This song is special for me, it was posted on facebook in memory of my son who had been murdered a few days before. He was Roland Salvatore, he lived in and walked through the Gila Wilderness for 10 years. He left so much poetry. He was a musician , played djembe drums amazingly. He was 35 yrs old. This is a good cover, my tablet doesn't play any Nick Drake songs, maybe that's better for me. It's been three years and I don't know how to live anymore.
I'm sorry for your loss. Hope this version of River Man brings you a measure of comfort. If your son liked Nick Drake, I'm sure he'd appreciate Patricia O'Callaghan doing it justice. ~wishing you peace.
Gila in New Mexico. Sorry to hear about Roland. I hope you have now been able to come to terms with this shocking tragedy, as far as you, or anyone, can, though it's nearly impossible, of course. Stay strong.
This version of River Man haunts me in ways the original did not, nor subsequent fine cover versions. I have a place on a beautiful river. I can't hear this song, this interpretation, and not imagine myself on the river on a clear, quiet summer evening.
WOW! Smooth as Silk! So beautifully meaningful, it's sublime. Each member of the trio along with Ms. O'Callaghan's voice is phenomenal. The arrangement is top-notch musicianship. I keep hearing it in my head, it's hauntingly beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.
What a hidden gem! The arrangement and vocals are like a bouquet of spices that help the beauty of the original composition emerge in a truly moving fashion. Thank you so much!
Gryfon Trio I heard your excellent version and had to subscribe. That woman's voice is ephemeral and the piano, cello, violin, and any other musicians I left out--each one of you is important! You make this song so rich!
It's so nice to realise that Nick's work is still revered all these years after his death. Lots of versions of this song exist but this one is right up there. It's stunning. Thank you so much for posting this.
Very nice. I first heard Andy Bey do this song on KKJZ over 10 years ago. A zillion covers now including ones by Sara Gazarek and Kurt Elling - but this might be my favorite...
I listen to this often and it is one of the best Nick Drake Covers. The discordant piano set with the flowing strings and voice of Ms Callahan suggests Nick Drakes struggle for peace .Although the river flows it does so in 5/4 time giving the feeling of restless motion.The River Man perhaps is his therapist or a trusted individual trying to guide him out of his depression and the Piano sounds are those negative thoughts pulling him towards darkness.Beautifully done as are the excellent classical videos.
Oh God this is such a classy tribute. Her voice is crystal. The arrangement is excellent. The musicianship is absolutely top notch! Thanks for sharing.
Remarkable cover. It stays faithful to the original but the difference in singer and small differences in the sound quality make this more dream like and less closed in than Drake's version. The backing doesn't add anything different to the original, but the way it is mixed you hear more separation between the instruments and it has a more lush sound. And Ms. O'Callaghan's voice is likewise more clear and sits above the backing a little more. With those two things at work you can listen to the lyrics and get a somewhat different feel for the meaning of the song. I wouldn't change a thing about Drake's version or this cover but they are both outstanding. Listening to the backing reminds me of the great movie instrumentals of the 50s and 60s by people like Henry Mancini, Percy Faith, and Jackie Gleason's orchestra. One of the finest pieces of recorded music I've heard in quite some time.
The lyrics leave me with so many questions which I enjoy. I really like this. River Man will likely endure for eons. Seems to welcome artists to indulge.
Absolutely beautiful! Perhaps Nick's soul was mystically-magically connected to this performance. If so, I'm sure Patricia O'Callaghan's contribution especially made him smile. Loved the harmonic dissonance, perhaps symbolic of Nick's cognitive dissonance. Betty said she prayed today For the sky to blow away Or maybe stay She wasn't sure. Personally, I think Betty is Nick. The Riverman? I think The Riverman is God, the Mysterious Eternal Light.
The Gryphon Trio are highly acclaimed classical musicians from Toronto who have won two JUNO awards. Their recorded work and live performances are well enjoyed by many, and worth looking up; in particular their cd 'Great Piano Trios' from 2011. Patricia O'Callagan's beautiful soprano does justice to this cover of Nick Drake's 'River Man'. This song is on the 2011 collaboration album by Patricia O'Callaghan & the Gryphon Trio called Broken Hearts & Madmen, which features songs by Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Lhasa de Sela and Elvis Costello alongside Latin American folksongs from Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.
This is faithful to the original in an interesting way. On Nick's tracks, there are counter melodies and sometimes discordant counter keys. On first hearing of this, the piano made no sense, but on second listen, I see where it's coming from. With Nicks music, the guitar powers it all along with the discordant, stuff subtly colouring the overall sound, where here, it's recorded pristine so it stands out a bit more. The singer is beautiful, not as bluesy as Nick but she has her own great qualities. I longed to hear her voice and the plucked strings for a bit longer before the other parts came in. She was carrying it. No one is ever going to do Nick better than Nick, but this is a fantastic cover/version/homage. Brave too, not an easy task tackling Nicks work I should think. Bloody hell Nick, why did you leave us so early.....
Betty came by on her way Said she had a word to say About things today And fallen leaves. Said she hadn't heard the news Hadn't had the time to choose A way to lose But she believes. Going to see the river man Going to tell him all I can About the plan For lilac time. If he tells me all he knows About the way his river flows And all night shows In summertime. Betty said she prayed today For the sky to blow away Or maybe stay She wasn't sure. For when she thought of summer rain Calling for her mind again She lost the pain And stayed for more. Going to see the river man Going to tell him all I can About the ban On feeling free. If he tells me all he knows About the way his river flows I don't suppose It's meant for me. Oh, how they come and go Oh, how they come and go.
It's a great song that was most pleasurable to arrange. As they were Classical Musicians , every note had to be written out and this video was made in the studio by the photographer of one of the takes. Some sync problems because there was no other material but pretty good for a guerrilla video
Yes, very good, can listen to it straight aftter the writer's version, fine references to original Harry Robinson but never deriviative, well-thought-out piano part, top notch, have a cigar.
Patricia O'Callaghan (44) is a classically trained Canadian soprano. While an exchange student in Mexico years ago, she decided that rather than choosing between becoming a 'Rock Star' or a 'nun', she would combine both and become an opera singer. She's well known for her rendition of Leonard Cohen's “Hallelujah” which she recorded in 1999. ;-)
Its too busy. Listen to Nick Drake, Kurt Elling or, my favorite, Andy Bey. This tune is beautiful and doesn't require a whole lot of window dressing. It gets in the way.
Good job, although I think you would have been better off covering "way to blue" off the same Album (five leaves left) the style in which you covered this would perhaps have been better suited.
