This hour: two amazing musicians explored through the portal of two amazing documentaries.

Three Records from Sundown
by Charles Maynes (Podstantsiya, FNR, 2009)
British singer/songwriter Nick Drake was just 26 when he died from an overdose of anti-depressants. He’d recorded three albums over the course of his lifetime, none of which sold very well, and he died in relative obscurity. But fast forward forty years and Nick Drake has been resurrected. He’s now largely thought of as one of the most influential artists of his time and he’s sold far more records than he ever did when he was living.

The Other Worlds of Sun Ra
by Brent Clough and John Jacobs (The Night Air, ABC, 2009)
The name Sun Ra is synonymous with far out philosophies, experimental music, great talent, and cosmic costumes. From big band and bee bop to avant garde and disco (with stops everywhere in between) Sun Ra was a musician of great breadth as well as a bandleader, keyboardist, visionary, philosopher, and entertainer extraordinaire.

Featured Music:

Sun Ra and Walt Dickerson, "Astro," Visions (Steeplechase, 1978)
Nick Drake, "Cello Song," Five Leaves Left (Universal Import, 1969)
Chihei Hatakeyama, "Bonfire on the Field," Minima Moralia (Kranky, 2006)
Nick Drake, "All My Trials," Family Tree (Ume Imports, 2007)
Sun Ra and Walt Dickerson, "Constructive Neutrons," Visions (Steeplechase, 1978)
Psapp, "King of You," The Only Thing I Ever Wanted (Domino, 2006)