After last years huge 19 CD box set, it comes as a real surprise that yet more unreleased recordings of the late great Sandy Denny have come to light; unearthed, spruced up and issued by Strawbs’ lynchpin Dave Cousins. While these are very much home recordings and of patchy quality (recorded on a primitive ¼ inch tape machine), the joy and exuberance of the late Fairport singer songwriter shines through the muddy sound.

Recorded at the flat of renowned Scottish folkie Alex Campbell by his visiting Danish friend Carsten Linde, 19 Rupert Street is the sound of the twenty-year-old Denny on the cusp of truly great things. Less than a year away from her audition for Fairport Convention and only a few months into her professional singing career, the recording is a document of friends (albeit very talented friends) singing for sheer pleasure and passing the whisky bottle round with gay abandon. Denny, it has been noted, was fond of a snifter or twelve.

‘Leaves of Life’ (also known as Seven Virgins) is a haunting ballad recorded by Martin Carthy and the Watersons in the early 60s and Denny’s version here is breathtakingly beautiful;  melancholy, lilting and evocative of Nick Drakes finest work. Another highlight is a version of Jackson C. Frank’s ‘Milk and Honey’ sung with remarkable control and note perfect pitch. Less tuneful is her stab at her own composition ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes’ – a stunning song but here played on an out of tune guitar.

This historic recording may be a little rough around the edges but this adds to the charm. Even in these outlines and sketches of songs there is evidence of her huge talent at work. It’s a privilege to be able to listen in to a fledgling talent relaxing, laughing and happily singing away one afternoon in Glasgow, a lifetime ago.