On Sandy Denny’s birthday, we choose our favourite songs
January 06, 2023
Rolling Stone magazine, as I read online yesterday, places Sandy Denny 164th in its list of 200 “greatest singers of all time”.
If that seems insultingly low, as it initially did to me though it was hardly any surprise, imagine the competition. From the top three - Aretha Franklin - to Numbers 198 to 200, this necessarily subjective rating is brimming with outstanding vocal talent.
Maybe not a majority of them appealed that much to me. But for a folk or folk-rock singer to make the list at all was some achievement.
Then I noticed this morning that today, Jan 6 2023, would have been Sandy’s 76th birthday. As most will know, she died aged just 31 from a brain haemorrage, depriving a daughter, Georgia, of a mother and the world of a supremely gifted songwriter with, as Judy Collins put it, the voice of an angel.
So I used social media - Twitter and relevant Facebook groups to which I belong* - to seek the opinions of fans on the best of her songs and performances .
Jef Aerosol's image, much-used (with his consent) on these pages
This is how I introduced a wholly unscientific poll at my own Salut! Live Facebook group:
The wonder that was Sandy Denny would have been 76 today. A girl may like to dance on her birthday so I have chosen White Dress, written for her by David Swarbrick and invite members of the group, 45 years after Sandy’s cruelly early death, to post links to theirown favourites. To stir the imagination, let us rule out Who Knows Where the Time Goes? RIP
‘Kiss me and I might,
Put on a white dress,
If you'll take me,
dancing tonight.’
I can tell you the response has been tremendous and ahows the sheer depth and varied richness of this woman’s art. At the last count, I had received nominations for about 30 different songs.
Nominations are still coming and I shall produce the resultss in due course. For now, let me just say that two things. Not everyone resisted the temptation to go for Who Knows Where the Time Goes? And the song with the largest number of votes, by a clear margin, is Banks of the Nile.
Watch this space. And RIP Sandy …
ps this was my own sneaky second nomination ...
* The groups include: Sandy Denny and Family, Fairporters, Uncharted Jukebox, 60s 70s Folk Music, I Love Folk Music, Sandy Denny Fan Club, Folk Music from Anywhere, Anytime, Dave Swarbrick and maybe more. Most of the Comments below were posted in response to my references at those groups. It is a fact of life that while this site attracts healthy numbers of visitors, few leave comments. On the other hand, comments flow freely when I post links at Facebook.
For me, my favorite changes daily, there is so many to choose from. Today, I'll go with "Next Time Around." I love Jackson C. Frank references and mysterious lyrics. #2 would be " Winter Winds."
Posted by: Steve Peck | January 07, 2023 at 12:52 AM
Via Facebook
The British songbird
Posted by: Eileen Jennifer | January 07, 2023 at 10:47 AM
Via Facebook
I defy anyone to listen to "No End" without shedding a tear. Just Sandy at the piano, pure raw emotion. So vulnerable, it sums hope why I love her so much. Happy Birthday to my music weaver ❤
Posted by: Alan Berry | January 07, 2023 at 10:48 AM
Via Facebook
Seeing Sandy on London Weekend television( I was aged 9 !) singing White Dress I asked my mum to get me Rising for the Moon which she did ( my first Lp ) I have loved her work ever since ! that performance exists in part and can be found on Youtube.
Posted by: Robin Hammerton | January 07, 2023 at 10:50 AM
Also via Facebook, dissenting voices challenging my choice of White Dress
An utterly forgettable and trite track -- doesn't hold up. The reason people love "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" is that it is a great song as well as a good performance. - Sharyn Dimmick
Example of how Fairport had turned into an east listening group. Not a patch on material from the late sixties. - Andrew Tunnicliffe
Posted by: Colin Randall | January 07, 2023 at 10:57 AM
Again via Facebook
Not only a favorite by Sandy Denny, but maybe my favorite song ever. If I had to choose. Thankfully I don't. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y0ZTnQ2voE
Posted by: Richard Rice | January 07, 2023 at 11:15 AM
Via Facebook
Friends. Great tune, acerbic lyrics but I've always liked it since I first heard it as the b-side of the Whispering Grass 7".
Posted by: Nigel Wassell | January 07, 2023 at 01:11 PM
I had absolutely no idea, until it was mentioned in the excellent programme that accompanied Fairport's 50th anniversary tour, about this cover version.......
Although I think I understand where the hypothesis about the lack of recognition/commercial success of the UK 60s/70s folk-influenced music and artists is coming from (Linda Thompson: the only Pointer Sisters' single that didn't chart was our song etc) I reckon, on balance, it is nonsense. Check the chart placings for ISB, Pentangle, post-Hutchings Steeleye, Ralph McTell, Al Stewart etc, two Top of the Pops appearances for Fairport. Often thought this would be the basis of a great piece in Mojo/Uncut/Shindig (happy to be a critical reader/contribute if anyone wants to give it a go....)
I wonder if the proceeds of this was one or more of the royalty cheques that RT didn't bother to cash.........
I’m
Posted by: Chris Glenn | January 07, 2023 at 06:49 PM
This is the cover Chris Glenn mentions in the previous comment
https://youtu.be/FYrYzhRb1wc
Posted by: Colin Randall | January 07, 2023 at 06:50 PM
So glad Banks of the Nile won - it's astonishing.
For me, the most amazing thing about Sandy is how few people seem to know and love her music after all these years.
My other favourite songs of hers, based purely on her vocal performance are: Quiet Joys of Brotherhood; A Sailor's Life; Wild Mountain Thyme.... actually, there are probably too many to mention. Her voice on Fairport's cover of Bird on a Wire also gets me everytime, even though she only sings a couple of lines solo!
Posted by: L H | February 21, 2023 at 01:53 PM