The North Star Grassman And The Ravens
Sandy Denny
Barcode: 805520240062
Catalog Number: UMCLP006
Buy on LP
After leaving Fairport Convention in late 1969, Sandy Denny formed Fotheringay with husband Trevor Lucas. After one UK Top 20 LP in summer 1970, the band split while recording a follow up, leaving Denny free to make her first solo album. A beguiling mixture of covers and originals, The North Star Grass Man And The Ravens is one of THE essential British folk-rock albums. From the dreamlike Late November to the plaintive Next Time Around to her reading of the traditional standard Blackwaterside, the album is a near perfect capture of the talent on the scene at that juncture: including Richard Thompson's unmistakable guitar playing, John Wood's production and Harry Robinson's string arrangements. Released in September 1971, its reputation has understandably grown exponentially over the years.
This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1971 Island Records UK release with gatefold sleeve and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.
Sandy
Sandy Denny
Barcode: 805520240079
Catalog Number: UMCLP007
Buy on LP
From its David Bailey cover photo inwards, 1972's Sandy is arguably the definitive Sandy Denny album. Recorded at John Wood's Sound Techniques studio, and produced by Trevor Lucas, it adds some special guests into its mix 'Sneaky' Pete Kleinow from The Flying Burrito Brothers enhances It'll Take A Long Time with his unmistakable pedal steel playing, and New Orleans legend Allan Toussaint adds a brass arrangement to For Nobody To Hear. But it is Denny's album. Often, it is impossible not be stopped in your tracks by that beautiful, long gone yet so-full-of-life voice, especially on two of her career-bests The Lady and Listen, Listen.
This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1972 Island Records UK release with gatefold sleeve and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.
Like An Old Fashioned Waltz
Sandy Denny
Barcode: 805520240086
Catalog Number: UMCLP008
Buy on LP
Although recorded throughout the previous year, Like An Old Fashioned Waltz was released in early 1974, soon after Denny had re-joined Fairport Convention. An unashamedly romantic, sentimental album, it contains her much loved tracks Solo and No End, and a rollicking version of Fats Waller's Until The Real Thing Comes Along with Diz Disley on guitar, Danny Thompson on bass and Tony Coe on sax. The other cover on the album was that of the Inkspots' Whispering Grass which emphasised Like An Old Fashioned Waltz's warm autumnal nostalgia.
This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1974 Island Records UK release with its embossed gatefold sleeve and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl
Rendezvous
Sandy Denny
Barcode: 805520240093
Catalog Number: UMCLP009
Buy on LP
From the power chords that open it, 1977's Rendezvous aimed squarely at giving Denny her commercial breakthrough. It demonstrates an artist evolving. Gold Dust really underlines how Denny could be viewed as the British Joni Mitchell, and its late-night jazz funk backing (with Steve Winwood on clavinet) offers a beguiling glimpse of where Denny may have travelled next. Rendezvous closes with No More Sad Refrains, which updated her late 60s ballad style. As Denny died tragically young less than a year after the album's release, it became a poignant full stop to such a promising career.
This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1977 Island Records UK release with lyric inner sleeve and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.