Drake rarities blossom on "Family Tree"

By Katie Hasty

NEW YORK (Billboard) - For decades, fans have made a pilgrimage to Nick Drake's hometown in tiny Tanworth-In-Arden, England.

His parents would invite these visitors into their house, playing early reel-to-reel demos of the late folk singer's songs and covers and giving away cassette bootlegs for free. Now, these recordings will finally see the light of day on an album set for U.S. release on June 19.

"Family Tree" (Tsunami Entertainment/Fontana) was compiled by Drake estate manager/archivist Cally Callomon, a veteran music industry art director and reissue producer who has also worked closely with Scott Walker.

The set includes Drake's own take on tracks like "Cocaine Blues," a number of Jackson C. Frank's songs, Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" and Bert Jansch's "Strolling Down the Highway." It also contains early versions of "Day Is Done" and "Way to Blue" (both from his 1969 studio album "Five Leaves Left"), as well as nearly a dozen unreleased Drake originals like "Blossom" and "Come Into the Garden." The lo-fi nature of the recordings is preserved, with audible bits of Drake speaking and conversing between tracks.

Drake's mother Molly, a major influence in his music upbringing, contributed a pair of her own songs, "Do You Ever Remember?" and "Poor Mum." Drake also sings with his sister Gabrielle on the traditional tune "All My Trials."

Meanwhile, a reissue of the 1986 Drake boxed set "Fruit Tree" will arrive later this year. It will include Drake's three original studio albums, a new book and the documentary "A Skin Too Few."

Drake died of an overdose in 1974 at the age of 26.

Reuters/Billboard