> Sandy Denny > Obituaries, Interviews and Articles > Caught in the Act

Caught in the Act

Melody Maker, 6 June 1972, by Jim Simpson

Reproduced from Hokey Pokey #12, July 1988
Copyright © 1988 Hokey Pokey. Reproduced by permission
Submitted by Dr. Levent Varlik from Turkey.

A disappointingly small audience turned out on Monday to hear Sandy Denny, Flash and Nazareth at Birmingham's Mayfair Suite. Unfortunately, Nazareth had van problems and arrived too late to play. Pity, because it was obvious that a fair percentage of the people had come especially to see them.

Local band Pigmy Bridge opened - to be followed by an over-long set from Flash, who struggled manfully to raise some response from the sparse and rather indifferent audience. Musically, the band was good, but we have heard it all before.

There were general expectations that Sandy would front a band resembling The Bunch - but this was not to be. It was billed as Sandy Denny and Friends and this is just what it was, with ex-Fairport guitarist Richard Thompson, drummer Timy Donald and bass player Pat Donaldson, who was with Sandy in Fotheringay.

The music was warm, relaxed and melodic and unsensational - most memorable was Richard's subtle, understated guitar playing. The whole affair was very reminiscent of the early Fairport in their Liege and Lief and Unhalfbricking days.

Matty Groves - the old Fairport song - was instantly recognised and applauded. Fox Hunt, an unaccompanied traditional folk song, went down nicely.

By now, the crowd had dwindled even further - but was still enthusiastic. After the last number - John The Gun they wouldn't let the group leave until they played two encores, Down In The Flood followed by Then He Kissed Me.

Altogether a pleasant if unmemorable evening.