I ran into Nick Drake in Naples recently, on a street tumbling down through the old town largely filled with musical instrument stores. Although dead for 40 years (today) he was looking no worse for wear, unperturbed by Frank Zappa who was peering over his shoulder.
Now back under northern skies, I’ve been listening to “Northern Sky”, as I have done for years, although I’ve only just found out that John Cale plays on it. A rapt, flushed, awed held breath of a song, it is a favourite of many Nick Drake fans – including myself (click here if the video isn’t embedded):
Strange Flowers 
40 years without Nick Drake…. So sad. But his music is alive and forever well