Sandy Denny was the first voice of Fairport Convention I heard, when a friend urged me to check out 1969's Liege & Lief. And, although she is not my favorite singer from the band's long and storied career, her voice left a strong impression on me.

Sadly, her life was cut tragically short in 1978, at age 31, so we can only imagine how her music might have evolved. Fortunately, she left behind a pretty impressive catalogue of songs, both solo and fronting a band.

Listen Listen: An Introduction to Sandy Denny is a collection of 17 tracks chosen from the four solo recordings Denny made before her death. It's good stuff, and whether you're listening closely or letting it play in the background, you'll find it hard not to be moved by her voice.

I don't listen to her often, but when I do, I always find her music very affecting. She has a way about her that demands an emotional response to her singing, even if you aren't paying attention to the words.

Ultimately, if you enjoy her music, you'll want all four solo albums. But if you just want a taste, Listen Listen is an excellent starting point. Personal favorites among the collection here are "It'll Take a Long Time," "Solo," "Like an Old Fashioned Waltz," "I'm a Dreamer" and, of course, "No More Sad Refrains."

Of course, there are no bad choices here. If you aren't already familiar with Denny's work, this is a good place to start.