THE music of cult figure Nick Drake continues to endure despite his untimely death at the age of 26 three decades ago.

The musician, from just over the Worcestershire border in the pretty village of Tanworth-in-Arden in Warwickshire, only released three albums in his short lifetime, which faded into obscurity on initial release.

However, after his death in 1974, interest in his work has grown and earned him a cult following - with famous fans such as actor Brad Pitt voicing their admiration for his bittersweet tunes and tender vocals.

It was the Hollywood star himself who presented a BBC documentary on the musician last month.

And 50-year-old Canterbury-based musician Keith James continues to ensure the legend of the hugely-influential artist - who has had an impact on everyone from Paul Weller to Belle and Sebastian - lives on through his concerts performing the singer's songs.

Lifelong musician Keith is known as one of the finest interpreters of Nick's work and will be taking in Worcester's Huntingdon Hall on Tuesday, February 22 as part of his latest UK tour performing the artists tunes.

The shows came about as the record producer realised while trying out a couple of songs in his Canterbury studio his guitar-playing and approach to music was similar to Nick's.

He will be joined on stage for his latest tour by Rick Foot from Bournemouth - one of the most celebrated double bass players in the country - who has toured the country with the works of the late jazz composer Charles Mingus.

The four previous tours across the country, totalling more than 70 concerts, have seen audiences filling arts centres and theatres to hear Nick's music again after an absence of more than 30 years.

Nick's unique guitar tunings mean Keith will have a total of three guitars on stage to tackle his intricate songs - with River Man, Northern Sky and Pink Moon among those set for an airing.

Keith said Nick's particular style of music tended to attract a certain type of audience.

"I think it's a terrible sadness that he didn't continue to make more records than he did but I guess we wouldn't be listening to his music in the same light," he said.

"He was a depressive, anxious, concerned person and you notice people who come to hear his music are generally more fragile people.

"There are a tremendous amount of people of university and college age who are into him and they tend to be arts student types."

Nick was born the child of upper-middle class parents and was educated at Marlborough and Cambridge, dropping out of his studies to pursue a musical career under the wings of producer Joe Boyd.

His first album - Five Leaves Left - contains some of his finest work such as Fruit Tree and was critically acclaimed, yet notched up few record sales.

A further two albums - Bryter Layter and Pink Moon - followed but also went largely unnoticed until his death in 1975 from an overdose of anti-depressants.

Keith said he felt there were many reasons for people switching on to the mysterious musician's music.

"I think the appeal of the first two records is the overall effect and you've got to take into consideration his guitar playing was really good," he said.

"On the first album you have an unbelievable amount of orchestration as well as the other musicians on the record.

"The appeal is multi-faceted - you can't just say it's Nick Drake's work - having said that though all of those who worked with him were influenced by Nick himself and his music to put the rest of the arrangements to it."

Tickets for the Worcester concert are priced at £9 (concessions £8) and are available by calling 01905 611427.