Darker Than the Deepest Sea: The Search for Nick Drake

A British acoustic-psychedelic entry into the ever-swelling hall of artists who died young, Nick Drake received little recognition during his short life. Yet more than 30 years after his death, his celebrity has never been greater and has been accompanied by reissues, documentary films and biographies—one Drake tune even rated a Volkswagen commercial. Born to a wealthy family, Drake showed early interest in music; by his university years he had developed a unique guitar style and brooding songs that had little to do with the hippie noodlings of the era. Heavy drug use and commercial failure pushed the already introverted Drake deeper into isolation and despair; he died of an overdose at the age of 26. To this day, questions swirl around every aspect of Drake's life, from his musical influences and sexuality to whether or not he intentionally killed himself. Unfortunately, Dann, producer of Live Aid , brings little insight to the Drake mysteries. While he covers Drake's Cambridge years thoroughly, other aspects of the musician's life are barely mentioned; even interviews with Drake's closer friends reveal little—it just might be that no one really ever got close enough to him. By contrast, the book's discography is comprehensive and informative. (Oct.)