Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Arts and Entertainment => Topic started by: pcolbeck on 22 February, 2019, 09:32:15 pm

Title: Sandy Denny
Post by: pcolbeck on 22 February, 2019, 09:32:15 pm
Has their ever been an English female siger that's better or more English than Sandy Denny? I would give close second to Kathleen Ferrier and Kate Rusby.
The others have never written such haunting songs though.
"Who knows where the time goes" is quite remarkable, she wrote this as a teenager and teenagers don't normally think like this. It's a song that a middle aged person should have written.

https://youtu.be/DeZL2FXkGqI
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 22 February, 2019, 09:58:32 pm
The Long Star and the Grassman is a great album. There is something about her voice that is heart wrenching, especially on “Blackwaterside”. An amazing voice.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Canardly on 22 February, 2019, 10:06:47 pm
I recently bought a new copy of the FC rising for the moon album. Brings back a few memories.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Redlight on 22 February, 2019, 10:12:18 pm
Mick Houghton's biography, "I've always kept a Unicorn" is well worth the read. She lived life to the full and, sadly, alcohol and other distractions took over. "Who Knows..." is a beautiful song and there are several others in her legacy that have stood the test of time.

As for modern successors - perhaps Emily Portman?
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Steph on 22 February, 2019, 10:28:05 pm
One of my absolute favourite singers. I don't have words to do justice to her talent.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: PeteB99 on 23 February, 2019, 11:44:42 am
Even towards the end of her career she was one of the singers you feel privileged to have seen.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: tatanab on 23 February, 2019, 12:04:04 pm
"Who knows where the time goes"
This will be the "entry music" at my funeral.  I prefer the earlier version with the Strawbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9L9ZYVBU2s

As a contrast, the "exit music" will be Don't Look Around by Mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgNV647actU
Title: Sandy Denny
Post by: citoyen on 23 February, 2019, 12:30:08 pm
Who knows... is the main reason I’d pick Unhalfbricking for my desert island over Liege & Lief, though Matty Groves makes it a close run thing.

Her voice was remarkable, and yes, truly ‘English’ in the best possible way - with a kind of demotic quality yet so pure, rich and strong.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: citoyen on 23 February, 2019, 12:37:12 pm
As for modern successors - perhaps Emily Portman?

I’m rather partial to Laura Smyth’s voice, which has some of the same qualities:

https://youtu.be/d0SNJgeIrEc
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Steph on 23 February, 2019, 10:12:39 pm
"Who knows where the time goes"
This will be the "entry music" at my funeral.  I prefer the earlier version with the Strawbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9L9ZYVBU2s

As a contrast, the "exit music" will be Don't Look Around by Mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgNV647actU
I have had an original vinyl copy of that LP since it came out.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: PaulF on 24 February, 2019, 06:35:39 pm
I agree with everything above except that Citoyen is obviously wrong about Unhalfbricking :-) it should be Liege and Lief if only for Crazy Man Michael.

But redeemed by the call on Laura Smyth :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Redlight on 25 February, 2019, 06:51:49 am
I agree with everything above except that Citoyen is obviously wrong about Unhalfbricking :-) it should be Liege and Lief if only for Crazy Man Michael.

But redeemed by the call on Laura Smyth :thumbsup:

Ah, but Unhalfbricking has "A Sailor's Life".  :thumbsup:

I like both albums but I think I'd take "What we did on our holidays", which is pretty faultless, apart from Mr Lacey, which I can live without.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: citoyen on 25 February, 2019, 07:35:37 am
I agree with everything above except that Citoyen is obviously wrong about Unhalfbricking :-) it should be Liege and Lief if only for Crazy Man Michael.

Funny you should say that - I was listening to Liege & Lief yesterday, inspired by this thread, and thinking what a particularly wonderful song Crazy Man Michael is.

Quote
But redeemed by the call on Laura Smyth :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: nicknack on 25 February, 2019, 10:51:19 am
But "Fotheringay" has "Banks of the Nile".

If we're talking about British female trad singers then June Tabor should get a mention. Instantly recognisable beautiful voice.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: PeteB99 on 25 February, 2019, 11:03:16 am
But "Fotheringay" has "Banks of the Nile".

If we're talking about British female trad singers then June Tabor should get a mention. Instantly recognisable beautiful voice.

A contemporary of Dennys you might want to look at Anne Briggs as well
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: PaulF on 28 February, 2019, 08:05:06 am
also Kitty MacFarlane is worth a listen for someone contemporary


https://youtu.be/rGpZ7CBSq7g (https://youtu.be/rGpZ7CBSq7g)
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: vorsprung on 28 February, 2019, 04:21:11 pm
Has their ever been an English female siger that's better or more English than Sandy Denny? I would give close second to Kathleen Ferrier and Kate Rusby.


Kate Bush?  Beth Gibbons?  Julie Driscol?  Even Kate Tempest....
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: SteveC on 28 February, 2019, 06:57:27 pm
Sandy is probably MrsC's favourite singer.
I think the difference between her and many of her rivals is that she could do vulnerable as well as full-bore rock and all stations in between.
pcolbeck mentioned Kate Rusby. I agree she's got a lovely voice but it does tend to stay in the 'nice' end of the spectrum.
And I can't imagine June Tabor sounding vulnerable; wistful or melancholy certainly, but not vulnerable
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 March, 2019, 02:05:32 pm
Alison Shaw of the Cranes may not be everybody's cuppa but she dies it for me.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: citoyen on 01 March, 2019, 03:24:33 pm
Alison Shaw of the Cranes may not be everybody's cuppa but she dies it for me.

Blimey. She used to do it for me 30 years ago but I'd long forgotten all about her.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Steph on 12 March, 2019, 06:59:08 pm
Karen Mattheson (Capercaillie) is also up there.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Peter on 13 March, 2019, 11:36:40 am
.......and is Scottish.....
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Steph on 31 May, 2019, 07:02:50 pm
.......and is Scottish.....
;D
Years ago on a skiing holiday we had a 'professional Irishman in our group. The instructors put together a video of the week, and set it to music.
"Bejabers, a noice bit of Oirish music!" (Yes: he really WAS that OTT)

Me: "They're called Capercaillie"

Him: "Which part of Oirland are they from?"

Me: "Skye"
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: nobby on 07 July, 2019, 07:01:43 am
Sandy Denny had a lovely voice but I never had any interest in folky music.
For English female singers I like Ruby Turner and Beverly Knight.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: PaulF on 07 July, 2019, 07:19:09 am
.......and is Scottish.....
;D
Years ago on a skiing holiday we had a 'professional Irishman in our group. The instructors put together a video of the week, and set it to music.
"Bejabers, a noice bit of Oirish music!" (Yes: he really WAS that OTT)

Me: "They're called Capercaillie"

Him: "Which part of Oirland are they from?"

Me: "Skye"


;D
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Robh on 07 July, 2019, 05:45:07 pm
While I wouldn't necessarily put her in the same league as Sandy Denny, Christine Collister is a very fine English singer with a folk-ish bent.

On the soul side, Alice Russell deserves a better profile than she has achieved to date; her work with Quantic is a good place to start listening.
Title: Re: Sandy Denny
Post by: Steph on 14 July, 2019, 12:18:11 pm
Collister (IIRC she is Manx) works particularly well with Clive Gregston. Love her stuff.