Soul Music

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Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact

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Soul Music: Northern Sky

Northern Sky

BBC Radio 4 - Soul Music, Northern Sky

Exploring why Nick Drake's song from the album Bryter Layter means so much to so many.

For some it's a beacon of hope, for others a metaphor for love. Stories from those whose lives have been profoundly touched by Nick Drake's iconic track.

"I never felt magic crazy as this....."

For some it's a beacon of hope, for others a metaphor for love.  'Northern Sky' is the penultimate track on Nick Drake's 1971 album 'Bryter Layter'.  The sound was shaped by the Velvet Underground's John Cale who added the piano, organ and celeste.  His records didn't sell well much to Nick's disappointment, but after his death in 1974 his music and genius became much better-known.  These are just some of the stories from whose lives have been profoundly touched by this iconic track.  

Gordon Hunter had a difficult childhood and says hearing 'Northern Sky' brought a meditative sense of calm to his life, like "finding treasure."

Nick Drake's producer Joe Boyd remembers how John Cale became involved in the recording, and his sadness that Nick never got the recognition he deserved in his own lifetime.

Singer-songwriter Alex Hart took a job on the Covid-19 111 helpline during the first lockdown and listened to 'Northern Sky' on the drives home.  Alex covered the track for one of her albums.

Musicians Neil MacColl and Kate St John fell in love on the 'Way To Blue' tour in 2011 and discuss their performance of 'Northern Sky' and Kate's string arrangements.  Neil walks us through Nick's guitar tunings and the song's lyrics.

It's a song that reminds Laura Barton of spring and the first rush of love which she experienced as a student in Oxford.

"Brighten my northern sky."

Producer: Toby Field for BBC Audio Bristol
Technical Producer: Michael Harrison
Editor: Emma Harding

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