The Album Review Club - Week #191 (page 1286) - Harlequin Dream - Boy & Bear

Going against the grain
Found this just some guy with a lovely voice just strumming along until the last song.Saturday Sun
Found it completely different to the others before it and aa song in which i really liked.
So all is not lost and i will investigate more by Nick Drake to see if i get more songs like Saturday Sun.
5
 
Five Leaves Left – Nick Drake

But Saturday's sun
Has turned to Sunday's rain

It’s pretty fitting to be listening to this album and writing this while on a train from Newcastle to Manchester on a now off-and-on rainy Sunday afternoon. I’ve got more than a few hours to go before I get to a spot that has Wi-Fi that doesn’t block BlueMoon as Transpennine Express has decided to do today. That’s OK, I’ve learned to be offline for the most part this past week.

As many have already pointed out, there’s a simpleness to this album, and I did enjoy “River Man” when it made our “Water” playlist which really well demonstrates this.

What’s pronounced for me the most on this album is Robert Kirby’s string arrangements, the cello, oboe, and flute parts found within. It makes it clear this is a folk classic in the same vein of Drake’s contemporaries, including Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention, who’s electric guitar on the opener “Time Has Told Me” is very distinct. I’m sure The Making of Five Leaves Left that was released in July 2025 had a lot of different original versions of songs as the story to how Nick Drake was discovered and got this debut album released was very interesting. Any third year student skipping lecture classes at Cambridge to instead make and record a record is quite a story of lore.

There was no overdubbing on this album either, and that seems to add to the simplicity found within. Even though this debut album wasn’t as appreciated back in the months after its release, it certainly is now. I agree with the sentiments that this isn’t a stimulating album, but more a restful one, and the songs overall very much live in that sameness and flow from one to another pretty seamlessly.

The backstory of the making of this album was also pretty interesting. Drake had insisted to record producer Joe Boyd that his university mate Robert Bruce Kirby could do the string arrangements better than who Boyd had in mind and was currently using during the early sessions. Kirby’s overall inexperience was made up for the talent he brought to the recording sessions that allowed Drake to realize the vision he had in mind for this release. The strings and that delivery was very pronounced on track 5’s “Day Is Done”.

The other standout track to me is the 3rd titled “Three Hours”. Drake’s acoustic guitar work on that is very distinct and has an intricate pace, and well compliment his soft vocal delivery. The vocal harmonizing on “’Cello Song” with that instrument was very well done too.

I did tend to enjoy this release more each time after I heard it. I would say direct folk isn’t my preferred genre, but like Crosby, Stills & Nash of this same timeframe, this had very much a singer-songwriter style and is just as unique as others of that same era. For me, this lands as a strong 7.5/10 and accomplishes what it sets out to do as a simple collection of folk songs that work well together in the same theme and sound like they all complement each other well.

Last Call
The train never pulled into Manchester tonight (long story saved for later), but I'm now here and I’m looking forward to spending some time in the northwest of England this next week.

I’ve got plans to meet up with Rob and MCD tomorrow at 4pm informally for a beverage and further discussion about all things music, and for any of the regular participants who are in the area and so inclined, just send me a PM and we’ll look forward to seeing you then.
 
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Black&White&BlueMoon Town said:
Five Leaves Left – Nick Drake

But Saturday's sun
Has turned to Sunday's rain

It’s pretty fitting to be listening to this album and writing this while on a train from Newcastle to Manchester on a now off-and-on rainy Sunday afternoon. I’ve got more than a few hours to go before I get to a spot that has Wi-Fi that doesn’t block BlueMoon as Transpennine Express has decided to do today. That’s OK, I’ve learned to be offline for the most part this past week.

As many have already pointed out, there’s a simpleness to this album, and I did enjoy “River Man” when it made our “Water” playlist which really well demonstrates this.

What’s pronounced for me the most on this album is Robert Kirby’s string arrangements, the cello, oboe, and flute parts found within. It makes it clear this is a folk classic in the same vein of Drake’s contemporaries, including Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention, who’s electric guitar on the opener “Time Has Told Me” is very distinct. I’m sure The Making of Five Leaves Left that was released in July 2025 had a lot of different original versions of songs as the story to how Nick Drake was discovered and got this debut album released was very interesting. Any third year student skipping lecture classes at Cambridge to instead make and record a record is quite a story of lore.

There was no overdubbing on this album either, and that seems to add to the simplicity found within. Even though this debut album wasn’t as appreciated back in the months after its release, it certainly is now. I agree with the sentiments that this isn’t a stimulating album, but more a restful one, and the songs overall very much live in that sameness and flow from one to another pretty seamlessly.

The backstory of the making of this album was also pretty interesting. Drake had insisted to record producer Joe Boyd that his university mate Robert Bruce Kirby could do the string arrangements better than who Boyd had in mind and was currently using during the early sessions. Kirby’s overall inexperience was made up for the talent he brought to the recording sessions that allowed Drake to realize the vision he had in mind for this release. The strings and that delivery was very pronounced on track 5’s “Day Is Done”.

The other standout track to me is the 3rd titled “Three Hours”. Drake’s acoustic guitar work on that is very distinct and has an intricate pace, and well compliment his soft vocal delivery. The vocal harmonizing on “’Cello Song” with that instrument was very well done too.

I did tend to enjoy this release more each time after I heard it. I would say direct folk isn’t my preferred genre, but like Crosby, Still, & Nash of this same timeframe, this had very much a singer-songwriter style and is just as unique as others of that same era. For me, this lands as a strong 7.5/10 and accomplishes what it sets out to do as a simple collection of folk songs that work well together in the same theme and sound like they all complement each other well.

Last Call
The train never pulled into Manchester tonight (long story saved for later), but I'm now here and I’m looking forward to spending some time in the northwest of England this next week.

I’ve got plans to meet up with Rob and MCD tomorrow at 4pm informally for a beverage and further discussion about all things music, and for any of the regular participants who are in the area and so inclined, just send me a PM and we’ll look forward to seeing you then.
Click to expand...

Would genuinely love to scoot the relatively short distance up the M6 to join you but family commitments prohibit it :-(

Hope the three of you, and anyone else who can make it, have an enjoyable afternoon.
 
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I have dipped in and out of this over the last couple of days and then had a first full listen on the way in to work last night.
Whilst Nick has a wonderful smooth, almost hypnotising voice I felt it was the orchestral arrangements that gave this offering something extra.
I do like the odd bit of solo singer guitarist stuff, it can be a little "samey". Never having knowingly listened to anything by Mr Drake before I was at first a little disappointed. It was though the addition of the backing that made me pay a little more attention. "Way to Blue", "Day is Done", "Cello Song" & "Saturday Sun" were perhaps the most interesting.
I shall save another full listen to later on Monday as not sure it is music to drive by after a night shift.
....and as a coincidence, I shall perhaps pay a little visit to Fitzwilliam College on Tuesday to pay my respects.
 
Having never heard any Nick Drake songs before reading this thread I decided to look him up and do a bit of research ...what jumps out at me is the fact that he had a young adult life and teenage life that many of us would be envious off, like a big house in the country and public school and Cambridge education he seemed to have lots of things that most of us could only dream about, he also had a recording contract which I in particular have always dreamt about and yet he saw fit to end his life at the young age of 26.
He was a heavy user of marijuana apparently, I know he suffered from depression but I always remember my doctor telling me that heavy marijuana use can bring on psychosis in somebody who shall we say is of delicate mind and prone to bounce of self-examination and social anxiety.
She apparently had seen it in many of her patients.

Apparently he spent a bit of time in Morocco where the weed was a lot more powerful than the stuff being sold in England surely this would have had a detrimental effect on his mental health.

His story has a few parallels with another singer-songwriter who I admired in the early 70s her name was Judy Sill, she wrote some wonderfully touching, melancholy and emotive songs but ended up killing her self at a similar age after becoming addicted to heroin and ending up prostituting herself on Hollywood Boulevard.
 
Bill Walker said:
His story has a few parallels with another singer-songwriter who I admired in the early 70s her name was Judy Sill, she wrote some wonderfully touching, melancholy and emotive songs but ended up killing her self at a similar age after becoming addicted to heroin and ending up prostituting herself on Hollywood Boulevard.
Click to expand...

I feel sure there's been a short discussion about the album Heart Food, somewhere on the forum. Even a discussion on whether she was actually a better songwriter than Drake but that might have been on SHF or even Mudcat. Unlike Drake a quite troubled upbringing as a child seemingly. I think it was the decision in prison (for bank robbery?) to make music that was the catalyst to give up the prostitution? Making an enemy of even a young David Geffen probably would have done for her musically without all her other problems. I suspect I've got events all mangled up but either way a chaotic but extraordinary life story that you'd struggle to make up.
 
If I was to use one word to describe this album, that word would be - balance. Such a perfectly balanced album, subtle, nuanced, nothing overpowers, nothing distracts, no competing or clashing ideas or elements. He uses his voice well, he uses the strumming and arpegios well, neither particularly 'wow', but they just work. Interweave into that orchestral instruments, but without feeling like they are either trying to enrich or fill in a void and the whole thing comes together really well. One paced, but the mood is consistent and it nails it. Nice mix of themes of dourness and optimism too, again, balacing the two really well. Turns out I had listened to this previously, but seem to have shunned it for Pink Moon which I preferred, so it was nice to be pushed back to it. A solid 8, for a timeless album.
 
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Bill Walker said:
For anyone who remembers the sci-fi series UFO, this is Gabrielle Drake, Nicks older sister.

View attachment 168882
Click to expand...
She was also in Crossroads and controls his estate which she's very careful to do.
I've heard her interviewed a few times and she talks of a sweet soul.
The Way To Blue compilation is a good career spanning album
 
Bill Walker said:
For anyone who remembers the sci-fi series UFO, this is Gabrielle Drake, Nicks older sister.

View attachment 168882
Click to expand...

This I remember along with Ed Bishop as Commander Straker! She was also in The Brothers but that was one of those dreary programmes the grown ups watched.

She's done a good job over the years helping to get and keep her brother's music in the spotlight.
 
Black&White&BlueMoon Town said:
Five Leaves Left – Nick Drake

But Saturday's sun
Has turned to Sunday's rain

It’s pretty fitting to be listening to this album and writing this while on a train from Newcastle to Manchester on a now off-and-on rainy Sunday afternoon. I’ve got more than a few hours to go before I get to a spot that has Wi-Fi that doesn’t block BlueMoon as Transpennine Express has decided to do today. That’s OK, I’ve learned to be offline for the most part this past week.

As many have already pointed out, there’s a simpleness to this album, and I did enjoy “River Man” when it made our “Water” playlist which really well demonstrates this.

What’s pronounced for me the most on this album is Robert Kirby’s string arrangements, the cello, oboe, and flute parts found within. It makes it clear this is a folk classic in the same vein of Drake’s contemporaries, including Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention, who’s electric guitar on the opener “Time Has Told Me” is very distinct. I’m sure The Making of Five Leaves Left that was released in July 2025 had a lot of different original versions of songs as the story to how Nick Drake was discovered and got this debut album released was very interesting. Any third year student skipping lecture classes at Cambridge to instead make and record a record is quite a story of lore.

There was no overdubbing on this album either, and that seems to add to the simplicity found within. Even though this debut album wasn’t as appreciated back in the months after its release, it certainly is now. I agree with the sentiments that this isn’t a stimulating album, but more a restful one, and the songs overall very much live in that sameness and flow from one to another pretty seamlessly.

The backstory of the making of this album was also pretty interesting. Drake had insisted to record producer Joe Boyd that his university mate Robert Bruce Kirby could do the string arrangements better than who Boyd had in mind and was currently using during the early sessions. Kirby’s overall inexperience was made up for the talent he brought to the recording sessions that allowed Drake to realize the vision he had in mind for this release. The strings and that delivery was very pronounced on track 5’s “Day Is Done”.

The other standout track to me is the 3rd titled “Three Hours”. Drake’s acoustic guitar work on that is very distinct and has an intricate pace, and well compliment his soft vocal delivery. The vocal harmonizing on “’Cello Song” with that instrument was very well done too.

I did tend to enjoy this release more each time after I heard it. I would say direct folk isn’t my preferred genre, but like Crosby, Stills & Nash of this same timeframe, this had very much a singer-songwriter style and is just as unique as others of that same era. For me, this lands as a strong 7.5/10 and accomplishes what it sets out to do as a simple collection of folk songs that work well together in the same theme and sound like they all complement each other well.

Last Call
The train never pulled into Manchester tonight (long story saved for later), but I'm now here and I’m looking forward to spending some time in the northwest of England this next week.

I’ve got plans to meet up with Rob and MCD tomorrow at 4pm informally for a beverage and further discussion about all things music, and for any of the regular participants who are in the area and so inclined, just send me a PM and we’ll look forward to seeing you then.
Click to expand...
It’s up to you, who you choose to give the beer that you owe me! Hope you have a great catch up guys.
 
Out on blue 6 said:
She was also in Crossroads and controls his estate which she's very careful to do.
I've heard her interviewed a few times and she talks of a sweet soul.
The Way To Blue compilation is a good career spanning album
Click to expand...
Controls her mother’s estate too.

 
GornikDaze said:
It’s up to you, who you choose to give the beer that you owe me! Hope you have a great catch up guys.
Click to expand...
Turns out at the end of the day I suppose it was Rob, because Mancitydoogle got my second round. And a well deserved one that it was for all the behind the scenes work done here and on the Rock Evolution thread.

It was fantastic to get to meet up and share laughs and stories of music and City while overlooking the canal from Cask off of New Union St. A very nice place I plan to visit again while I'm still here.

Thanks to Foggy for posting the sad news on Rick Davies, what a great performer and rock influencer. I liked in the interview I saw on Davies where he seemed well grounded and talked about the "privilege" of his line of work. And what great music that band gave us over the many years.
 
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I have long thought about having a listen to Nick Drake's "Five Leaves Left" but had never got round to it, so glad it was nominated.

It is not really my thing. I am not a folkie, unless it comes from Zep or Tull...

I am not big on melancholy either.

I can hear that it subtly blends in some jazz and the intricate guitar work, and autumnal orchestration supports the songs and add some interest but I am not drawn in and would not buy it.

Hard to score because I do not dislike it and would not be critical of it; it's just not the leaves I'd use for my cuppa.

6.5/10
 
Enjoyed the guitar on this weeks pick more than anything. Interesting to get @Bill Walker’s musical take on this in his review.

Overall I did find it a tad on the dark/melancholy side which others have mentioned. The strings too were a bit overdone for me. That said, it’s still a solid 7/10. If I have the time to stick with it I think it would move up higher.

Sad to see the rest of the comments about his life.
 
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