Sandy Denny: Folk Music's Unsung Pioneer (Full Documentary) | Amplified

Documentary, following Sandy Denny's way too short musical odyssey, from her earliest days in the folk scene, her work with Strawbs, Trever Lucus, her reinventing Fairport Convention and their unique contributions, to Fotheringay, and her solo work. Overwhelmingly a talking head documentary, with music writers Patrick Humphries, Colin Irwin, and Nigel Williamson, as well as Fairport bandmates Dave Mattacks, David Swarbrick, and Gerry Conway, but with Richard Thompson sadly, mysteriously completely absent. John Renborn is also interviewed. NOTE: There are only very very brief inclusions of actual music performances.

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[allisonrich]

Sandy Denny is still one of the preeminent voices in any genre to come out of Britain. She is not forgotten, never forgotten.

[Yanto-Bardic]

It isn't just her (Magical) voice, but also the songs she has written. I mean "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" - Is one of the Most Poetic, Wise and Mystical songs ever! In just a few Verses and Chords she somehow manages to Capture and Portray something of that deepest of questions that dwells at the heart of us all.

[travelinben]

Like many, I first heard Sandy’s duet with Robert Plant on the “Battle of Evermore”
I’ve never heard a more beautiful voice before or since.Some of her songs moved me to tears, and always will.R.I.P. beautiful Sandy.❤️

[peterolsson]

Sandys voice has a magic that is extremly rare. Incomparable.

[cherrypickerguitars]

This should have millions of views! Sandy is a musical heavy weight. I’m 65, and had the privilege of seeing the heart of the Rock era take place in front of my eyes (and ears!). I’m Irish born but Canadian raised (just 90 min from Detroit! In the 60’s and 70’s! - sooo lucky!)
I was a huge Fairport fan! As well as the MC5 and the Allman Brothers - I was a total “equal opportunity” listener.
I ended up having 40 year career in the Canadian music industry, from performer to festival owner to radio DJ.
I totally loved this!
Thanks for the post!
Peace

[ptsteinbach]

I engineered the audiobook of record producer Joe Boyd, which he narrated. During a break, I asked him about the first time he'd heard Sgt. Peppers. He told me he had been out at a pub with Sandy, and they went back to her place (she was living at her parents' house) to listen to it being played on (I think) Radio Belgium. So as not to wake her parents, they huddled in the coat closet, covered in coats to dampen the sound. They listened to the entire record that way.

There's no real point to this story, just thought I'd share. Sounds like a great memory.

[valdkynd]

I was born long after she had died, but she was the first ever female voice who totally and utterly impressed me...my father used to listen to her a lot when I was really young...she is one of the people who made me start singing and get into music and far too few people know of her today. Thank you so much for sharing this really beautiful documentary, which so lovingly describes her without shaming her for who she was... She remains my No 1 voice idol...

[Terrapinonline]

There's no sense to be made of this loss. So many angelic and beautiful souls, leave too soon. Every moment is sacred & precious. Not fade away Sandy. RIP

[deathface]

I worked in the CD department of an electronics store back in the late 90s, I put on a copy of Unhalfbricking one day because the cover intrigued me, I fell in love with that voice immediately. R.I.P.

[bewren]

I have always been in awe of her many gifts. Such utterly moving and powerful music. And she could play numerous instruments, compose unforgettable songs and sing them with that voice that cannot be forgotten. I wonder where she would have gone had she not died too young.

[johndavis]

Sandy had a voice I could listen to all day and not grow tired of hearing her. RIP you beautiful, talented lady.

[michaelsterckx]

Her phrasing and her purity give me shivers.

[urbanabrandon]

I was introduced to SD via Fairport Convention. Warm, lovely voice and incredible songwriter. “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” will play at my memorial service.

[tomdegan]

Her voice was magical. In 44 years, no one has replaced her. No one ever will.

[nectafarious]

I was lucky enough to see her live three times after my intro to Fairport in 1972. A female singer/songwriter beyond compare.

[trussell]

I can't understand how she isn't better known. Her voice lives inside of the listener like no other voice ever has.

[CliffMcAulay]

Thank you for making this documentary. May it be the first of many to pay tribute to Sandy's great talent. RIP Sandy Denny.

[redtrummy]

one great voice, such power, managed to see her live just before she died, unforgettable

[lunavoce]

I fell in love with Sandy Denny’s music in middle school/ high school in the early 80’s as I was growing up and becoming a then folk singer songwriter myself. I hung around the local library in Saratoga Springs, NY and checked out record albums to take home to borrow more so than books. This was my first hearing and I knew then immediately what an amazing musician she was. Her impact is so great. I am still astonished how she is not a bigger deal in the overall music world. She is a big deal in my world. I sang “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” and “Listen, Listen” quite often at Caffe Lena open mics as a teen.

I was fortunate to have made acquaintances with Maartin Allcock and purchase his collection of her songs in a songbook. It is one of my most-prized possessions.

Thank you so much the post of this documentary. I am grateful to the makers as well.

Yours in music,
Mary

[thomasfinch]

I had the incredible luck to see her perform live in a small "coffeehouse " under the student union building at my small New Jersey college. She opened for Randy Newman! Five years later she was gone. Loved her...great loss.