Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake" curated by Nick Drake's original producer, Joe Boyd (at the helm for two of the Drake albums - "Five Leaves Left" in 1969, and "Bryter Layter" in 1970), combines live recordings from two remarkable concerts at Melbourne Recital Centre 15 & 16 November 2011 and another at The Barbican Centre, London in January 2010. Guests include Vashti Bunyan, Green Gartside (Scritti Politti), Robyn Hitchcock, Lisa Hannigan, Krystle Warren, Scott Matthews, Teddy Thompson, Danny Thompson, Shane Nicolson, Kate St John, Luluc, Zoe Rahman, Neill MacColl; featuring the original orchestrations arranged by Robert Kirby in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Undoubtedly one of the most influential English singer - songwriters of the last 50 years, Nick Drake found little mainstream success during his lifetime; however, since his untimely death at the age of 26, his fragile acoustic, autumnal music has touched the hearts of millions of people. These renowned contemporary singers, united by their reverence for the work Nick Drake left behind also collaborated with those who were actually involved in those unforgettable original recordings. The band and string section is led by musical director Kate St John, anchored by double bassist Danny Thompson, who played on many of Drake's albums, and features the original orchestrations arranged by Robert Kirby in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Sadly, Kirby passed away very recently, but not before conducting the string section at the UK's very first "Way To Blue" concert in May 2009. Now, "Way To Blue" has become a tribute to Kirby as well as Drake.