#203 Nick Drake, 'Pink Moon' (1979)

Previously #321

Nick Drake is the artist that many singer-songwriters credit as a major inspiration. I was introduced to his music by one such singer-songwriter. This album was the third and final record to be released by Drake. The album simply features Drake on acoustic guitar and vocals with a brief tickle of the ivories on track one. Drake’s fingerpicking guitar style carries the melodies of his vocals and at times you often forget that it’s just one guy and his guitar.

Drake was suffering from severe bouts of depression during the writing and recording of this record. The songs, however, are a collection of some of the most beautiful songs ever committed to record. So sadly beautiful. Drake would succumb to his depression, overdosing on antidepressants. It’s uncertain whether it was intentional or not, but it’s said that Drake had given up on life. In the preceding weeks he was upbeat and positive about life and music, only to once again crash into despair. Drake was 26-years-old at the time and not a success. Following his death, his popularity grew and has been cited as an influence by many musicians, including Robert Smith of The Cure, who named his band after the lyrics in ‘Time Has Told Me’ (not on this record’); “A troubled cure for a troubled mind.” Highlights on the record include the title track, ‘Road’ and ‘Things Behind The Sun.’

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