Search - Fotheringay :: Fotheringay (Reis)

Is that what you hear? the coming of the sea?

emperor nobody | california, USA | 01/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is maybe my personal favorite English folk-rock album... beautiful songs, stunning arrangements, warm, enveloping production. The twin singing talents of husband and wife, Sandy Denny and Trevor Lucas. The utterly masterful, Clarence White-ish guitar of Jerry Donahue. A marvelously fluid rhythm section of Pat Donaldson on bass and Gerry Conway on drums. Near perfect covers of Gordon Lightfoot and Bob Dylan. Arguably Sandy's most beautiful and evocative song, "The Sea," featuring a breathing, tidelike arrangement that raises the impact of the song to the point that it makes you cry tears of joy. And of course, Sandy's jawdropping performance of the traditional ballad "The Banks of the Nile," one of the greatest songs against the horror of war that will ever be written.



Essential stuff, with some nice live tunes tacked on the end including a tremendous version of Sandy's "Nothing More," where her rare gift for tapping the most literal, direct emotions with the most oblique and indirect lyrics is on full display. Get this immediately, turn the lights down low and pour yourself a glass of wine, and let the exquisite, unequallable sound of her soul wash over you.



If you think that's a laughable hyperbole then you haven't heard Sandy Denny, one of the most singular, gorgeous singers and songwriters of all time."

British Folk Rock Zenith

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 05/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is very rare to be able to express your thoughts about a Work of Artists that Achieve Something as Beautiful or Timeless as this Music that is Presented here as "Fotheringay". First Released in 1970, it in it's self is best and purest Example of "British Folk Rock". This Record stands as such a Grand Achievement due to Sandy Denny. Less than a year after the release of Fairport Convention's groundbreaking "Liege & Lief", this was her Moment, and for one reason or another it was all but ignored by the Masses.



These Finely Crafted Songs (Five by Sandy) and Trevor Lucas (Two) Stand up as well as anything from the Traditional Songbooks that other Folk Rock Bands were Raiding. It is almost a contradiction to have Music this Powerful to be so Played in Such a Gentle Manner, But it DOES work and that is why "Fotheringay" is so Unique. And when this Band performs the Work of other Artists;(Dylan & Gordon Lightfoot) it Blends in so well you are led to Believe that Sandy or Trevor wrote these Gems as well. That said, my Favorite Track on this record was always "The Way That I Feel".



I do think this is the Best Work of Sandy Denny's Career. Fotheringay contains some of her very best Compositions, and what can you say about her Voice? She was the Best Singer of her Day... and this CD is the Best of the Best. This Music belongs in any Music Collection.



This Version of this Classic Contains Four Bonus Tracks of the Band Live In Concert. The Live Material Echoes the Greatness of the Studio Versions and the Last Song: "Memphis Tennessee" is a Rocker that Previews Ms. Denny's next Project "The Bunch".



If you Enjoy Music, This CD will Floor You...FIVE STARS !!!"

Sandy & Trevor: A rare treat on a Wing & A Prayer

Paul Healy | 10/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the finest offerings of the late '60s English music scene. The choice of songs, the precision playing of Jerry Donahue along with the strong rhythm section of Gerry Conway and Pat Donaldson, plus the impeccable vocal phrasing and arrangements of Sandy and Trevor make this an impossible album to miss.



What struck me on first hearing this record at the time of its release in 1970, was the powerful anti-war song, Banks Of The Nile. If any one quality defined a song as a classic, it would have to be the eternal relevance of the lyrics. Sadly, the song is still relevant to this day.



Trevor Lucas's The Ballad of Ned Kelly, while probably incomprehensible to many people outside Australia (a European fansite contains an interesting, if baffling, translation), is a powerful tribute to an obscure anti-establishment hero. This is the finest version recorded.



All of Sandy's compositions are impeccable, and are among the best examples of her mighty talent.



Thanks should go to A Wing & A Prayer records for keeping this mighty album in circulation. Without companies like this, the treasures of popular song would be Nothing More.







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