Known for her time as vocalist in Fairport Convention and respected globally as Robert Plants first Alison Krauss (duetting with him on Led Zeppelins The Battle Of Evermore), Sandy Denny left a beguiling, ever-evolving body of work – Kate Bush was to namecheck her in song, and Dennys influence can be heard in generations of singer-songwriters. From the power chords that open it, 1977s Rendezvous aimed squarely at giving Denny her commercial breakthrough. It demonstrates an artist evolving. Gold Dust really underlines how Denny could be viewed as the British Joni Mitchell, and its late-night jazz funk backing (with Steve Winwood on clavinet) offers a beguiling glimpse of where Denny may have travelled next. Rendezvous closes with No More Sad Refrains, which updated her late 60s ballad style. As Denny died tragically young less than a year after the albums release, it became a poignant full stop to such a promising career. 2CD – Deluxe treatment and now boasts 16 bonus tracks made up of b-sides, outtakes and live performances many of which were previously only available on the now deleted 19 disc box set. The collection also features rare photos and sleevenotes by Patrick Humphries.
