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 Fotheringhay Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in England. (Also worth noting is the song "Fotheringay", which Fairport
Convention had included on their 1969 album What We Did On Our Holidays, prior to Denny's departure
from the group.)
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.
No More Sad Refrains: The Life And Times Of Sandy Denny, Clinton
Heylin.