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Nick Drake
- The Life
- Narrated by: Richard Morton Jack, Gabrielle Drake
- Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins
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Summary
The full life of one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the twentieth century, with a Foreword by his sister Gabrielle Drake.
In 1968 Nick Drake had everything to live for. The product of a loving, creative family and a privileged background, he was not only a handsome and popular Cambridge undergraduate, but also a new signing to the UK's hippest record label, Island.
Three years later, however - having made three well-reviewed but low-selling albums - Nick had been overwhelmed by a mysterious mental illness. He returned to live in his family home in rural Warwickshire in 1971, and died in obscurity in 1974, aged just 26.
In the decades since, Nick has become the subject of ever-growing fascination and speculation. Combined sales of his records now stand in the millions, his songs are frequently heard on TV and in films, and he has become one of the most widely known and admired singer-songwriters of his generation.
Nick Drake: The Life is the only biography of Nick to be written with the blessing and involvement of his sister and Estate. Drawing on copious original research and new interviews with his family, friends and musical collaborators, as well as deeply personal archive material unavailable to previous writers - including his father's diaries, his essays and private correspondence - this is the most comprehensive and authoritative account possible of Nick's short and enigmatic life.
Includes a foreword by Gabrielle Drake.
Critic reviews
"This is the book we've been waiting for - the one Nick's legacy deserves and so badly needs. Richard Morton Jack has reconstructed Nick's life with great sensitivity and care, and in remarkable detail. It is a biography to be treasured." (Joe Boyd)
What listeners say about Nick Drake
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- Sam hammond
- 17-06-23
Fantastic
A sad privilege to see behind the curtain of Nick’s life.
Wonderfully written, researched and read.
Thank you for the music Nick, wherever you are.
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- Anonymous User
- 02-07-23
An infectious and wonderful insight
I cried at the end, although knowing the outcome, I was wishing it would all be ok…A brilliant book, well written, researched and read by the author. It was also wonderful to hear his sister Gabrielle. Thank you. Being a long life fan of Nick Drake who has been an enormous inspiration, it was wonderful to listen to it.
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- Paul M.
- 15-06-23
Superbook
Oh Nick, if you only knew how much people loved you and your music, a beautiful book well read the sad, but done, lovingly together, made me cry
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- sol c.
- 16-07-23
Nick's story
I was skeptical at first as I thought I knew the beats of Nick's life already. I was wrong. So well researched, this is a in depth and unflinching biography of Nick's whole life which explores the relationship he had with those around him while also zooming out to assess his position in music at the time. It even became hard to listen to towards the end due to his long suffering family trying to deal with his vivid deterioration. This book made me revisit his music and enjoy it even more than I have before.
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- franco
- 09-09-23
An astonishing book…
…beautifully written. I can’t fault it… it was long, but needed to be, and at no point did it get lost or boring. Nick Drake is a fascinating human being, and at last, there is a book that does him some justice.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-06-24
Very well written
I love Nick Drake and I love this book. Very detailed and very well written.
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- Icarus Williams
- 07-04-24
An incredible achievement by the author
Nick's life has often been shrouded in mystery, with snippets and myths being a source of huge intrigue to fans. This book puts an end to this. It is beyond comprehensive without ever drifting into boring or irrelevant detail. Beautifully researched and constructed, there are no attempts to pose outlandish or conspirational theories, but the difficult and dark topic of Nick's mental health is never avoided. The later chapters are heartbreaking, but handled incredibly well. With this book, Nick's life moves from the status of a mystery to being one of the most thoroughly and carefully explored musical careers on record.
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- Mark
- 16-07-23
Brilliant
Brilliant book about one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Unique and astonishing
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- karen McIndoe
- 24-08-23
A Beautiful Soul
Insightful, poignant and beautifully told story of a uniquely talented musician and gentle human.
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- philippa ozarow
- 27-07-23
Poignant
A beautiful, touching tribute to the genius who was Nick Drake.. I found his story profoundly moving. unforgettable.
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