The annual Nick Drake Gathering takes place in the village of Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire on Friday July 17 and Saturday 18.
2015 will be the 13th year in which the village has marked the life of the introverted musician, who dreaded live concerts and performed only a few inauspicious gigs.
Drake - an early signing on Chris Blackwell's fabled Island label - died at the age of 25 in 1974, after an overdose of anti-depressants. The late John Martyn who was a fellow Island artist, wrote the song Solid Air with his dear friend in mind. The song in its turn became the title song of Martyn's most popular album, bound up with an enduring fascination with Drake.
His cult has grown to a remarkable extent in recent years, with many musicians citing the singer-songwriter and talented guitarist as a key influence. Jazz singers and pianists such as Brad Mehldau have recorded imaginative versions of his delicately-expressed songs, drawn from his three albums.
“It is a great opportunity for musicians influenced by Nick, along with fans of Nick to meet up and get to know each other whilst sharing their experiences, thoughts, music, good humour and the spirit of the event., “ declares the Nick Drake Gathering website which can be accessed here
“The village of Tanworth-in-Arden remains relatively untouched by the passage of time and is a very pleasant, peaceful place, “ the website information continues.
“Keeping this in mind we like to keep the event a fairly cosy affair, that the village can handle and also to maintain the sort of atmosphere that both the music and the listener deserve.”
The organisers and performers contribute to the Gathering as 'a labour of love' and no entry fee is charged, nor are tickets required.
