Celebrating Nick Drake on the Anniversary of His Passing

Nick Drake

As you know if you’ve visited this blog recently, I am in the thick of recording a tribute to Drake with my band, The Jason Parker Quartet. I have been immersed in his music for going on two years now, researching, arranging and enjoying every minute of it! Nick’s music speaks to me on so many levels, and it’s a thrill and an honor to be recording this gorgeous music with my band.

I thought I would be remiss if I didn’t mark this occasion with a tribute on the blog, so here are a few videos of some of my favorite Nick Drake tunes, an amazing documentary about his life, and a video of the JPQ playing some of the tunes we’re going to record next month. I hope you like them and take a minute to remember this wonderfully talented artist today and tomorrow.

I don’t remember the exact moment I first heard Nick’s music, but I know it was this song, which still remains one of my favorites. Many of his songs deal with sad themes, but this one has a hopeful quality that I love.

This is another of my favorite of Nick’s tunes. So haunting and gorgeous. I also love this video, which uses a series of photos that were taken for the “Five Leaves Left” album.

This is one of his most covered tunes, especially by jazz guys.

This is another song with a beautiful, hopeful message. A fitting end to his debut album.

I had a great time arranging this tune for the JPQ. Wait until you hear Evan Flory-Barnes playing the cello part on bass!

And here’s the JPQ from a show we played back in August. This was the first time we had played these tunes live. It was an amazing experience for me to hear the arrangements I’d been working on for so long come to life!

Here’s the JPQ playing “Three Hours” at Cal State Bakersfield at a master class we led while on tour in May. Check out Evan’s beautiful bass solo. I was in tears by the time he was done.

Finally, here’s a really beautiful documentary about Nick and his life called “A Skin Too Few”. The filmmakers talked to Nick’s sister and parents, so you get an inside look. It’s almost an hour, but well worth it!

I hope you enjoyed this tribute. I know my Thanksgiving day will be spent listening to Nick’s music. And I can’t wait to share our Nick Drake tribute with you, coming this spring.