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A Skin Too Few - Keith James Sings the Songs of Nick Drake (NC)

  • Run time: 2 hours 30 mins
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release date: 1st January 2005

Plot Synopsis

Nick Drake is one of rock's most tragically romantic figures. There were only 26 years between his birth and his death: a time span that for many would be far too short to develop a talent, or realise an ambition or dream. His songs captured time, beauty, loss, and wistful desires with precision so subtle that they evoke a terrifying enchantment in those who hear them for the first time

One autumn morning in 1974, Nick's parents were unable to wake their son. Singer-songwriter Nick Drake died silently and unobtrusively. The significance of the three albums he left the world was only discovered two decades after his quiet passing.

Producer Joe Boyd whose tracks lead from Pink Floyd's 'Arnold Lane' and Fairport Convention to REM's 'Fables of the Reconstruction' also couldnąt prevent that Nick's career only started long after his death. Nowadays the legend of Nick Drake grows with each passing month. The press fuels the myth: 'millenium hero' (Mojo), 'the cult hero to end all cult heroes' (The Times).

A lot of well known musicians treasure his work. Among them are REM, Radiohead, John Cale, Blur, Everything but the Girl, Beth Orton and former 'the Jam' & 'Style Council' foreman Paul Weller who has a small part in the documentary. Recently Nick's songs found their way onto film soundtracks like 'Hideous Kinky' starring Kate Winslet, 'Practical Magic' with Nicole Kidman and 'TwentFourSeven' with Bob Hoskins. And if that weren't enough, Nick Drake made his first steps in the world advertising. After a Nike commercial the new campaign for the Volkswagen Cabrio is also using a Nick Drake song to set the mood. Afterwards, sales of his album 'Pink Moon' took a dramatic turn upwards and 26 years after releasing three commercially disappointing albums it is high up in the US album charts.