Week of May 5, 2002
Personnel:
Gerry Conway - drums
Sandy Denny - vocals
Jerry Donahue - guitar, vocals
Pat Donaldson - bass
Trevor Lucas - guitar, vocals
Album:
Fotheringay (Island ILPS 9125) 1970
(issued on A&M in the US; reissued on Hannibal (HNBL 4426) in 1987 and on CD (Hannibal HNCD 4426) in 1989)
45:
Peace In The End/Winter Winds (Island WIP 6085) 1970
This folk-rock group was formed by Australian Trevor Lucas when his previous group
Eclection split. His then girlfriend, Sandy
Denny, left Fairport Convention to set up the new band with him. However, despite
Sandy being at the peak of her popularity - she was voted Britain's No.1 girl singer in a Melody Maker poll in 1970 - the band was relatively short-lived, lasting from March 1970 - January 1971, because it didn't enjoy the commercial success one might have expected.
Sandy then embarked on a solo career before rejoining
Fairport Convention
in 1974. Donahue, Conway and Donaldson (who'd previously been with Zoot
Money) became part of Mick
Greenwood's backing group and Trevor Lucas became a producer for Island Records.
The Fotheringay album is by now considered to capture Denny's vocals at their best. Trevor Lucas (her husband) also sings on a lot of the tracks and provides a distinct contrast to her vocals.
Sandy is probably at her very best on the exquisite traditional song
"Banks Of The Nile".
The band can also be heard playing "The Sea" on the "Bumpers" compilation.
Taken from The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976, Vernon Joynson ISBN 1 899855 04 1