Bryter Layter

Bryter Layter, recorded in 1970 and released in March 1971,[1] was the second of three albums by British folk musician Nick Drake.

Contents

1 Content and production 2 Reception 3 Legacy 4 Track listing 5 Personnel 6 Release history 7 References 8 Notes 9 External links

Content and production
Like Five Leaves Left, the album contains no unaccompanied songs: Drake was accompanied by part of the British folk rock group Fairport Convention and John Cale from The Velvet Underground, as well as Beach Boys musicians Mike Kowalski and Ed Carter.[2] Initially scheduled for release in November 1970, with UK promotional copies being sent out at the time, dissatisfaction with the artwork meant that the album was held over into the New Year.[1]

Reception
A 13 March 1971 interview with Nick Drake in Sounds, promoting the new release of Bryter Layter, with the album being described as "having been released only last week" (ie. 5 March 1971), contrary to the long held misconception that the album was released in November 1970, which is when early promotional copies appeared, before being pulled for an artwork overhaul.

Professional ratings

Review scores

Source

Rating

AllMusic 5/5 stars[3] Entertainment Weekly B+[4] Pitchfork 9.7/10[5] Q 5/5 stars[6]

Mojo called the album "Certainly the most polished of his catalogue".[7] Alternative Press called it "[one] of the most beautiful and melancholy albums ever recorded."[8]

Legacy
In 2000, Q placed Bryter Layter at number 23 in its list of the "100 Greatest British Albums Ever". It ranked at number 14 in NME's list of "The Greatest Albums of the '70s".[9]

In 2003, the album was ranked number 245 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Track listing
All tracks written by Nick Drake.

Side one

No.

Title

Length

1. "Introduction"  1:33 2. "Hazey Jane II"  3:46 3. "At the Chime of a City Clock"  4:47 4. "One of These Things First"  4:52 5. "Hazey Jane I"  4:31

Side two

No.

Title

Length

6. "Bryter Layter"  3:24 7. "Fly"  3:00 8. "Poor Boy"  6:09 9. "Northern Sky"  3:47 10. "Sunday"  3:42

Personnel
Nick Drake performs vocals and guitar, except where indicated otherwise. "Introduction" Nick Drake – guitarDave Pegg – bassDave Mattacks – drumsStrings arranged by Robert Kirby "Hazey Jane II" Dave Pegg – bassDave Mattacks – drumsRichard Thompson – lead guitarBrass arrangement by Robert Kirby "At the Chime of a City Clock" Ray Warleigh – alto saxDave Pegg – bassMike Kowalski – drumsStrings arranged by Robert Kirby "One of These Things First" Paul Harris – pianoEd Carter – bassMike Kowalski – drums "Hazey Jane I" Dave Pegg – bassDave Mattacks – drumsStrings arranged by Robert Kirby "Bryter Layter" Nick Drake – guitarLyn Dobson – fluteDave Pegg – bassDave Mattacks – drums "Fly" John Cale – viola and harpsichordDave Pegg – bass "Poor Boy" Ray Warleigh – alto saxChris McGregor – pianoDave Pegg – bassMike Kowalski – drumsPat Arnold and Doris Troy – backing vocals "Northern Sky" John Cale – celeste, piano and organDave Pegg – bassMike Kowalski – drums "Sunday" Nick Drake – guitarRay Warleigh – fluteDave Pegg – bassDave Mattacks – drumsStrings arranged by Robert Kirby

Release history
Region

Date

Label

Format

Catalogue

United Kingdom 6 March 1971 Island LP ILPS 9134 May 1987 CD CID 9134 26 June 2000 IMCD 71