Tracks
- Introduction
- Hazey Jane II
- At the Chime of a City Clock
- One of These Things First
- Hazey Jane I
- Bryter Layter
- Fly
- Poor Boy
- Northern Sky
- Sunday
Bryter Layter is a lugubrious album. The music is folk, although the presence of piano and saxophone belie the simplicity of that observation. Nick Drake gets some assistance from some of the members of Fairport Convention, John Cale and two members of the Beach Boys.
The songs all sound really beautiful. Although, there is a foreboding quality to the beautiful melodies, as if to suggest that while everything seems well on the surface, just a glance below reveals a different truth. I think the lyrics suggest the same.
Each instrument is very quiet and restrained. There isn't much interplay between them, but they work together well. This is one album where it's very important to pay careful attention to the music.
This is an outstanding album. It's certainly worth listening to. I'm not too sure about whether it should be on the 1001 Albums list. It's not as if there hasn't been enough folk albums. However, this is a different kind of folk album. It certainly shows a folk style that is more introspective than political and worldly. I guess I'd lean in favor of it being on the list.
All of the songs are excellent. The stand outs are: At the Chime of a City Clock, One of These Things First, Hazey Jane I, Fly, Poor Boy and Sunday.
★★★★★★★★★★
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