Search - Sandy Denny: Under Review [Region 2] on DVD

One for the devotees, but a great documentary nonetheless

Michael Pearson-Smith | Melbourne, Australia | 07/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'd read a few indifferent reviews of this DVD (released back in 2006) in various places so waited until I could get a good price on a copy before taking a chance. Having now seen it I must say that I haven't enjoyed anything this much in a long time. It is true that the music clips are all quite short, but that doesn't matter one jot if you already have them all in your collection anyway. If you aren't familiar with much of Sandy's music or life story, then the insights from the journalists and musicians probably won't be all that inspiring. However, if you already know most of the story and have been playing the albums for years then you'll find the aforementioned insights both informative and, at times, heart-rending. In fact I'm not ashamed to admit that I was on the verge of tears for almost the entire documentary ('documentary' being certainly the most appropriate term to describe this work). Of course this is coming from an old geezer who, as a 17 year-old, sold his copy of the Move's first album to part finance the purchase of Fairport's "What We did on our Holidays" the moment it was released.
When the news of Sandy's tragic and untimely passing came through, I was actually presenting a radio show in Hamilton, Ontario. As part of a tribute to Sandy that night I played "I'll Keep it With Mine" from that very same vinyl copy that I had taken over with me when I moved to Canada from the UK.
At one point during the DVD a comment is made that by the mid 'seventies Fairport were not really attracting any new fans and that at each gig they "knew virtually everyone in the audience". They were very much this tightly knit community that could never quite break out into the mainstream. While the pundits are lamenting this fact, the great irony is that this production falls into exactly the same pigeon hole. It really is one for the devotees. If you want to discover the music then go check out the original albums. When all the songs have become ingrained into your soul, come back and watch this documentary. Having said all that I'm still giving it five stars. For someone like me who grew up in the '60's in northern England, the priceless footage of Radio Caroline sailing into Ramsey Bay to the strains of "A Sailor's Life" is alone worth the purchase price of this DVD. Tears of nostalgia? You bet - pass the tissues."

Better than expected

M. Pringle | palo alto,usa | 06/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was apprehensive about this DVD as it said Region 2, however it played beautifully on my machine and the quality is good. If you're a Sandy Denny fan this is a must-have."