Thanks Daniel. I’m one of those “true believers” from the Northeast of the US. This band should have been more popular than they were. The music that they created in the 70’s still holds up today. Great musicianship never goes out of style. Annie’s mastery of her instrument was world-class. Mother Russia or Ocean Gypsy or Song of Scheherazade would be worth a listen. Although Scheherazade is almost 25 minutes, it’s based on a centuries-old tale that you would enjoy.
Another reason I’m enjoying this channel. Not too many others reacting to Renaissance. The band was quite popular here in the Northeast. Played quite often on Progressive Rock radio back in the 70s. Great job man!
Dude, I was your age when I was turned onto Renaissance back in the 70’s. I’m 63 now and they sound every bit as good today as they did then. Good choice,,,
The live version of this song (live at carnegie hall) is excellent. Although it is almost 24 minutes long. A few other great songs by them are Running Hard, A Trip to the Fair and Mother Russia.
Annie Haslam has such a great voice. One of the greatest female vocalist and they are Proggy (if that is a word). The Song of Sherezade is a great song. Other songs that I love are Van You Understand?, Carpet of the Son and Ocean Gypsy.
Please check out "Things I Don't Understand" from their album Turn Of The Cards. Saw them in concert...75/76? in Toronto. Annies amazing voice is the same live.....incredible concert.
Since you're getting into Renaissance, one of their all-time best songs is "Touching Once Is So Hard To Keep." The instrumentation and Annie Haslam's vocal performance are amazing.
DethStrok9 - "For some reason I thought it would be progressive or proggy" Renaissance - "That's cute, Hold my beer..." 😂 This is a perfect transition from the Moody Blues Days of Future Passed. Renaissance has an amazing live concert recording at Carnegie Hall that is totally mind blowing. Annie truly hits every note in the center of the note, no scooping or sliding into the note. Please do more Renaissance soon; Midas Man, Black Flame, and Northern Lights...
I think you are absolutely right, although I sorta lost interest musically (not in hearing her voice, just in the direction the music took) after their live at Carnegie Hall album.
No no no, if Annie's involved its more like "Hold my wine!" I totally agree though, Carnegie Hall is probably the best performance of Ashes that was recorded, to date. It's most amazing in my opinion cause of Annie's amazing vocalise at the end of the song that isn't in a large portion of recordings of the song cause of the Guitar Solo originally in that place of the song. She's gone back to doing the song with that Guitar solo at the end but I was lucky enough to catch a couple of shows with her still doing the vocalise at the end there. They still pull out the Disco Ball most of the time too, which is always a treat. Adds to the atmosphere for sure!
Lots to like with this band. Strong composition and arrangements mostly by Michael Dunford. Vocals are by Annie Haslam who has perfect pitch and a five octave range. Lyrics were frequently contributed by a non band member Cornish poet Betty Thatcher Newsinger. They are definitely Neo Progressive to Folk Progressive and even Symphonic Progressive. I have seen them may times and they always deliver live. No autotune needed!
Ashes Are Burning🔥 one of my favorite Renaissance songs. Give "Let It Grow"🌱 a listen - short but beautiful song. Also check out "Trip to the Fair"🎪 for more Renaissance groovy-ness goodness
Renaissance are generally considered prog, albeit with a lot of British folk rock mixed in. Other prominent bands in the folk rock genre would include Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Fotheringay, The Incredible String Band. Also try Pentangle. I’m 53 now, but when I was 16 I played a lot of D&D to this Renaissance album.
I dearly love Steeleye Span, and Pentangle, and some Fairport Convention, but I would never have thought to lump them in with Renaissance. Totally different vibe. But I would LOVE to see Dicon react to Steeleye Span's "The Weaver and the Factory Maid" or "Thomas the Rhymer"...
I had never heard of this group before either, until Stephanie showed them to me. She knows them way better than I do, so I'll let her talk to you. : ) Suffice it to say though, I think they're incredible.
Dude, I’ve been in love with Annie Haslam for 42 years! Her voice! ... and she was hot, too! Daniel, do yourself a favor, and just go through their catalog - screw the reactions on them. Just listen for yourself, cuz their stuff will expand your mind... some of it you will never get out of your mind - and that’s a good thing. Annie lives near a small PA town called Sellersville, where there’s a great old theater used for great music acts, including Renaissance.
"A song for all seasons" and "The day of the dreamer" from A song for all seasons are masterpieces! to me anyway. Poppy song was "Northern lights" The original line-up included two former members of The Yardbirds, Keith Relf and Jim McCarty.
My prog knowledge index dropped at least 2 levels this morning, knowing U.K. and Renaissance in name only. Much thanks to other patrons for exposing me to new progressive music, always ready to explore new realms.
I've been a fan of U.K. since they came out, but I too was just recently introduced to Renaissance. OMG! They're incredible. The person who introduced them to me then introduced me to Gypsy. I listened to their first album... and LOVED IT : )
Renaissance is a true gem for prog rock fans. Especially those just discovering them. I saw them twice in New York City during their last two tours. Sadly, the prime members with the exception of the ever fantastic Annie Haslem (that voice!) have passed. Here's the link to a video during their heyday in the '70s playing a 30-minute version of Ashe's are Burning. A very proggy lengthy bass solo by Jon Camp that rivals anything Chris Squire of Yes played. Enjoy! ruclips.net/video/JzGnG1NnsYg/видео.html
@@frisco4758 Unfortunately yes. It's a long story but Annie was not much involved in the songwriting process in the 70s or in the business side. Camp was, very much so, pretty much a no.2. In the 90s, once she started her solo career, she was running the business side, obviously, and also wrote all the lyrics. So when it came to reuniting the band, she doesn't seem to think she and Camp can get along now. They still nearly did reunite in 2009 but the first tour dates clashed with Camp's 60th birthday and he wanted them to postpone it. They said no way and moved on.
If you want to check out Wishbone Ash, I recommend "Argus", and/or "Time Was". Another incredible Renaissance song is "Mother Russia". Annie's vocals are utterly sublime.
First, I am taking credit for begging Daniel to react to this band/song! Thank you so much, Daniel! And now to expand. If you want to hear something a bit shorter and that got a lot of radio airplay between Philly & NY, try "Mother Russia" or "Northern Lights". If still in the mood for something longish and proggy I would queue up "A Song For All Seasons" and get your "air band" ready for a workout!
Tir na nOg, anyone? Early '70s Irish folkers from Dublin. Basically a duo (Sonny Condell, Leo O'Kelly), they were on Chrysalis (with Jethro Tull and UFO).
Annie Haslan just did an interview on Sea of Tranquility channel. Renaissance has new material and they were about to go out on tour when the lockdown started. Originally an English group they are popular in the Northeast US but not well known elsewhere, beautiful music especially live. Reminds me of an older folkier Nightwish. Great reaction. Try JungleLand by Bruce Springsteen.
One of the great "What If's" of music : When Renaissance were searching for a vocalist , the girlfriend of one of the musicians said " Well , my sister likes to sing while doing chores." .... and thus began a Legend !!!!
Here re some other great songs by this special band,Running Hard,Mother Russia, Black Flame,Northern Lights,A Song For All Seasons,Prologue,Can You Hear Me,Can You Understand, And Carpet of The Sun. All during the Vietnam war and Cold War with the former Soviet Union!
Saw this group in concert several times. Singer Annie Haslam reportedly has a 5 or 6 octave range. She now lives in Pennsylvania and has performed in her later years.
Seeing them live in concert, and hearing Annie Haslam hit that final high note... oh, it sent shivers down my spine. The audacity to just *throw* that pure note into the air...
It's an astonishing performance. You could write a book about the brilliance of every aspect. But Annie's voice on this track is amazing. It often brings me to tears! And how she gets to and holds that last note on "way..."! Superb.
Awesome! Knew you'd appreciate Annie & company. Love your take on this great song. Mother Russia next. Versions from Carnegie Hall are perhaps the definitive ones of all songs.
New version of Northern Lights out with Jon Camp appearing on it, he hasn't lost it, Northern Lights 2021 look for John Holden Bandcamp it's a charity record for Ovarian Cancer.
not heard them for such a long time, I had almost forgotten them, "nothern lights" was my favourite song. "Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor" came also to my mind again somehow. thank you .
Saw them live at Red Rocks. When Annie hits that high note..the waayyy and the music comes in ....chills. underrated magical band. Wonderful artist these days.
In 1974 i saw Renaisance live for the first time , in an amazing old theater in Montreal: The Outremont...The concert is one of the 10 best prog concert i ever saw,,,and believe me i saw a lot... When it came to Ashes are burning ,i couln't believe the live version and the solo of Annie in the end...Live at Caenegie Hall wasn't out yet so i had no idea that Ashes was so great live....When it started, the angelic voice of Annie filled the theater like angels coming sown from heaven...and when the mirror ball lighted it was the only time i saw it used and it was powerfull...it tells it all...Then i saw Renaissance maybe 4 more times...always incredible
Loved your reactions and the way you explored the feelings the music inspired in you. I believe that is what Renaissance's music is all about. I discovered this group in my uni days back in the seventies and their music has accompanied me all me adult life ( I'm now 66). The lyrics and feeling to this and their other songs have a depth that I am still exploring 40 plus years later. Keep exploring and thinking about your music. It will reward you whatever musical direction you take.
Just subscribed because you have reacted to 3 of my favorite bands of all time; The Moody Blues, Nightwish, and now Renaissance. The Moody Blues was my #1 favorite for the longest time, then I discovered Renaissance (by accident), and just recently, Nightwish. I really just can't say that any one of them is my "#1" because it depends on what mood I'm in. They are all absolutely great!
She sings pitch perfect and can sing a note as a bell tone, with no vibrato. I saw them in Philly many times, including at the Academy of Music, wow. No one is really close to her ability (she is operatically trained) style and power of her voice.
May 10, 1974 (Yes my birthday is tomorrow and I will be 65, but I saw a lot of great bands, including this one in their second USA concert!) at the Miami Jai Alai Fronton. The lineup was Procol Harum (headliner), Dave Mason, and Renaissance opened. Out came this barefoot 5'2 girl in a long flowing white dress. We never expected her 5 octave range, a Russian Classical flavor, or John Tout's piano. It was magical and we were MESMERIZED! An approximate setlist is here: www.setlist.fm/setlist/renaissance/1974/academy-of-music-new-york-ny-bdf813a.html They blew the audience away, and ended up booing Dave Mason with his acoustic guitar off the stage. Poor guy, Procol Harum got the audience back, but all anyone was talking about was Renaissance. I have never tired of their music or Annie's voice. Try "Ocean Gypsy", "Scheherazade", "Things I Don't Understand" "Touching Once is So Hard To Keep, and anything from "Turn of the Cards". There is so much to listen to, including Annie's solo albums. You can't go wrong.
Got to see them in NYC in the mid-70s at a show hosted by WNEW-FM, incredible as a live act and it was so memorable. Annie Haslam so quiet and demure but then that beautiful voice filling the hall and the band was top shelf. I remember reading that she may have had stage fright which might explain her not moving around much on stage but no matter, such an incredible vocalist.
Great choice, Daniel! You're now reacting to a great band that many folks from back in the day just never heard. This was a great tune to start with - one of my favorites. Try Mother Russia next. Annie Haslam, the vocalist, has a 4-octave range - one of the best singers i've ever heard!
Annie gives me goosebumps on those high notes. I saw them in 1977 and 1978 in Chicago. Great live band. That's Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash on the final guitar lead.
10 minutes for this song is actually very tame. Live performances of this song range from 15 minutes to a whole half an hour. A good portion of their songs from this era and on their most recent album are around 10 minutes long too, it's their average. Personally I would have recommended the Carnegie Hall live version of the song cause of Annie Haslam's amazing vocalise solo at the end of the song. Just a personal preference though, check it out in your free time though, I highly recommend it! They are actually a Prog band, Specifically a Symphonic Prog band. This song in particular was written by their lyricist, Betty Thatcher Newsinger, after she had a near death experience, so this was essentially her explaining what she experienced and saw while she was "in between". Annie often did sing flute parts when the band couldn't be accompanied by an orchestra, and sometimes she would still sing vocalise parts as an additional instrument, even with an orchestra playing, like in the Carnegie Hall performance. If you liked the 'weird' feel of this song, the dreamlike nightmare/horror film you described the song as, Trip to the Fair is one that takes that up to 11. Renaissance itself was formed in 1969 by ex Yardbirds Keith Relf and Jim McCarty and originally features Keith's sister Jane as the lead female vocalist, though vocals were more mixed between male and female until Annie Haslam joined as the third lead female vocalist on New Years day 1971. Annie continues to be the lead vocalist and now head of Renaissance to this day and let me tell you, she is one of the funniest, most contagiously happy people I have ever met. If you get the chance to ever see her life at any point, do so cause she is so entertaining, even when she isn't singing! Other songs I recommend to you are: Kalynda (a Magical Isle) Island The Face of Yesterday Carpet of the Sun Can You Hear Me Can You Understand The Song of Scheherazade [if you're willing to sit through a full 25 minutes] Symphony of Light [A song off their most recent studio album] Opening Out and Day of the Dreamer [two songs that are best when paired together and listened to back to back] At the Harbour [An amazing story song/Narrative song, and one of my all time favourites!] Prologue [an amazing display of Annie's vocal talents... No lyrics, just some of the best Vocalise you'll ever hear] The Sisters Midas Man Black Flame Song for all Seasons Mother Russia Things I don't Understand [Another dark yet dreamlike song] Touching Once (is so Hard to Keep) So hello and welcome to the post Renaissance world! I'm your expert on all things Annie Haslam and Renaissance related [a title given to me by various other fans as well as Annie and her boyfriend Dave themselves because I apparently know way too much about the history of the band, and as Annie once said, know more about her and the band's history than she does 😅] Anyway, glad you enjoyed the song!
Found your reaction to Song for all Seasons and backtracking found you did this song reaction. You do incredibly well with these reactions I have to tell you. . I originally grew up in the NYC area and seen Renaissance many times. They were absolutely amazing live. You should check out the live version of Ashes are Burning (it'll blow you away). I had the awesome opportunity to meet the band backstage at one of their shows. Ah...they provided so many great memories. Glad your exploring Renaissance. Keep up the great work!
Daniel, you just made my day. Please trust me and treat yourself to the live version from Carnegie Hall which is about 28 minutes in length. No hints just trust me and let me know what you thought. Please. Daniel I lied, you have touched the tip of the iceberg. In the live version Annie's voice replaces the guitar solo and goes beyond the range of the guitar. Lightmane is right, please contact me if you want a journey you will never forget. Peace and hugs. Try their version of Scheherazade as well as The Harbour and many many more.
I just went and listened to that performance at Carnegie Hall again. It's 23 minutes. After hearing what she does with her voice in those last parts... I had to take a moment and compose myself. I've never heard anything like that ever.
Check out "Mother Russia" on their 3rd album, Turn of the Cards. You'll like it, a lot. It's a song honoring Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn, the Russian author of a novel, "The Gulag Archipelago," exposing the privations of the Soviet Union's vast gulag political-prison system. Forced into exile, Solzhenitsyn was eventually awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
I also want to add that I loved how you reacted to the song... not just what you said, but your actual physical reaction. The way you closed your eyes and moved your head when "Imagine The Burning Embers" brings to mind how Annie takes in the music during the interludes. You really connected to the song.
Great to see you doing some Renaissance. You're right that Annie Haslam's voice was like another instrument. Too bad you didn't pick the much longer live version. Annie comes back to sing in the last few minutes. This group, sadly near-forgotten, has many great songs. Next I'd recommend Trip to the Fair, Mother Russia, and the 23 minute Scheherazade. There are a bunch more I'll save till you get to these. This one is very good but certainly not their best. And again, you seem interested in lyrics. So why not check out Leonard Cohen's Everybody Knows.
Love Renaissance. I saw them first in 1979 and again in 2012, just a few months before Michael Dunford passed away. I call what they do "symphonic rock." Just like a symphony, they start with a musical theme, then build on it and add countermelodies, then build more and build even more. Sadly, radio didn't want to play songs that are longer than three or four minutes. Only "Carpet of the Sun" made the charts in Britain.
I love your videos! Your face expresion in this one was awesome. Just a suggestion: turn up a little bit the volume of you voice in comparison with the music. A non-native speaker like me sometimes has to rewind to get what you said in middle of the song xD
Annie is one of the few vocalists that become part of the band enirely. With the 5+ octave range, you can hear no stress on the high notes, and of course, no autotune. Other songs you'll enjoy are Can you Understand and Mother Russia - they really show off her incredible talent.
In deepest memory of Betty Thatcher-Newsinger Poet Laureate Storyteller Michael Dunford Guitarist Composer Arranger John Tout Multiple Keyboards Arranger
The lead singer for the band The Yardbirds, Keith Relf was in this band! You would enjoy the music of The Yardbirds. Eclectic and many power players. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page...The song, 'At The Harbor' on this album is devastating. Very beautiful and sad.
Her voice makes me weep with love. I saw them in 1977 Dallas's Electric Ballroom. The concert was for free and I sat 6 feet away from her in the middle front row. "Can you hear me" is my favorite and it was from their newly released Novella lp!,😍
Never heard this before. Love that bass tone - almost a Chris Squire sound. Loved it. I definitely will be scanning the comments for other songs to check out.
moshly64 thanks for the suggestion. That’s one think I’ve enjoyed following Daniel: I’m finding some really great music that I’ve missed, and people who enjoy sharing it.
@@matthewhoag2609 No problems, Check out -> Rajah Khan Can You Understand Running Hard Things I Don't Understand Black Flame Touching Once (Is So Hard To Keep) The Day Of The Dreamer A Song For All Seasons
Like Chris Squire on the classic Yes albums, this is also played on a Rickenbacker bass with the treble tone turned high to emphasise the crunchy/stringy sound.
The version you want is from Live at Carnagie Hall. My daughter is a singer. Her comment when she heard Annie's vocal improvisations in the live version was, "OK, we've established she sold her soul to the devil." You won't believe anyone could do what she did. Literally, at 17:10 of that version. Impossible.
Saw them live at Red Rocks. Majestic. Annie's voice is a wonder, as is the band's musicianship. She's an artist now, and I have one of her works on the wall in our bedroom. MAGIC.
Renaissance is a remarkable band with a very distinct sound characterised by the fact that they don’t have an electric lead guitarist. The electric guitar solo here is played by Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash where as Renaissance keyboard player plays organ on one song of Wishbone Ash’s Argus album.
In the 70 and 80 I drug along some of my hard rock head bangers to see Renaissance. After a bit most became entranced with her voice and the bands music, especially he ones that had a little of classical music background. Not much other band in that time was close to them is that classical style.. And they were away so tight musically
If you get the chance, listen to the version from their “Live at Carnegie Hall.” Jon Camp’s bass proves him to be one of the ten greatest bass players of all. I like your interpretation of the studio version. And Annie Haslam is in a class of her own as a vocalist.
Always fun watching someone hear Renaissance for the first time, something you only get to do once. They never really did hit the big time, which is probably good. Hate to imagine what might have happened had they decided to try disco, an abomination that largely ruined rock in the mid 70s and whose effects are still being felt today. (I'll never forgive Rod Stewart for "Do you think I'm sexy.") Glad a new generation is discovering them. Long may they live.
Try their songs...."Can You Understand", "Mother Russia", "Can You Hear Me"....Annie hits ALL the right notes. If you'd like some more Andy Powell, check out the Wishbone Ash song "Rest in Peace".
Recently discovered this group, watching them play live on you tube is mesmerizing, Annie has the classic 70's look and moves then her voice is so nice to hear. Their lyrics are deep poetry, your ideas on possible meanings help-makes me think. The original group only has a base guitar, 1976 live version 31.02 minutes long has the best base solo, no screaming guitars, maybe thats why they are not as popular as other Rock bands of the time (views are 1/10th of other groups?). Do more songs Thanks.
I've listened to this beautiful, hypnotic song more than once LOL; I've seen Renaissance in concert 10 times. There is a live 31-minute 20-second version of Ashes are Burning from 1976 that more fully displays the band's superb musicianship and Annie Haslam's stunning, ceiling-less vocal range: ruclips.net/video/v4VDwWVrHn4/видео.html ENJOY! P.S. I apologize for the last 7:45 of the video - the videographer must have thought he was doing a shoot at Studio 54 in New York City! P.P.S. DD, exceptional job with your comments, analysis, stoppages and expressions of awe!!
Thanks for reacting to this - one of my favorite bands from way back, and not many people are familiar with them. All their albums from Prologue through Song for All Seasons are worth a listen, and the two earlier albums from the previous version of the band are very interesting also. I listen to a lot of metal, and find www.darklyrics.com to be a great and easy place to find any metal-genre lyrics (but I don't think Renaissance would be there).
The song was inspired by the lyricist Betty Thatcher’s near death experience. Ashes are burning 🔥 is like seeing the Bright White crossing reported by others’ near death experiences. “Your sins you won’t remember, and all you’ll find there is love.”
And here you are, discovering a gem from my past and bringing it forward into now. Renaissance defied easy categorization or description, which may be one reason that they remain so unknown today. Now that I think of it, they're kind of similar to Nightwish in that respect. So you were expecting something more Proggy? Congratulations, you got your wish. They were part of a very specific, very English-traditional segment of the Prog genre, which never really took hold here in the States. The band's masterpiece is the live album they recorded at Carnegie Hall, with a full orchestra. I'd suggest "Scheherazade" or "Mother Russia" from that album. I had to seek out Renaissance back in the day. There was no fan base on the North Coast, and between the Northeast and me there was a Cleveland. Fortunately, a local music magazine had a staff critic who was a big fan, and gave the Carnegie Hall album such a glowing writeup that I had to seek it out. I've been grateful ever since.
If you want to enjoy more of the Renaissance sound, it's worth listening to "Can you understand?"; if you are going to travel in the voice of vocalist Annie, just listen to "Let it grow" ... big hug !
I am still waiting for a reaction by anyone to Arthur Browns debut album. This is a great band for sure, I don' believe I have heard a reaction by anyone else to this band.
I was sitting watching and thinking "please don't pause it before the guitar starts". Andy Powell's playing just oozes taste. If it piques your interest, check out the album Argus by Wishbone Ash.
Thank you to whoever recommended this and thank you for reacting to it.
Thanks Daniel. I’m one of those “true believers” from the Northeast of the US. This band should have been more popular than they were. The music that they created in the 70’s still holds up today. Great musicianship never goes out of style. Annie’s mastery of her instrument was world-class. Mother Russia or Ocean Gypsy or Song of Scheherazade would be worth a listen. Although Scheherazade is almost 25 minutes, it’s based on a centuries-old tale that you would enjoy.
Another reason I’m enjoying this channel. Not too many others reacting to Renaissance. The band was quite popular here in the Northeast. Played quite often on Progressive Rock radio back in the 70s. Great job man!
JustJP is one of the few who's reacted to them. They shared his reaction on their fb page : )
Dude, I was your age when I was turned onto Renaissance back in the 70’s. I’m 63 now and they sound every bit as good today as they did then. Good choice,,,
Amazing that Renaissance is remembered. What a fantastic voice. You are being exposed to the best of the best!
The live version of this song (live at carnegie hall) is excellent. Although it is almost 24 minutes long. A few other great songs by them are Running Hard, A Trip to the Fair and Mother Russia.
Annie Haslam has such a great voice. One of the greatest female vocalist and they are Proggy (if that is a word). The Song of Sherezade is a great song. Other songs that I love are Van You Understand?, Carpet of the Son and Ocean Gypsy.
Please check out "Things I Don't Understand" from their album Turn Of The Cards. Saw them in concert...75/76? in Toronto. Annies amazing voice is the same live.....incredible concert.
Actually, check out the entire 'Turn Of The Cards' album. Brilliant stuff!
Since you're getting into Renaissance, one of their all-time best songs is "Touching Once Is So Hard To Keep." The instrumentation and Annie Haslam's vocal performance are amazing.
DethStrok9 - "For some reason I thought it would be progressive or proggy"
Renaissance - "That's cute, Hold my beer..." 😂
This is a perfect transition from the Moody Blues Days of Future Passed. Renaissance has an amazing live concert recording at Carnegie Hall that is totally mind blowing. Annie truly hits every note in the center of the note, no scooping or sliding into the note. Please do more Renaissance soon; Midas Man, Black Flame, and Northern Lights...
I think you are absolutely right, although I sorta lost interest musically (not in hearing her voice, just in the direction the music took) after their live at Carnegie Hall album.
The King Biscuit Flower Hour live recordings are even better.
loved hold my beer
No no no, if Annie's involved its more like "Hold my wine!"
I totally agree though, Carnegie Hall is probably the best performance of Ashes that was recorded, to date. It's most amazing in my opinion cause of Annie's amazing vocalise at the end of the song that isn't in a large portion of recordings of the song cause of the Guitar Solo originally in that place of the song. She's gone back to doing the song with that Guitar solo at the end but I was lucky enough to catch a couple of shows with her still doing the vocalise at the end there. They still pull out the Disco Ball most of the time too, which is always a treat. Adds to the atmosphere for sure!
Must remember the late great Betty Thatcher a reclusive poet who wrote most of their lyrics.
Yes the song was written by Betty Thatcher-Newsinger about her near death experience around 1973.
I saw Renaissance in their "heyday"...what an incredible band. A hidden prog gem. So many hidden gems, PFM, Gentle Giant, The Flower Kings....
...Caravan, Gong, Soft Machine...
@@LoopORama That's a whole different ball game from Renaissance though: a lot more jazz in the mix, but classics from each of them for sure.
@@benoitdesmarais2948 well Gong has that kind of fantasy element but they are wacko and i love them for it
I saw Renaissance and Gentle Giant in Chicago (like 7th row center) in 1977. Best concert I ever saw. Stunning, both bands.
Lots to like with this band. Strong composition and arrangements mostly by Michael Dunford. Vocals are by Annie Haslam who has perfect pitch and a five octave range. Lyrics were frequently contributed by a non band member Cornish poet Betty Thatcher Newsinger. They are definitely Neo Progressive to Folk Progressive and even Symphonic Progressive. I have seen them may times and they always deliver live. No autotune needed!
AND THE PIANIST ?
John Tout i Believe?
Ashes Are Burning🔥 one of my favorite Renaissance songs. Give "Let It Grow"🌱 a listen - short but beautiful song. Also check out "Trip to the Fair"🎪 for more Renaissance groovy-ness goodness
Renaissance are generally considered prog, albeit with a lot of British folk rock mixed in. Other prominent bands in the folk rock genre would include Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, Fotheringay, The Incredible String Band. Also try Pentangle.
I’m 53 now, but when I was 16 I played a lot of D&D to this Renaissance album.
Mark Drechsler pentangle. Yes indeed.
D&D? Seek you out a movie called "The Gamers: Dorkness Rising". You'll be glad you did, unless you usually played a Bard.
I dearly love Steeleye Span, and Pentangle, and some Fairport Convention, but I would never have thought to lump them in with Renaissance. Totally different vibe.
But I would LOVE to see Dicon react to Steeleye Span's "The Weaver and the Factory Maid" or "Thomas the Rhymer"...
That children is what you get with a five octave voice.
Try "Mother Russia"
I had never heard of this group before either, until Stephanie showed them to me.
She knows them way better than I do, so I'll let her talk to you. : )
Suffice it to say though, I think they're incredible.
Dude, I’ve been in love with Annie Haslam for 42 years! Her voice! ... and she was hot, too! Daniel, do yourself a favor, and just go through their catalog - screw the reactions on them. Just listen for yourself, cuz their stuff will expand your mind... some of it you will never get out of your mind - and that’s a good thing.
Annie lives near a small PA town called Sellersville, where there’s a great old theater used for great music acts, including Renaissance.
Hey, I want to see the reactions - it's the only way I get to hear music nowadays
"A song for all seasons" and "The day of the dreamer" from A song for all seasons are masterpieces! to me anyway. Poppy song was "Northern lights" The original line-up included two former members of The Yardbirds, Keith Relf and Jim McCarty.
My prog knowledge index dropped at least 2 levels this morning, knowing U.K. and Renaissance in name only. Much thanks to other patrons for exposing me to new progressive music, always ready to explore new realms.
I've been a fan of U.K. since they came out, but I too was just recently introduced to Renaissance. OMG! They're incredible. The person who introduced them to me then introduced me to Gypsy. I listened to their first album... and LOVED IT : )
Renaissance is a true gem for prog rock fans. Especially those just discovering them. I saw them twice in New York City during their last two tours. Sadly, the prime members with the exception of the ever fantastic Annie Haslem (that voice!) have passed. Here's the link to a video during their heyday in the '70s playing a 30-minute version of Ashe's are Burning. A very proggy lengthy bass solo by Jon Camp that rivals anything Chris Squire of Yes played. Enjoy! ruclips.net/video/JzGnG1NnsYg/видео.html
Jim Tolve I saw them just past their Hey Day and they still were incredible though Annie’s voice just just a notch below her 5 octave pitch!
I love this song but the live album version and that bass solo in particular was really overindulgent. IMO, of course.
Well, Jon Camp is alive but might as well be dead to Annie. And Terence Sullivan will only go where Jon goes. It is what it is.
@@MadanRajaRock They had a falling out?
@@frisco4758 Unfortunately yes. It's a long story but Annie was not much involved in the songwriting process in the 70s or in the business side. Camp was, very much so, pretty much a no.2. In the 90s, once she started her solo career, she was running the business side, obviously, and also wrote all the lyrics. So when it came to reuniting the band, she doesn't seem to think she and Camp can get along now. They still nearly did reunite in 2009 but the first tour dates clashed with Camp's 60th birthday and he wanted them to postpone it. They said no way and moved on.
Love this song. Could be the theme song for Reign of Fire....my favorite Dragon movie.
Recalls the funeral phrase Ashes to Ashes....
If you want to check out Wishbone Ash, I recommend "Argus", and/or "Time Was".
Another incredible Renaissance song is "Mother Russia". Annie's vocals are utterly sublime.
Scheherazade would be another good listen from this band.
Love love, LOVE that song, especially live
@@jennd8935 Live at Carnegie Hall. I wore that album out, one of the best live albums ever.
@@ericanderson8886 I had to re buy it on cd. lol
First, I am taking credit for begging Daniel to react to this band/song!
Thank you so much, Daniel!
And now to expand. If you want to hear something a bit shorter and that got a lot of radio airplay between Philly & NY, try "Mother Russia" or "Northern Lights". If still in the mood for something longish and proggy I would queue up "A Song For All Seasons" and get your "air band" ready for a workout!
I do not know how I could have forgotten Renaissance,--Ashes, Mother Russia, Scheherazade all just fantastic. So glad you recommended it!
Wow, digging deep here :-) I saw this band live with The Cars back about 1980s. They were great. Nice to see them get some love here.
Hearing Renaissance, two bands come to mind: Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span.
Maybe some Clannad and Dead Can Dance as well
Tir na nOg, anyone? Early '70s Irish folkers from Dublin. Basically a duo (Sonny Condell, Leo O'Kelly), they were on Chrysalis (with Jethro Tull and UFO).
Or Pentangle....
British folk rock..
Maybe Daniel could try Steeleye Span produced by Ian Anderson ? "Now We Are Six".
@@benoitdesmarais2948 That would make a nice intersection at which Daniel could yield, if not make a full stop!
Annie Haslan just did an interview on Sea of Tranquility channel. Renaissance has new material and they were about to go out on tour when the lockdown started. Originally an English group they are popular in the Northeast US but not well known elsewhere, beautiful music especially live. Reminds me of an older folkier Nightwish. Great reaction. Try JungleLand by Bruce Springsteen.
Big in Japan and Brazil as well, check out Fleesh who have done homage to Renaissance Rush Genesis etc!!!
One of the great "What If's" of music : When Renaissance were searching for a vocalist , the girlfriend of one of the musicians said " Well , my sister likes to sing while doing chores." .... and thus began a Legend !!!!
Here re some other great songs by this special band,Running Hard,Mother Russia, Black Flame,Northern Lights,A Song For All Seasons,Prologue,Can You Hear Me,Can You Understand, And Carpet of The Sun. All during the Vietnam war and Cold War with the former Soviet Union!
That list is pretty well identical to what I would have written!
👍🏻👍🏻
Saw this group in concert several times. Singer Annie Haslam reportedly has a 5 or 6 octave range. She now lives in Pennsylvania and has performed in her later years.
Seeing them live in concert, and hearing Annie Haslam hit that final high note... oh, it sent shivers down my spine. The audacity to just *throw* that pure note into the air...
It's an astonishing performance. You could write a book about the brilliance of every aspect. But Annie's voice on this track is amazing. It often brings me to tears! And how she gets to and holds that last note on "way..."! Superb.
Awesome! Knew you'd appreciate Annie & company. Love your take on this great song. Mother Russia next. Versions from Carnegie Hall are perhaps the definitive ones of all songs.
Love Annie's voice listen to Can you understand Great bass player Jon Camp is awesome !
New version of Northern Lights out with Jon Camp appearing on it, he hasn't lost it, Northern Lights 2021 look for John Holden Bandcamp it's a charity record for Ovarian Cancer.
ruclips.net/video/aNLOwRNzrpQ/видео.html
not heard them for such a long time, I had almost forgotten them, "nothern lights" was my favourite song. "Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor" came also to my mind again somehow. thank you .
Saw them live at Red Rocks. When Annie hits that high note..the waayyy and the music comes in ....chills. underrated magical band. Wonderful artist these days.
I can't believe you reacted to this! I saw them live when I was in college about 3-4 times... they were incredible!
In 1974 i saw Renaisance live for the first time , in an amazing old theater in Montreal: The Outremont...The concert is one of the 10 best prog concert i ever saw,,,and believe me i saw a lot... When it came to Ashes are burning ,i couln't believe the live version and the solo of Annie in the end...Live at Caenegie Hall wasn't out yet so i had no idea that Ashes was so great live....When it started, the angelic voice of Annie filled the theater like angels coming sown from heaven...and when the mirror ball lighted it was the only time i saw it used and it was powerfull...it tells it all...Then i saw Renaissance maybe 4 more times...always incredible
Black Flame
I am so glad he enjoyed this as much as I must have at my first hearing back in the 70s. Gives me hope for the younger generation of music listeners.
One of the greatest bands ever. Phenomenal song. Musicianship is off the charts.
So nice for the younger generation to discover the great music of the 60s, 70s and 80s!
Lucky to have seen this band live twice ,
Loved your reactions and the way you explored the feelings the music inspired in you. I believe that is what Renaissance's music is all about. I discovered this group in my uni days back in the seventies and their music has accompanied me all me adult life ( I'm now 66). The lyrics and feeling to this and their other songs have a depth that I am still exploring 40 plus years later.
Keep exploring and thinking about your music. It will reward you whatever musical direction you take.
Just subscribed because you have reacted to 3 of my favorite bands of all time; The Moody Blues, Nightwish, and now Renaissance. The Moody Blues was my #1 favorite for the longest time, then I discovered Renaissance (by accident), and just recently, Nightwish. I really just can't say that any one of them is my "#1" because it depends on what mood I'm in. They are all absolutely great!
She sings pitch perfect and can sing a note as a bell tone, with no vibrato.
I saw them in Philly many times, including at the Academy of Music, wow.
No one is really close to her ability (she is operatically trained) style and power of her voice.
Thanks for doing this!! I am just beginning the video but there is a huge grin on my face! More afterwards.
May 10, 1974 (Yes my birthday is tomorrow and I will be 65, but I saw a lot of great bands, including this one in their second USA concert!) at the Miami Jai Alai Fronton. The lineup was Procol Harum (headliner), Dave Mason, and Renaissance opened. Out came this barefoot 5'2 girl in a long flowing white dress. We never expected her 5 octave range, a Russian Classical flavor, or John Tout's piano. It was magical and we were MESMERIZED! An approximate setlist is here: www.setlist.fm/setlist/renaissance/1974/academy-of-music-new-york-ny-bdf813a.html
They blew the audience away, and ended up booing Dave Mason with his acoustic guitar off the stage. Poor guy, Procol Harum got the audience back, but all anyone was talking about was Renaissance. I have never tired of their music or Annie's voice. Try "Ocean Gypsy", "Scheherazade", "Things I Don't Understand" "Touching Once is So Hard To Keep, and anything from "Turn of the Cards". There is so much to listen to, including Annie's solo albums. You can't go wrong.
Got to see them in NYC in the mid-70s at a show hosted by WNEW-FM, incredible as a live act and it was so memorable. Annie Haslam so quiet and demure but then that beautiful voice filling the hall and the band was top shelf. I remember reading that she may have had stage fright which might explain her not moving around much on stage but no matter, such an incredible vocalist.
Great choice, Daniel! You're now reacting to a great band that many folks from back in the day just never heard. This was a great tune to start with - one of my favorites. Try Mother Russia next. Annie Haslam, the vocalist, has a 4-octave range - one of the best singers i've ever heard!
Annie gives me goosebumps on those high notes. I saw them in 1977 and 1978 in Chicago. Great live band. That's Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash on the final guitar lead.
Beautiful Music, totally underrated band , well done for choosing something to react to that is largely ignored by most.
An older version of you on the album cover too :) Great reaction to one of my favourite, if not my favourite song of all time.
Blackmores Night are pretty good as well.. They do a Good version of "Ocean Gypsy" another Renaissance classic..
10 minutes for this song is actually very tame. Live performances of this song range from 15 minutes to a whole half an hour. A good portion of their songs from this era and on their most recent album are around 10 minutes long too, it's their average. Personally I would have recommended the Carnegie Hall live version of the song cause of Annie Haslam's amazing vocalise solo at the end of the song. Just a personal preference though, check it out in your free time though, I highly recommend it!
They are actually a Prog band, Specifically a Symphonic Prog band. This song in particular was written by their lyricist, Betty Thatcher Newsinger, after she had a near death experience, so this was essentially her explaining what she experienced and saw while she was "in between". Annie often did sing flute parts when the band couldn't be accompanied by an orchestra, and sometimes she would still sing vocalise parts as an additional instrument, even with an orchestra playing, like in the Carnegie Hall performance.
If you liked the 'weird' feel of this song, the dreamlike nightmare/horror film you described the song as, Trip to the Fair is one that takes that up to 11.
Renaissance itself was formed in 1969 by ex Yardbirds Keith Relf and Jim McCarty and originally features Keith's sister Jane as the lead female vocalist, though vocals were more mixed between male and female until Annie Haslam joined as the third lead female vocalist on New Years day 1971. Annie continues to be the lead vocalist and now head of Renaissance to this day and let me tell you, she is one of the funniest, most contagiously happy people I have ever met. If you get the chance to ever see her life at any point, do so cause she is so entertaining, even when she isn't singing!
Other songs I recommend to you are:
Kalynda (a Magical Isle)
Island
The Face of Yesterday
Carpet of the Sun
Can You Hear Me
Can You Understand
The Song of Scheherazade [if you're willing to sit through a full 25 minutes]
Symphony of Light [A song off their most recent studio album]
Opening Out and Day of the Dreamer [two songs that are best when paired together and listened to back to back]
At the Harbour [An amazing story song/Narrative song, and one of my all time favourites!]
Prologue [an amazing display of Annie's vocal talents... No lyrics, just some of the best Vocalise you'll ever hear]
The Sisters
Midas Man
Black Flame
Song for all Seasons
Mother Russia
Things I don't Understand [Another dark yet dreamlike song]
Touching Once (is so Hard to Keep)
So hello and welcome to the post Renaissance world! I'm your expert on all things Annie Haslam and Renaissance related [a title given to me by various other fans as well as Annie and her boyfriend Dave themselves because I apparently know way too much about the history of the band, and as Annie once said, know more about her and the band's history than she does 😅]
Anyway, glad you enjoyed the song!
Found your reaction to Song for all Seasons and backtracking found you did this song reaction. You do incredibly well with these reactions I have to tell you. . I originally grew up in the NYC area and seen Renaissance many times. They were absolutely amazing live. You should check out the live version of Ashes are Burning (it'll blow you away). I had the awesome opportunity to meet the band backstage at one of their shows. Ah...they provided so many great memories.
Glad your exploring Renaissance. Keep up the great work!
One of my favorite song. Also try Carpet of the sun.
Rare Gem, tysm!!!! xxx
Daniel, you just made my day. Please trust me and treat yourself to the live version from Carnegie Hall which is about 28 minutes in length. No hints just trust me and let me know what you thought. Please. Daniel I lied, you have touched the tip of the iceberg. In the live version Annie's voice replaces the guitar solo and goes beyond the range of the guitar. Lightmane is right, please contact me if you want a journey you will never forget. Peace and hugs. Try their version of Scheherazade as well as The Harbour and many many more.
: ) If only we could watch them play at Carnegie, but sadly there's no video, that I know of. Just the music : (
I just went and listened to that performance at Carnegie Hall again. It's 23 minutes. After hearing what she does with her voice in those last parts... I had to take a moment and compose myself. I've never heard anything like that ever.
@@Lightmane there are old live videos out there but nothing with the quality of sound
I enjoy taking this ride music with you and witnessing true bliss for music a
Check out "Mother Russia" on their 3rd album, Turn of the Cards. You'll like it, a lot. It's a song honoring Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn, the Russian author of a novel, "The Gulag Archipelago," exposing the privations of the Soviet Union's vast gulag political-prison system. Forced into exile, Solzhenitsyn was eventually awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Turn of the Cards is my favorite but then I like most everything by them!
I also want to add that I loved how you reacted to the song... not just what you said, but your actual physical reaction. The way you closed your eyes and moved your head when "Imagine The Burning Embers" brings to mind how Annie takes in the music during the interludes. You really connected to the song.
Great to see you doing some Renaissance. You're right that Annie Haslam's voice was like another instrument. Too bad you didn't pick the much longer live version. Annie comes back to sing in the last few minutes. This group, sadly near-forgotten, has many great songs. Next I'd recommend Trip to the Fair, Mother Russia, and the 23 minute Scheherazade. There are a bunch more I'll save till you get to these. This one is very good but certainly not their best.
And again, you seem interested in lyrics. So why not check out Leonard Cohen's Everybody Knows.
Love Renaissance. I saw them first in 1979 and again in 2012, just a few months before Michael Dunford passed away.
I call what they do "symphonic rock." Just like a symphony, they start with a musical theme, then build on it and add countermelodies, then build more and build even more.
Sadly, radio didn't want to play songs that are longer than three or four minutes. Only "Carpet of the Sun" made the charts in Britain.
I love your videos! Your face expresion in this one was awesome.
Just a suggestion: turn up a little bit the volume of you voice in comparison with the music. A non-native speaker like me sometimes has to rewind to get what you said in middle of the song xD
Annie is one of the few vocalists that become part of the band enirely. With the 5+ octave range, you can hear no stress on the high notes, and of course, no autotune.
Other songs you'll enjoy are Can you Understand and Mother Russia - they really show off her incredible talent.
In deepest memory of Betty Thatcher-Newsinger Poet Laureate Storyteller
Michael Dunford Guitarist Composer Arranger
John Tout Multiple Keyboards Arranger
The lead singer for the band The Yardbirds, Keith Relf was in this band! You would enjoy the music of The Yardbirds. Eclectic and many power players. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page...The song, 'At The Harbor' on this album is devastating. Very beautiful and sad.
Her voice makes me weep with love.
I saw them in 1977 Dallas's Electric Ballroom. The concert was for free and I sat 6 feet away from her in the middle front row.
"Can you hear me" is my favorite and it was from their newly released Novella lp!,😍
Never heard this before. Love that bass tone - almost a Chris Squire sound. Loved it. I definitely will be scanning the comments for other songs to check out.
I don't think they have 1 bad song. I suggest you start with ->
Album: Renaissance - Scheherazade & Other Stories
moshly64 thanks for the suggestion. That’s one think I’ve enjoyed following Daniel: I’m finding some really great music that I’ve missed, and people who enjoy sharing it.
@@matthewhoag2609 No problems, Check out ->
Rajah Khan
Can You Understand
Running Hard
Things I Don't Understand
Black Flame
Touching Once (Is So Hard To Keep)
The Day Of The Dreamer
A Song For All Seasons
Like Chris Squire on the classic Yes albums, this is also played on a Rickenbacker bass with the treble tone turned high to emphasise the crunchy/stringy sound.
Special guest Andy Powell Wishbone Ash
The version you want is from Live at Carnagie Hall. My daughter is a singer. Her comment when she heard Annie's vocal improvisations in the live version was, "OK, we've established she sold her soul to the devil."
You won't believe anyone could do what she did. Literally, at 17:10 of that version. Impossible.
My third favorite prog rock band. It changed over time, but I love al of the phases
Saw them live at Red Rocks. Majestic. Annie's voice is a wonder, as is the band's musicianship. She's an artist now, and I have one of her works on the wall in our bedroom. MAGIC.
Do get the CD Renaissance Live at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic, AWESOME. I got to see them twice.
Renaissance is a remarkable band with a very distinct sound characterised by the fact that they don’t have an electric lead guitarist. The electric guitar solo here is played by Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash where as Renaissance keyboard player plays organ on one song of Wishbone Ash’s Argus album.
They were magnificent at Carnegie Hall!!!
In the 70 and 80 I drug along some of my hard rock head bangers to see Renaissance.
After a bit most became entranced with her voice and the bands music, especially he ones that had a little of classical music background.
Not much other band in that time was close to them is that classical style..
And they were away so tight musically
If you get the chance, listen to the version from their “Live at Carnegie Hall.” Jon Camp’s bass proves him to be one of the ten greatest bass players of all. I like your interpretation of the studio version. And Annie Haslam is in a class of her own as a vocalist.
Renaissance Carpet of the sun:Running Hard: Things I don't Understand. GREAT SONGS.
Always fun watching someone hear Renaissance for the first time, something you only get to do once. They never really did hit the big time, which is probably good. Hate to imagine what might have happened had they decided to try disco, an abomination that largely ruined rock in the mid 70s and whose effects are still being felt today. (I'll never forgive Rod Stewart for "Do you think I'm sexy.") Glad a new generation is discovering them. Long may they live.
Try their songs...."Can You Understand", "Mother Russia", "Can You Hear Me"....Annie hits ALL the right notes. If you'd like some more Andy Powell, check out the Wishbone Ash song "Rest in Peace".
Another suggestion - The Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson
Recently discovered this group, watching them play live on you tube is mesmerizing, Annie has the classic 70's look and moves then her voice is so nice to hear. Their lyrics are deep poetry, your ideas on possible meanings help-makes me think. The original group only has a base guitar, 1976 live version 31.02 minutes long has the best base solo, no screaming guitars, maybe thats why they are not as popular as other Rock bands of the time (views are 1/10th of other groups?). Do more songs Thanks.
I've listened to this beautiful, hypnotic song more than once LOL; I've seen Renaissance in concert 10 times. There is a live 31-minute 20-second version of Ashes are Burning from 1976 that more fully displays the band's superb musicianship and Annie Haslam's stunning, ceiling-less vocal range: ruclips.net/video/v4VDwWVrHn4/видео.html ENJOY!
P.S. I apologize for the last 7:45 of the video - the videographer must have thought he was doing a shoot at Studio 54 in New York City!
P.P.S. DD, exceptional job with your comments, analysis, stoppages and expressions of awe!!
Thanks for reacting to this - one of my favorite bands from way back, and not many people are familiar with them. All their albums from Prologue through Song for All Seasons are worth a listen, and the two earlier albums from the previous version of the band are very interesting also. I listen to a lot of metal, and find www.darklyrics.com to be a great and easy place to find any metal-genre lyrics (but I don't think Renaissance would be there).
The song was inspired by the lyricist Betty Thatcher’s near death experience. Ashes are burning 🔥 is like seeing the Bright White crossing reported by others’ near death experiences. “Your sins you won’t remember, and all you’ll find there is love.”
Renaissance is magic.
Man, firts time i heard i had this image on my mind: Peter, Paul & Mary meet Emerson, Lake and Palmer!
And here you are, discovering a gem from my past and bringing it forward into now. Renaissance defied easy categorization or description, which may be one reason that they remain so unknown today. Now that I think of it, they're kind of similar to Nightwish in that respect.
So you were expecting something more Proggy? Congratulations, you got your wish. They were part of a very specific, very English-traditional segment of the Prog genre, which never really took hold here in the States. The band's masterpiece is the live album they recorded at Carnegie Hall, with a full orchestra. I'd suggest "Scheherazade" or "Mother Russia" from that album.
I had to seek out Renaissance back in the day. There was no fan base on the North Coast, and between the Northeast and me there was a Cleveland. Fortunately, a local music magazine had a staff critic who was a big fan, and gave the Carnegie Hall album such a glowing writeup that I had to seek it out. I've been grateful ever since.
Andy Powell Lead Guitar at the end, Check out Wishbone Ash.
Memories remembered churning up.
You should try "Ocean Gypsy" or "trip to the fair" both are lyrically amazing and are also musically fascinating.
If you want to enjoy more of the Renaissance sound, it's worth listening to "Can you understand?"; if you are going to travel in the voice of vocalist Annie, just listen to "Let it grow" ... big hug !
R.I.P John Tout keyboards Michael Dunford Classical Acoustic and Electric Guitars and Betty Thatcher Newsinger for Lyrics!!!
Renaissance is worth diving in. Try "Mother Russia" or "Carpet of the Sun"
I am still waiting for a reaction by anyone to Arthur Browns debut album. This is a great band for sure, I don' believe I have heard a reaction by anyone else to this band.
You really needed to listen to the LIVE FROM CARNEGIE HALL version.
I was sitting watching and thinking "please don't pause it before the guitar starts". Andy Powell's playing just oozes taste. If it piques your interest, check out the album Argus by Wishbone Ash.