A special line-up of artists will be performing classic songs by folk icon, Sandy Denny, on a one-off tour. Titled The Lady: A Homage To Sandy Denny, the concerts will showcase Denny's entire musical legacy and is set to visit prestigious venues across the UK.
"Sandy Denny was and is the best. Her voice was so effortless, graceful and commanding" - Maddy Prior
The tour will encompass Denny's work with Fairport Convention, Fotheringay and her solo career, as well as new songs discovered in Sandy’s archive, completed by Thea Gilmore on her acclaimed album, Don’t Stop Singing. Sandy’s songs will be performed by a remarkable gathering of musicians drawing from contemporaries such as Maddy Prior, Dave Swarbick, Jerry Donahue and PP Arnold alongside present day performers such as Joan Wasser (aka Joan As Policewoman), Green Gartside, Thea Gilmore, Bellowhead, Sam Carter, Lavinia Blackwall and Blair Dunlop. All will bring something of their own talent and experience to this unique tribute to Sandy Denny.
Since Denny's tragic death in 1978, the folk icon is now widely regarded by musicians as Britain's finest female singer-songwriter, as well as one of the greatest vocalists of our generation. Who Knows Where The Time Goes, her most well-loved song, has been recorded by a diverse range of artists, including Cat Power, 10,000 Maniacs, Eva Cassidy, Nine Simone, and most famously Judy Collins, acknowledging her worldwide popularity and admiration. The song was even voted 'Favourite Folk Track Of All Time' by listeners of Radio Two, and comprehensive re-issues of Denny's recordings over the last few years have seen her reputation continue to grow. Denny's influence is particularly noticeable with the current rise in young and established artists (Laura Marling, Joanna Newsom, Florence Welch) acknowledging her significance and contribution to the singer-songwriter scene.
In her short career, Sandy Denny wrote an astonishing range of songs including Fotheringay, The Sea, Late November, The Lady, It’ll Take A Long Time, Solo, Like an Old Fashioned Waltz, Stranger to Himself and I’m A Dreamer, all of which will feature in this special homage. Her style mixed a contemporary sound while still carrying a traditional resonance, which, coupled with her voice can still sweep the listener off their feet.
Tour dates:
- May 19th: LIVERPOOL Liverpool Philharmonic 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com
- May 20th: NOTTINGHAM Royal Centre 0115 989 5555 royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk
- May 21st: BRIGHTON Festival 01273 709709 brightondome.org
- May 22nd: COVENTRY Warwick Arts Centre 024 7652 4524 warwickartscentre.co.uk
- May 23rd: LONDON Barbican Centre 020 7638 8891 barbican.org.uk
- May 24th: BASINGSTOKE The Anvil 01256 844244 anvilarts.org.uk
- May 27th: GATESHEAD The Sage Gateshead 0191 443 4661 thesagegateshead.org
- May 28th: MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall 0161 907 9000 bridgewater-hall.co.uk