Fruit Tree
Nick Drake · 1979
117 min · 35 tracks · folk music
A haunting blend of delicate folk melodies and introspective lyrics enveloped in lush, orchestral arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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River Man — This track exemplifies Drake's signature style with its intricate melody and haunting atmosphere, embodying the emotional depth found throughout the album.
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'Cello Song — Featuring rich string arrangements, this song highlights both Drake's poetic lyricism and his ability to evoke strong imagery through sound.
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Northern Sky — A standout track known for its lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics, it reflects themes of longing and connection that permeate Drake's work.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The collection highlights Nick Drake's songwriting and performance while showcasing his unique sound within folk music.
What we noticed
- Many songs are characterized by sparse instrumentation, allowing Drake's voice and guitar work to remain at the forefront.
- Several tracks utilize orchestral arrangements that enhance the emotional weight without overshadowing the core melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting melodies for introspection
- gentle pacing for reflective moments
- warmth for quiet evenings
- delicate arrangements for detailed listening
- soothing background for creative work
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat energy
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released posthumously in 1979, 'Fruit Tree' compiles Nick Drake's three studio albums, showcasing his evolution from a largely overlooked artist to a posthumous icon of melancholy folk. By this time, Drake had already passed away in 1974, and the collection aimed to introduce his work to a broader audience following his continued influence on the music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Vashti Bunyan· John Martyn· Sandy Denny
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Time Has Told Me 3:56
- 2 River Man 4:28
- 3 Three Hours 6:01
- 4 Way to Blue 3:05
- 5 Day Is Done 2:22
- 6 'Cello Song 3:58
- 7 The Thoughts of Mary Jane 3:12
- 8 Man in a Shed 3:49
- 9 Fruit Tree 4:42
- 10 Saturday Sun 4:00
Disc 2
- 1 Introduction 1:33
- 2 Hazey Jane II 3:41
- 3 At the Chime of a City Clock 4:42
- 4 One of These Things First 4:46
- 5 Hazey Jane I 4:24
- 6 Bryter Layter 3:16
- 7 Fly 2:56
- 8 Poor Boy 6:30
- 9 Northern Sky 3:42
- 10 Sunday 3:39
Disc 3
- 1 Pink Moon 2:00
- 2 Place to Be 2:39
- 3 Road 1:58
- 4 Which Will 2:56
- 5 Horn 1:19
- 6 Things Behind the Sun 3:23
- 7 Know 2:23
- 8 Ride 2:57
- 9 Parasite 3:30
- 10 Harvest Breed 1:00
- 11 From the Morning 2:25
- 12 Voice From the Mountain 3:40
- 13 Rider on the Wheel 2:30
- 14 Black Eyed Dog 3:20
- 15 Hanging on a Star 2:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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