Fotheringay

The folk rock group Fotheringay was formed in 1970 by singer Sandy Denny upon her departure from Fairport Convention. The band drew its name from Fotheringay Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in England.

Two former members of Eclection, Trevor Lucas and Gerry Conway, and two former members of Poet And The One Man Band, Jerry Donahue and Pat Donaldson (bass), completed the line-up responsible for the quintet's lone album. This impressive, folk-based set included several superior Denny originals, notably "Nothing More", "The Sea" and "The Pond And The Stream", as well as meticulous readings of Gordon Lightfoot's "The Way I Feel" and Bob Dylan's "Too Much Of Nothing'. Although criticized contemporaneously as constrained, Fotheringay is now viewed as a confident, accomplished work. However, the album failed to match commercial expectations and pressures on Denny to undertake a solo career – she was voted Britain's number 1 singer in Melody Maker"s 1970 poll – increased.

Fotheringay was disbanded in 1971 during sessions for a projected second set. Some of its songs surfaced on the vocalist's debut album, The Northstar Grassman and the Ravens, and whereas Donaldson and Conway began session work, Lucas and Donahue resurfaced in Fairport Convention.

Discography

• Fotheringay (Island 1970)***.

References

• No More Sad Refrains: The Life And Times Of Sandy Denny, Clinton Heylin.