Search - Sandy Denny :: Rendezvous

Contains Some of Denny's Greatest Songs!

Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 07/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Rendezvous" was Sandy Denny's last studio-album. Though it's generally agreed that all Denny's records are of the highest quality this album is often referred to as the least succesful. This is mostly due to the fact that some tracks seem a little burdened down by too heavy orchestration. Another problem could be that the album may seem to lack the clear direction of her previous three.



Nonetheless, the album contains some of Denny's greatest songs. "One Way Donkey Ride", "Take Me Away" "No More Sad Refrains" and "I'm a Dreamer" are all classic Sandy Denny.



The album features three cover versions. The opening track "I Wish I Was a Fool For You" was written by long-time friend Richard Thompson whose great guitar playing is present on many Denny recordings. It's the most hardrocking track on the album and a great opener. The inclusion of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" is probably a mistake; Sandy doesn't sound very inspired and the arrangement of the song is not very different from the original. Her version of "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" is much more successful, it sounds like a Denny original.



The ambitious "All Our Days" has some fine thought-provoking lyrics ( like most of her songs ), but the grandiose classical arrangement makes it seem a little out of place on this album.



"Gold Dust" shows the funky/jazzy side of Denny. The song was originally thought to be the title track and it became part of Denny's 1977 live-repertoire, along with a handful of other songs from this album.



The live album "Gold Dust / The Final Concert" released on Island Records in 1998 is highly recommended.



The five bonus-tracks are all fine. I'm particularly fond of the B-side "Still the Waters Run Deep" and her very last studio recording, the moving "Moments"."

Good to have it back in print

E. C Goodstein | Northern CA United States | 08/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album has divided Sandy fans over the years. Many find the

strings are overrought. I get that, but agree that some of her finest songs

are here, and over time I've even come to appreciate the arrangement 'experimentation.' Nice inclusion of extra tracks. Only downside to me is perhaps too much sensitivity to the strings, & remastering has at times mixed them almost too far back- a few tracks get 'flattened' just a bit.

But still beautiful stuff: I think if you let it the album will grow on you, even if somewhat fr removed from her Fairport/Fotheringay albums."

Her least best?

S. Perry | MA | 10/27/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If this album is looked down upon in any way it is only because so much of Sandy Denny's previous work was just that amazing. It's hard to put anything up against "Sandy" and "North Star Grassman and The Ravens" and have it measure up.

But judged on its own merits and given a few listens, Rendevous is a wonderful album, and the final chapter in a career and life that where both far, far too brief.

The album is a definite departure from her folk roots and leans more towards rock with bits of jazz, blues and R&B mixed in for good measure. Gold Dust is beautifully written and has a sound that falls somewhere between Steely Dan and Heart. The gospel tinged Take Me away wouldn't be out of place on an a vintage Aretha Franklin album, but by the time you get to One Way Donkey Ride things start to become somewhat more like the old familiar Sandy, just in a slightly different context.

If you're new to Sandy Denny I would recommend starting your journey with either of the two albums I've already mentioned. But once you've fallen in love with her and that rare and beautiful voice, you'll find your way to this one, and you will not be the least bit disappointed for doing so."