Books #18 Remembered for a While (an authorised companion to the music of Nick Drake)

This substantial (over 400 pages) hard back book came my way at Christmas but I am only now beginning to find the time to sample its many delights, beginning with the wonderfully solid cloth bound covers and the reassuringly glossy pages.

It is not a biography of Nick Drake (for that I suggest the work by Patrick Humphries, despite it containing some inaccuracies) but rather an attempt to cast light on the short life and work of Nick. This is done by initially reproducing correspondence between Nick and his family and friends. While others may have delved into periods of Nick's life by speaking with people who were there at the time, this correspondence captures the very essence of Nick in that time and place. And what comes across is a family loving boy/man with a great sense of humour and an unshakable faith in his own musical ability. In short, it is not the shy, insecure depressive that he was later to become.

He writes to family of his 1966 travels to France, Spain and Morocco and the letters read like a modern day travel log full of interesting descriptions and insights into the places he visited and people he met. This correspondence has been provided by Nick's sister, Gabrielle who adds her own personal reminiscences of Nick, as do numerous other friends, acquaintances, musicians and critics. Together they provide a far better insight into the early life of this young man than anything else I have read on the subject.

 
Later there are details of his songwriting and recording as well as some detailed analysis of his music. Add to all of this some truly wonderful previously unseen photos and one begins to get an insight into just what a great book this is.

Currently I am only about 90 pages into the book but I am totally absorbed. It is going to take me some time to get through the whole work but thankfully it is the kind of book one can delve into in parts, serving as a wonderful companion to his musical legacy.

As I make my way through the book and discover new things, it may be a subject I return to from time to time.