Nick Drake - Made To Love Magic (2004)

Though a few tracks may be known from other recordings this album (published in 2004) is a very collectible compilation. 'Magic (I Was Made To Love Magic)' is one of Nick's first songs written around 1968. It didn't make it onto his first album 'Five Leaves Left' as that was already "too full" but was later included on the album 'Time Of No Reply' with an orchestral arrangement by Richard Hewson.
Two songs included here were updated for the album. Both were newly recorded in 2003 using the original orchestrations by Robert Kirby. On 'Magic' Nick's vocals were isolated from the original 1968/69 recording whilst the track 'Time Of No Reply' only existed before as a version with Nick on vocal and guitar. In 2003 the previously unheard song 'Tow The Line' was accidentally discovered at the end of a tape during the research for this album and features as the last track.
'Hanging On A Star' has always been a very moving song, here it can be heard in an alternate, stunning version. The guitar sounds more intricate and the vocal, whilst faltering and strained, is beautiful in its own way.
All tracks have been digitally re-mastered and re-mixed in 2003 for this CD. The audio quality is excellent and sound engineer John Wood did a great job, as usual.
The booklet provided contains beautiful artwork, three nice photos of Nick plus interesting liner notes by Cally, Robert Kirby and John Wood. In my opinion this album is a must-have for a true fan of Nick's music.