Nick Drake and Elliot Smith

Now, as this is my first post proper, I wanted it to be about my favourite recording artist - Nick Drake. The Elliot Smith reference is here because he is as much as a latter-day Nick Drake, which i hope will become clear throughout this post.

*Accesses Wikipedia*

Right - the story of Nick Drake (scaled down)

"Drake signed to Island Records when he was twenty years old, and released his debut album Five Leaves Left in 1969. By 1972 he had recorded a further two albums, although none sold more than five thousand copies during their first release, and his reluctance to perform live or be interviewed contributed to his lack of commercial success. Drake battled with depression and insomnia throughout his life, and the topics were often reflected in his lyrics. Upon completion of his third album, 1972's Pink Moon, he withdrew from both live performance and recording, retreating to his parents' home in rural Warwickshire. On 25 November 1974, Nick Drake died from an overdose of antidepressants, at the age of 26."

Now, that, whilst being a good account of Nick's life, misses out the focal points - for more reading I recommend the Patrick Humphries biography. The whole essence of Nick Drake rests on the mysterious death, absoloutely no moving footage - only photgraphs - , and only one recording of him speaking without a guitar and playing music. His wonderful open tunings and impeccable right hand fingerwork (any guitarist worth his salt will know what I mean), means his music ascertains a ghostly, haunting and autumnal quality.

He is my hero, inspiration and all time favourite recording artist evereverever.

Now. Elliot Smith.

*Wikipedia*

"Steven Paul Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003), better known as Elliott Smith, was an American singer-songwriter and musician. His primary instrument was the guitar, but he was also proficient at piano, clarinet, bass, harmonica and drums. Smith had a distinctive vocal style characterized by his "whispery, spiderweb-thin delivery",[ and use of multi-tracking to create vocal harmonies. Although born in Omaha, Nebraska and raised primarily in Texas, Smith spent the majority of his life in Portland, Oregon.
After playing in the rock band Heatmiser for several years, Smith began his solo career in 1994 with releases on the independent record labels Cavity Search and Kill Rock Stars. He eventually signed a major label contract with DreamWorks Records in 1997, for which he recorded two albums. Smith rose to mainstream prominence when his song "Miss Misery", written for the film Good Will Hunting, was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Original Song category in 1998.
Smith battled with depression, alcohol and drug addiction for years, and these topics would often appear in his lyrics. At age 34, he died from two apparently self-inflicted stab wounds to the chest; however, the evidence surrounding his death remains inconclusive."

Again, a good summary, but one that misses out everything that is everything about Elliot. The Nick Drake similiarities are there - Suicide or Murder or perhaps dreadful accident? Depression, drug addiction...paranoia...

But,

these men made wonderful music. Something for every day of the year, their soft, breathy voices and the quiet acoustic guitars coming together to make something so wonderful, it is almost like heaven.

Thats my opinion. Find your own, and hopefully these musicians will inspire you too.

...