Normally, I don't love greatest hits, the so-called "the best of," because they are usually dry marketing operations whose aim is to sell as many copies as possible, certainly not to promote an artist to those who are unaware of them, nor to delight the devoted fan since the tracks included are never actually the best and most noteworthy, especially concerning musicians of established fame and skill who have fallen into the trap of disposable music for the mere sake of profit.
However, I feel obliged to make an exception for this splendid collection, whose title is quite appropriate; in fact, this record is simply to be listened to over and over to fully immerse oneself in the melancholic and tormented world of Sandy Denny, an English singer-songwriter of the '60s and '70s of indisputable prestige and extreme sensitivity. We thus delve into 17 songs, each more beautiful and engaging than the last, which faithfully reflect what this charismatic fallen angel represented for British folk, too devoted to excesses such as alcohol and smoking, and with a pathological stage fright.
Songs of touching and poignant poetry, strongly influenced by classical music, whose architecture is much more complex than one might imagine, and the sound is anything but old and outdated. All the tracks are enriched by excellent arrangements, where Sandy's celestial voice, often supported by a piano and an extraordinary and incisive string and rhythm section, captivates the listener in a romantic and moving dream. An album, therefore, that is sure to impact those who love a refined folk singer-songwriter genre and for discerning palates, which not only exalts the voice and lyrics but also gives much space to the instrumental part, in this case, crucial.
Sandy Denny began her career initially as a solo artist, accompanying herself with an acoustic guitar, in folk clubs; then she collaborated with The Strawbs, where her talent and desire to stand out were stifled by a folk that was too pop and watered-down. Later, she joined the Fairport, giving rise to a sort of British Jefferson Airplane, whose producer and manager, Joe Boyd, was the same as Nick Drake. Sandy's career began to take off, but shortly thereafter, she left the Fairport to form her own group, Fotheringay, with her husband Trevor Lucas, releasing only one album. She finally returned to singing as a solo artist, releasing the excellent album "The North Star Grassman And The Ravens", her greatest success. Sandy Denny, despite being an exceptional artist and well-appreciated in the artistic musical environment of the time, never reached high levels of commercial success and notoriety; perhaps too good, too complicated, with a turbulent existence, in contrast with her sweet and reassuring voice. Worthy of mention is her participation in "Led Zeppelin IV", pairing with Robert Plant in the magnificent "The Battle of Evermore".
Sandy passed away in 1978, at only 31 years old, due to a cerebral hemorrhage resulting from a head trauma due to a fall, but her health was already compromised by alcohol and a restless private life.
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