Sandy Denny was only 31 when she died, on April 21, 1978, following injuries she sustained in a bizarre falling accident. She had recorded some beautiful work on her own in her final six or so years, and got her start with The Strawbs in 1968, but it was her two or three years spent fronting Fairport Convention that has most immortalized her as the greatest vocalist of the British Folk-Rock Revival. Her powerful alto was perfect for conjuring up the haunting mythology of English moors and folktales. This 1969 album is one of three Fairport classics that feature Denny. Highlights include Richard Thompson's blistering guitar work, his tune "Farewell, Farewell", and traditional tunes like the 7-minute "Tam Lin" and an 8-minute "Matty Groves". The traditional material here, incidentally, was mined from the archives of the Cecil Sharp House; Sharp is famous here in the Southern Appalachians for collecting some 1,700 British-derived songs from our area.
Monday Night April 21st at 8pm: FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Liege & Lief
