A glimpse into Sorrel Nation's forthcoming live EP , "Live at The Grey Lady" comes with this great cover of "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?". The original of course by Sandy Denny via Fairport Convention, though #TEAMw21 came to it via Nanci Griffiths so either way big shoes to fill. Introduced by the lady herself, it is just Sorrel and an acoustic guitar.
It is one of those songs that you just know so rarely do you actually look at what is being sung. It is more like poetry as Sandy sketches three little vignettes each alluding to the passing of time, the migrating birds, the seasonal change and our personal favourite the beach side scene - with that alliterative dig at the person that she is singing to's friends..
"Sad, deserted shore
Your fickle friends are leaving
Ah, but then you know
It's time for them to go
But I will still be here
I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time"
These keenly observed moments have a melancholy to them and the song is balanced by just two lines of optimism
"And I am not alone
While my love is near me"
Sorrel's guitar is actually more prominent than the one on the original version, he voice capturing the ambience of the line "I will still be dreaming - I have no thought of time". Her strong vibrato style ( which is normally something #TEAMw21 has an aversion to ) anchors the song more in the folk world, and works perfectly on this tune. There is also a moment where the steeliness in Sorrel's voice shines through as she says "I do not fear the time", as if standing there like a warrior who will not be beaten.
Definitely a version that is in keeping with and sympathetic to the original
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