Golden - a fan's love and appreciation for a special person.

I first encountered Sandy Denny's unique talent when I was a 13 year old with a liking for folk music. It was on an old radio show called Folk on Friday. Amid all the nasal droning and earnestness there was suddenly something bright, clear, deep, and profound. The song was 'Crazy Man Michael' from L&L, by Fairport. I was instantly hooked, her voice seemed to speak personally to me, I felt involved with this singer as never before.
Pretty confusing for an adolescent! It was love.

Since those far off days, I have never lost that love, even in the barren period of later times, before I rediscovered Fairport, via the list. Sandy was always with me, her records are my most played.

Why?

That voice - never bettered by any other singer of her genre. The depth, the highs and lows. Nobody has even come close. I saw Sandy in 1975 with the Fairports, the best concert that I have ever attended - I still dream of it. A cold winter's night, cycling to the gig, cycling back, with 'One more Chance' ringing in my ears. A magic time.

Mine is a simple love, born of an appreciation for the music. A music that only Sandy could create. I will never forget her.

Autumn Equinox

On Autumn days like these
I think of you again.
Your songs still seem to share
The warmth you had,
Your voice, soaring
Through the frosty air
And dropping like rain
On crackling wood fires.
Ah yes, the fires still burn,
I can almost smell them,
The burning of dead wood
Is a purging force for me.
This equinox has been a revelation,
As if the golden leaves
Have finally fallen, and
Now the barebone trees
Are no longer skeletons of
A lonely summer past,
But the frame on which we will build
The coming spring.

Kevin Byers