Under Review

The difference between a critical analysis of Sandy Denny or The Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones is that with a lot less information available on this extraordinary singer the audience is more limited. The good news is that this edition of the "Under Review" series actually lives up to the documentary status it claims, and does, indeed, hold one's attention and inform better than the Green Day: Under Review 1995-2000 The Middle Years, which is basically a bunch of critics blowing lots of hot air. It seems with these "DVD/Fanzine" type commentaries that the lesser known the subject matter, the better the critique. Denny is a singer that deserves so much more acclaim and study, and this is an excellent starting point, as is the Kate Bush "Under Review", and even the David Bowie Under Review 1976-79 Berlin analysis which concentrates on his dark but fun period. Fairport Convention fiddler Dave Swarbrick, journeyman Martin Carthy, Cat Stevens drummer Gerry Conway of Denny's band, Fotheringay and Pentangle's John Renbourn contribute as does Fairport Convention biographer Patrick Humphries. That's the extra effort missing in some of these packages which makes this close to two hour presentation all the more interesting. Perhaps more important than the decent Kate Bush analysis by the Under Review team, there's a "Limited Collector's Edition" with a cardboard slipcover. It's a very classy presentation and an important bit of history that deserves shelf space in any good library. ~ Joe Viglione, AMG