Pink Moon [Remaster] by Nick Drake (CD, May-2003, Island Records USA)

It's hard for anyone to admit, but there's been an incredible body of music written by people on myriads of drugs, by manic depressives, and music by men who were no longer part of sanity's life. Even the beloved Beatles wrote some of their best material in while under the influence. In that way, their last release always has a special meaning for followers. This was Nick Drake's last recorded statement of life, and it is alternatively melancholy, but whole. The songs read like a novel that one cannot put down. Each melody and guitar chords seem lifted directly from Drake's mood and put precisely down into music. Few artists have that ability, and i think that is the essence of their genius. I remember a line from `Crossroads' the blues movie that went something like this (sic) "Boy...you gotta feel the Blues - ta sing da Blues.") You can't `imagine' the feeling then attempt a song about it.

So Nick Drake stayed up for two straight nights, locked away with a piano and a guitar, and some final wishes of feelings to be let out. We're musical voyeurs looking into his mind, and in some way that bothers me when listening to any of Drake's three releases. Jeff Buckley's `Sketches' does this to me as well. Fills me with guilt just listening to it. The other half of me knows what Drake is singing about, and THAT bothers me, too. Makes you realize how close we are to an edge without realizing it.

"Pink Moon" is 26 minutes long. 11 songs of some of the best folk music that Britain has ever offered. His acoustic guitar playing has a majesty all its own. He can play both `lead' and `fill' at the same time which gives the music a more lush tone than bar stool players usually emote. This is an incredible piece of rock and folk history. Please do yourself a favor and get all three of his releases. There's not a wasted breath on them.

Yes, he was a man on the edge, and yes, it does translate through his music. These songs are hypnotic and mesmerizing as another reviewer here has appropriately noted. Elliott Smith seems to have sprung from his lyricism and guitar playing. This CD is not for everybody, but it should be - this is absolutely classic.

Nick Drake was a beautiful singer, songwriter and guitar playing genius. His music is true, pure and just speaks to your soul. He suffered from depression and on November 25, 1974 he past away at the age of 26. It is only in recent years that his music is getting the credit it so rightfully deserves.

A very poetic and softly delivered album...a dreamscape of haunting melodies and heartfelt simmering emotion...one could eaily lull away to far away places with this