Listen Up Nick Drake and Tim Buckley Fans!!

[julia]

Hi guys! Having recently gotten back into Nick Drake, and having been newly introduced to Tim & Jeff Buckley (why didn't you peeps tell me about TB sooner???) I'm in a fan frenzy over some music I've found over on You Tube!! You guys really must check this out: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=StuartAnthony !!! (Or, if you can't link, go to You Tube and dial up StuartAnthony). This guy has posted some AMAZING covers of Leonard, Nick, Tim, and Jeff's songs!! My favorites being "Hallelujah", "Once I Was", "Morning Glory", "Place to Be", and "Lilac Wine"!! He lives in the UK and I can't figure out why he's not already famous!! WOW!! While you're there, feel free to check out my channel at "LeonardAndNickFan"... I've got some great Leonard stuff on my playlist & favorites! You'll thank me for it! Or, maybe not... I haven't gotten much sleep since discovering the monstrous beast of delights on YT!!
Thanks for letting me post!
Julia

[julia]

Meant to mention, also, there's two righteous covers of "Road" and "Joey" by a guy called MuNkYBizNess... not sure if I got all the caps right, there... check 'em out, eh??

[julia]

Also meant to add (geez this is gettin' sad being the only one replying on my own thread) if any of you have other covers or listening suggestions... PLEASE let me know!! I'm having serious trouble finding any good vids of "Phantasmagoria in Two" , "I Never Asked to be Your Mountain", etc.!! The only TB albums I have so far are "Dream Letter Live...", "Hello and Goodbye (or is it the other way 'round?)", and a not-so-great "Best of...". "Happy Sad" was recommended to me... but my record store didn't have it at the time. What's next???
Thanks!!
Jules

[John Etherington]

Hi Julia,

I'm a long -term admirer of Nick Drake's work, and am one of the few people who saw him live. I've also got a keen interest in both Tim and Jeff Buckley, but don't find some of their work too easy or enjoyable. I should also say that with a few exceptions, I'm not into cover versions - especially those of artists as unique as Leonard, Drake and the Buckleys. That said, Michael Chapman (a very underrated songwriter and guitarist, and also a friend of mine) has done a fine version of "Which Will", but has not recorded it, yet.

"Happy Sad" is my favourite Tim Buckley album, and one of the most consistently enjoyable. My favourite Tim Buckley song however is
"Wings" from his first album, which I suspect had a strong influence on Nick Drake's early work. This song is also featured on the double CD "Morning Glory" - The Anthology", which is the best compilation of Tim's work. For the record, it contains virtually the whole of his "Blue Afternoon" album, though I am not so crazy about the material on this. Another Tim Buckley album that I find highly listenable is the later album "Sefronia", even though Tim has been accused of reluctantly bowing to commercial pressures towards the end of his life. Finally, in case you didn't know, Nick Drake's "Family Tree" album is released on June 19th (his birthday). It features early home recordings, and a couple of songs by his mother - from whom he seems to have inherited some of his gift.

All good wishes, John E

[Davido]

I am also a great admirer of Nick Drake and of the Buckleys.I would be very interested to hear your recollections of the Nick Drake live show, John.
I have a fair amount of Nick Drake's 'rare' home recordings etc already, but have never come across anyone who actually saw him perform.

[John Etherington]

Hi Davido,

Although I now treasure the memory, the experience of seeing Nick live at the time was not so great. I saw him at The Royal Festival
Hall in March 1970 with Sandy Denny's Fotheringay and The Humblebums (Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty). I was not familiar with Nick's material at the time, though when I heard "Bryter Layter" the following year, I was stunned. At the Festival Hall, Nick just ambled onto the stage dressed in his usual black attire, sat on a stool with his head hung down and didn't say a word to the audience. He sang about five songs, but unfortunately I can't remember what they were. At the time, I thought his act was a bit dismal and ironically I most enjoyed The Humblebums that evening. However, if I could relive half an hour of my life, I think that would be it!

All the best, John E

[julia]

Hi John, I'd like to second the request to hear your recollections on hearing Nick perform live!! And, now I'm seriously looking forward to the release of "Family Tree"!! And, thanks SO much for the album recommendations. Good to know about the Tim Buckley anthology, because "Blue Afternoon" was on my list the day I went to the record store, and I was told it's out of print... but they could order it for me on vinyl And, no wonder "Happy Sad" was sold out, if it's your fav, it must be for others, also. As far as not finding some of Tim or Jeff's work easy to listen to. Well, I get that! I've never been the kind of fan who signs on and loves everything just because a favorite artist records it! (For instance, don't get me started on Jazz Police or Dear Heather). But, I think that's the way it should be. Blind adoration is meaningless. We take what speaks to our hearts, and leave the rest. And, re: your reluctance to enjoy covers "especially those of artists as unique as Leonard, Drake and the Buckleys"... While I can understand that because I've heard some memorably horrific things lately on You Tube... I think you might be surprised by the fierce justice Stuart (to whose YT channel I linked in my original post) does to some gorgeous songs!! Knocked my socks off! And, btw, let me know when your friend records his take on "Which Will", I'd love to hear it. I dig Nick singing it, and have only heard it covered by Lucinda Williams... which was pretty... but not great. Thanks for the posts, guys, and have a great day!
Julia

[julia]

Hi John,
I must have been composing my reply while you were posting about seeing Nick live. Wow!! Well, if you can ever find a way to fire up the Way-Back Machine, and go back to that half hour... please take me with you!
Thanks for telling us of the experience!
Julia

[John Etherington]

Hi Julia,

Thanks so much for your replies...you've really got me going on all this stuff now! You can get a brand-new, sealed copy of the Tim Buckley anthology for $16.99 on http://www.amazon.com You can also listen to samples of all the tracks. The snippet of "Wings" reveals its greatness and shows its influence on Nick's "Thoughts of Mary Jane". As you may know, Tim moved from folk/psychedelic rock (first two albums) to jazz-rock ("Happy Sad"), avant-garde ("Lorca" and "Starsailor"), jazz-funk ("Greetings from LA") and the good but more commercial ("Sefronia"). There is no definitive great Tim Buckley album as far as I'm concerned, but "Happy Sad" I find to be the most satisfying. The early stuff often sounds dated, and the avant-garde is difficult (the "Lorca" album has little to do with Lorca as we know him!). Like you, I think "Morning Glory" is one of Tim's most perfect songs. However, I have heard Jeff Buckley sneer at this song, and say that his favourite album is "Lorca" - presumably as an act of youthful rebellion. Nonetheless, I respect Tim's integrity in pursuing his artistic vision.

Meanwhile, I must put in a plug for Michael Chapman's 1970 album "Fully Qualified Survivor" (a largely unrecognised classic). Hip DJ John Peel was promoting this at the same time as Leonard's early work. FQS is a fusion of folk, rock, jazz and soul. Chapman (an Aquarian like Tim Buckley) is similarly hard to categorise. On this album he sounds as world-weary as Dylan on "Time Out of Mind" and his guitar playing is comparable to that of his friend John Fahey. The album also features Mick Ronson on lead guitar and Paul Buckmaster on cello (Buckmaster, of course, did the string arrangements on Leonard's "Somgs of Love and Hate"). Michael Chapman
is an admirer of Leonard's work and is clearly influenced by him, at times. Chapman also knew Nick Drake, and once offered to put him up for the night when he was standing at the roadside looking lost, after a gig. Apparently the two of them stayed up all night smoking "Mary Jane" and playing guitar together. I'd loved to have been a fly on the wall at that session! Finally, I've heard Lucinda William's version of "Which Will" and agree that it is a pretty good cover-version.

All good things, John E

[Davido]

Thanks, John, for that info on Nick Drake live:your a lucky man!
I have been listening to Sandy Denny again recently.She did a solo BBC session many years ago which is fantastic.
Michael Chapman's 'Fully Qualified Survivor' is indeed a classic - you've got me digging through my collection now, rediscovering some great stuff!
Coincidentally, 'Mojo' magazine no.164, July issue, covers John Fahey's albums in the regular 'How to Buy' feature. It's worth a read, particularly for anyone new to his work.
'My Fleeting House' is a new-release dvd bringing together rare video/interviews and album critiques of Tim Buckley.

[John Etherington]

Hi Davido,

Many thanks for the info on the John Fahey article, and the Tim Buckley DVD - both of which I'll investigate. I've never bought any Fahey, so the guide could be useful. I have a couple of Sandy Denny CDs, and paticularly like "Solo" from "Like An Old Fashioned Waltz". Michael Chapman has produced some excellent new material in recent years, and is on peak form as a live performer (check out http://www.michaelchapman.co.uk).

All the best, John E

[julia]

Hey guys,
Thanks for all the excellent information!! Okay, so I went to the record store on my lunch break... still no "Happy Sad" nor Michael Chapman, nor the "My Fleeting House" Tim Buckley DVD which had previously been recommended to me. But, did pick up the anthology. You're right, John, "Wings" is gorgeous. I'll have to give it another listen or three to fully integrate it into my brain. May have to order the others on Amazon, as you suggested. I always try the record store first... there's just something I dig about crawling around there with my fellow tune-junkies... and supporting a cool local shop. And, I definitely plan to check out the Michael Chapman link. And now I have a question... On "Dream Letter Live..." do you suppose the song "Dream Letter/Happy Sad" is about Jeff? Again, I need to give a few more listens... but he seems to be missing a child of his that's being raised apart from him. Okay... so I may have a couple more questions... First, was "Morning Glory" based on a true story? On "Dream Letter Live..." Tim says it's about a hobo that beat up a college kid... wasn't sure if that was just his poet-story, or a real occurrance. And, last one... please don't nail me to the wall here... remember this is all very new to me. What is a "Fleeting house"?? The more I listen to "Morning Glory", the more I believe the "fleeting house" is his body... and the candle he lit in the window, was his openness and kindness to strangers and the downtrodden, like the "hobo". The former English major/poet in me can't help but examine lyrics very closely... if that's not your cup of tea, I totally understand. But, thanks again for the great posts!!
Julia

[julia]

Okay, so I've ordered from Amazon the DVD, a few CDs, and a Nick Drake book recommended to me... now we just wait Do you know they had the Michael Chapman CD for like $18?? I was surprised to find that. And I paid $31 for the anthology at the record store today... geeeeeez, I coulda saved some money. But, all to a good cause, eh??

[julia]

Okay, John, I totally bit on your recommendation to buy Michael Chapman's CD... so now, won't you give Stuart Anthony a listen?? Just go to YouTubes and dial him up. If you're not into covers... listen to his original material. I know this is an unabashed plug... but, I'm an unabashed fan!! Among the originals, my favs are: "Good Tension", "The Colourful Truth", "Perfect Speed", "Angels and Devils", and "The Blue"... though, I must admit, the studio version of "Good Tension" on his MySpace page is a bit better... as well as the live version of "The Blue" on MS. Check him out, folks! BTW, you two were apparently at the same Nick Drake tribute in November 2004... AND he was a contributing researcher on a Nick Drake book you and he both recommended to me! "Darker Than The Deepest Sea". Give it some consideration, anyway. And, oh, btw... my Amazon orders have shipped!! I'll be in CD and DVD heaven before we know it!! And, I really want to talk to someone about these Tim Buckley song lyrics... damn, this fella has wiggled his way into my heart and made it go all squishy, achey, and happy at the same time.

[Tim]

Talking of Nick Drake, there's a podcast by Gabrielle Drake, in the form of a letter to Nick, on the Times website today. I found it interesting, anyway.

Tim