I have known of Sandy Denny since her death in 1978. I later learned that she sang on Led Zeppelin IV and later still that she had been at school in my very suburb of London (New Malden). I have at last got round to listening to her in an extended recording.
I am utterly blown away by Sandy Denny's voice. She has such a beautiful expressive way of putting songs across. She sings as a folk singer with plenty of folksy vocal inflection (like Maddy Prior) but she has a soulful quality that really draws the listener in. It has been a lovely hour listening to this CD and I heartily recommend anyone who loves good singing to try it.
It is not just the voice of course. She is accompanied on some records with just a piano or a guitar. On only 2 songs does she sing with a band. The harmonies made are so rich - wow!
These are live sessions from BBC broadcasts. This means that the recording quality is variable and the music making has a few rough edges. However, this does not diminish the pleasure for me. There is a real honesty in the music making. I much prefer this to the manufactured pap around (especially those produced in the wake of the X Factor).
If I have any quibbles, I would have preferred more information in the CD booklet, like an explanatory essay and details of the other musicians. However, it does not stop this being a great CD.