In fact, he seemed bent on breaking this often sullen, always insecure young man out of his shell, with help from a major names like Fairport Convention’s Richard Thompson (guitar on “ Hazey Jane II”) and erstwhile Velvet Underground man John Cale (viola and assorted keys on the gorgeous “ Fly” and “ Northern Sky”).īoyd also recruited pianist Chris McGregor and soulful backing singers to liven up “ Poor Boy,” saxophonist Ray Warleigh for the haunting “ At the Chime of a City Clock,” and veteran session pianist Paul Harris (Judy Collins, John Martyn, etc.) to for the album’s best-known cut, the gently rolling “ One of these Things First.”īut, instead of lifting Drake’s spirits, Boyd suggests that atmospheric, string-and-or-flute laced instrumentals like “ Sunday” and the title track (beautifully arranged by Robert Kirby) were Nick’s way of “stamping his foot” and conveying his dissatisfaction with the proceedings.Īnd yet, to hear if from Boyd, you’d think Bryter Layter was a pledge of love and confidence by the very people who admired Drake’s artistry (check out his fretboard dexterity “ Hazey Jane I”) – not that it mattered, since the album bombed anyway, just like its predecessor and successor. I just finished Joe’s fabulous memoirs of the enchanted 1960s, White Bicycles, (*) and I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves music AND quality prose though I’ll caution you he spends less than 10% of the book on Drake, but when he does, his insights are second to none.įor it was Boyd who signed, mentored and produced the troubled troubadour, whose well-documented shyness and aversion to touring ultimately curbed his career prospects, and convinced Boyd to chuck the frill-free approach of Five Leaves Left for this, Nick’s second visit to the studio.

Everyone’s least favorite Nick Drake album (pretty sure, anyway), Bryter Layter was released 50 years ago today (March 6) and stands apart from its more celebrated bookends (1969’s Five Leaves Left and ‘72’s Pink Moon) by virtue of its uniquely ornate production, spearheaded by Joe Boyd.

Slayer Show No Mercy 1983 Rar