FOTHERINGAY

"Fotheringay" is the eponymoustly titled debut full-length studio album by UK folk rock act "Fotheringay". The album was released through Island Records in the UK and A&M Records in the US in June 1970. "Fotheringay" was a short-lived act forming in 1970, recording this debut album, and disbanding again in 1971. The band was formed by lead vocalist Sandy Denny after her departure from Fairport Convention (whom she recorded and released three albums with during 1968-1969). In addition to Sandy Denny on lead vocals, piano and guitar, the band featured Sandy Denny´s future husband and former Eclection and future Fairport Convention member Trevor Lucas on vocals and guitar (there are a couple of pictures in the booklet where those two look more than a little in love). Drummer Gerry Conway was also a former member of Eclection and would be the future drummmer for Jethro Tull. Lead guitarist Jerry Donahue would also be a future member of Fairport Convention. Bassist Pat Donaldson was a very experienced session musician who had played with lots of different musicians throughout the 1960s. So this was a unit of experienced and skilled musicians.

The music on the album is a combination of British folk/rock songs and US influenced folk/rock/country songs. Sandy Denny wrote the songs "Nothing More", "The Sea", "Winter Winds", "The Pond And The Stream" which are all in the British folk/rock tradition and by far the most intriguing compositions of the album. Sandy Denny and Trevor Lucas wrote "Peace In The End" which has an American country sound to it which doesn´t sound right along side the above mentioned material. "The Ballad Of Ned Kelly" was written by Trevor Lucas and is also in the American country style. Fotheringay also covers the Gordon Lightfoot tune "The Way I Feel" and even though this one is also influenced by American folk and country it´s the most interesting song here in that style. There´s some truly great guitar playing in that one. There´s a Bob Dylan cover on the album too in "Too Much Of Nothing". Honestly it´s one of the low points of the album. "Banks Of The Nile" is a traditional British folk/rock song re-arranged by Fotheringay. It´s one of the better songs on the album.

The musicianship is excellent on the album. The shared vocal duties by Sandy Denny and Trevor Lucas works well. They are both great strong and distinct sounding vocalists. The rhythm section works very well too. I´m especially fond of drummer Gerry Conway´s style. Jerry Donahue is the one who most deserves a special mention though. His guitar playing on this album is nothing short of outstanding.

The album features a well sounding production job. The sound is warm and pleasant with an emphasis on the organic, which suits the material perfectly. "Fotheringay" is a good quality folk/rock album although I could have done without the US country influences which I feel disrupt the flow of the album. It´s too bad this would be their sole album release, as there is certainly a lot of promise here. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.