If Nick Drake Came To My House by Mackenzie Crook.

Storm Bert seems to have blown itself out. It is a nice sunny day here now. I was just thinking about going for a walk when the post lady knocked on my door and handed me a parcel. It contained a book If Nick Drake Came To My House by Mackenzie Crook. This was a little bit of a coincidence because it was 50 years ago today that Nick Drake passed away aged only 26 at his parent’s house in Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire. I knew the anniversary was coming up, that was partly the reason I ordered the book, but I didn’t expect it to arrive on the exact day of Nick’s anniversary. My initial reaction on opening the book was disappointment because when I ordered it from Rough Trade, I thought I was ordering a copy signed by Mackenzie. I can’t be bothered with making an issue of it, and all the hassle of sending it back.

I have always liked Nick Drake’s music, ever since 1971 when I heard  an Island sampler album called El Pea. I know he was a brilliant guitar player and singer-songwriter, but I can’t claim to be the worlds biggest Nick Drake fan. I know some people have to own every song and outtake there is, but I only have two albums, his debut Five Leaves Left, and a compilation called Way To Blue, plus another collection of his songs sung by other artists. I’ve also got a CD of songs by his mother Molly Drake, and you may recall me reviewing a concert of The Unthanks where they performed Molly’s songs. I’ve also read about three biographies of Nick. Undoubtedly my favourite of those is the first one Pink Moon by Gorm Henrik Rasmussen published in Denmark in 1986 and then translated into English by Bent Sorenson.

What finally made me decide to buy this book is because I am a big fan of Mackenzie Crook. I have enjoyed everything I have seen of his work, from his portrayal of Gareth in The Office, to the brilliant Detectorists which he created, and Worzel Gummidge which he also wrote and directed. I knew he was a big music fan and used songs brilliantly in his work. Who can forget The Unthanks song Magpie in The Detectorists? I didn’t know he was a huge Nick Drake fan though until hearing about this book which is a kind of a homage to a children's book which Mackenzie loved as a kid called If Jesus Came To My House by Joan Gale Thomas. As well as being a great actor, writer, and director Mackenzie can also add another string to his bow, which is illustrator. The charming drawings and printing style are very faithful to Joan Gale Thomas’s original artwork. The story is written in very simplistic childlike verses. I think it only took me about 10 minutes to read it all. It is a book that can be enjoyed by children or adults. I did notice one typo error. On page 28 it says Fives Leaves Left instead of Five Leaves Left. Sack the proofreader! That is a minor criticism though. I think this book would make a great Christmas gift for any Nick Drake or Mackenzie Crook fan.