Nick Drake: A
Treasury (SACD)
Music: A- PCM
CD sound: B DSD Stereo: B+ DSD Multi-Channel: A-
Who on earth is Nick Drake? Well, a singer/songwriter who happens to not be on earth
anymore. For those unfamiliar with Nick
Drake, he died in 1974 with very little notice at that time, but his work has
slowly become more noticed in the years and decades since. This is especially true of the newer
movements of singer/songwriters, which would include the likes of Belle &
Sebastian or the late Elliott Smith as well as many others. In fact his breathy vocals sound very
similar to that of Belle & Sebastian.
Most people compare his work to that of Van Morrisson, but a more
careful observation will find his material a bit darker.
His tunes were melancholy in nature, with sweet melodies,
strong arrangements that were fueled in an acoustic rock oriented way that
swelled up and down to bring the emotional level of the listener wherever Drake
wanted. It’s easy to see why he was
seldom known during his death as people like Leonard Cohen and such were more
of an underground movement unlike the hard rock music that was developing
during the early to mid-70s that was put into full effect by the 80s where a
split occurred between rock and the short lived disco. The 80s then produced some of the worst and
yet some of the greatest music to date.
A
Treasury is a compilation effort released to SACD that exemplifies
the various styles and moods that Drake was able to master. This ranges from gentle passionate music to
reflective mellow and at times energetic and intense, but all the more quite
somber. In fact this SACD is a great
place to really get a full swing of the capabilities of the format by some
lighter gentler stuff mixed with some slightly more active and involving
mixes.
There are three ways to experience the music through this
SACD, which would include the 2.0 PCM CD layer, the DSD 2.0 layer, and finally
the DSD 5.1 layer. In working your way
up from that order you will notice a huge improvement by switching from the CD
layer into the Super Audio layer. By
doing so, the mix opens up more and lets the compression that was holding it
back go to the wayside. Now the mix sounds
fully able to breathe and move. While
still in two channels there is a big improvement in the overall fidelity. That is taken up another notch once you
switch up to the 5.1 mix that immersed the listener with a more atmospheric mix
that cuts through the room. Lyrics
sound stronger and more pronounced in the 5.1 mix. The inclusion of the center channel is most likely the cause for
such as the multi-channel mix sounds far more defined and clear. Also this mix gives a more playful feel to
the music and is far more fun.
Track Listing:
Introduction
Hazey
Jane II ****
River Man
Cello
Song
Hazey
Jane I
Pink
Moon ****
Poor Boy
Magic
Place to
Be
Northern
Sky
Road
Fruit Tree
Black
Eyed Dog
Way to
Blue ****
From the
Morning
****
indicates the highly recommended tracks
This compilation takes from the three studio releases from
Drake starting with 1969’s Five Leaves
Left, then moving to Bryter Layter
in 1970 and finally 1972’s Pink Moon. While this disc does not contain some of his
best work it does include a good bit, just not every track. This SACD would be a terrific way to experience
the artist if you never have before.
Also, those that are fans of his music or those inspired by such will
certainly not believe that this is from the early 70’s! It still sounds fresh and relevant, which
this disc even takes up another level or two.
Highly recommended!
- Nate Goss
