Sandy has been called Britain’s finest female singer-songwriter by Mojo and Uncut and is considered a true founder of the British folk rock movement. Her composition, “Who Knows Where The Time Goes?” has been covered by numerous artists as diverse as Judy Collins, Nina Simone and Cat Power and is now regarded as a classic. As well as her solo material and work with Fairport Convention, she is also noted for her duet with Robert Plant on the song “The Battle Of Evermore” from Led Zepellin’s IV. She remains to this day the only guest vocalist on a Led Zeppelin album.

19 CD Sandy Denny Boxset to be released through Universal on November 1st

Universal Music is pleased to announce the full track listing and final packaging for the much anticipated, strictly limited edition 19 CD box set, simply titled Sandy Denny. 11 of the CDs feature Sandy’s complete commercial recordings with Alex Campbell, Johnny Silvo, Fotheringay, Strawbs, Fairport Convention and solo with additional content; outtakes, demos and live recordings. There are 8 further CDs of bonus material; unreleased songs, demos, unreleased BBC recordings, alternate takes, live recordings, acoustic versions, and rare radio interviews. In all, there are over 100 unreleased versions of Sandy’s recordings of which 64 are studio takes, 25 demos and 14 live recordings.

Highlights of the new material include;

· Three unreleased songs: the long lost traditional song ‘Lord Bateman‘, pencilled in for her first solo album, The North Star Grassman and The Ravens.
· An unidentified track ‘Ethusel‘ from her early pre-Fairport Convention solo career.
· 12th of Never, recorded for an unspecified Granada project, this abbreviated version of the song was never attempted again.

The alternate takes include;

· Acoustic masters of ‘Fotheringay’ and ‘She Moved Through The Fair‘.
· A solo version of ‘Mr Lacey‘;
· ‘Blackwaterside’ with Richard Thompson, working out the arrangement of this traditional song, performed here without overdubs;
· the original duet of ‘The Way I Feel’ from Fotheringay;
· Unstrung alternate versions of songs from Like An Old Fashioned Waltz,
· Original masters and outtakes from Rendezvous including ‘Gold Dust‘,
· Her very last recording, an acoustic version of ‘Moments’.

Unreleased demos include;

· A superb series of studio demos from throughout Denny’s solo career with tracks from Fotheringay, Northstar Grassman, Like An Old Fashioned Waltz, Rendezvous and the entire Sandy album.
· A series of recordings made at home between 1966-68, restored in the main from the master reels including her first version of ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes?‘, performed in quite a different manner to previously released versions, and many other self penned, traditional and contemporary songs not recorded in the studio.

· Demos recorded at Sandy’s home in Byfield between 1974-77 restored from the master reels including her final home demo ‘Makes Me Think of You’, which was also her last original composition. The lyrics (reproduced in this set) to the song are the final entry in her notebook.

Other highlight include;

· The first release of Sandy’s live performance with Fairport Convention at the LA Troubadour in 1974, mixed from the master reels. These dates mark the only time Sandy ever performed ‘Crazy Lady Blues’ and ‘She Moved Through The Fair’ live with the 1974 Fairport line up, and the only time they performed Dylan’s Knocking on Heavens Door.

The set is lavishly packaged and features all new artwork. Each CD is housed in an individual gatefold digipak sleeve  and comes in a beautiful box packed full of memorabilia including;

· 72 page hardback book containing rare and unseen photos
· A reproduction of one of her notebooks containing handwritten lyrics of some of her best know compositions and many unrecorded songs.
· Extensive biography and annotations to key new tracks found in the Island archive
·  Reproduction of a rare A2 colour promo poster for Northstar Grassman and the Ravens
· Copy of the receipt for her first piano
· Copy of an original Island press kit containing press release and 4 press shots for Like An Old Fashioned Waltz
· A collection of bound postcards of never before seen photographs
· Interviews and tributes from artists such as Richard Thompson, Judy Collins, John Renbourn, Bob Harris, Robert Plant, Bill Drummond, Marc Almond, Lee Ranaldo, Rachel Unthank and Jon Boden

A second edition, limited to 100 sets, is available only from the Island 50 web store. It comes with a framed print of the artwork, signed by the artist, Phil Smee, and individually addressed to each purchaser.

Tributes from friends and admirers;

Richard Thompson: Sandy was an original - she was carving an area of music that was really her own.

Bob Harris: Has there ever a better first song written than Who Knows Where The Time Goes? The insight in that song, it shows a wisdom way beyond her years and she write consistently great songs throughout her career.

Rachel Unthank: Her voice was so effortless, graceful and commanding. Don’t listen to her! You’ll realise that the rest of us are wasting your time.

Lee Ranaldo: Sandy always transports me to a unique musical place, and defines a certain time in music history to my ears.  Her music and voice have been elevated to the top-most reverential rungs of all those I hold dear in my musical life.

Marc Almond: When I want to bring up certain emotions I listen to her, and she really is my very favourite female singer.

Bill Drummond: Other generations may have had Ian Curtis or Kurt Cobain, but for me the voice of Sandy Denny is enough for my life time.

You can pre-order the boxset from this address:
http://island50.sandbag.uk.com/Store/DII-5658-5-sandy+denny++limited+edition+box+set.html