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MUSIC WEEK NOVEMBER 26, 1977 rehearsal was possible with all imm members present before the opening by PAUL PHILLIPS date at London's Sound Circus. THE SEX Pistols have topped the "I was really nervous and then on album charts despite all obstacles Denny: working live is a joy again top of everything else the band and Ron Geesin is making a living wasn't ready when it was lime to go producing the records he wants to Records has been a long one, her voice contributed greatly, but on on. I had to go out and sing solo to make, with neither help nor which as a songwriter she was left my own piano accompaniment." hindrence from the establishment spanning almost ten years, three By the third gig, at Croydon's media and major record companies. versions of Fairporl Convention, an out in the cold. Up to that point Fairfield Hall, the nerves were still And now Sandy Denny, ten years album with The Bunch and four solo recorded versions of her songs had albums. It's been a productive time been infrequent to say the least and there — plus a heavy bout of 'flu — established as a nol-quite-major although those which she had £ but the band had gelled almost force in the folk-rock field, has but as in any long relationship completely and produced some embarked on a nationwide tour familiarity breeds and she began to recorded had been of the highest without benefit of record company feel, she says, like one of the quality there was no proof that she magic music, in turn inspiring the telephonists. could sustain a career as a writer. singer to take vocal chances which backing. The proof came, however, with her huskiness might ordinarily have If this all sounds a little bit 1968 it "I want to make it quite clear," discouraged. can surely be no coincidence that the she says, "that I left Island. They the release of Fotheringay in 1970. ten-year cycle looks once more about did not dispense with my services, Sadly the only album from a line-up As the lour continues — taking in to assert its mysterious influence — which seems to be the impression a which featured Jerry Conway and Brighton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and thank goodness for that. It's lot of people have. Pat Donaldson on drums and bass 4: Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, about time some fun and adventure "Everything is changing around — now one of the most sought after Cardiff and Bristol — and the 'flu was brought back into this business me. These are my first concerts for rhythm sections in the world—Jerry subsides it's clear that this will be a which has somehow managed to two years and 1 think a change of Donahue on guitar (equally band to rival Fotheringay. assimilate even the punks — Pistols record companies will bring a new respected by other musicians) and It appears that no-one is going to excluded naturally — and make enthusiasm." the ever-present Trevor Lucas, make a great deal of money out of them appear part of some long-term Her career took off when she sometime member of Fairport Sandy Denny the venture, least of all its central marketing plan. joined Fairport Convention in 1968 Convention and producer of all personality, and it will be interesting following the departure of Judy Sandy Denny's solo albums. that her next album Rendezvous, to find out from promoter Roy Sandy Denny is hitting the road Of her four songs, all indicative of was released. She promoted it as best because she wants to play in front of Dyble. Before that she had been a she could towards the end of her Guest just how he made it work. an audience again. Doesn't that mainstay of the folk scene loitering an original and awesome writing Obvious areas of savings are a on the fringes of mainstream talent, The Sea stood out as a first pregnancy — she's now the modest but perfectly adequate pa, sound refreshing? And a change masterpiece and Peace In The End, mother of a four-month old from artists who complain about the acceptance with an album on Saga daughter — but it certainly does not the most basic — but effective — rigours of the road, the expense of and all but stealing the show from so-written with Lucas, provided lighting and a small road crew. No Julie Felix during a major concert at Gallagher and Lyle with a near-hit. seem to have received the same kind it, the necessity of playing in front of Fotheringay broke up after only a of attention as former albums. dry ice on this tour. vast crowds when all they really St. Pancras Town Hall which also The general inactivity of the last Ironically the decision to do this want to do is play in small clubs for featured Ben Jansch. year. tour was one side of a toss-up. The To those who cared about such But she bounced back with her two years eventually began to weigh other side was a European tour their friends and fans? own first album North Star on her mind. "Trevor (Lucas) knew The pressure comes from the need things she was the only female who I wasn't happy doing nothing and opening for Peter Gabriel, whose to sell albums and what should be a looked like emerging from the folk Grassman and the Raven. Her personal choice Sandy Denny was. joy — playing in from of real live clubs in the same way that A1 second, Sandy, was a classic Roy Guest was also an important "I weighed it all up and it turned out people — becomes a chore. Stewart, Roy Harper and Dave employing all the best elements of factor in encouraging me to do the her contributions to Fairport and tour. that I just couldn't afford to do the Right now Sandy Denny has no Cousins (of the Strawbs) were "I've got a Steinway grand piano Peter Gabriel gigs." such pressure. On tour her songs are expected to. Fotheringay. Listen, Listen received What sort of economics are at introduced by title with little or no Expectations were confirmed the accolade of becoming Tony at home" — on HP she points out Blackburn's record of the week but — "and sitting playing at home I work when contract-less artist can reference to the albums from which when, after an auspicious debut with began to hanker after live afford to do her own tour complete they come. She knows that those Fairport Convention on What We just failed to score. with the cream of Britain's back-up who come to see her are likely to Did On Our Holidays, she wrote Her next, Old Fashioned Waltz, appearances. You do lend to miss it, didn't quite match up but was especially when you go and see other musicians rather than soloing as have the albums already and since Who Knows Where The Time Goes people — you just wish it was you up support to a superstar with full she is currently without a record for the follow-up Unhalfbricking possibly more accessible to a wide record company support? Perhaps contract there is no promotion man and saw it turn up as the title track audience and her single version of there." Whispering Grass once more gave Rehearsals for the tour were a after the final Sandy Denny gig — digging her in the ribs before she on Judy Collins brilliant 1968 problem and a combination of back where the tour started at the goes on stage telling her not to forget album. her good radio coverage. Sound Circus — Roy Guest will be to plug her latest record. She left Fairporl after the That was in 1973 and it wasn't power cuts and unavailability of her Her relationship with Island remarkable Liege And Lief to which until almost the middle of this year musicians meant that only one able to provide some of the answers. i. % r i D PAGE 24 .

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