Nick Drake - Bryter Layter (1971) Part 1 (Full Album)

Track List: 1-4

1. Introduction (Instrumental) (0:00)
2. Hazey Jane II (1:31)
3. At the Chime of a City Clock (5:18)
4. One of These Things First (10:03)

Part 1.    • Nick Drake - Bryter Layter (1971) Par...  
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'Bryter Layter' AllMuasic Review by Ned Raggett
With even more of the Fairport Convention crew helping him out -- including bassist Dave Pegg and drummer Dave Mattacks along with, again, a bit of help from Richard Thompson -- as well as John Cale and a variety of others, Drake tackled another excellent selection of songs on his second album. Demonstrating the abilities shown on Five Leaves Left didn't consist of a fluke, Bryter Layter featured another set of exquisitely arranged and performed tunes, with producer Joe Boyd and orchestrator Robert Kirby reprising their roles from the earlier release. Starting with the elegant instrumental "Introduction," as lovely a mood-setting piece as one would want, Bryter Layter indulges in a more playful sound at many points, showing that Drake was far from being a constant king of depression. While his performances remain generally low-key and his voice quietly passionate, the arrangements and surrounding musicians add a considerable amount of pep, as on the jazzy groove of the lengthy "Poor Boy." The argument could be made that this contravenes the spirit of Drake's work, but it feels more like a calmer equivalent to the genre-sliding experiments of Van Morrison at around the same time. Numbers that retain a softer approach, like "At the Chime of a City Clock," still possess a gentle drive to them. Cale's additions unsurprisingly favor the classically trained side of his personality, with particularly brilliant results on "Northern Sky." As his performances on keyboards and celeste help set the atmosphere, Drake reaches for a perfectly artful reflection on loss and loneliness and succeeds wonderfully.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Like Five Leaves Left, the album contains no unaccompanied songs: Drake was accompanied by part of the British folk rock group Fairport Convention and John Cale from The Velvet Underground, as well as Beach Boys session musicians Mike Kowalski and Ed Carter. Arranger Robert Kirby says that Drake intended the instrumentals to evoke Pet Sounds. Initially scheduled for release in November 1970, with UK promotional copies being sent out at the time, dissatisfaction with the artwork meant that the album was held over into the New Year.

Personnel:
Nick Drake – vocals (2-5, 7-9); acoustic guitar; electric guitar (8)
Dave Pegg – bass (1-3, 5-10)
Dave Mattacks – drums (1, 2, 5, 6, 10)
Robert Kirby – string arrangement (1, 3, 5, 10); brass arrangement (2)
Richard Thompson – electric guitar (2)
Ray Warleigh – alto saxophone (3, 8); flute (10)
Paul Harris – piano (4)
Ed Carter – bass (4)
Mike Kowalski – drums (3, 4, 8, 9)
Lyn Dobson – flute (5, 6)
John Cale – viola, harpsichord (7); celeste, piano, organ (9)
Chris McGregor – piano (8)
Pat Arnold – backing vocals (8)
Doris Troy – backing vocals (8)

Production:
Joe Boyd – producer
John Wood – engineer
Nigel Waymouth – sleeve design and front cover photograph
Keith Morris – back cover photograph