New Nick Drake merchandise authorized by the late musician’s estate is now available for fans.
The Making of Five Leaves Left includes over 30 previously unheard outtakes from the sessions that would eventually form Drake’s 1969 debut album on Island.
Available in a 4LP or 4CD collection, The Making of Five Leaves Left includes Drake’s first ever session at Sound Techniques–found on a mono listening-reel which collaborator Beverley Martyn had squirreled away over fifty years ago. It also contains the full reel recorded at Caius College by Cambridge acquaintance Paul de Rivaz, which had lain in the bottom of a drawer for decades, accompanying him and his family around the world.
The fourth disc is composed of the original Joe Boyd-produced album, which features such timelessly haunting pieces as “Time Has Told Me,” “River Man,” and “Way To Blue.” It featured contributions from Richard Thompson, then of Fairport Convention, on guitar, Danny Thompson on bass and others, as well as the beautiful arrangements of Robert Kirby. The entire set has been mastered by John Wood.
The collection comes with an illustrated 60 page book exploring the album’s recording history. Written by Neil Storey in collaboration with Richard Morton-Jack, author of the acclaimed 2023 Drake biography The Life, the book is printed on special textured paper stock and 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
Three recreated official replicas of the Island promotional t-shirts for Five Leaves Left, Bryter Later, and Pink Moon are now available on the Nick Drake store. Additionally, a newly-designed t-shirt and tote are available, featuring a design inspired by the manufacturer’s message inserted near the end of a packet of Rizla cigarette papers, which in turn informed the album title Five Leaves Left.
Check out the new Nick Drake merch now.
