The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake

Product Information

As the cumulonimbus slugs away to the north, the sky clears and stars kindle in the deep blue heavens. The Endless Coloured Ways really hits its stride with the songs that diverge furthest from the originals. The careful layering of intricate sounds adds a grandiose touch, along with vocal harmonies that seem to exude a feeling of resignation. The first volume dropped in September last year; together, the 13-part record confirms the promise of that miraculous Glastonbury introduction.

ENDLESS COLOURED WAYS - Katherine Priddy THE ENDLESS COLOURED WAYS - Katherine Priddy

It’s a sprawling, medieval house set in picturesque grounds with the ruins of a 12th century monastery in the garden. Comprised of various labels we know and love at Rough Trade (Bella Union, ATO, Speedy Wunderground, Phantasy, Heavenly, Mute and more) PIAS [Recordings] filter through some of the most diverse artistry to our racks, which we greatly enjoy digging into. If the best translations draw out and expand on elements within the source material, a couple seem hellbent on doing the opposite or, much worse, render exquisite songs dull.Elvis is frequently referenced and the music is peppered with clips from field recordings, as though renowned Edwardian ethnomusicologist Cecil Sharp had stumbled across a particularly creepy West Country folk circle. Nick Drake was not that concerned with promoting himself as an artist but I think he would have been overjoyed to hear his art promoted by so many vibrant and talented artists such as the ones we approached. Recorded at Hive Mind Studios in Brooklyn, NY, with the help of producer/arrangers Mike Buckley and Vincent Chiarito (both members of Charles Bradley's Extraordinaires) and crack team of a-list musicians, his upcoming album blends heavy arrangements and introspective lyrics with sophistication, leaving the listener in a blissful wash of wonderment.

Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs Of Nick Drake (Album The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs Of Nick Drake (Album

I think that’s the same with music and musicians — whether you know an artist of old or discover them by way of somebody else, it’s all part of the journey. It’s a testament to the immense power and originality of his vision that so many gifted musicians of our generation are indebted to his influence.Scottish composer Craig Armstrong and Self Esteem build the once-acoustic Black Eyed Dog – about Drake’s depression – into a foreboding epic, all strings and multi-tracked vocals. Indeed, now that the Estate has agreed to a global publishing deal with Blue Raincoat Music Publishing, why wouldn’t they be? Who knew that the unadorned “From the Morning” would work as a gorgeously ethereal slice of synth-driven dreampop, courtesy of UK duo Let’s Eat Grandma?