100 Greatest Songs of the 60’s #38 Nick Drake – River Man

Released: 1969

Much more than five decades after it was originally released, depositing River Man – indeed, anything by Nick Drake – as anywhere less than in the genius spots feels like heresy. It probably is.

Unfortunately the almost supernatural aura of Drake’s mystery – so inherent to the rebuilding of his legend – is over time being washed away by forensic study. The fact remains however that his debut album Five Leaves Left, which arrived at the very end of the decade, was at the time almost completely ignored, much as we now know to the obsessive singer’s chagrin.

Now there are hardly enough superlatives available, although on actual listening the experience remains something for the purists. River Man, perceived by it’s writer as the album’s centrepiece and adorned with Richard Kirby’s strings, feels ageless, sat astride sun-dappled leylines that fan out to amongst others Kate Bush, Jeff Buckley and Robin Pecknold. To remember that it meant almost nothing to so many people for so long is almost cruel, but it’s the truth, as much so as the brilliance that ran through every unassuming note.