But while the 16 songs included here provide a fine introduction to the ill-fated Englishman's work (which seems to fit together no matter how it's sequenced), Drake is one of those rare artists whose entire catalog is worth owning due to its excellence and, sadly, its brevity. --Steven Stolder
If you like "Way to Blue: An Introduction to Nick Drake by Nick Drake , you might also like ...
 | Pink Moon |
 | Five Leaves Left |
 | Bryter Layter |
 | Made to Love Magic |
 | Family Tree |
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Just started getting into his music...
Comment: ....because I kept getting directed to his songs on iTunes. Great guitar player and songwriter. Many that like alternative music will like the autumnal feel to many of his songs.
Matt Zarnstorff
Customer Rating:
Summary: The album I discovered Nick Drake through
Comment: I had read about this CD , was intrigued by it and wasn't prepared for the music - got it and heard it through headphones , which really gives Nick's voice greater potency .
I now own everything by Nick .
Yes , there is a 'mystique' that probably helps to sell his records , but that wouldn't be much use if the music was terrible .
A haunting performer and one of the most influential .
Highly recommended .
Customer Rating:
Summary: A good Introduction
Comment: There isn't much of the greatest of Nick Drake that isn't on this album, with the exceptions of 'Fly' and 'Rider on the Wheel'.
This is a definitive statement of Nick's thorough grasp of melancholy beauty.
Customer Rating:
Summary: this is a complicated and demanding form of music
Comment: I love Nick Drake b/c he is fascinating and his music is unusual and enchanting. If you are unfamiliar with his music, it is definetly a bit different and somewhat challenging to fully comprehend.
To understand the music you must understand the artist. This is not commercial b/c the artist had no desire to be commercial. He was a strange, eccentric shy and tortured artist. Drake seemed to have been a pretty bohemian artist simply trying to pursue his muse.
On this introductory sampler, there are a variety of different forms of music most likely b/c of an experimentation on how to actually produce him. There are sparce, purely accoustical numbers, lushly orchestrated numbers and works that fall in between.
Something that is special about his music is the unique manner in which he played guitar and sang. He played in a variety of unusual guitar tunings (therefore the chord and melody structures were unique sounding).
He was a fingerpicker who pulled at the strings with great force which added a lot of texture (not usually heard with other guitar players) tohis playing.
He sang in a strange whisper so you had this muscular accoustic guitar playing which was strangely coupled with wispy vocals.
Nick Drake's love songs have an etheral beauty to them. My favorite song, "Northern Lights" is, without a doubt, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG I HAVE EVER HEARD, BAR NONE. The song is gorgeous.
I also like the raw, Robert Johnson like, bluesy quality of "Black Eyed Dog"
This is not music that you can fall for upon just an intial hearing. This stuff has to sink in. Once you get it, you will see that Nick Drake is an unusual, uncompromising artist that offers stunning beauty, depth and drama.
Customer Rating:
Summary: POWERFUL & COMPELLING Music!
Comment: WOW!!! I am actually 27 years old and never listened to much Nick Drake,
however, I do have lots of other music very similar. BUT...There is no
real comparison to his emotion and thought provoking lyrics, as well as the
ensemble of different instruments(such as his use of orchestral
arrangement).
I was introduced to the "Way to Blue" CD through my wife,
who perhaps has such great excellent music taste(as well as myself...
of course!) Ha-Ha...that was just a little joke...I'm not trying to be
smug or whatever it would be called. In the past year, I have been
recovering from an addiction problem, and she told me that she listened
to the CD "NON-STOP"!!! while I was away at a rehab. I have listened to
it over and over today only to be overwhelmingly discovered by how the
meaning of the lyrics of Track 2(Hazey Jane 1) can relate to her feelings
about me and her love for me. That is a RECOVERY track even if it wasn't
meant to be! Sorry, trying not to be corny...but ULTIMATELY this CD is
FANTASTIC!!BUY IT RITE NOW!!!!!!
Technical Details
Binding: Audio CDEAN: 0044003823921
Format: Original recording remastered
Label: Island
Manufacturer: Island
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Island
Release Date: 2003-05-06
Studio: Island
