Bryter Layter

by Nick Drake

Overview

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. ~ Ned Raggett

Product Details

Release Date:	10/16/2012
Label:	Island / Universal
UPC:	0602537069941

Tracks

1. Introduction
2. Hazey Jane, Pt. 2
3. At the Chime of a City Clock
4. One of These Things First
5. Hazey Jane, Pt. 1
6. Bryter Layter
7. Fly
8. Poor Boy
9. Northern Sky
10. Sunday

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Nick Drake   Primary Artist,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Doris Troy   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Richard Thompson   Guest Artist,Guitar
John Cale   Guest Artist,Cello,Organ,Piano,Viola,Celeste,Harpsichord
P.P. Arnold   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Chris McGregor   Piano,Vocals
Paul Harris   Piano
Lyn Dobson   Flute
Ray Warleigh   Flute,Sax (Alto)
Mike Kowalski   Drums
Ed Carter   Bass,Bass,Bass (Vocal)
Dave Pegg   Bass,Bass (Vocal),Guitar (Bass)
Pat Arnold   Vocals (Background)
Patrick Arnold   Vocals (Background)
Dave Mattacks   Drums

Technical Credits

Simon Heyworth   Mastering
Keith Morris   Photography
Joe Boyd   Producer,Reissue Producer
Robert Kirby   Arranger,Bass Arrangement,Brass Arrangement,String Arrangements
Nick Drake   Composer
John Wood   Engineer,Supervisor,Remastering
Nigel Waymouth   Cover Photo,Photography,Cover Design,Sleeve Design
Stella MacPherson   Lyric Transcription
Cally   Design,Coordination,Art Direction
John Robert Wood   Engineer