Keith James – Songs of Nick Drake

River Man – Northern Sky – Fruit Tree – Day is Done –
Things behind the Sun and more 

Keith James – Voice and unusually tuned acoustic Guitars 

Richie Cotterill – Flutes and harmony Vocals 

Nick Drake is the most unique, haunting and imaginative musician
that truly touched our souls. This concert is not only a devotional
representation but a ‘hands-on’ performance of emotional
connection. 

Natural, effortless musicians, Keith and Richie bring you this
immaculately crafted concert, alternating between four finely tuned
acoustic guitars and Flutes of different character and pitch to bring
you an evening of these timeless, cherished songs; words that shed all
the tears of time within their fragile lines. Richie plays his flutes to
orchestrate the colours within these rich, harmonic landscapes;
improvising with impressionist textures to enhance the magical highs
and mysterious shadows within these deeply emotional songs.

Nick Drake is one of the most mysterious and enigmatic characters to
become part of the UK’s ‘arts scene’ during the 1960s and 70s. As a
Cambridge literature student, Nick began writing and performing his
fashionable poetry in what was then, a blossoming arts-songwriting
scene amongst the background of London-Oxford-Cambridge. 

Nick was quickly noticed by producers at Island Records and within
less than a year had recorded ‘Five Leaves Left’ his first brilliant album,
still considered a unique masterpiece to this day – so much so, that it
was almost impossible to follow – causing his development in the
music scene to somewhat flounder until being almost entirely
rediscovered and celebrated by a new audience with a fresh
listening approach in the early 2000s. 

Nick Drake has become the UK’s most loved contemporary poet and
songwriter. 

Reviews:

‘Musicians brave enough to play the music they really believe in.
Keith James is one of these.’ Bob Harris OBE 

'Some of the most atmospheric and emotive music you will ever hear.’
The Independent
‘A fresh and powerful approach to these wonderful songs.’
Patrick Humphries – Nick Drake biographer 

‘Devotion, integrity, experience; all spinning as one.’ The Guardian
‘A creative and imaginative artist at the peak of his powers.’
Trevor Dann – Nick Drake biographer 

‘There is a delicious soulfulness going on here.’ Colin Hall 

‘An absolute must.’ Mark Radcliffe 

Audio/Video links:
River Man – Audio/Video
https://youtu.be/HdssCpKPOWA 

Made To Love Magic – Audio/Video
https://youtu.be/qiOOfbtwUb8 

Northern Sky – Audio/Video
https://youtu.be/EaSYyjI48sg 

Fruit Tree – Audio/Video
https://youtu.be/muH2ZILnEBE 

Clothes of sand – Audio/Video
https://youtu.be/zX-t_5gvGLo 

Photograph:
Keith & Richie on stage at Cambridge Junction 2026