How long I've waited for someone to do a deep dive into this beautiful album. Back in the late 70s when I was endlessly scouring the record racks for good prog, I plucked this 8-track tape out of a budget bin just to give it a try. Now, it still ranks as one of my all-time favorite albums. The way "Touching Once (Is So Hard To Keep)" winds up its exciting instrumental passage with that thrilling extended note by Annie Haslam still gives me chills.
This somewhat forgotten classic opening track absolutely ranks with the epics "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning", as well as "Can You Understand". Incidentally, this was written by bassist Jon Camp and guitarist Michael Dunford (RIP).
A great album, start to finish! It’s one of my favorites of all time. Prog perfection! They deserve so much more recognition than they received. My first Renaissance live concert was in 1977 promoting this album. Everyone’s jaws were dropped in awe through much of the concert, including mine! The recordings can’t capture all the harmonics and impact of Annie’s voice live. I wish this lineup had lasted longer. While they were together, they were such a unique progressive band, with every member’s contributions being equally important to the whole, including Betty Thacher’s incredible lyrics. You should definitely check out the album after that, “A Song For All Seasons.” Just as great as Novella for prog perfection! It all still blows me away to this day! Thank you for doing this video. I’m really glad this music is in your psyche now. I hope you listen to it until it becomes a part of you. Then check out some live versions where Annie does some amazing vocals without words that aren’t on the albums. Midas Man is a good example of how it was made more exciting live by Annie’s extra “instrumental” vocals.
One of the band's best albums. Midas Man is a bouncy yet haunting song, glad you liked it. One of my absolute favorites. Annie's voice in this song sends chills up my spine. For a beautifully transcendental moment, I highly suggest "Bound for Infinity" from the Prologue album. That song will soothe your soul. Keep it up!
This album is just magnificent. All their classic period albums are, but this one shines very brightly. Can You Hear Me is one of their very best, if not best track. Just the way the bass and strings come together is worth the price of admission, and oh, her voice is exquisite. Camp's bass, as always owes a lot to Squire, but never more than here - and where Squire outshines with sheer thundering power, Camp's got a certain class and finesse about him that is masterful. The favor was eventually returned - it's hard for me to hear the strings on Magnification, without thinking of this album, especially on Can You Hear Me. Touching Once shines too, and The Captive Heart was always one of my favorite gentle ones of theirs, really tugs the heat strings. A feast for the ears.
Yeah, I'm definitely still watching! You brought out your copy of Renaissance Live at Carnegie Hall just now. I'm really enjoying listening to this with you. I love a lot of their music. I've only heard this album a couple of times. I'm enjoying this more now than I did before. It's growing on me! Thanks for sharing.
I was a junior in college when I heard Midas Man on the radio. I had heard of Renaissance but never had heard their music. I liked it enough to go out and buy the record. I became a fan instantly.
I'm here Justin. And I'm not going anywhere until you are finished with your comments on this amazingly outstanding album. As close to perfect as anything Yes ever created.
Thanks JP for reacting to this marvelous album by Renaissance. Of all the concerts I attended in the early 70's the groups I saw the most were 3 times with early Genesis with Peter Gabriel and 3 times with Renaissance. Annie Haslam's voice is a jewel in the same category of special with Karen Carpenter. I first heard of Renaissance when they came out with the Ashes Are Burning album. Little did I know that Ashes Are Burning would finish with a guitar solo by the magnificent Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash (another of my early favorite groups). My girlfriend at the time loved the song Let It Grow from the same album. Those were the good old days!
Captive Heart was not played live for many years. Annie was double tracked for the vocals on the album. It wasn't till the multi talented Jason Hart took up the second keyboard/orchestral seat that she found a suitable backup vocalist. Jason nailed it in the live version. The male BV is sung by mainly by Jon Camp on the album. Live , it was sung by Mick and Dave Keyes. I was lucky to see it performed.
I really enjoyed your fantastic review of this beautiful album. I've loved Renaissance from the first moment I heard them back in 1976. And I bought this album when it first came out...then on cassette, then CD and now streaming LOL. I guess you could say I just can't be without it. I finally got to see them live in 2014 and it was a dream come true.
When I heard my first renn song I was addicted. I am now 66 years old and this is exciting as the first time hearing it, i always seem to pick out something i didn't hear before. their logo is tattooed my arm as they have been a major influence on my life.
Yes, I'm sticking to the end. I bought this album not long after it came out. I listened to it once in the background to what I was doing. I then proceeded to leave it in the sun and it warped. I never replaced it and never had a focused listen. So I really enjoyed this review. Each song stands on its own but also helps to weaves a wonderful tapestry throughout.
As an Enid fan, the symphonic bombast of this masterpiece has touched all my pleasure centres since I bought the LP when I was 16, a million years ago (well, 40).
So glad you’re doing this album it is one of my all time favourites and I mean of any albums not just the band. I could listen to this album for ever (actually I’ve been listening to it for over 40 years) I’m thrilled that you like it so much. I’ve seen Renaissance live twice and they just as good live. Annie played the captive heart in her solo concert in Philadelphia, which you can find somewhere on YT.
Annie Haslam is amazing. For a more modern band, that sound a lot like Rensissance , might I suggest Magenta? The album Seven would be a good place to start.
Because of my friend, Mark, I became a Renaissance fan when Scheherazade came out. I became familiar with some of their earlier tunes when the Carnegie album (the one you brought out) came out. Very fastidious with his record collection, Mark accomplished the unthinkable and allowed me to borrow his copy of Novella shortly after it was released. In those days, the best way (for me) to listen to a record was lying on the floor of our den with a soft pillow, headphones, and the liner notes. I don't know exactly why, but for some reason, Novella did not appeal to me right off the bat. In fact, I fell asleep and never even flipped the record over before returning it to Mark. I have since repented and made Novella a favorite. And this morning, I have started the day off right. Thanks again for a great Long Song Saturday. Let's do Chicago V real soon! Carry on, my friend!
So sad that we lost Michael Dunford a few years ago. He was the genius behind much of the bands songs and arrangements. They are amazing!! How about that Live at Carnegie Hall!! They can back up anything they do on vinyl!!
BRAVO BRAVO Justin!!! This album is tremendous. I still cannot believe it when I think about it, but I was blessed seeing them play several tracks from this album live. Also, this album had two different album covers...I of course had to have both. Thank You for getting back to Renaissance. Truly a great band and I am so glad you enjoyed this album. The next album Song for all Seasons is another great listen. Suggestion...if you want to have some fun with something from Annie...check out her song Rockalise from her album Annie in Wonderland. Interesting piece of music.
Hello from England !! The first album i bought was Turn of the cards in the mid 70's. I then got Scheherazade, ashes are burning and Novella, finally A song for all seasons. These were my favourites along with the big 5 genesis gabriel albums. 50 years of listening to glorious music!!!
It is so emotional to see you react to Renaissance songs... they way you close your eyes and just let the songs get into you. It reminds me of myself some 40 years ago when I started listening to their songs. They have always been my favourite band since I was 16 and I am 60 now... Thank you for showing other people this magnificent band. I think all their songs are great, some better than others, but no bad songs. There are so many to dive into and I hope you do not cease to explore them. My suggestion is you do their Scheherazade and Other Stories album... Greetings from Brazil!
I was fortunate to see Renaissance in 1976 at Radio City, and they previewed Midas Man from their forthcoming album. In sping 1977, I saw them again again, and they began with Can You Hear Me and finished with Touching Once. Annie's incredibly amazing voice still gives me thrills. And yes, she held that last note after an entire concert!
It’s Jon Camp singing with Annie on The Captive Heart and all the other male background vocals throughout this and all the Renaissance albums. He sings lead alone on the song Kiev from Prologue and a later song from the Azure D’Or album called “Only Angels Have Wings,” which he also wrote by himself.
I know some songs from them but for some reason haven't had my head wrapped around them. I have their first two albums with entirely different line-up including the former Yardbirds members and founders Keith Relf (guitar with back up vocals only) and Jim McCarty drums.
5K, Justin? Sounds like you've been Running Hard, lol! I've loved Novella, ever since I bought it on vinyl back in the 70s. There's a different feel to it, and you may have explained that when you said they went into the studio unrehearsed. Perhaps some of their other albums are too polished. Like you, my favourite track is The Sisters - wonderful flamenco feel to it especially in that sublime instrumental passage. Btw, there's an interview with Marjana Semkina in this month's Prog magazine, in which she talks about fleeing her native Russia, and her past fears for the safety of her partner in iamthemorning, Gleb Kolyakin (like John Tout, a terrific keyboardist). Finally, you switched A Tribe Called Quest for Renaissance Live. P.S. my song ref Running Hard is from my absolute favourite Renaissance album, Turn Of The Cards.
This is painting pictures with music. And as one picture is worth a thousand words every word afterwards about it is, welll superfluous? Great you did this one Justin albeit I am long hooked onthis band and annie...And I followed up on you suggestion of Marjanasemkina(Sirin) and it certainly didn't disappoint me, great as wel!! THanks a million.
When the big rock bands began to record less interesting albums, I found this album through the recommendation of a specialized magazine in Argentina, my country. Excellent album and the summit of this band!
"Midas Man" is my fav track. Bit of a 007 film movie sort of vibe to it. Deff some industrial stuff going on. Her vocal style are a bit like Grace Slicks at the start of the track. Yep a lot going on.
I have admired Renaissance prior to this album, but became a fan at my first theatre concert in April 1977 for their brand new Novella album. With the theatre acoustics, the dynamic range of the vocals and instruments was incredibly awesome. For example, the concert's opener, "Can You Hear Me" featured some incredible chimes played by Terry. And Annie's vocals really filled the theatre, too. I saw the group live again later in the summer of '77, playing their hit song "Midas Man", which didn't make the upper charts. Annie said "You lot didn't buy it", but Jon added that they are indeed a group of artists more than anything. I would have liked them to release a single of one of their more romantic songs, like "I Think Of You", but eventually they got a chartable hit with "Northern Lights".
This might be my favorite Renaissance album, which puts me in the minority. But then, I also like 'Azure d' Or', so I guess I'm REALLY in the minority! 😄 BTW, this must be a more recent reissue cuz I don't remember my CD sounding THIS good. Re: other bands doing songs like "Midas Man", you should check out some 90's Clannad.
The old SIRE CD version (early 90's?) of Novella sounds great. It's the best digital release of this album that exists. The later remasterings since at least 20 years are all heavily compressed - this one too.
Novella, A Song For All Seasons and Azure d'Or are my favourite Renaissance albums with A Song For All Seasons my most favourite. As far as Clannad goes, my favourite would be Sirius (I think I'll be in the minority with that choice), a bit more mainstream than their other albums but more relatable to Renaissance as well.
That album got mediocre reviews when it was released. However, it also has some of their best music, especially Can You Hear Me. It also solidifies my opinion that Jon Camp was one of the most creative bassists in modern music.
You switched your albums with your hands, Justin. (This may not be the answer that you were looking for but it is technically correct.) This was Renaissance's zenith in the US (I think) but not in the UK. Song for All Seasons peaked here thanks to the hit single but critically, Ashes, Cards and Scheherezade tend to be regarded as their best. This is a great album but largely relies on the techniques and sounds of the previous three without being quite as good. (As always, my opinion may not be everyone's!)
actually 5th (studio albums) - Prologue, Ashes are Burning, Turn of the Cards, Scheherazade & Other Stories, Novella, A Song for All Seasons and Azure d'Or (this line up split after that one).
Fantastic album and one I listen to very regularly. I got it from my brother-in-law who decided he didn't want to hold on to the album. His loss ;-) At the time (early 80's) I owned the older albums by Renaissance already but didn't know about this one. Fits very much in the tradition of the older albums. Novella, A Song For All Seasons and Azured'Or are my most listened albums by them. Together with my first purchase, Live at Carnegie Hall. A Song For All Seasons remains my most favourite album of Renaissance though, have you listened to any of that album? Definitely worth it! Listened to this one again with great pleasure. Thanks.
Great start and finish. Class as always, but nothing grabbed my tackle and squeezed. I didn't connect like with Schererazade and my favourite, Mother Russia.
Live Live Live They're beautiful, aren't they? I think you're referring to the composer of the soundtrack for The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? Thats Ennio Morricone (which you've probably remembered by now). ---- End of actual comment --- ... Start of addendum or something like that .... I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before, but *Major Parkinson* (new album on the way in '25, if I read correctly - called Showbiz) did a Spaghetti Western inspired song that a fan matched up nicely with scenes from those movies in a UA-cam video (approved of afterwards by the band). ua-cam.com/video/zUmWkL-wkNc/v-deo.html
Interesting... Renaissance Zappa Ian Dury and the Blockheads. King Crimson Kate Bush Have seen them all live..... You have some Very Liberated Stuff on tap.....
I was lucky enough to see Renaissance in 2012 at a great venue where half of the show was them doing this entire album all the way through. I purposely sat near the soundboard to get the best possible sound, and my instincts weren't wrong. This was one of the last shows that Michael Dunford was involved with as he unfortunately passed shortly afterwards. Truly one of the best concerts I've attended.
At the Keswick? I was there too. Stayed at the same hotel as the band and had a long chat with Michael Dunford, the late David Keyes, Jason Hart, and Joe Goldberger. Annie hit the hay early. One of the best nights of my life. Alas for Mick, may he and Dave RIP.
@tobytanzer I know they played there a lot over the years. I actually saw them at NJPAC in Newark, NJ. They have 3 or 4 concert rooms there. My show was in the smallest of them, so it was easier to see everything. If I recall correctly, Annie had some back issues at the time and had mentioned how hard it was to sing in a back brace, but she certainly pulled it off.
How long I've waited for someone to do a deep dive into this beautiful album. Back in the late 70s when I was endlessly scouring the record racks for good prog, I plucked this 8-track tape out of a budget bin just to give it a try. Now, it still ranks as one of my all-time favorite albums. The way "Touching Once (Is So Hard To Keep)" winds up its exciting instrumental passage with that thrilling extended note by Annie Haslam still gives me chills.
This somewhat forgotten classic opening track absolutely ranks with the epics "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning", as well as "Can You Understand". Incidentally, this was written by bassist Jon Camp and guitarist Michael Dunford (RIP).
A great album, start to finish! It’s one of my favorites of all time. Prog perfection! They deserve so much more recognition than they received. My first Renaissance live concert was in 1977 promoting this album. Everyone’s jaws were dropped in awe through much of the concert, including mine! The recordings can’t capture all the harmonics and impact of Annie’s voice live. I wish this lineup had lasted longer. While they were together, they were such a unique progressive band, with every member’s contributions being equally important to the whole, including Betty Thacher’s incredible lyrics.
You should definitely check out the album after that, “A Song For All Seasons.” Just as great as Novella for prog perfection!
It all still blows me away to this day! Thank you for doing this video. I’m really glad this music is in your psyche now. I hope you listen to it until it becomes a part of you. Then check out some live versions where Annie does some amazing vocals without words that aren’t on the albums. Midas Man is a good example of how it was made more exciting live by Annie’s extra “instrumental” vocals.
One of the band's best albums. Midas Man is a bouncy yet haunting song, glad you liked it. One of my absolute favorites. Annie's voice in this song sends chills up my spine. For a beautifully transcendental moment, I highly suggest "Bound for Infinity" from the Prologue album. That song will soothe your soul. Keep it up!
This album is just magnificent. All their classic period albums are, but this one shines very brightly. Can You Hear Me is one of their very best, if not best track. Just the way the bass and strings come together is worth the price of admission, and oh, her voice is exquisite. Camp's bass, as always owes a lot to Squire, but never more than here - and where Squire outshines with sheer thundering power, Camp's got a certain class and finesse about him that is masterful. The favor was eventually returned - it's hard for me to hear the strings on Magnification, without thinking of this album, especially on Can You Hear Me. Touching Once shines too, and The Captive Heart was always one of my favorite gentle ones of theirs, really tugs the heat strings. A feast for the ears.
Yeah, I'm definitely still watching! You brought out your copy of Renaissance Live at Carnegie Hall just now. I'm really enjoying listening to this with you. I love a lot of their music. I've only heard this album a couple of times. I'm enjoying this more now than I did before. It's growing on me! Thanks for sharing.
I was a junior in college when I heard Midas Man on the radio. I had heard of Renaissance but never had heard their music. I liked it enough to go out and buy the record. I became a fan instantly.
I'm here Justin. And I'm not going anywhere until you are finished with your comments on this amazingly outstanding album. As close to perfect as anything Yes ever created.
This album most certainly was the peak of their musicianship. Love it since ages.
Thanks JP for reacting to this marvelous album by Renaissance. Of all the concerts I attended in the early 70's the groups I saw the most were 3 times with early Genesis with Peter Gabriel and 3 times with Renaissance. Annie Haslam's voice is a jewel in the same category of special with Karen Carpenter. I first heard of Renaissance when they came out with the Ashes Are Burning album.
Little did I know that Ashes Are Burning would finish with a guitar solo by the magnificent Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash (another of my early favorite groups). My girlfriend at the time loved the song Let It Grow from the same album. Those were the good old days!
They had a good run of consistently great albums.... great choice JP.
All good things must eventually end - Renaissance will be on their Farewell Tour this fall.
Captive Heart was not played live for many years. Annie was double tracked for the vocals on the album.
It wasn't till the multi talented Jason Hart took up the second keyboard/orchestral seat that she found a suitable backup vocalist. Jason nailed it in the live version. The male BV is sung by mainly by Jon Camp on the album. Live , it was sung by Mick and Dave Keyes. I was lucky to see it performed.
I really enjoyed your fantastic review of this beautiful album. I've loved Renaissance from the first moment I heard them back in 1976. And I bought this album when it first came out...then on cassette, then CD and now streaming LOL. I guess you could say I just can't be without it. I finally got to see them live in 2014 and it was a dream come true.
Thank you Christy :) Glad that you've enjoyed it, and that its been a part of your life for so long
When I heard my first renn song I was addicted. I am now 66 years old and this is exciting as the first time hearing it, i always seem to pick out something i didn't hear before. their logo is tattooed my arm as they have been a major influence on my life.
Nice Chris! Is this your favorite album from em?
@@JustJP I am so in sync with renaissance that all albums are my favorite.
Yes, I'm sticking to the end. I bought this album not long after it came out. I listened to it once in the background to what I was doing. I then proceeded to leave it in the sun and it warped. I never replaced it and never had a focused listen. So I really enjoyed this review. Each song stands on its own but also helps to weaves a wonderful tapestry throughout.
As an Enid fan, the symphonic bombast of this masterpiece has touched all my pleasure centres since I bought the LP when I was 16, a million years ago (well, 40).
So glad you’re doing this album it is one of my all time favourites and I mean of any albums not just the band. I could listen to this album for ever (actually I’ve been listening to it for over 40 years) I’m thrilled that you like it so much. I’ve seen Renaissance live twice and they just as good live. Annie played the captive heart in her solo concert in Philadelphia, which you can find somewhere on YT.
Annie Haslam is amazing. For a more modern band, that sound a lot like Rensissance , might I suggest Magenta? The album Seven would be a good place to start.
Because of my friend, Mark, I became a Renaissance fan when Scheherazade came out. I became familiar with some of their earlier tunes when the Carnegie album (the one you brought out) came out. Very fastidious with his record collection, Mark accomplished the unthinkable and allowed me to borrow his copy of Novella shortly after it was released. In those days, the best way (for me) to listen to a record was lying on the floor of our den with a soft pillow, headphones, and the liner notes.
I don't know exactly why, but for some reason, Novella did not appeal to me right off the bat. In fact, I fell asleep and never even flipped the record over before returning it to Mark.
I have since repented and made Novella a favorite.
And this morning, I have started the day off right. Thanks again for a great Long Song Saturday. Let's do Chicago V real soon!
Carry on, my friend!
Chicago V is stunning, incredible, and amazing!!!
So sad that we lost Michael Dunford a few years ago. He was the genius behind much of the bands songs and arrangements. They are amazing!! How about that Live at Carnegie Hall!! They can back up anything they do on vinyl!!
BRAVO BRAVO Justin!!! This album is tremendous. I still cannot believe it when I think about it, but I was blessed seeing them play several tracks from this album live. Also, this album had two different album covers...I of course had to have both. Thank You for getting back to Renaissance. Truly a great band and I am so glad you enjoyed this album. The next album Song for all Seasons is another great listen. Suggestion...if you want to have some fun with something from Annie...check out her song Rockalise from her album Annie in Wonderland. Interesting piece of music.
Hello from England !!
The first album i bought was Turn of the cards in the mid 70's. I then got Scheherazade, ashes are burning and Novella, finally A song for all seasons.
These were my favourites along with the big 5 genesis gabriel albums.
50 years of listening to glorious music!!!
It is so emotional to see you react to Renaissance songs... they way you close your eyes and just let the songs get into you. It reminds me of myself some 40 years ago when I started listening to their songs. They have always been my favourite band since I was 16 and I am 60 now... Thank you for showing other people this magnificent band. I think all their songs are great, some better than others, but no bad songs. There are so many to dive into and I hope you do not cease to explore them. My suggestion is you do their Scheherazade and Other Stories album... Greetings from Brazil!
My favourite Renaissance album by far. Excellent review Justin. 👍🏻❤️
I was fortunate to see Renaissance in 1976 at Radio City, and they previewed Midas Man from their forthcoming album. In sping 1977, I saw them again again, and they began with Can You Hear Me and finished with Touching Once. Annie's incredibly amazing voice still gives me thrills. And yes, she held that last note after an entire concert!
It’s Jon Camp singing with Annie on The Captive Heart and all the other male background vocals throughout this and all the Renaissance albums. He sings lead alone on the song Kiev from Prologue and a later song from the Azure D’Or album called “Only Angels Have Wings,” which he also wrote by himself.
I know some songs from them but for some reason haven't had my head wrapped around them. I have their first two albums with entirely different line-up including the former
Yardbirds members and founders Keith Relf (guitar with back up vocals only) and Jim McCarty drums.
I just saw a more recent video of Annie live, and she brought out Jim McCarty to play acoustic guitar for the early Rennaissance song "Island"!
I love this album and finally bought it a couple years ago. Have I been a bad influence on you Justin? 😂
5K, Justin? Sounds like you've been Running Hard, lol! I've loved Novella, ever since I bought it on vinyl back in the 70s. There's a different feel to it, and you may have explained that when you said they went into the studio unrehearsed. Perhaps some of their other albums are too polished. Like you, my favourite track is The Sisters - wonderful flamenco feel to it especially in that sublime instrumental passage. Btw, there's an interview with Marjana Semkina in this month's Prog magazine, in which she talks about fleeing her native Russia, and her past fears for the safety of her partner in iamthemorning, Gleb Kolyakin (like John Tout, a terrific keyboardist). Finally, you switched A Tribe Called Quest for Renaissance Live.
P.S. my song ref Running Hard is from my absolute favourite Renaissance album, Turn Of The Cards.
Turn of the cards is, in my opinion the most underrated album of all time!!
This is painting pictures with music. And as one picture is worth a thousand words every word afterwards about it is, welll superfluous? Great you did this one Justin albeit I am long hooked onthis band and annie...And I followed up on you suggestion of Marjanasemkina(Sirin) and it certainly didn't disappoint me, great as wel!! THanks a million.
When the big rock bands began to record less interesting albums, I found this album through the recommendation of a specialized magazine in Argentina, my country. Excellent album and the summit of this band!
Novella is my 7th favorite album in all music history. Very precise perfection. Instrumental and vocal bliss. Not a mediocre track. Every song great.
Goes with stinky weed
I've got Cheech..and Chong t..they're hiding from DEA in Marijuana leaves..helicopter circling above
"Midas Man" is my fav track. Bit of a 007 film movie sort of vibe to it. Deff some industrial stuff going on. Her vocal style are a bit like Grace Slicks at the start of the track. Yep a lot going on.
Love your shirt. Just start watching this video of an album I love.
I have admired Renaissance prior to this album, but became a fan at my first theatre concert in April 1977 for their brand new Novella album. With the theatre acoustics, the dynamic range of the vocals and instruments was incredibly awesome. For example, the concert's opener, "Can You Hear Me" featured some incredible chimes played by Terry. And Annie's vocals really filled the theatre, too. I saw the group live again later in the summer of '77, playing their hit song "Midas Man", which didn't make the upper charts. Annie said "You lot didn't buy it", but Jon added that they are indeed a group of artists more than anything. I would have liked them to release a single of one of their more romantic songs, like "I Think Of You", but eventually they got a chartable hit with "Northern Lights".
This might be my favorite Renaissance album, which puts me in the minority. But then, I also like 'Azure d' Or', so I guess I'm REALLY in the minority! 😄 BTW, this must be a more recent reissue cuz I don't remember my CD sounding THIS good. Re: other bands doing songs like "Midas Man", you should check out some 90's Clannad.
The old SIRE CD version (early 90's?) of Novella sounds great. It's the best digital release of this album that exists.
The later remasterings since at least 20 years are all heavily compressed - this one too.
Novella, A Song For All Seasons and Azure d'Or are my favourite Renaissance albums with A Song For All Seasons my most favourite. As far as Clannad goes, my favourite would be Sirius (I think I'll be in the minority with that choice), a bit more mainstream than their other albums but more relatable to Renaissance as well.
JP give a listen to the original Renaissance from their first album a song called 'Kings & Queens' You may like that too.
Kudos on World Record as a thumbnail, that's my favourite VDGG album. 🙃
He already reacted to Kings and Queens a few years ago.
The Sisters is about an actual drought that occurred in Spain, I think. It's my favorite song ever.
Saw them play Radio City Music Hall for this tour.
Their best song!!!fast forward..the golden key
That album got mediocre reviews when it was released. However, it also has some of their best music, especially Can You Hear Me. It also solidifies my opinion that Jon Camp was one of the most creative bassists in modern music.
You switched your albums with your hands, Justin. (This may not be the answer that you were looking for but it is technically correct.) This was Renaissance's zenith in the US (I think) but not in the UK. Song for All Seasons peaked here thanks to the hit single but critically, Ashes, Cards and Scheherezade tend to be regarded as their best. This is a great album but largely relies on the techniques and sounds of the previous three without being quite as good. (As always, my opinion may not be everyone's!)
I pretty much agree.
I find Ashes a bit overrated. Scheherazade and Novella are my favourites.
You were partially correct - this was their fourth album with Annie Haslam.
actually 5th (studio albums) - Prologue, Ashes are Burning, Turn of the Cards, Scheherazade & Other Stories, Novella, A Song for All Seasons and Azure d'Or (this line up split after that one).
Fantastic album and one I listen to very regularly. I got it from my brother-in-law who decided he didn't want to hold on to the album. His loss ;-) At the time (early 80's) I owned the older albums by Renaissance already but didn't know about this one. Fits very much in the tradition of the older albums. Novella, A Song For All Seasons and Azured'Or are my most listened albums by them. Together with my first purchase, Live at Carnegie Hall. A Song For All Seasons remains my most favourite album of Renaissance though, have you listened to any of that album? Definitely worth it! Listened to this one again with great pleasure. Thanks.
Great start and finish. Class as always, but nothing grabbed my tackle and squeezed. I didn't connect like with Schererazade and my favourite, Mother Russia.
Live Live Live
They're beautiful, aren't they?
I think you're referring to the composer of the soundtrack for The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? Thats Ennio Morricone (which you've probably remembered by now).
---- End of actual comment ---
... Start of addendum or something like that ....
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before, but *Major Parkinson* (new album on the way in '25, if I read correctly - called Showbiz) did a Spaghetti Western inspired song that a fan matched up nicely with scenes from those movies in a UA-cam video (approved of afterwards by the band).
ua-cam.com/video/zUmWkL-wkNc/v-deo.html
Interesting...
Renaissance
Zappa
Ian Dury and the Blockheads.
King Crimson
Kate Bush
Have seen them all live.....
You have some Very Liberated Stuff on tap.....
I was lucky enough to see Renaissance in 2012 at a great venue where half of the show was them doing this entire album all the way through. I purposely sat near the soundboard to get the best possible sound, and my instincts weren't wrong. This was one of the last shows that Michael Dunford was involved with as he unfortunately passed shortly afterwards. Truly one of the best concerts I've attended.
At the Keswick? I was there too. Stayed at the same hotel as the band and had a long chat with Michael Dunford, the late David Keyes, Jason Hart, and Joe Goldberger. Annie hit the hay early. One of the best nights of my life. Alas for Mick, may he and Dave RIP.
@tobytanzer I know they played there a lot over the years. I actually saw them at NJPAC in Newark, NJ. They have 3 or 4 concert rooms there. My show was in the smallest of them, so it was easier to see everything. If I recall correctly, Annie had some back issues at the time and had mentioned how hard it was to sing in a back brace, but she certainly pulled it off.
Great music. 🙃
Midas man..I think it's on their other album
It’s on this album.