bryter layterBryter 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

 

Nick

Acoustic guitar

Dave Pegg

Bass

Dave Mattacks

Drums

Robert Kirby

String arrangement

 

Hazey Jane II lyrics

 

 Nick

Acoustic guitar, vocal

Dave Pegg

Bass

Dave Mattacks

Drums

Richard Thompson

Electric guitar

Robert Kirby

Brass arrangement

 

At the Chime of a City Clock lyrics

 

Nick

Acoustic guitar, vocal

Ray Warleigh

Alto sax

Dave Pegg

Bass

Mike Kowalski

Drums

Robert Kirby

String and brass arrangement

 

One of These Things First lyrics

 

Nick

Acoustic guitar, vocal

Paul Harris

Piano

Ed Carter

Bass

Mike Kowalski

Drums

 

Hazey Jane I lyrics

 

 

Nick

Acoustic guitar, vocal

Dave Pegg

Bass

Dave Mattacks

Drums

Robert Kirby

String arrangement

 

Bryter Layter

 

Nick

Acoustic guitar

Lyn Dobson

Flute

Dave Pegg

Bass

Dave Mattacks

Drums

Robert Kirby

String arrangement

 

Fly lyrics

 

Nick

Acoustic guitar, vocal

John Cale

Viola, harpsichord

Dave Pegg

Bass

 

Poor Boy lyrics

 

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

 

Northern Sky lyrics

 

Nick

Acoustic guitar, vocal

John Cale

Celeste, piano, organ

Dave Pegg                    Bass

Mike Kowalski Drums

 

Sunday

 

Nick                             Acoustic guitar

Ray Warleigh                Flute

Dave Pegg                    Bass

Dave Mattacks Drums

Robert Kirby                String arrangement

 

Robert Kirby is mistakenly credited with ‘bass and string arrangements’ on the cover rather than ‘brass’.

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