Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left [Remastered] (CD 2000)

Anything by Nick Drake is worth listening to, nobody does it like him, finger picking guitar at its most sublime, Production Arrangements with depth and feeling, missed by many, a true unrecognized talent! As for why I bought it, good price, and it was there when I wanted it.

Transaction:- Good seller, despite being an Xmas buy, got it too me well packed and in reasonable time.

Item:- Bit disappointed really. As with many CD re-masters the expectation was high but the actual end product was a let down. Yes it's been 'super bit-mapped', yes there is slightly, and it is only slightly, more detail than the original CD, but the overall sound is poor. There is, as is the tendency with modern production, too high recording levels used, and as such sibliance, caused by clipping, is audible. This gives the re-master a high frequency 'sheen' that is absent on the original CD. Not as bad as the Jethro Tull re-masters, but still not a CD I would recommend beyond the fact that the best version, the orginal Vinyl, is beyond the pockets of mere mortals, and the standard CD is no longer available.

Exceptional debut, this will grow and grow old with you, like an old friend... giving you moments of peace, wistfulness and a touch of eternity. I won't harp on as the record will speak for itself, it is timeless..

Anyone who hasnt discovered Nick Drake should buy this CD .... you wont regret it! Sadly, unknown and pretty much ignored while he was alive. This album has some of the most beautiful songs and arrangements you will ever here. Very simple, no pretentions, just beautiful melodies and lyrics. River Man was the first Nick Drake song I ever heard, and is still my favourite, and is probably the reason why I love his music so much. Buy the CD, for under a fiver its an absolute bargain. The quality is not a patch on the most recent Jap import 200g vinyl versions, but still good.

First Nick Drake album I've bothered to listen to. It is a haunting work of real depth with beautiful arrangements and muscianship. Well worth a listen !

I discovered this album whilst reading Joe Boyd's biography - "White Bicycles".
It's a pleasant album which I've enjoyed playing, however I have't been inspired to go out and buy any of his other albums.
Maybe with time I will find more in it, but at present this one album is sufficient for my collection.
I may be missing the point as this has had excellent reviews from other people, but good is the most I can give it.

The best LP in the 1970, the best musician and the best acoustic guitar.
Thank you very much Nick. You was Great.
ANGELO

Great e-bayer, goods arrived promptly with no problems and I would have no hesitation in using this guy again!

I recently discovered Nick Drake after reading about him in a book. This prompted me to research on the web about him and his short life. He died of depression and over medication in 1974. No one knows for certain if it was an accident or suicide but one thing is certain he left behind a legacy of wonderfully smooth songs arranged with great care allowing his musicianship to shine through. Five Leaves Left displays his talent to the full and will leave you wondering how he has been overlooked for so long. Listen to it and you will see his influence in many current musicians.

Highly recommended

really happy with the purchase and love the music.Have been reading up on Nick Drake and have found it to be very intresting many thanks

I really enjoyed this album. Nick Drake was a very talented song and lyric writer. I love the way he draws you in to his world,although sometimes dark. I have all his albums and we should thank Island Records for re-releasing all his work.

'Five Leaves Left' is a beautiful album, I particularly love 'River Man','Way to Blue' and 'Fruit Tree' because these songs perfectly match my own melancholic sensibility. I'm not allowed to play the album when my partner is in the vicinity because she finds it brings out a sadness in her. Mind you,'Man In A Shed' is a sweet song which actually reveals Nick's sense of humour!
For me, Nick Drake can do no wrong because he was a very talented writer who was able to express so consumately how he felt about life. Like Mozart, one wonders what could have been had Nick lived to a ripe old age; however, Nick still lives on - just listen....

My brother first introduced me to Nick Drake by way of the track “River Man” which appears on this debut ‘folk’ album. The track although not one which I immediately warmed to gave me the impetus to explore and find out more about this ‘new’ talent whom seemed to be somewhat in vein to my current listening of James Morrison and Paulo Nutini. As always the fantastic www.youtube.com was the tool that I used and I found on there a documentary "A Skin to Few" from which I learnt that the track and album was some 30 years old!

The tragedy of his death (at 26) in 1974 prompted me to explore more. Using www.ebay.co.uk I have purchased all of Nick’s 3 albums “Five Leaves Left”, “Bryter Layter” and “Pink Moon”. For me this is the last one I purchased. It’s widely available and appears to be the most popular but I was (as always) after the best price.

So what do you get? Well for starters remember that this was the late 1960’s (early 1970’s) and as such you get 10 tracks that last just under 42 minutes. What you do you get though is some competent playing from an artist who had certainly mastered his chosen instrument and preferred playing style of ‘finger-picked’ acoustic guitar. Joined by a mix of piano, electric guitar, bass, congas, drums plus string arrangements the result is a laid-back collection of melancholy tunes that both delight but won’t demand repeated listening.

My personal favourite is the closing track “Saturday Sun” which has Nick showing he was also a dab hand on the piano and the accompanied inclusion of vibraphone makes for a really beautiful piece of music.

That said though the reviews from the period are somewhat accurate for me and I agree that the album is ‘poetic’ and ‘interesting’ (Melody Maker) but with ‘not nearly enough variety to make it entertaining’ (NME). However, it’s worth a listen and can be picked up easily and at a reasonable price here on eBay.