The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake

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Tracks are frequently eye-opening, particularly when they rupture the familiarity of Drake’s originals. The 'Product' page will show the most up to date info we have with regards to the item and its release date, but this information is subject to change so check in with us if you have any questions. C to Guy Garvey, and Aurora to Feist, each artist has offered their own incredible take on a timeless classic. Upon his tragic death by overdose in 1974, he was relegated to obscurity until artists began to mention his songs as inspiration in the ’80s. It is a brilliantly realised, perfectly sequenced tribute that, because of the sheer creative variety on show, never spills over into hagiography, and always prioritises Drake’s musical heritage over the cult of his personal history.

My sister’s doing very well, acting, and I’ve got no money at all, and somebody must be to blame, and it obviously isn’t me. The first volume dropped in September last year; together, the 13-part record confirms the promise of that miraculous Glastonbury introduction. On The Blind, he moves from oceanic yearning to broken mourning, with rich allusion to a whole hinterland of black experience, quoting Maya Angelou: “I know why the caged bird sings/ the pain it brings. Scottish composer Craig Armstrong and Self Esteem build the once-acoustic Black Eyed Dog – about Drake’s depression – into a foreboding epic, all strings and multi-tracked vocals. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent.

Bombay Bicycle Club meeting with The Staves for an almost-psych version of ‘Road’ is one such example. Katherine Priddy‘s ‘I Think That They’re Leaving Me Behind’, taken from the posthumous Family Tree album, is an absolute stand-out.

The inscrutable lyrics, the half-whispered singing, the apparent effortlessness of his wholly distinctive guitar sound. Part of Drake’s appeal is the scarcity of information around him – a handful of photos, three albums with minimal outtakes, no known video footage.

Twangy bass, handclaps and an unsettling, buzzing cello give the whole thing an urgency that re-invents and re-models.

The compilation throws up a few notable collaborations: Aldous Harding and John Parish bring a dark, driving energy to Three Hours. C., Bombay Bicycle Club, Let’s Eat Grandma, and Liz Phair, among many others, shows the enduring musical legacy left by Nick Drake. Perhaps the most surprising version on The Endless Coloured Ways is Emeli Sandé’s ‘One of These Things First’.For items that are dispatched using our standard service, we ask that you wait 14 days from the date of dispatch before reporting any items as undelivered. But the detailed picture of Drake’s life actually allows you to understand and appreciate the music more – especially Pink Moon, which was written and recorded without his label Island even knowing, at the precise point Drake was losing touch with reality yet still retained his songwriting talent. In the edit page, go to the 'Metadata' tab and add your Juno artist, label or release page for listeners to purchase your release / releases. I think he taps into that and does it in a way that’s strangely uplifting … it gives you a bit of relief to know that somebody else is going through the same thing. The fact that these genres are incorporated seems to honour Drake as it shows that his music transcends style.

Until recently, the estate had long resisted an official biography – preferring to leave people to form their own personal image of Nick. C. retain their Irish-ness and produce what is, probably, the best single of their career – brilliant songwriting coupled with a great band is always going to win. The songs are faithful to the originals, maintaining the spirit Drake breathed into them, yet exhibit diversion in a substantial, yet tasteful manner through the musical phrases. Just brilliant, with a subtly but very powerfully alternative meaning and completely different in style and tone to the original.Parasite by east London’s Stick in the Wheel drags a bit, while Emeli Sandé’s One Of These Things First seems to have removed the song’s essential marrow completely.