North Star Grassman and the Ravens

North Star Grassman and the Ravens Artist: Sandy Denny
Label: Ume Imports
Category: Music



Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Format: Original recording remastered
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 602498280218
EAN: 0602498280218
ASIN: B0007Q6RS6


Release Date: 2005-06-07

Related Categories:

British Folk British Folk
Related | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
General General
Related | Folk | Styles | Music
Traditional Folk Traditional Folk
Related | Folk | Styles | Music
Britain Britain
Related | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music
General General
Related | Pop | Styles | Music
Folk Rock Folk Rock
Related | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock Pop Rock
Related | Pop | Styles | Music

Listmania:

  1. Greatest Albums Ever, Part One
  2. Best albums: 1971

Tracks:

  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 And The Ravens
  11. Crazy Lady Blues
  12. Late November (El Pea Version)
  13. Walking The Floor Over You
  14. Losing Game
  15. Next Time Around (No Strings)

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Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars One of this artist's best.......2007-02-11

Back when music came on vinyl albums with "sides" that you turned over to play, "Side Two" of this album got a workout on my turntable. It contains some of Sandy Denny's finest songs and finest singing, with two particular standouts, "Next Time Around" and the title song. On both, the qualities that those know and love in Denny come to the fore immediately---an earthy grit to her voice that is lovely rather than coarse, songs that defy any particular time and era to connect with the listener, combined with arrangements that enhance both these other traits. They're beautiful. The rest of the album is only slightly less arresting than those two songs, but "slightly" is the important word here. With the exception of a rather rote version of Bob Dylan's "Down In The Flood," Denny is in top-form throughout, ably assisted by long-time cohorts including Richard Thompson, Gerry Conway and her former husband Trevor Lucas.

Sandy Denny left this world far too soon, but the music she made still stands up today, for all seasons. Get this CD and listen....you won't be disappointed.

5 out of 5 stars Sandy's Best.......2006-07-10

I read a magazine review calling this recording an "uneven masterpiece." It IS a masterpiece, but it is not uneven. Every song on it is strong. Several are now classic. Sandy's voice was in its prime at this time. The newly-remastered CD version is an absolute delight, with an alternate take of "Next Time Around" and a few added tracks. The voice and music of Sandy Denny will live on forever and her first solo album, "The North Star Grassman and the Riverns," is her best.

4 out of 5 stars Denny's First Solo Album!.......2005-08-07

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"

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