OK, this time we seek to finish David Suff’s January 2005 notes in the insert that came with the expanded CD:
“The lone traditional song – Blackwaterside – is a sublime performance, worthy of standing with Sandy’s other great recordings of traditional songs – “A Sailor’s Life”, “Reynardine” and “Banks of the Nile”.
“The North Star Grassman and the Ravens was originally released on 3rd September 1971 as ILPS 9165. Despite uniformly positive press reviews, Sandy having won Melody Maker’s prestigious “Best Female Singer” award two consectutive years, and her recent high-profile guest appearance on Led Zeppelin IV, the album made only a brief chart appearance at no. 31. Fans, however, have long-held [sic] the record a flawed masterpiece. During the past three decades the album’s reputation has continued to grow. For this re-mastered edition we have taken the opportunity to add a pair of alternate takes and a pair of recordings begun during the album’s sessions.
“Sandy Denny’s remarkable music continues to be held in high regard by the likes of Elton John, Rod Stewart, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Pete Townshend and Kate Bush. In a recent interview Eddi Reader declared: “Sandy is unquestionably the best English folk singer. She carried the mantle for unaccompanied singing, an accesible and highly educated voice dedicated to ancient song.“
David Suff January 2005″
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