Tag Archives: Royston Wood

Sandy Denny: The North Star Grassman and the Ravens

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In September 1971, “Island” label released “The North Star Grassman and the Ravens”, the debut Sandy Denny solo album. It was recorded March – May 1971, at “Sound Techniques” and “Island Studios” in London, and was produced by Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson and John Wood.

Personnel:

  • Sandy Denny – lead vocals, acoustic guita, piano
  • Jerry Donahue- electric guitar
  • Richard Thompson- vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, accordion, bass
  • Trevor Lucas- acoustic guitar
  • Buddy Emmons- pedal steel guitar
  • Pat Donaldson- bass
  • Tony Reeves- bass
  • Gerry Conway- drums
  • Roger Powell – drums
  • Ian Whiteman – piano, flute organ
  • Barry Dransfield- violin
  • Royston Wood, Robin Dransfield – backing vocals
  • Harry Robinson- string arrangements

Track listing:

All tracks by Sandy Denny except where noted

  1. Late November
  2. Blackwaterside – traditional.
  3. The Sea Captain
  4. Down in the Flood – Bob Dylan
  5. John the Gun
  6. Next Time Around
  7. The Optimist
  8. Let’s Jump the Broomstick – Charles Robins
  9. Wretched Wilbur
  10. The North Star Grassman and the Ravens
  11. Crazy Lady Blues

Richard Thompson: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight

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In April 1974, “Island” label released “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight”, the second Richard Thompson album, and the first with his then wife, Linda as Richard and Linda Thompson. It was recorded in May 1973, at “Sound Techniques” in London and was produced by Richard Thompson and John Wood. In May 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 471, in its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Richard Thompson– vocals, guitar, Hammered dulcimer,  mandolin,  piano, electric piano, harmonium, whistle
  • Linda Thompson– vocals
  • Pat Donaldson– bass guitar
  • Timmy Donald –drums
  • John Kirkpatrick– accordion, concertina
  • Simon Nicol– dulcimer
  • Brian Gulland –krummhorn
  • Richard Harvey– krummhorn
  • Royston Wood– harmony bass vocals
  • Trevor Lucas- harmony vocals
  • The CWS (Manchester) Silver Band
  • John Wood- engineer

Track listing:

All tracks by Richard Thompson except where noted.

  1. When I Get to the Border
  2. The Calvary Cross
  3. Withered and Died
  4. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
  5. Down Where the Drunkards Roll
  6. We Sing Hallelujah
  7. Has He Got a Friend for Me
  8. The Little Beggar Girl
  9. The End of the Rainbow
  10. The Great Valerio