By Mike Stuart
09/07/2007
Since his death, Nick Drake has attracted a level of devotion that most living musicians would kill for. Family Tree should really make everybody understand why this posthumous adoration has occurred - Drake's brand of meloncholy English folk was something truly unique and truly special. The album is a 28-track collection of Drake's outtakes and covers, showing his musical development before the release of his debut studio album Five Leaves Left.
Many of the tracks here provide a real insight into the style Drake would later go onto perfect, especially the foreboding finger-picked 'They're Leaving me Behind'. Drake came from an incredibly musical family which clearly nurtured his progression and this is evident from the heartwrenching closer 'Do You Ever Remember?' which is sung by his mother Molly and 'All My Trials' which he sings with his sister Gabrielle. Perhaps the highlight of Family Tree are the eight songs from the legendary 'Aix tape' including an excellent bluesy cover of Bob Dylan's 'Tomorrow is a Long Time'.
If you are a fan of Drake this is an essential addition to his catalogue. It's a real eye-opener into his progression as a musician and an intimate document of his life prior to his studio albums.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Family Tree is released in the UK on July 9th, 2007
David Jensen Photography:
https://www.davidjensen.co.uk/
