Bryter Layter
Following disappointing sales of Five Leaves Left, both Joe Boyd and Nick were keen to produce a less pastoral sounding follow-up. According to Robert Kirby the plan was to make an ‘up, good, happy album’. As a result, Fairport Convention’s Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks were called as rhythm section and Kirby was brought in again to provide string and brass arrangements. This would be the first, and last, album Nick would record with a rhythm section.
Fairport were living in a disused pub in Little Hadham along with their families at this point so Nick went there for pre-recording rehearsals with the two Daves. According to Dave Pegg, Nick was uncommunicative during these rehearsals and said very little.
Once again, sessions for the album were held at Sound Techniques with John Wood and Joe Boyd. As well as the rhythm section the sessions included piano, electric guitar (played again by Richard Thompson), saxophone, brass and strings (with arrangements by Robert Kirby) and John Cale of The Velvet Underground on celeste, piano, organ, viola and harpsichord. Cale was producing an album with Boyd for Nico at this point and persuaded Boyd to let him join the sessions after becoming intrigued by Nick and his songs.
The sound of the album is far more commercial and poppy than either of Nick’s other albums. Indeed, it was the slickness of Bryter Layter which led him to perform solo on his next and final album Pink Moon, a decision Nick apparently took almost as soon as Bryter Layter was finished.
Tracks
Introduction |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar |
Dave Pegg |
Bass |
Dave Mattacks |
Drums |
Robert Kirby |
String arrangement |
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Hazey Jane II lyrics |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar, vocal |
Dave Pegg |
Bass |
Dave Mattacks |
Drums |
Richard Thompson |
Electric guitar |
Robert Kirby |
Brass arrangement |
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At the Chime of a City Clock lyrics |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar, vocal |
Ray Warleigh |
Alto sax |
Dave Pegg |
Bass |
Mike Kowalski |
Drums |
Robert Kirby |
String and brass arrangement |
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One of These Things First lyrics |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar, vocal |
Paul Harris |
Piano |
Ed Carter |
Bass |
Mike Kowalski |
Drums |
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Hazey Jane I lyrics |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar, vocal |
Dave Pegg |
Bass |
Dave Mattacks |
Drums |
Robert Kirby |
String arrangement |
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Bryter Layter |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar |
Lyn Dobson |
Flute |
Dave Pegg |
Bass |
Dave Mattacks |
Drums |
Robert Kirby |
String arrangement |
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Fly lyrics |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar, vocal |
John Cale |
Viola, harpsichord |
Dave Pegg |
Bass |
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Poor Boy lyrics |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar, vocal |
Ray Warleigh |
Alto sax |
Chris McGregor |
Piano |
Dave Pegg |
Bass |
Mike Kowalski |
Drums |
Pat Arnold |
Backing vocals |
Doris Troy |
Backing vocal |
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Northern Sky lyrics |
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Nick |
Acoustic guitar, vocal |
John Cale |
Celeste, piano, organ |
Dave Pegg Bass |
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Mike Kowalski Drums |
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Sunday |
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Nick Acoustic guitar |
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Ray Warleigh Flute |
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Dave Pegg Bass |
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Dave Mattacks Drums |
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Robert Kirby String arrangement |
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Robert Kirby is mistakenly credited with ‘bass and string arrangements’ on the cover rather than ‘brass’.