North Star Grassman & The Ravens

Sandy Denny | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 10, 1995)
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000064B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,141 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Late November

2. Blackwaterside

3. The Sea Captain

4. Down In The Flood

5. John The Gun

6. Next Time Around

7. The Optimist

8. Let's Jump The Broomstick

9. Wretched Wilbur

10. The North Star Grassman & The Ravens

11. Crazy Lady Blues

Editorial Reviews

Japanese only SHM paper sleeve pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Denny's First Solo Album!, August 6, 2005

By 

Morten Vindberg (Denmark) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: North Star Grassman & The Ravens (Audio CD)

Sandy Denny's first solo album was recorded shortly after she had disbanded her group Fotheringay in late 1970. All Fotheringay members were present at the recordings of Sandy's album, so it's no surprise that quite many songs sound like Fotheringay. The opening song "Late November" was actually intended for a second Fotheringay album, that was never finished. Fotheringay did record the song and that version is included among the bonus-tracks. Though only one song , the great "Blackwaterside", is a traditional folk-song, there is a very folkish feel to many of Sandy's own songs. Especially on "John the Gun" and the title track.

Other songs are quite complicated, both musically and lyrically ( her lyrics at times are pretty cryptic ). "Next Time Around", "The Optimist" and "Wretched Wilbur" may be the easiest songs to get into, but eventually they are bound to grow on you.

Two tracks "Down in the Flood" and "Let's Jump the Broomstick" ( and 2 more among the bonus-tracks ) are rockers a little in the same vein as the "Bunch" project recorded in early 1972 with most of the same people, who are backing Sandy on this album. Among them the outstanding guitarist and song-writer Richard Thompson.

Though the album may sound slightly more dated than her other solo-albums, it's still a great album.

My favourites are "Blackwaterside", "Wretched Wilbur", "Crazy Lady Blues" and both versions of "Late November"

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her first Official solo record, December 29, 1999

By 

Scott T Mc Nally (ORLANDO, Fl USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: North Star Grassman & The Ravens (Audio CD)

Although she recorded a solo record at the begining of her career in 1967, I'm not sure it ever saw the light of day till recently. This is her first official solo record. This recording, along with "Sandy" from 1972 ranks as her best solo work. The lyrics are at times, dark and cryptic. I've heard more than one person complain about the use of strings in her solo work, but here they are used with a subtle grace. Denny was at her prime from 1969-1973,From Fotheringay in 70, guesting on Led Zepplin's 4th album in 71 and 3 stunning solo albums from 71-73. She's simply one of those artists that transports me to another place when i'm not happy with my surroundings. Not that I need to be in a down mood to hear that incredible voice

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Sandy Denny or Fairport don't miss this one!, June 11, 2002

By 

M. Mangano (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: North Star Grassman & The Ravens (Audio CD)

Sandy Denny was without a doubt one of the greatest female vocalists of all time, but her writing set her apart. This album is one of the best in the writing department, and I disagree completely with another review here that states her voice was going downhill. There is a simplicity in the arrangements that makes sure they don't conflict with the words. The title song is awsome; the rest is classic Denny. I can't recommend this enough to anyone who has any kind of interest in English Folk-Rock. Of course I feel that way about almost anything she did.