Both artists are great, its just Elton's style is quite different than Drake's and therefore a shock to many Drake fans. But this was done before he was well known anyway.
I don't want to linger on this awful performance by this technically efficient but emotionally shallow performer. I cannot see what it has to offer to any genuine admirer of Nick Drake.
This is a perfect object lesson in how NOT to perform a Nick Drake song. The cod-American voice (with its banal, "Ooh, baby" style of delivery), the soul/blues piano cliches, the... Well, need I go on? Absolutely, irredeemably, unforgivably DREADFUL!
@seyhun0 As far as I know this version was done before Nick Drake did his own, and it was even produced by Nick. Elton was a session musician back then, who worked for artists. Probably this even was how Nick Drake imagined the song at that point.
@strangefruit42 This was recorded in July 1970. "Five Leaves Left" was already released at the time. See my YouTube channel for "Go Out and Get It" (another cover from the same session).
I give a detailed explanation with that song on the origins of the "Warlock Sampler" sessions.
@richardvollin Ah ok. This is definitely a lot different from what I've heard and read. Given, this is a bit before my time, so I had to rely on the informations I got.
@strangefruit42 Just wanted to try and set the record straight (as accurately as possible), as so much misinformation and myth seems to swirl around these particular recordings.
@Triangulove This was absolutely normal at that time. There are also countless versions of Elton's own songs by other artists, and as far as I know it wasn't even considered "cover versions". F.e., as far as I know Toe Fat's version of "Bad Side Of The Moon" came out, before Elton recorded his own.
@seyhun0, Nick Drake's bio in Rolling stone states- "In 1970 Elton John was hired as a session vocalist to record Drake's songs to use as demos to entice established singers to covet Drake's compositions."
Nick Drake's music changed me forever after discovering his music and soul in 1975.
rmcellig 1 month ago
Both artists are great, its just Elton's style is quite different than Drake's and therefore a shock to many Drake fans. But this was done before he was well known anyway.
PopCultureSucks 1 month ago
I didn't know Elton John became famous for making disastrous versions of Nick Drake's songs
ifyouwantbochin 2 months ago 2
I don't want to linger on this awful performance by this technically efficient but emotionally shallow performer. I cannot see what it has to offer to any genuine admirer of Nick Drake.
Fredigundis22 2 months ago
This is a perfect object lesson in how NOT to perform a Nick Drake song. The cod-American voice (with its banal, "Ooh, baby" style of delivery), the soul/blues piano cliches, the... Well, need I go on? Absolutely, irredeemably, unforgivably DREADFUL!
Fredigundis22 2 months ago 2
@Fredigundis22 As a Nick Drake fan, I think this is good.
sportstuber11 2 months ago
Elton John's attempt in order to respect Nick Drake is remarkable but he somehow lost the spirit of the song i think.
seyhun0 4 months ago
@seyhun0 As far as I know this version was done before Nick Drake did his own, and it was even produced by Nick. Elton was a session musician back then, who worked for artists. Probably this even was how Nick Drake imagined the song at that point.
strangefruit42 4 months ago
@strangefruit42 Oh I see, I didn't gave attention to the year it was made. I thought it was a cover. Now that's interesting. Thanks
seyhun0 4 months ago
@strangefruit42 This was recorded in July 1970. "Five Leaves Left" was already released at the time. See my YouTube channel for "Go Out and Get It" (another cover from the same session).
I give a detailed explanation with that song on the origins of the "Warlock Sampler" sessions.
richardvollin 4 months ago
@richardvollin Ah ok. This is definitely a lot different from what I've heard and read. Given, this is a bit before my time, so I had to rely on the informations I got.
strangefruit42 4 months ago
@strangefruit42 Just wanted to try and set the record straight (as accurately as possible), as so much misinformation and myth seems to swirl around these particular recordings.
richardvollin 4 months ago
@strangefruit42
I highly doubt nick drake needed anyone else to recorded his songs for him, his original version is absolute perfection. This one's not bad though.
Triangulove 2 months ago
@Triangulove This was absolutely normal at that time. There are also countless versions of Elton's own songs by other artists, and as far as I know it wasn't even considered "cover versions". F.e., as far as I know Toe Fat's version of "Bad Side Of The Moon" came out, before Elton recorded his own.
strangefruit42 2 months ago
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@seyhun0, Nick Drake's bio in Rolling stone states- "In 1970 Elton John was hired as a session vocalist to record Drake's songs to use as demos to entice established singers to covet Drake's compositions."
AllegrettoDolce 4 months ago
True blue.
nodnarbwc 5 months ago
Nick Drake Changed my life!!!
sportstuber11 7 months ago 6