Sean Khan: Sean Khan Presents the Modern Jazz and Folk Ensemble review – classics reinvigorated
A collective of genre-straddling talents give new life to songs by Nick Drake, John Martyn and Sandy Denny
October 2022
Ranked
The 100 greatest BBC music performances – ranked!
As the Beeb celebrates its centenary, we take a look at its most memorable pop moments, from the birth of grime to the first sightings of Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, plus TOTP goes Madchester and countless classic Peel sessions
April 2021
Book of the day
Beeswing by Richard Thompson review – beyond Fairport Convention
Folk rock, finding a voice and confronting tragedy ... a gripping account of the early career of a great songwriter and guitarist
September 2019
From the Guardian archive
Fairport Convention: amplified folk - archive, 1969
23 September 1969 Amplified, but intricate, fiddle-playing against the sheer guts of electric guitar is English folk music for the 1970s
April 2016
Sandy Denny: I’ve Always Kept a Unicorn: The Acoustic Sandy Denny review – a voice of her generation
February 2015
I’ve Always Kept a Unicorn: The Biography of Sandy Denny by Mick Houghton – review
Who knows where the time goes? This affectionate biography tackles the sadness at the heart of the folk star’s music … and her life
January 2015
The best films and books about music to watch out for in 2015
From a Kurt Cobain documentary to Grace Jones’s autobiography, Observer pop critic Kitty Empire chooses the forthcoming film and book highlights of the year
February 2014
Singing from the Floor review – 'a rich oral history of British folk clubs'
JP Bean's book recalls pre-Mumford days, when folk singers spurned stardom, had little money and were spied on by special branch. By Rob Young
May 2012
Old music
Old music: Fairport Convention – Si Tu Dois Partir
Greg Freeman: Fairport Convention's first, light-hearted hit offered few clues that they would reinvent English folk music
October 2011
Thea Gilmore: Don't Stop Singing – review
Thea Gilmore's second covers album of the year is a perfect match of artist and material, says Caroline Sullivan
June 2011
A history of folk and world music
Sandy Denny joins Fairport
May 1968: Number 28 in our series of the 50 key events in the history of world and folk music
January 2011
Sandy Denny: no fear of time
Confident and self-reliant, Sandy Denny was a leading light of the 1960s folk revival. A new collection of recordings shows that she was also a great lyrical poet, argues Rob Young
December 2010
Music blog
Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo: why I love Sandy Denny
Lee Ranaldo: The guitarist recalls the magic moment when the magnitude of an artist suddenly hits you and an obsession begins
November 2010
Sandy Denny: Sandy Denny - review
There are powerful, previously unheard songs here, and intriguingly different versions of already well-known songs, writes Robin Denselow
August 2010
Electric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music by Rob Young
From Cecil Sharp to the String Band and beyond, Rob Young gives a fascinating, enjoyable account of British folk's eccentrics. writes Sean O'Hagan
July 2010
The life and work of Sandy Denny
Intimate portraits of the influential folk singer, including some previously unseen images
December 2008
The Lady: Sandy Denny Tribute
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London An impressively varied show at a packed-out QEH, finds Robin Denselow
April 2008
Music blog
Fairport unconventional: Sandy Denny
Sandy Denny died 30 years ago and many, many years too soon. Her music opened up a whole world for me
May 2005
You had to hold on to the furniture when Sandy sang
Live fast, die young . . . John Harris pays tribute to the one-woman maelstrom that was Sandy Denny
