The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake

The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake
An abstract painting of various bands of color
Compilation album tribute album to Nick Drake by
various artists
ReleasedJuly 7, 2023 (2023-07-07)
Length94:14
LanguageEnglish
LabelChrysalis
Singles from The Endless Coloured Ways – The Songs of Nick Drake
  1. "'Cello Song"
    Released: March 1, 2023
  2. "From the Morning"
    Released: March 22, 2023[1]
  3. "Saturday Sun" and "I Think They're Leaving Me Behind"
    Released: April 13, 2023[2]
  4. "Day Is Done" and "One of These Things First"
    Released: June 14, 2023[3]

The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake is a 2023 compilation album by various artists serving as a tribute to English folk musician Nick Drake. The album was released on 7 July 2023 by Chrysalis Records. The project was helmed by Chrysalis CEO Jeremy Lascelles and Nick Drake estate manager Cally Callomon.[4]

Release

The album was announced March 1 along with the release of the lead single, Fontaines D.C.'s rendition of "'Cello Song" from the 1969 album Five Leaves Left.[4][5] Prior to the album, a series of limited edition 7" singles were released featuring a selection of the album's tracks. The series also included a never-before-released recording of Drake playing Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time".[6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
The Daily Telegraph[8]
Hot Press9⁄10[9]
Under the Radar7⁄10[10]

Editors at AllMusic rated this album 3.5 out of 5 stars, with critic Fred Thomas writing that "it's wonderful to hear yet another generation of artists doing interesting things inspired by Drake's evergreen presence".[7] Bill Pearis of BrooklynVegan highlighted this album as one of the best of the week in indie music and highlighted several "lovely recordings" among the songs.[11] In The Daily Telegraph, James Hall gave this release 5 out of 5 stars, stating that "new angles abound" in interpreting Drake's songs and declaring this compilation "an essential manual on the art of songwriting".[8] Writing for Hot Press, John Walshe scored this album 9 out of 10, summing up that it is "respectful without being overawed of its subject, this is a wonderful collection".[9] In Under the Radar, Ian Rushbury scored this compilation a 7 out of 10, calling it "occasionally fascinating and occasionally frustrating" for its choice of performers and songs that he ultimately considers "a mixed bag".[10] Graham Reid of The New Zealand Herald included this in his favourite albums of 2023.[12]

Track listing

All songs written by Nick Drake.

  1. Fontaines D.C. – "Cello Song" – 5:04
  2. Camille – "Hazey Jane II" – 4:07
  3. Mike Lindsay featuring Guy Garvey – "Saturday Sun" – 5:15
  4. Bombay Bicycle Club featuring The Staves – "Road" – 2:36
  5. Let's Eat Grandma – "From the Morning" – 3:40
  6. David Gray – "Place to Be" – 3:31
  7. John Parish featuring Aldous Harding – "Three Hours" – 4:32
  8. Stick in the Wheel – "Parasite" – 4:51
  9. Ben Harper – "Time Has Told Me" – 3:59
  10. Emeli Sandé – "One of These Things First" – 3:39
  11. Karine Polwart featuring Kris Drever – "Northern Sky" – 4:12
  12. Craig Armstrong featuring Self Esteem – "Black Eyed Dog" – 3:45
  13. Nadia Reid – "Poor Boy" – 4:35
  14. Christian Lee Hutson featuring Elanor Moss – "Which Will" – 4:04
  15. Skullcrusher featuring Gia Margaret – "Harvest Breed" – 2:48
  16. Katherine Priddy – "I Think They're Leaving Me Behind" – 4:32
  17. Aurora – "Pink Moon" – 2:06
  18. Joe Henry featuring Meshell Ndegeocello – "Time of No Reply" – 4:04
  19. Famous Blue Cable featuring Feist – "River Man" – 3:58
  20. Liz Phair – "Free Ride" – 2:47
  21. Philip Selway – "Fly" – 5:05
  22. John Grant – "Day Is Done" – 6:26
  23. The Wandering Hearts – "Voices" – 4:27

See also

References

  1. ^ Rettig, James (March 22, 2023). "Let's Eat Grandma – "From the Morning" (Nick Drake Cover)". Stereogum. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  2. ^ "Two more songs premiered from Nick Drake tribute album The Endless Coloured Ways". Live4ever. April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  3. ^ DeVille, Chris (June 14, 2023). "John Grant – "Day Is Done" (Nick Drake Cover)". Stereogum. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Paul, Larisha (March 1, 2023). "Fontaines D.C. Reimagine "'Cello Song" for Nick Drake Covers Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  5. ^ Geiger, Amy (March 1, 2023). "Fontaines D.C. cover Nick Drake's "'Cello Song" for new tribute comp ft. Feist, Liz Phair & more". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  6. ^ O'Connor, Siobhain (March 1, 2023). "Fontaines D.C, Self Esteem, Let's Eat Grandma and more are set to feature on album of Nick Drake covers". Dork. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Thomas, Fred (n.d.). "Various Artists – The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Hall, James. "PJ Harvey is terrifying, Self Esteem covers Nick Drake – the week's best albums". Music. The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006.
  9. ^ a b Walshe, John (July 7, 2023). "Album Review: The Endless Coloured Ways – The Songs Of Nick Drake". Music. Hot Press. ISSN 0332-0847. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Various Artists: The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake (Chrysalis)". Music. Under the Radar. August 21, 2023. ISSN 1553-2305. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  11. ^ Pearis, Bill (July 7, 2023). "Indie Basement (7/7): the week in classic indie, college rock, and more". Indie Basement. BrooklynVegan. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  12. ^ Reid, Graham (December 17, 2023). "Bigger than the Beatles: Graham Reid's best albums of 2023". The Listener / Entertainment. New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved December 18, 2023.