Nick Drake - The Making of Five Leaves Left

Release Date	21/11/2025
Format	4LP Boxset/ 4CD
Label	UMR
Catalogue Number	7762691/ 7762697

The Making Of Five Leaves Left includes unaccompanied demos, studio outtakes and previously unheard songs that tell the story of how Nick Drake’s debut album ‘Five Leaves Left’ came to be released on Island Records in 1969.

This Nick Drake Estate authorised 4LP edition comprises over 30 previously unheard outtakes from the sessions, compiled across three discs. The final disc to complete the package is the original Joe Boyd produced album. The whole set has been mastered by John Wood. 

Accompanied by a 60 page book printed on special textured paper stock, written by Neil Storey in collaboration with Richard Morton-Jack, complete with full track recording details, charts and recording history. 

Tracklist

DISC ONE – 1st Sound Techniques Session aka The Beverley Martyn demo & Alt Takes from February 1968 to April 1969

Side A

Mayfair - 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 1968
Time Has Told Me - 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 1968
Man In A Shed- 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 1968
Fruit Tree - 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 1968
Saturday Sun - 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 1968
Strange Face - 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 1968

Side B

Strange Face – Rough Mix with Guide Vocal – September 1968
Day Is Done – Take 5 – April 1968
Day Is Done – Take 2 – November 1968
Day Is Done – Take 7 – April 1969
Man In A Shed – Take 1 – May 1968
My Love Left With The Rain – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968

DISC TWO – Paul de Rivas Reel – October 1968 / Out-Takes November 1968

Side C

Blossom – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968
Instrumental – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968
Made To Love Magic – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968
Mickey’s Tune – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968
The Thoughts of Mary Jane – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968
Day Is Done – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968
Time Has Told Me – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968

Side D

Three Hours – Take 2 – November 1968
Time Has Told Me – Take 4 – November 1968
Strange Face – Take 1 – November 1968
Saturday Sun – Take 1 – November 1968
Fruit Tree – Take 4 – November 1968

DISC THREE - Out-Takes from December 1968 to April 1969

Side E

Time of No Reply – Take 3 into Take 4 – December 1968
‘Cello Song – Take 4 – January 1969
Mayfair – Take 5 – January 1969
River Man – Take 1 – January 1969

Side F

Way To Blue – Cambridge – Winter 1968
The Thoughts of Mary Jane – Take 2 – April 1969
Saturday Sun – Take 1 into Take 2 – April 1969
River Man – Take 2 – April 1969


DISC FOUR - The Original Album – Released 3rd July 1969

Side G

Time Has Told Me
River Man
Three Hours
Way To Blue
Day Is Done


Side H

‘Cello Song
The Thoughts of Mary Jane
Man In A Shed
Fruit Tree
Saturday Sun