The British folk singer and guitarist Nick Drake was born in 1948 in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar). His first studio album, Five Leaves Left, one of three albums released on the Island label (alongside Bryter Layter and Pink Moon), was released 21 years later. At that time, he was still studying at the University of Cambridge. Named after the warning on the back of cigarette packets stating that only five leaves are left, it soon became a classic. The recordings took place between July 1968 and April 1969 at Sound Techniques studios in London. He was accompanied by bassist Danny Thompson of the British folk-rock group Pentangle and guitarist Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention. The producer was Joe Boyd, an American-born producer just six years his senior, John Wood acted as sound engineer and his friend Robert Kirby handled the arrangements.

His outstanding and idiosyncratic folk fingerpicking on the acoustic guitar and his evocative lyrics take centre stage, occasionally complemented by strings, vibraphone, piano or other non-electric instruments. He is also supported by a rhythm section on some tracks. Permeated by his melancholic mood, his debut album features many of his most unforgettable songs, such as Fruit Tree, Cello Song, Time Has Told Me and River Man. Despite its obvious quality, one of the finest and most influential English folk albums sank into obscurity without a trace, having sold barely 3,000 copies. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and melancholic albums ever recorded!