Original Nick Drake Bryter Later Near Mint ILPS9134

	£		171
	$		204

There are certain events in ones’ life, which can be termed as defining. Such a moment for me was when first listening to this Album. This epiphany was to convert me totally to Nick Drake’s music. The quintessential English phrasing of his lyric, the clean clear virtuosity of his self-taught guitar style. This together with his smoky voice and refined accent and haunting lyrics weaved a musical spell.Nick Drakes untimely death in 1974 not only cut a life tragically short, but also a musical career. Nick released just 3 albums during his lifetime, with a 4th released after his death. Unfortunately he failed to make much of an impact at the time of his recording career but in recent years has amassed a huge cult following and consequently the value of his original recordings have risen. The initial release of Bryter Later barely got noticed with any reviews in the music papers. This wasn’t helped by the fact that Nick was adamant at this time that he wouldn’t promote the record with live gigs or the necessary press interviews. It is somewhat ironic and extremely sad that in 2004 following from radio documentaries and a TV programme he has sold more records than in any other year since his first Album was released in 1969.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Original Albums are becoming extremely difficult to find these days, which is due to the very low numbers that were originally pressed.

To find one in near mint condition is rarer still.

 You are bidding therefore on the mega sought-after 1st ever UK pressing of Bryter Later which is arguably the most accessible of Nick's 3 Albums.It contains what was has been described by the NME as the “greatest English love song of modern times ” Northern Sky”. A song of unrequited love (possibly for John Martyn’s wife Beverly –It was written whilst staying in their house.

The Classic “Pink Rim” centre labels with the 1st pressing Joe Boyd  “Witchseason Productions” logo are in mint condition with absolutely no spindle marks. See accompanying scans. The reason for this was that the album was mothballed from buying new.My definition of mothballing is that it was played several times and then transferred to tape. This was done using a Thorens TD 150 Mk II transcription turntable fitted with a Shure M75 D type 2 cartridge and taping with a Revox A77 tape deck,which wasconsidered to be top line equipment of its day.This Album has, like the majority of the records in my possession been extremely well looked after. Needless to say the vinyl is in near mint condition.

The sleeve is the original Island sleeve, light blue with the Island Logo on the bottom. This is in VG condition apart from the staining that has resulted from the leakage of the glue used to fix the inner polythene liner. Archival glue was not considered an option in those days. This is something that happens quite naturally over time. After all it is 36yrs! The sleeve carries a stamp from the place that I purchased it. This was .Debenham’s Record Department Southampton.They are also responsible for a small scuff mark on the top LHS of the cover where they stuck a price label. The young assistant in the record Department had no idea of the consequences of this action.

The outer cover is in extremely good condition as it has been seldom handled. I understand that Island records were notorious during this period for not laminating their sleeves - plus the textured finish with this particular sleeve always has a habit of looking very tatty after a while. However this sleeve is very, special indeed. The textured finish is extremely good still retaining its factory matt sheen... Both the spine and edges have virtually NO edge wear at all

So you can judge that this item is a desirable addition to any serious record collector of such an Iconic artist

ARTIST - NICK DRAKE

TITLE - BRYTER LAYTER

LABEL - ISLAND

CAT# 1LPS 9134

MATRIX NUMBERS A-1U and B-1U. This ALBUM WAS APPARENTLY LIMITED TO A PRESS RUN OF JUST A FEW HUNDRED COPIES.

VINYL- is near mint with the record having only being played several times on quality equipment and being transferred to tape.See scans and the absence of spindle marks.. VERY CLEAN LABELS (SEE PHOTOGRAPHS)  No writing on labels, sleeve or cover.

PINK RIM PALM TREE ISLAND LABELS WITH FLYING WITCH LOGO

Cover –Extremely good TEXTURED FINISH ORIGINAL SLEEVE . MANY ARE OFTEN REPLACED WITH LATER PRESSING SLEEVES, AS THE FINISH IS QUITE DELICATE AND PRONE TO SCUFFING AND RING WEAR ETC. RING WEAR ON THIS COPY IS ABSOLUTELY MINIMAL AND THERE ARE LIGHT SCUFFS TO CORNERS (SEE PHOTOGRAPHS) THERE ARE NO TEARS, SPLITS OR WRITING)..

ARTIST.............. NICK DRAKE
TITLE............ "BRYTER LATER"
LABEL COMPANY...... UK ISLAND
SLEEVE TYPE... ORIGINAL TEXTURED UK SINGLE SLEEVE
LABEL DESIGN.... ORIGINAL UK WHITE LABEL with PALM TREE on ISLAND LOGO / PINK RIM & BLACK PRINT
CAT. NUMBER................ ILPS - 9134
DEAD-WAX No's............ A1 U / B1 U
YEAR OF ISSUE............ 1970
FORMAT......... ORIG UK STEREO 12" VINYL LP

ON THIS ALBUM NICK WAS JOINED BY FELLOW FOLK Musicians DAVE PEGG, DAVE MATTACKS, RICHARD THOMPSON, RAY WARLEIGH, MIKE KOWALSKI, PAUL HARRIS, ED CARTER, LYN DOBSON, JOHN CALE, CHRIS McGREGOR, P P ARNOLD & DORIS TROY.

THE TRACK-LISTING.

Side One.
1. INTRODUCTION.
2. HAZEY JANE II. A reflection on the futility of life.
3. AT THE CHIME OF A CITY CLOCK.An essay on urban alienation with a chilling alto sax enhancing the feeling of loneliness,rejection and desolation.
4. ONE OF THESE THINGS FIRST.
5. HAZEY JANE II.
Side Two.
1. BRYTER LATER.
2. FLY. Sumptuous melody and imploring lyric.
3. POOR BOY.
4. NORTHERN SKY. Truly a great lovesong.
5. SUNDAY.