Sandy Denny - Sandy Denny

by Daniel Cressey

published: 3 / 11 / 2010

Label: Universal Music
Format: CD Box

Superb 19 CD box set from tragic and still often under-rated UK folk singer, Sanny Denny, which includes 100 unreleased recordings

Review

Sandy Denny has long been lauded by some as the UK’s greatest female folk singer, but wider knowledge of her music has been somewhat lacking. In the decade following her death in April 1978, only one album from the English folk singer was released. The next decade saw three albums. The one after that six. Now, at a stroke, that not-quite-exponential discography increase has been continued with a vast box set of 19 CDs. At over 300 tracks and nearly £150, this compilation is unlikely to attract the casual purchaser, but it does show what those unaware of her talents (as I have to admit to being until recently) are missing Her stand-out track, and her most famous, remains ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes’, recorded when she was fronting Fairport Convention. It is the perfect example of her spectacular voice. It manages to be at the same time soaring and fragile; uplifting and worryingly vulnerable Of course this is easy to say with hindsight: Denny reportedly had a heavy drink problem and died young at 31 (after falling down the stairs while on holiday). She was not one of those who live full and happy lives while sounding like they’re seconds away from suicide on stage. An element of darkness lies behind some of the most compelling parts of her back catalogue. Her contemporary, singer Linda Thompson, told 'The Guardian' in 2005, “Sandy’s music was uncomfortable. It demanded too much. ... If you’re writing songs that people can shoot themselves to, you know you’re not going to be in the charts.” In addition to her entire previously released catalogue, the new release has around 100 new songs. Many tracks appear multiple times, sometimes with only minor differences. There is nearly an entire album’s worth of versions of ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes’ here. Not all of them are up to the standards of her best work. Her more traditional folk songs can be hard to engage with and hard to relate to her more progressive takes on the musical form. Some of her other music overcomplicates matters, adding superfluous instrumentation that detract from and hide her talents. Those unfamiliar with Denny’s work might want to pick up an easier to handle (literally, financially and figuratively) set of her recording first. As a compete package though, this release is a true pleasure and a glorious tribute to a glorious singer. Hopefully it signals that Denny is, finally, in line for some wider attention.

Track Listing:-

1 Alex Campbell: Alex Campbell And His Friends (1967)
2 Sandy Denny And Johnny Silvo: ‎Sandy & Johnny (1967)
3 Sendy Denny: It's Sandy Denny (1970)
4 Sandy Denny And The Strawbs: All Our Own Work (1968/1973)
5 Sandy Denny And The Strawbs: All Our Own Work Sandy (Re-Issue 1991)
6 Film Soundtrack: Swedish Fly Girls (1969/1971)
7 Fairport Convention: What We Did on Our Holidays (1969)
8 Fairport Convention: Unhalfbricking (1969)
9 Fairport Convention: Bonus Tracks
10 Fairport Convention: Liege & Lief (1969)
11 Fairport Convention: Bonus Tracks
12 Fotheringay: Fotheringay (1970)
13 Fotheringay: Fotheringay 2 (1970/2008)
14 Fotheringay: Bonus Tracks
15 Sandy Denny: The North Star Grassman And The Ravens (1971)
16 Sandy Denny: Bonus Tracks
17 The Bunch: The Bunch (1972)
18 Sandy Denny: Sandy (1972)
19 Sandy Denny: Bonus Tracks
20 Sandy Denny: Like An Old Fashioned Waltz (1973)
21 Sandy Denny: Bonus Tracks
22 Fairport Convention: Fairport Live Convention - A Moveable Feast (1974)
23 Fairport Convention: Fairport Live Convention (Re-Issue 2000)
24 Fairport Convention: Rising For The Moon (1975)
25 Fairport Convention: Bonus Tracks
26 Sandy Denny: Rendezvous (1977)
27 Sandy Denny: Bonus Tracks
28 Sandy Denny: 'Gold Dust' - Live At The Royalty (1977)
29 Sandy Denny: The Early Home Demos
30 Sandy Denny Solo And Fairport Convention
31 Fotheringay
32 Sandy Denny: The North Star Grassman And The Ravens
33 Sandy Denny: Sandy And Like An Old Fashioned Waltz
34 Fairport Convention: Live At The L.A. Troubadour (1974)
35 Sandy Denny: Rendezvous
36 Sandy Denny: Home Demos 1974-1977