Way To Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake
Sat 23 Jan 2010 8pm
Butterworth Hall £27.50 (£25), £25 (£20), £22.50 (£17.50)
Musicians: with Vashti Bunyan, Green Gartside, Lisa Hannigan, Robyn Hitchcock, Scott Matthews, Teddy Thompson and Krystle Warren and a house band including legendary bassist Danny Thompson
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CloseUndoubtedly one of the most influential English singer-songwriters of the last 50 years, Nick Drake found little mainstream success during his lifetime; however, since his untimely death at the age of 26, his fragile acoustic, autumnal music has touched the hearts of millions of people.
This very special evening, curated by his producer Joe Boyd, features original orchestrations arranged by Robert Kirby, who passed away very recently.
Also featured is Danny Thompson, the legendary bassist who played on many of Drake’s recordings, who anchors the house band along with special guest artists including Vashti Bunyan, Green Gartside, Teddy Thompson, Krystle Warren, Scott Matthews, Lisa Hannigan, Kirsty Almeida and Robyn Hitchcock, who will celebrate the music through modern reinterpretations of his timeless songs.
The Way To Blue concert was first commissioned by Birmingham Town Hall for the English Originals festival in May 2009.
Butterworth Hall
With a maximum capacity of 2000 standing or 1500 seated this concert hall has an outstanding natural acoustic and is the home of our International Concert Series, as well as the majority of our music gigs and big name comedians. Butterworth Hall has recently had a £6.9 million redevelopment and reopened in autumn 2009 .
Downloads
- Way to Blue Press Release
- Way To Blue Programme.pdf
- Way to Blue Podcast
- Year End Issue by Krystle Warren
- Here Before by Vashti Bunyan
- Snow In Sun by Green Gartside
- 12 Harps by Scott Matthews
- I Don't Know by Lisa Hannigan
- I Often Dream of Trains in New York by Robyn Hitchcock
- In My Arms by Teddy Thompson
37 Comments
Having been an admirer of Nick's music since his first album Five Leaves Left was released , it's actually great to see Warwick putting on this concert of great artists in celebration of his music. Not appreciated by enough people in his own time, Nick's work is accomplished and brilliant enough to touch so many hearts and minds 40 years on. Thanks Warwick Arts Centre for such a delight.
Garry Grove at 12:36am on Sun 20th Dec 2009
I can't make it that night .Is it on anywhere else ?
j french at 10:42pm on Mon 4th Jan 2010
The full tour dates are: Wed 20 January - Glasgow Celtic Connections - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Thu 21 January - Brighton Dome, Fri 22 January - Barbican Centre
Sat 23 January - Warwick Arts Centre. Hope that helps!
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Keri, Marketing Team at 11:13pm on Mon 4th Jan 2010
Danny Thompson's excellent interview on Radcliffe & Maconie last night should ensure a full house! I'm really looking forward to it!
Stephen Jordan at 11:05am on Tue 12th Jan 2010
When at first the muse burned bright
Illuminated a pink moon night
Burned brightly indeed and intense
Songs of experience and innocense
'Cello Song cadence beyond Far Leys fence
Acoustic confessions to the River Man
Northern Sky magic, no map or plan
Before he gave up on timeless flight
In essence of English summer day's span
Tempo was cool and rhythm was tight
When at first the muse burned bright.
Exile inside his own existence
A soul with a skin too few
Broken despite hazy persistence
Far too young to start anew
'Round the circle of Mary Jane
Troubled mind so hard to find
Rider On The Wheel and back again
Soon discovered the Way To Blue
A soul with a skin too few.
Then at first the muse burned awhile
But this fickle mistress she is fragile
Slight mistress she is often elusive
In state of desertion or intrusive
Hanging On A Star in darkest night
Reclusive spirit surrenders the fight
Empty vessel from music effusive
Before he turned out the inner light
Slipped away without desire to give
Sound out of mind and out of sight
Eternally now his muse burns bright.
Poem inspired by Nick's life and music - Garry Grove
Garry Grove at 10:42am on Fri 15th Jan 2010
We're delighted that Kirsty Almeida has been added to the line up for Way to Blue!
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Keri, Marketing Team at 5:27pm on Mon 18th Jan 2010
A thoroughly excellent concert in The Way To Blue tribute to Nick Drake yesterday evening with some truly inspiring performances from the artists involved.Also great to see Joe Boyd speaking about the period in person. One small problem there were not enough Way to Blue brochures at the event on the night, would it be possible to obtain one either from the WAC Box Office or via the post?
Garry Grove at 11:41am on Sun 24th Jan 2010
What a fantastic night, got to be one of my best ever Christmas gifts ever, pity the brochures were only supplied for a fifth of the audience though.
saleem ahmed at 2:14pm on Sun 24th Jan 2010
It was my best birthday gift!!! Great night. But please is there any way I can get a programme?
Sue collingswood at 10:47pm on Sun 24th Jan 2010
A brilliant concert. An all time goodie for me. Fabuilous quality with a great range of singers brought to a coherent whole by a really tight band and a classy string section.
I would echo the comment above - shame not to have the leaflet. Could you at least distribute a pdf of it for those of us who missed out.
I didn't even catch the name of the great singer - tall with tight red hair - not named in the pre publicity - who was he?
Scott Matthews was I thought superb though he seems to be ignored in the reviews I've read...
Pete Duckworth at 11:39am on Mon 25th Jan 2010
I would love a leaflet or pdf too!!
My wife & I travelled up from London and thought it was a great gig (couldn't get tickets for the Barbican show!). We only recognised Danny, Robyn and Vashti until Joe made the announcements. I loved the band and would like to know who played what!
Steve King at 4:32pm on Mon 25th Jan 2010
Hi All
You can now download a pdf of the Way To Blue programme from the Front Page of our website (see the news item). I will also upload it to this page now.
It's great to have so much feedback from everyone - and glad to hear that so many people enjoyed the evening.
Julia
Marketing Team
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Julia Barry at 4:37pm on Mon 25th Jan 2010
Loved every ounce of each and every performance!! It was the best tribute to Nick Drake' music so inspiring to see x such a great night, Thank-you so much to everyone involved!!!
P.s Can any one tell me how I can get my hands on a cd of the live performance???
Kelly at 11:38pm on Tue 26th Jan 2010
This was undoubtably the best night out in an absolute age, all performers were magnificent in all their interpretations of Nick Drakes work, the band were amazing, all praise to those involved.
I shed a tear at Fruit Tree, Green's voice is chilling.
And Scott Matthews has the tone of John Martyn simply brilliant.
Lisa Hannigan is origanal and makes you want to get out your seat and dance.
Krystle Warren has the most wonderful voice, sat on the edge of my seat throughout her performance, stunning!
Please say you will do this again some time and delve further into the Drake catalogue of poetry and romance.
To those of you who missed it, you realy missed it I mean realy......
Amba
Amba at 2:02pm on Wed 27th Jan 2010
What a great night! Scott Matthews was a revelation, great voice! Even looked a bit like Nick Drake!! I rushed out and bought his album! As I did Lisa Hannigan's! She sounded great both soft and loud and the version of Black Eyed Dog was a real highlight for me, she even sounded like Janis Joplin at one point! Green Gartside's voice suited the material well too. Teddy was Teddy; Vashti was as stage shy as expected, but they both did great. All in all an epic concert!! Krystel Warren - man, what a voice! "Swirly Dress Kirsty" and Robyn didn't really do it for me - the only traces of Nick Drake Karaoke there, but that's small complaint! Well done Kate St John, Joe Boyd & Danny Thompson for putting it all together.
Stephen at 11:38am on Thu 28th Jan 2010
There is no CD planned for now but the concert will be screened on BBC4 in Spring 2010 (date to be confirmed, so watch the schedules). Also, Radio 2 will play Way To Blue on Sat 30 Jan at 10pm during their Celtic Connections round-up programme. Enjoy!
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Katie Anderson at 10:19am on Fri 29th Jan 2010
Please, please, please release a CD or DVD of this performance. I didn't see it live but caught it last night on BBC4 and I was totally spellbound. Fantastic performaces from all the artists but I particularly enjoyed Pink Moon with Teddy and Krystle. I've been all over the net since last night looking for a recording!
Kate at 10:46am on Sat 17th Apr 2010
Me too - only saw last night's BBC4 Barbican gig - incredible. Having followed Keith james' excellent work it was good to have to new interpretations by other fanastic artistes. Is there any chance of any more ? Is there a Way to Blue website ? Will they tour Manchester or Newcastle. Will there be a DVD or CD? I must know, as my Sky+ is on the blink and I could not record it ! I would pay for a recording in any event. More please.
Paul Holmes at 12:01pm on Sat 17th Apr 2010
Watched this last night on BBC 4 and thoroughly enjoyed it. There were some great perfomances especially Lisa Hannigan who was outstanding. Hopefully, there will be a cd/dvd release for this performance.
Mark Williams at 6:51pm on Sat 17th Apr 2010
We'll certainly pass your enthusiasm for a CD / DVD onto the show producers. In the meantime you can watch the BBC Four screening again, or download it for free, from http://bbc.co.uk/i/s06v5/
Warwick Arts Centre Staff
Keri, Marketing Team at 11:17pm on Sat 17th Apr 2010
I can only echo the previous comments regarding the potential for release of a CD of this event. I have just watched the BBC4 screening and thought it was excellent. Certainly deserving of release to a wider market.
Paul at 11:38pm on Sat 17th Apr 2010
just wanted to add my voice to the demands - pitiful begging? - for a cd of the show. it was spellbinding. lucky those who were there on the night
chris at 7:13am on Sun 18th Apr 2010
Likewise - PLEASE RELEASE A DVD OF THE SHOW!!
Diana Baur at 9:41am on Sun 18th Apr 2010
...and yet another admirer with fingers crossed hoping that a CD is released. Absolutely fantastic!
Katy at 8:54pm on Sun 18th Apr 2010
What a wonderful concert. Plus one for a CD/DVD release! Would even go for a Bluray of this.
Michael at 2:35am on Mon 19th Apr 2010
Another vote for a CD and/or DVD of the concert - a wonderful tribute and superb arrangements of Nick Drake's songs with some great performances. I hope the artists involved gain a deservedly wider audience.
Steve at 11:41am on Mon 26th Apr 2010
this was a wonderful performance, please release a DVD or CD of this! I live in Holland and it's not possible to watch BBC on the computer. But I would love to buy a DVD or CD from it!!!
rieks at 9:12pm on Sun 2nd May 2010
Where and when can I buy a copy of this wonderful performance?
Don McPhail at 10:55am on Tue 4th May 2010
Are there any plans to release a Cd/dvd of the lovely "Way to Blue" concert?
Thanks
Katy at 11:49am on Tue 18th May 2010
Please please please release a CD of one of the concerts on this tour. It was such a fantastic night and a wonderful collection of musicians. Does anyone else agree?
Stephen at 2:50pm on Sun 13th Jun 2010
I only heard of Nick Drake in January through a compilation cd featuring River man. I rushed home to trawl through the net hopeful of getting to see him live and was utterly dismayed, with a tear in my eye, at the tragic short life he had. The word genius is used far too much these days but in his case, it is a perfect description. His songs draw you in and the barbican performance was a revelation so please, try and release a cd/dvd as it will open up his works for future generations.
Tony at 12:02am on Wed 23rd Jun 2010
Just echoing, echoing the request for a DVD and CD... watched it, by accident whilst doing late-night charity-auction-promise ironing! The feeling lingered on for days and I only wish now I'd woken my husband to share it with me. Thanks.
Gwynneth at 2:15pm on Fri 5th Nov 2010
I was there at the Barbican and have been thinking about this concert ever since! The atmosphere was electric - absolutely amazing! Please please please release a DVD or CD. Clips on youtube just aren't the same!
Ben at 11:48am on Tue 9th Nov 2010
I had front row seats in Warwick for this amazing show but missed the BBC program - is there going to be a DVD to buy or does anyone have a copy i can buy??
Ian at 10:55am on Mon 15th Aug 2011
I know it is a large ensemble, but we here "across the pond" love Nick's work too...not just lucky Australia.
Emerald at 9:34am on Sun 11th Dec 2011
Went to the Warwick show. Amazing. Recorded on tv too. Just watched it again nearly a year later. Really moving.
James at 8:45pm on Sat 17th Dec 2011
James - i've just noticed you comments - do you still have a recording of the Warwick show? I would love a copy & am happy to pay - can you e-mail smurfy8624@hotmail.co.uk?
Ian at 8:45am on Fri 18th May 2012