Cover Story – Elton John and Nick Drake

In June 1970 Joe Boyd was wondering how to turn the genius that was Nick Drake into a marketable star. As a taster to see if other artists might record some of Nick’s songs, he got Elton John into the studio at Sound Techniques in Chelsea to record a variety of his whitchseason stable artists’ songs, including a couple of John and Beverley Martin songs from their Stormbringer album and four by Nick Drake, all from his first album, 1969′s Five Leaves Left.

The Elton session included Linda Peters (later Linda Thompson) on backing vocals, Dee Murray on bass, Ray Cooper on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums and Davey Johnstone on guitar. The sound is similar to the Tumbleweed folk-rock soul Elton was recording at that time.

Here is Elton’s take on one of my favourite Nick Drake songs.

“Way To Blue” – Elton John

To download tracks from this session visit the great Aquarium Drunkard

Some tracks are also available via the Southcosting blog.

To buy Nick Drake music click HERE

To buy Elton John music click HERE