Bryter Layter

Bryter Layter
Studio album by Nick Drake
Released	5 March 1971
Recorded	1970, Sound Techniques, London
Genre	Electric folk, folk rock, baroque pop, folk baroque
Length	39:09
Label	Island
Producer	Joe Boyd
Nick Drake chronology
Five Leaves Left (1969)Five Leaves Left1969 Bryter Layter (1971) Pink Moon (1972)Pink Moon1972

Bryter Layter, recorded in 1970 and released in March 1971, was the second of three albums by British folk musician Nick Drake. Like Five Leaves Left, the album contains no unaccompanied songs: Drake was accompanied by part of the British folk rock group Fairport Convention and John Cale from The Velvet Underground, as well as Beach Boys musicians Mike Kowalski and Ed Carter. Initially scheduled for release in November 1970, with UK promotional copies being sent out at the time, dissatisfaction with the artwork meant that the album was held over into the New Year.

Reception

File:Sounds interview March 13, 1971.jpg

A 13 March 1971 interview with Nick Drake in Sounds, promoting the new release of Bryter Layter, with the album being described as "having been released only last week" (ie. 5 March 1971), contrary to the long held misconception that album was released in November 1970, which is when early promotional copies appeared, before being pulled for an artwork overhaul.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
The Music Box
Pitchfork Media	(9.7/10)
Q

In 2000, Q placed Bryter Layter at number 23 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. Q (January 2001, p. 95) – Included in Q's "5 Best Re-Issues of 2000".

In 2003, the album was ranked number 245 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

NME (18 September 1993, p. 19) – Ranked No. 14 in NME's list of The Greatest Albums of the '70s. In 2000, NME included "One of These Things First" on a CD titled NME Presents Under the Influence, which included songs by some of most influential musicians and bands in music history.

Entertainment Weekly (12 May 2000, p. 24) – "The exquisiteness of the first album is expanded upon in 'Hazey Jane I', 'Fly' and a genuinely optimistic love song, 'Northern Sky'." – Rating: B+

Mojo (July 2000, p. 99) – "Certainly the most polished of his catalogue....[It] begins to suggest a whole other tableau of unexplored possibilities....God, how damn confident it all sounds. He knew how good he was."

Alternative Press (March 2001, p. 88) – "With a voice paradoxically feather-light and grave, [one] of the most beautiful and melancholy albums ever recorded."

Q (May 2007, p. 135) – "Drake and producer Joe Boyd ratcheted up the production from the singer's debut album for this slick pop-folk set inspired by stoned late-night rambles around London. Hazey Jane II and at the Chime of a City Clock offered more hooks than a pirate convention, but mainstream success proved tellingly elusive."

File:Melody Maker ad 6 March 1971.jpg

A 6 March 1971 advert for Bryter Layter in Melody Maker, the day after its belated release.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Nick Drake. 

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Introduction"	1:33
2.	"Hazey Jane II"	3:46
3.	"At the Chime of a City Clock"	4:47
4.	"One of These Things First"	4:52
5.	"Hazey Jane I"	4:31

Side two
No.	Title	Length
6.	"Bryter Layter"	3:24
7.	"Fly"	3:00
8.	"Poor Boy"	6:09
9.	"Northern Sky"	3:47
10.	"Sunday"	3:42

Personnel

Nick Drake performs vocals and guitar, except where indicated otherwise.

• "Introduction"

  Nick Drake – guitar

  Dave Pegg – bass guitar

  Dave Mattacks – drums

  Strings arranged by Robert Kirby

• "Hazey Jane II"

  Dave Pegg – bass

  Dave Mattacks – drums

  Richard Thompson – lead guitar

  Brass arrangement by Robert Kirby

• "At the Chime of a City Clock"

  Ray Warleigh – alto sax

  Dave Pegg – bass

  Mike Kowalski – drums

  Strings arranged by Robert Kirby

• "One of These Things First"

  Paul Harris – piano

  Ed Carter – bass

  Mike Kowalski – drums

• "Hazey Jane I"

  Dave Pegg – bass

  Dave Mattacks – drums

  Strings arranged by Robert Kirby

• "Bryter Layter"

  Nick Drake – guitar

  Lyn Dobson – flute

  Dave Pegg – bass

  Dave Mattacks – drums

• "Fly"

  John Cale – viola and harpsichord

  Dave Pegg – bass

• "Poor Boy"

  Ray Warleigh – alto sax

  Chris McGregor – piano

  Dave Pegg – bass

  Mike Kowalski – drums

  Pat Arnold and Doris Troy – backing vocals

• "Northern Sky"

  John Cale – celeste, piano and organ

  Dave Pegg – bass

  Mike Kowalski – drums

• "Sunday"

  Nick Drake – guitar

  Ray Warleigh – flute

  Dave Pegg – bass

  Dave Mattacks – drums

  Strings arranged by Robert Kirby

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalogue
United Kingdom	6 March 1971	Island	LP	ILPS 9134
	May 1987		CD	CID 9134
	26 June 2000			IMCD 71

References

• The cover of the North American version of the 2003 album Akuma no Uta by Japanese metal band Boris pays tribute to Bryter Layter.
• The lyrics to "Fly" were heavily referenced in the 2005 film Zathura: A Space Adventure and the song was featured in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums".
• The song "One of These Things First" was featured on the Grammy award winning Garden State soundtrack, compiled by Zach Braff. The song was also used in the 2008 film Seven Pounds starring Will Smith.

Notes

The title is in reference to Queen's English and BBC weather reporters who would describe the weather as "brighter later".

External links

• Album online on Radio3Net a radio channel of Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company
• Bryter Layter at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
• Lyrics