Rendezvous

About

Some ardent fans of the late, great Sandy Denny believe that 1977’s <i>Rendezvous</i> was overwhelmed with gospel singers, string arrangements, and electric guitar leads; this 2005 remaster puts everything in a more balanced perspective. Denny opens with a panoramic-sounding cover of Richard Thompson’s “I Wish I Was a Fool for You.” With this mix, Trevor Lucas’ ambitious production came close to letting British folk-rock make sense in a stadium arena setting. Of course, he did so knowing that Denny’s otherworldly trill would soar high over the multiple keyboards, distorted rock guitars, and layered horn arrangements. If you’ve only heard the original version of Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind,” check out Denny’s lilting rendition; it demands definitive status. Denny’s own “One Way Donkey Ride” is a reminder that she was a stellar tunesmith in her own right. Not even some tacky-sounding electric guitar phase can take away from the flowing melodies or literate and poetic lyrics. She refreshingly strips the country-rock from her orchestral reworking of “Silver Threads and Golden Needles.”

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

Start your shelf to read the full take →