Search - Sandy Denny :: Best of

Capturing the Hearts of British Music Lovers for a Decade

dev1 | Baltimore | 09/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From about nineteen sixty-eighth to seventy-eight, on this side of the Atlantic (U.S.), Joan Baez and Judy Collins pretty much had the ladies Folk scene wrapped up. Their equivalent, on the other side of the ocean, is Sandy Denny. She is, without argument, the definitive British Folk voice. And, as captured on The Best Of Sandy Denny, her voice is one of a kind: haunting, powerful, penetrating, ethereal and sophisticated (Did I miss any adjectives?). Baez and Collins are first rate writers and singers in their own right, but Denny's primary appeal is her ghostly link to Tradition English music. Close your eyes and dream of the days of kings, queens and chivalry - Sandy Denny will transport you to a mythological place centuries past.Few fans of Sandy Denny will agree on which of her work is "the best," so `The Best Of Sandy Denny' is certain to contain minor disappointments for regular fans, but surely delight new converts. The album faithfully covers the essential periods of Denny's career including her solo work, and her recordings with the Fairport Convention and Fotheringay. The core musicians featured during these three periods are essentially the same, so `The Best Of Sandy Denny' doesn't sound like a haphazard compilation of tracks from seven albums, but has a comfortable musical continuity.Without mincing words, the majesty and grace of `Listen, Listen,' `The Lady,' and `I'm A Dreamer' are unmatched in contemporary music. `It'll Take A Long Time' and `The Pond And The Stream' are bittersweet tales featuring heavenly guitar work. Throughout the album, the masterful guitar work of Richard Thompson, Jerry Donahue and Trevor Lucas is seductive. `Solo' is simply gorgeous and heartbreaking.For her ability to transport the listener to a world far removed from the present, Sandy Denny has few equals. Grab of copy of `The Best Of Sandy Denny' and discover how she captured the hearts of British music lovers for a decade."

The Best of Times

J Keistler | Lake Jackson, Texas USA | 11/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As another reviewer has stated, any anthology of Sandy Denny's music this concise can't cover her work. She represented and still represents the best of folk/pop/renaissance singers of her period, recording a catalog of breadth and depth unusual for such a short career. Still, for a 1-CD set this covers many of the high points. These are certainly some of her most accessible recordings; "Listen, Listen" and "Tam Lin" are my favorites on this CD. They are beautifully remastered. Fortunately for all of us, most of Ms. Denny's work has been transferred to CD, so this one might serve as a great introduction to her work for the uninitiated. To those of us old enough to remember, this music can serve as a joyful bridge to our more innocent youth. Incidentally, the music samples can be heard by clicking on the full box set."

Deeply Emotive / Utterly Timeless

J Keistler | 02/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I only recently caught up with Sandy Denny- Why it had taken so long I dont know.......Her singing goes straight to the soul - deeply emotive and utterly timeless.The thing I really love about Denny is that she sounds English , perhaps I am biased, but I feel that all the other female vocalists my county has to offer usually sing in a " mid Atlantic accent" - Perhaps its because Sandy came from an English Folk tradition rather than listening to J Joplin /G Slick /J Ian /J Mitchell and trying to copy them.Do yourself a real favour if you buy this when you first listen - sit alone open a bottle of fine wine and ENJOY.."