19 November 2009
Newsdesk
Line-up announced for Nick Drake tribute 'Way To Blue' at the Barbican
Produced by the Barbican and Joe Boyd, 'Way To Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake' will feature
Vashsti Bunyan, Green Gartside, Lisa Hannigan, Robyn Hitchcock, Scott Matthews, Danny Thompson, Teddy Thompson and Krystle Warren.
"Nick Drake’s obscurity during his lifetime now seems in inverse proportion to his influence and fame today. Only after his death, age 26, in 1975, did his music begin to reach a substantial audience. Today, his sophisticated - and very English - music seems to be everywhere, from the PA systems of trendy shops and film soundtracks to the personal collections of many of today’s most popular artists. This concert, curated by Drake’s original producer Joe Boyd, brings together renowned contemporary singers with many of the string arrangements from Drake’s songs and a band led by Kate St John and anchored by bassist Danny Thompson, who played on many of Drake’s recordings. Singers interpreting Nick’s songs on ‘Way To Blue’ include Vashti Bunyan, Green Gartside, Lisa Hannigan, Robyn Hitchcock, Scott Matthews, Teddy Thompson and Krystle Warren.
Sadly Robert Kirby, who wrote almost all of Drake’s instrumental arrangements and who conducted the string section at the first ‘Way To Blue’ concert last May at the Birmingham Town Hall, passed away this October past. This concert is dedicated to the memory of this warm and wonderful man who contributed so much to British music over the past 40 years."
Friday 22 January 7.30pm
Way To Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake
Tickets £15/20/25
Concert at the Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS unless stated
Box Office: 0845 120 7550 www.barbican.org.uk
Way To Blue is also being presented on tour at the following venues:
Wed 20th Jan 2010 - Celtic Connections, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Thur 21st Jan 2010 - Brighton Dome
Sat 23rd Jan 2010 - Warwick Arts Centre
