Renaissance is a unique band in progressive rock history. Very melodic songs, great skills musicians, beautiful angel voice of Annie Haslam, wonderful and huge orchestral sounds. So underrated prog band, but your channel helps the Renaissance community to introduce them to a new generation of lovers of their beautiful and great music. Thanks. 🤩
Renaissance never sold a lot of records in the US, but every Prog fan knew about them for the simple reason that they were the opening act for all our favorite bands like Yes and Gentle Giant. They were the perfect opener….set the mood, but not set the place on fire. Annie Haslem interview with the Daily Doug is a must see.
Other bands sometimes use classical instruments in their rock songs, but Renaissance's longer songs are structured like classical music and performed with rock and classical instruments.
Wonderful selections David! Absolutely love Renaissance! 2 great bands came from The Yardbirds, the iconic Led Zeppelin and the masterful Renaissance. Annie Halsam made Renaissance a million times better! Loved this marathon!✌️🤘✌️
The Yardbirds were arguably the most influential and talented group of individuals of the 1960s, in addition possessing the significant talents of Paul Samwell-Smith - notable producer of the golden period of Cat Stevens recordings, and Chris Dreja - a respected photographer.
Thumbs up before even listening. You already know Renaissance is one of my faves, if not THE favorite band of mine (well, maybe after KC). "Ocean Gypsy" is sublime.
Renaissance is one of my absolutely favorite bands of all time, so underrated. Ocean gipsy was great and A song for all seasons/the title track I mean, is really my top favorite song of this band ever. Other great songs were Spare some love, Kiev, Carpet of the sun, running hard, Mother Russia, A trip to the fair, Ashes are burning and more. So Annie has such a sweet voice, Jon Camp a geat underrated bass player, John Tout and Michael Dunford died too young. Renaissance was indeed a unique sound band, so amazing !!!
You guys need to check out their 1979 album "azure d'or"!!!! "The Winter Tree", "Golden Key", "Kalynda", and "Ther Flood At Lyons" are all INCREDIBLE!!!!!
The older I get, the more I enjoy this band. Had you played that to me as a teenager/young adolescent it would have been too soft and twee for me. But nowadays I can appreciate the musicality.
I have loved this band since the Prologue album. Annie Haslam the greatest female voice in music. I have only two regrets in music and it's not ever seeing Renaissance live the other is not seeing Gabriel's Genesis.
Thank you David. My two favourite people reacting to one of my favourite bands. What a way to spend a drizzly Monday night in England! I have owned three Renaissance albums since the mid 70's. 'Ashes are Burning', 'Turn of the Cards' and 'Scheherazade and other Stories' are they, and I love them to bits, but for some strange reason I never listened to, or bought, any other of their albums. I don't know why! Perhaps on some level I was worried that I would be disappointed, that somehow they wouldn't live up to the standard of those three magnificent albums. Well I don't need to worry any more. 'The Captive Heart' and 'Song for all Seasons' were wonderful and just as good. 'Ocean Gypsy' is from 'Scheherazade...' so I know it well. I agree Nick, their music is cinematic yet so clear; you can hear each instrument's contribution to the whole. I must mention John Tout's piano, never flashy but oh so tasteful and melodic. More albums I have to buy! That video left me with a smile on my face xx
When the album came out, I used to blast "Song for All Seasons" and "Day of the Dreamer" out the window of my college dorm room. I tried to make sure that everyone got turned on to that music. No one ever complained because the music was so spectacular. That was 45 years ago - it's still timeless!
I've been a Renaissance fan since I first saw them on In Concert, which was back in the EARLY 70's. Saw them live twice, and waited outside Long Beach Arena to have Annie sign a program. I was so enamored that I, very regrettably, missed getting Michael Dunford to sign, but they were on their way to their car in a parking lot and we felt like intruders. Both times I saw the "classic" lineup, to which you are listening, and they are some of my favorite memories. John Tout, the keyboardist, could make you think there was a symphony orchestra hiding behind the curtain somewhere, while still playing the incredible piano lines. A lot of people don't realize that Jon Camp's bass is usually the dominant line, since Mike Dunford rarely played electric guitar, only acoustic. Jon was also the male voice and truly matches Annie's perfect voice. Terence Sullivan was the perfect percussionist for them, being far more than a drummer. Very expressive! Scheherazade is the story of the young lady who entranced a Sultan with her stories of 1001 Arabian Nights. It's a wonderful story to look into, and Rimsky-Korsokov's composition, which inspired it, is my very favorite classical piece. It's a long song, but you should truly hear Renaissance's "Song of Scheherazade" - their very finest work, in my mind! There has never been another band like them, they were a true unicorn, and though Tout and Dunford are no longer with us, their music will live forever.
I’m a classical music fan as well. The Scheherazade piece by Renaissance has salutes to the original very famous classical piece by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Try listening to it sometime too, for yourselves. It is dynamic and is very very beautiful! 😀
IMO, Anni Haslam has THE most beautiful voice ever... Greatly underrated, highly original and talented band. Thanks for keeping their music current! :)
Excellent video guys! A Song for All Seasons is one of my favorite songs. I first heard it in college in the late 70s. My friends and I would put this on and just listen, transported. Beautiful, just beautiful. The British have such a knack for packing many instruments into their productions that always blows me away. Especially classical arrangements like this. Reminds me of Alan Parsons or even Beatles with George Martin. And Annie's voice is magnificent. So glad you did this.
Captive Heart is rarely played live because Annie sings her own harmony, as you heard. I was lucky to hear it done live at the Keswick Theater near Philadelphia in 2012, 3 weeks before Michael Dunford's untimely death. Jason Hart sang the harmony beautifully. Renaissance is the only band I have flown great distances to see. Saw them most recently on the On the Blue Cruise last month. It's pronounced Sheh-hair-a-zadd - accent on the second syllable. Sheherazade is the heroine from the 1001 Tales - Arabic/Persian equivalent of Homer, Shakespeare, Nordic Sagas. Listen to the title track next but read about the heroine's story first.
I was at that Keswick show in 2012, sitting in the front row. It was the first time I'd seen Renaissance since the early 1980's. Annie's voice is still magical, the music is still timeless. Annie is also a wonderful artist, and she does meet-and-greets to sell her art, here in Bucks County Pennsylvania, where she now resides. I got to meet Annie and chat with her, briefly when I arrived early at one of her meet-and-greets in 2018. She's a beautiful sole - her personality is just as relaxing and soothing as her music. She signed my Scheherazade Album, which was first of many Renaissance albums that I've kept all these years. These three songs were brilliant choices.
Renaissance is one of my favorite groups from the 70's. From the amazing Ashes Are Burning through Scheherezade, Annie Haslam 's voice is extraordinary. I've seen them in concert 3 times, always a great show. Annie has the purest voice since Karen Carpenter.
Thank you so much for playing the band I've requested a lot. And thank you for playing 2 of the songs I also suggested. I agree with you that Renaissance is unique - the best. And this is by far the best kind of music to enjoy. 70s Prog forever! Looking forward, and I may have mentioned this before, too, but there are some bands and tracks our there that offer this kind of sound - sort of. On ELP Works Volume One (black album), there is Pirates. Now, Emerson has his Piano Concerto #1 on that album, so you know the orchestra is all in. But in Pirates, the band comes together. It is ELP's version of what Renaissance does. It might even be better, maybe. But who is keeping score? I'm not. Pirates. There is a band from Israel called Orphaned Land. Where to begin? I know you will love them. Once again, this is a band that goes deep into orchestration. Harmonies, multiple voices, metal,. Many of the songs are about peace and troubles they have with terrorism. 2 albums are absolutely amazing: All Is One and Unsung Prophets And Dead Messiahs. Just incredible. I was going to suggest some songs, but I ended up with about 10 of them! So, you're on your own. That Middle Eastern sound blends in with the classical and rock so well. Reminds me a little of Rock Opera in places. You also mentioned Lex listening to Rick Wakeman passages from a Yes album in her car. Well, it's time to go to Rick Wakeman when he has the orchestra at his disposal. There is NOTHING like the King Arthur album. And he plays the church organ in Judias Iscariot (Criminal Record album) for all it's worth, and then some. Listen to those to hear a true master musician of the 70s! A Master. Which brings me back to Renaissance. Novella is my favorite album of all time. Number one. And you played what is my 2nd favorite song from it: Captive Heart. Just beautiful. But my Number 1 favorite is The Sisters. You mentioned the beauty of sadness during this reaction. You mentioned the young child showing emotion to sad and beautiful music. The Sisters is their musical take on sisters in a convent reacting to a terrible drought that is devastating the land in Spain. I believe this was a few centuries back - a true historic event. What amazing music! I hope you both are doing well.
Again, I love your reactions guys. As I love this music. So much great drama, and changes in moods and scenarios. This music takes you on tour "all over the place" I think, but always even brings me safly and beautifuly back home 🤗 Annies voice is rather unique, and this band lets her shine, as even every singel band member does as well. They all get their moments, and that makes even the music, the whole piece get to shine as well. Since I first was introduced to this band for the first time in 1977 (and I run out to grab all of their music), I have been enjoying their symphonic-rock-ballady uplifting tunes over and over. They always put me into great mood, and inspiers my day.
No one since Renaissance has written or performed music like this since. Alan Parsons has done some good stuff but this sort of thing is totally unique. If you think about how 5 musicians had created a symphony on every track they ever produced and every one is a classic of beauty. The time just to create all those parts for an orchestra for each track and to create a multi-track master of it, incredible.
My late eldest brother was a HUGE fan of Renaissance in the 1970’s, he played the Live at Carnegie Hall album endlessly, and I remember he also adored Novella and A Song For All Seasons. I enjoyed their work as well, but I was younger, and I don’t think I quite “got” them at the time. But I certainly do now…THANK YOU for bringing this group back into my head again. I think I need to go CD 💿 shopping now…😊❤
I do love you two! A Song for All Seasons is about as good as it gets for this superb band. Thank you so much for covering it. A new generation coming to this wonderful music. Yes, the comparison with the Moodies is a fair call. You really need to look at more from Renaissance, IMO. I remember buying this when it was first released. The whole album just blew me away. It still does. As do your reactions.
Keep the Renaissance reactions coming. You have to try Ashes Are Burning and Things I don't Understand or really anything from their 1973 and 1974 albums. So cool that you are doing this!! Thank you.
I have 2 "best of" Renaissance CD's in my car right now that I've been listening to for the last month. Incredible music. This was a great way to finish out my day. Thanks!
Wonderful Wonderful!! I have had the privilege to seeing all these songs performed live. My surprise is you have not done Ashes are Burning yet. Ashes is most likely considered their signature song. You have to do both the live and studio versions. I even got to meet the band backstage after one of their shows in NY back in the 70's. Before the backstage meeting they were playing shows at Radio City Music Hall, and I was the crazy nut job who ran up on stage and presented Annie with a dozen roses. At the backstage encounter Annie said, "We meet again". I have pictures...I have to see if I can find them. Anyway, another great job!! You are terrific!!
Song for all seasons is a classic from the best band the UK never had. Love watching the reactions to a song that is nearly 50 years old. Especially love the way Americans call them RenUssance❤
The zenith of blended music between classical and progressive rock! Annie has a five octave range! Jon is among the most underrated and best bass player!Amazing blouse Lex!
I remember sharing a cabin on a ferry from Harwich from Harwich to Hoek van Holland in the late 1970s. With three Americans. And we chatted about Renaissance, and how good they were. I learned that they had a real big cult following on the East Coast. We had a great chat - I loved it! They appreciated how great this band was. I would love to chat with them now.
Sha hair rah zahd. That was their apex! After Novella they receded in my opinion. Times and music styles changed. Saw them at UVa working stage crew in 1978 and the opener was Al Di Meola!!! They were touring the Song for All Seasons album. Ocean Gypsy closes side one of Scheherazade album. The Song of Scheherazade on side two will completely blow you away! It is 24 mins long and has nine sections telling the story of Scheherazade. Annie's last note could shatter all the glass in the room! The bass player is Jon Camp and his hero was Chris Squire. I think you can hear that too. Oh, and for all you air-bassists out there, he plays with a pick (like Chris)! Since there was no electric guitar, he really carried the tunes. He also provides the vocal harmonies (and dissonance). The keyboardist was John Tout and he was adept at stealing riffs from classical music composers. Michael Dunford played acoustic guitar (listen to Midas Man on Novella) and composed many of the songs and wrote lyrics. And the drummer Terry Sullivan played all modes of percussion and hit the gong like no other. Folks refer to this lineup with Annie as the classic lineup. Here's a video of them live in 1974. Unless you like French, skip 3 mins or so. Amazing they produced all those sounds live! ruclips.net/video/fKJx4V_7hj8/видео.html Nick: I'd play this music for my kids. Lex: um hmm, um hmmm. (hahaha) you two are great
For my best bud's bachelor party, four of us went to see Renaissance at a little place in San Diego, The Bacchanal. Even on the back row, we weren't even 30 feet away. What a night. What a perfect night.
Thank you for hearing and sharing this wonderful band!! I have many Renaissance's records in LP and I treasure them! If you like this band, I recommend you to hear the life versions of the Carnegie Hall concerto, It is amazing!! By the way, in spanish you can pronounce it as Sherezada.
Interesting that you compared the Moody Blues to Renaissance because Justin Hayward wrote one song on Annie's third solo album, and he also sang backup and played guitar on it. It's called 'The angels cry'.
Anytime you ask anybody about Renaissance you're going to get one of two responses and they are either I've never heard of them or oh yeah man they're great
Since 2010 or so the band uses a second keys player to play the orchestral parts, PLUS they often perform with a small orchestra in the area near Philly. For these reasons they sound better live now than they did when they were a five piece. This music is symphonic and needs an orchestra. It is not rock and roll. The second keys players have included Tom Brislin, now with Kansas, Jason Hart, and now Jeff Langley. The original John Tout keys parts are played by Annie's longtime musical director, Rave Tesar. NO ELECTRIC GUITARS in this band. Jon Camp's bass lines are as close to Chris Squire's as you'll hear. He played a Rickenbacker too and Chris was his inspiration.
I'm a massive Renaissance fan. This group ticks all the boxes. Mother Russia is probably my favourite track of theirs but there are so many stunning tracks it's so hard to judge. These tracks are wonderful. Captive Heart is my favourite shorter track of theirs.
Love it. You could do a month of Renaissance as far as I am concerned You need to do the full version of Scheherazade now. Try the live version from Carnegie Hall
I remember hearing the symphonic piece Scheherazade by Rimski-Korsakov when I was very young. It has many memorable melodies in it, and was inspired by the story of 1001 nights. The stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba came from there.
These days i mostly listen to symphonic metal, but back in the 80s when you wanted to listen to some symphonic stuff with female vocals, yeah there wasn't so much else than Renaissance. So i listened quite a lot to them, and somehow i often think that they were maybe where it all started with all the great female fronted metal bands we have now. Even since they of course were not metal. But just before this i saw another reaction to "Swan Song with Chopin Intro" from Lovebits that just perfectly shows how well classical music and metal work together.
I saw them twice if I remember right, the first time about 45 years ago on the Song for all Seasons tour. The album was phenomenal live, and just an amazing band. I saw them just once more a year later after they released Azure d’Or album, that didn’t quite reach the heights of Songs. ❤
What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this? Thank you! I need to whip together a marathon, since I pay by the year, and have not had one yet, although Renaissance would probably be on it. I had and loved all their albums except the live one and one other, and would love to lie on the floor and pull the speakers up to my ears, and drift away with the music. Such riches! I was also teaching my parents well, and they came to like a lot of the music. Moody Blues was another I had most of, and knew entirely. You're right, they are quite similar. Perhaps even more similar is Lisa Gerrard & Dead Can Dance, which sounds morbid but is exactly the opposite. Like Renaissance, they never produced a bad song, and most songs are unique diamonds. But DCD took the forms and progressed them even further, and should be considered progressive. Definitely give a listen to Renaissance's timely "Mother Russia" and "Kiev" as well as "Scheherazade" (she-hera-zod) who was the clever lady in 1001 nights (Arabian Nights) and her wondrous story. "Carpet of the Sun" is a snappy tune as well. Many excellent choices. Kudos!
Hi Guys, I remember watching Top of the Pops every week here in England, and the very 1st time hearing and seeing Renaissance with a song called "Carpet in the Sun" [ still available to watch on u.t ] I ended up buying the album "Ashes Are Burning" and what a debut album !! Wow ! I bought the double live album Live at Carnegie Hall and it's a superb concert from 1975. Love female vocals in Prog and rock music. Incidentally 1975 was the year the incredible debut album by Heart was released > "Dreamboat Annie" [ & Annie Haslam was the vocalist of Renaissance ] Makes you wonder ? Great reactions to these beautiful tracks thankyou ! Byeee Jim X
@@kbrewski1 "Carpet in the Sun" was the 1st time I ever saw and heard them and it was on the album Ashes, so I took it to be their debut....Maybe it was just the 1st to enter so high in the charts ?
Great choice of tunes from an important band that is to progressive rock what John Williams is to classical music, something that fits perfectly in between and is somehow both and yet apart, in a great way. It sounds like prog, but it also sounds ancient and classically arranged. Another band that is in this category is Magenta, though they are more rock/jazz oriented, whereas Rennaissance is classical. Scheherazade is a famous romantic (erotic?) fairytale about a Sultan that was betrayed by a lover, so decreed that virgin women would spend one night with him and then be killed, so as to not be able to betray him later. A clever woman Scheherazade, stays alive by telling the Sultan stories that end in cliffhangers, so he would keep her alive for the next night, to hear the end. By the time 1001 nights have passed , the Sultan has fallen in love and marries her, and the Sultan gives up his evil ways, Scheherazade becomes the Queen, etc. In other tellings of the tale, she is just too good in bed to give up, doing something amazing sexually and new every night ... depends which version of the fairytale you happen to pick up... There are movies and ballets and symphonies (both regular, and "adult" about 1001 Arabian Nights.) The story of Scheherazade is the inspiration for all the tales of Alladin , Sinbad, Ali Baba and the forty thieves, etc. They are all supposedly tales told by Scheherazade to the Sultan.
A very underrated and less known band than the more popular 70's rock bands. Turn of the Cards is a fantastic album, and Annie Haslam and Jon Anderson are my favorite vocalists of all-time. She does a rendition of Turn of the Century with Steve Howe on an album called Tales from Yesterday, which is a YES tribute album. It is an amazing rendition!
Very cool. Some parts I could imagine YES performing... Love that LEX digs that church organ part of CTTE .. we had a large console stereo in our living room where I had my drums set up.. I would always crank up the volume on the church organ part and close my eyes and be moved by the powerful experience. 😋
Thank you for posting this- I remember rushing home to play these vinyls and being blown away every time from this band. I had the good fortune to see them play a few times and they were fantastic. The young folks of today should hear them, puts a lot of the new music to shame.
Huge fan bought everything they released. The first 2 albums Renaissance and Illusion featured Jane Relf on vocal. She and her Brother Keith and drummer Jim McCarty formed the band and Keith and Jim came from The Yardbirds. Annie joined for the 3rd album Prologue and Jane started her own band Illusion I think with Jim McCarty but not sure at the moment. Keith Relf died tragically from electrocution iirc.
A Song for All Seasons is an absolute masterpiece of composition, orchestration, poetry and meaning. Though it has to be listened in album's entirety, or at least immediately after Opening Out and Day of the Dreamer. You'll find musical motifs referencing and making an arch of completeness. Released in 1978, it's a sort of closing to the era, a lament-anthem for progressive rock. After this album Renaissance abandoned writing huge orchestral epics for a long time. We fall while aiming so high We crawl, flying Man has North South East and West Man has trying Man has North South East and West Man has Music Man has North South East and West Man MAKES MUSIC A song for all seasons through
love this band's music and of course, love everything about Annie. The lyrics have deep meanings, most reactors do not talk about lyrics, maybe you two could give it a try. Those of us who comment could tell what we think the songs are about. Seasons, what we reap we sow, so true. Ocean Gypsy still trying to figure that one out. Ashes Burning-see prior reactions.
Your next Renaissance track should be "Can you Hear Me" the opening track on Novella perhaps followed by "Touching once is so hard to keep" from the same album. I'm an old man who was a fan in the 70's when everyone else was moving to poorer music! I'm still a fan! Dave from the UK.
I’ve been in love with Annie Haslam since this album… I saw them live @ Penn State on the Novella tour. Yes, college students got into Renaissance! In fact, Pennsylvania was a hotbed of Interest in the band, and or rhaps that’spartly why Annie relocated there many years ago! We had the riches of the best music in the 70’s!
@@kbrewski1 It's so cool that two of my fave female vocalists live in E.PA... Annie and Mary Fahl, who was once the lead singer for October Project - one of my fave groups which was short-lived back in the early to mid-90's. They've even sung together! Between Philly's Keswick, Sellersville and Jim Thorpe/Penn's Peak venues... they've played them many times!
There have been many great voices in modern music - Karen Carpenter, Ann Wilson, Rhiannon Giddens to name just a few - but I really think Annie Haslam is probably the best of them all.
The first two songs are lovely, but I really liked "Song For All Seasons." That really IS a beautiful blouse, Alexia- your sister and stepmom have great taste and know what will look good on you! 🎵❤️🎵 Debbie
NicknLex: I had the good fortune to have seen Renaissance live 3 times; absolutely exquisite music. But to experience "Ocean Gypsy" live, here's a link to a performance from the '70's: ruclips.net/video/DQUnQ17JLkc/видео.html. And, BTW, it's pronounced Shah-hair-ah-zod.
Thank you NIKNLEX that was a fantastic reaction to one of my 6 Favourite Bands. These Guys and Girl Pioneering Symphonic Rock. Next time please react to Things I Don't Understand from Turn of the Cards Album and Can You Understand from Novella💥❤
Sheh-he-ra-zard as in A Thousand and One Nights (Sorry not checking nearly 150 comments to make sure it hasn't been mentioned! lol) So hard to pick 3 fave songs from Renaissance. I'd probably have to include Ashes are Burning and Things I Don't Understand I want Carpet of the Sun played at my funeral.
I love your reaction, I remember listening to Renaissance in the seventies. You might consider listening to music of the Irish band Clannad, I loved their song Harry's Theme.
Apart from Days of Future Past, I don't think Renaissance are like the Moodies, though both could be considered as symphonic rock/prog. But it's funny to me because from the 70s the trio of bands I love the most are YES, Renaissance and the Moody Blues.
RIP John Tout. What a piano master!
Renaissance is a unique band in progressive rock history. Very melodic songs, great skills musicians, beautiful angel voice of Annie Haslam, wonderful and huge orchestral sounds. So underrated prog band, but your channel helps the Renaissance community to introduce them to a new generation of lovers of their beautiful and great music. Thanks. 🤩
A band that deserved to be so much more successful. Their music is their legacy & will never age.
ANNIE Loves that their music gets analyzed etc. She loves all these reactions.
Renaissance never sold a lot of records in the US, but every Prog fan knew about them for the simple reason that they were the opening act for all our favorite bands like Yes and Gentle Giant. They were the perfect opener….set the mood, but not set the place on fire. Annie Haslem interview with the Daily Doug is a must see.
Saw them at Fox theatre in Atlanta. Front row. Only act.y favorite band.
Other bands sometimes use classical instruments in their rock songs, but Renaissance's longer songs are structured like classical music and performed with rock and classical instruments.
Who needs a lead guitarist when you have Jon Camp on bass!
'I Think of You' is my favorite. Give it a listen. Annie's voice really shines.
My favorite Renaissance album is "Novella." I think you would especially enjoy the last track, "Touching Once Is So Hard To Keep."
Agreed! Nice to see that someone else loves Novella as much as I. 👌😎👍
The Renaissance song is a seamless blend of folk and classical influences. Wonderful!
With some jazz thrown in
Next Renaissance marathon:
Trip to the Fair
Black Flame
Song of Scheherazade
Wonderful selections David! Absolutely love Renaissance! 2 great bands came from The Yardbirds, the iconic Led Zeppelin and the masterful Renaissance. Annie Halsam made Renaissance a million times better! Loved this marathon!✌️🤘✌️
The Yardbirds were arguably the most influential and talented group of individuals of the 1960s, in addition possessing the significant talents of Paul Samwell-Smith - notable producer of the golden period of Cat Stevens recordings, and Chris Dreja - a respected photographer.
Thumbs up before even listening. You already know Renaissance is one of my faves, if not THE favorite band of mine (well, maybe after KC). "Ocean Gypsy" is sublime.
I saw them in concert twice. They were amazing, and Annie Haslam was angelic
Absolutely loved this Marathon 👍Steve Howe and Annie Haslam recorded a wonderful version of Turn of the Century together ♥
Renaissance is one of my absolutely favorite bands of all time, so underrated. Ocean gipsy was great and A song for all seasons/the title track I mean, is really my top favorite song of this band ever. Other great songs were Spare some love, Kiev, Carpet of the sun, running hard, Mother Russia, A trip to the fair, Ashes are burning and more. So Annie has such a sweet voice, Jon Camp a geat underrated bass player, John Tout and Michael Dunford died too young. Renaissance was indeed a unique sound band, so amazing !!!
"The vultures fly high, "A trip to the fair" and "Scheherazade" ' by Renaissance are also beautiful songs from them.
You guys need to check out their 1979 album "azure d'or"!!!! "The Winter Tree", "Golden Key", "Kalynda", and "Ther Flood At Lyons" are all INCREDIBLE!!!!!
The older I get, the more I enjoy this band. Had you played that to me as a teenager/young adolescent it would have been too soft and twee for me. But nowadays I can appreciate the musicality.
The songs of Scheherazade is a wonderful story put to music by Renaissance. Read the story first then listen to the album.
I have loved this band since the Prologue album. Annie Haslam the greatest female voice in music. I have only two regrets in music and it's not ever seeing Renaissance live the other is not seeing Gabriel's Genesis.
Guys,
You should definitely listen to Song Of Scheherazade!!!!!
IT’S EPIC!!!!!!
Thank you David. My two favourite people reacting to one of my favourite bands. What a way to spend a drizzly Monday night in England! I have owned three Renaissance albums since the mid 70's. 'Ashes are Burning', 'Turn of the Cards' and 'Scheherazade and other Stories' are they, and I love them to bits, but for some strange reason I never listened to, or bought, any other of their albums. I don't know why! Perhaps on some level I was worried that I would be disappointed, that somehow they wouldn't live up to the standard of those three magnificent albums. Well I don't need to worry any more. 'The Captive Heart' and 'Song for all Seasons' were wonderful and just as good. 'Ocean Gypsy' is from 'Scheherazade...' so I know it well. I agree Nick, their music is cinematic yet so clear; you can hear each instrument's contribution to the whole. I must mention John Tout's piano, never flashy but oh so tasteful and melodic. More albums I have to buy! That video left me with a smile on my face xx
@@kbrewski1 I'm up for the job! Thank you!
These tracks were all fantastic but that last piece was just SPECTACULAR! WOW!! Thanks guys and thanks David!
When the album came out, I used to blast "Song for All Seasons" and "Day of the Dreamer" out the window of my college dorm room. I tried to make sure that everyone got turned on to that music. No one ever complained because the music was so spectacular. That was 45 years ago - it's still timeless!
I've been a Renaissance fan since I first saw them on In Concert, which was back in the EARLY 70's. Saw them live twice, and waited outside Long Beach Arena to have Annie sign a program. I was so enamored that I, very regrettably, missed getting Michael Dunford to sign, but they were on their way to their car in a parking lot and we felt like intruders. Both times I saw the "classic" lineup, to which you are listening, and they are some of my favorite memories. John Tout, the keyboardist, could make you think there was a symphony orchestra hiding behind the curtain somewhere, while still playing the incredible piano lines. A lot of people don't realize that Jon Camp's bass is usually the dominant line, since Mike Dunford rarely played electric guitar, only acoustic. Jon was also the male voice and truly matches Annie's perfect voice. Terence Sullivan was the perfect percussionist for them, being far more than a drummer. Very expressive! Scheherazade is the story of the young lady who entranced a Sultan with her stories of 1001 Arabian Nights. It's a wonderful story to look into, and Rimsky-Korsokov's composition, which inspired it, is my very favorite classical piece. It's a long song, but you should truly hear Renaissance's "Song of Scheherazade" - their very finest work, in my mind! There has never been another band like them, they were a true unicorn, and though Tout and Dunford are no longer with us, their music will live forever.
I’m a classical music fan as well. The Scheherazade piece by Renaissance has salutes to the original very famous classical piece by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Try listening to it sometime too, for yourselves. It is dynamic and is very very beautiful! 😀
IMO, Anni Haslam has THE most beautiful voice ever... Greatly underrated, highly original and talented band. Thanks for keeping their music current! :)
Excellent video guys! A Song for All Seasons is one of my favorite songs. I first heard it in college in the late 70s. My friends and I would put this on and just listen, transported. Beautiful, just beautiful. The British have such a knack for packing many instruments into their productions that always blows me away. Especially classical arrangements like this. Reminds me of Alan Parsons or even Beatles with George Martin. And Annie's voice is magnificent. So glad you did this.
Captive Heart is rarely played live because Annie sings her own harmony, as you heard. I was lucky to hear it done live at the Keswick Theater near Philadelphia in 2012, 3 weeks before Michael Dunford's untimely death. Jason Hart sang the harmony beautifully. Renaissance is the only band I have flown great distances to see. Saw them most recently on the On the Blue Cruise last month. It's pronounced Sheh-hair-a-zadd - accent on the second syllable. Sheherazade is the heroine from the 1001 Tales - Arabic/Persian equivalent of Homer, Shakespeare, Nordic Sagas. Listen to the title track next but read about the heroine's story first.
I was at that Keswick show in 2012, sitting in the front row. It was the first time I'd seen Renaissance since the early 1980's. Annie's voice is still magical, the music is still timeless. Annie is also a wonderful artist, and she does meet-and-greets to sell her art, here in Bucks County Pennsylvania, where she now resides. I got to meet Annie and chat with her, briefly when I arrived early at one of her meet-and-greets in 2018. She's a beautiful sole - her personality is just as relaxing and soothing as her music. She signed my Scheherazade Album, which was first of many Renaissance albums that I've kept all these years. These three songs were brilliant choices.
Renaissance is one of my favorite groups from the 70's. From the amazing Ashes Are Burning through Scheherezade, Annie Haslam 's voice is extraordinary. I've seen them in concert 3 times, always a great show. Annie has the purest voice since Karen Carpenter.
Great to see you returning to Renaissance. So many great tunes in their repertoire
Thank you so much for playing the band I've requested a lot. And thank you for playing 2 of the songs I also suggested. I agree with you that Renaissance is unique - the best. And this is by far the best kind of music to enjoy. 70s Prog forever!
Looking forward, and I may have mentioned this before, too, but there are some bands and tracks our there that offer this kind of sound - sort of.
On ELP Works Volume One (black album), there is Pirates. Now, Emerson has his Piano Concerto #1 on that album, so you know the orchestra is all in. But in Pirates, the band comes together. It is ELP's version of what Renaissance does. It might even be better, maybe. But who is keeping score? I'm not. Pirates.
There is a band from Israel called Orphaned Land. Where to begin? I know you will love them. Once again, this is a band that goes deep into orchestration. Harmonies, multiple voices, metal,. Many of the songs are about peace and troubles they have with terrorism. 2 albums are absolutely amazing: All Is One and Unsung Prophets And Dead Messiahs. Just incredible. I was going to suggest some songs, but I ended up with about 10 of them! So, you're on your own. That Middle Eastern sound blends in with the classical and rock so well. Reminds me a little of Rock Opera in places.
You also mentioned Lex listening to Rick Wakeman passages from a Yes album in her car. Well, it's time to go to Rick Wakeman when he has the orchestra at his disposal. There is NOTHING like the King Arthur album. And he plays the church organ in Judias Iscariot (Criminal Record album) for all it's worth, and then some. Listen to those to hear a true master musician of the 70s! A Master.
Which brings me back to Renaissance. Novella is my favorite album of all time. Number one. And you played what is my 2nd favorite song from it: Captive Heart. Just beautiful. But my Number 1 favorite is The Sisters. You mentioned the beauty of sadness during this reaction. You mentioned the young child showing emotion to sad and beautiful music. The Sisters is their musical take on sisters in a convent reacting to a terrible drought that is devastating the land in Spain. I believe this was a few centuries back - a true historic event. What amazing music!
I hope you both are doing well.
Again, I love your reactions guys. As I love this music. So much great drama, and changes in moods and scenarios. This music takes you on tour "all over the place" I think, but always even brings me safly and beautifuly back home 🤗 Annies voice is rather unique, and this band lets her shine, as even every singel band member does as well. They all get their moments, and that makes even the music, the whole piece get to shine as well. Since I first was introduced to this band for the first time in 1977 (and I run out to grab all of their music), I have been enjoying their symphonic-rock-ballady uplifting tunes over and over. They always put me into great mood, and inspiers my day.
Jon Camp, their Bass player was very underrated. I play the same punchy Rickenbacker that he played throughout the 70’s.
No one since Renaissance has written or performed music like this since. Alan Parsons has done some good stuff but this sort of thing is totally unique. If you think about how 5 musicians had created a symphony on every track they ever produced and every one is a classic of beauty. The time just to create all those parts for an orchestra for each track and to create a multi-track master of it, incredible.
My late eldest brother was a HUGE fan of Renaissance in the 1970’s, he played the Live at Carnegie Hall album endlessly, and I remember he also adored Novella and A Song For All Seasons. I enjoyed their work as well, but I was younger, and I don’t think I quite “got” them at the time. But I certainly do now…THANK YOU for bringing this group back into my head again. I think I need to go CD 💿 shopping now…😊❤
Thank u for another reaction of this amazing band. Love this
I do love you two! A Song for All Seasons is about as good as it gets for this superb band. Thank you so much for covering it. A new generation coming to this wonderful music. Yes, the comparison with the Moodies is a fair call. You really need to look at more from Renaissance, IMO. I remember buying this when it was first released. The whole album just blew me away. It still does. As do your reactions.
Keep the Renaissance reactions coming. You have to try Ashes Are Burning and Things I don't Understand or really anything from their 1973 and 1974 albums. So cool that you are doing this!! Thank you.
I have 2 "best of" Renaissance CD's in my car right now that I've been listening to for the last month. Incredible music. This was a great way to finish out my day. Thanks!
Wonderful Wonderful!! I have had the privilege to seeing all these songs performed live. My surprise is you have not done Ashes are Burning yet. Ashes is most likely considered their signature song. You have to do both the live and studio versions. I even got to meet the band backstage after one of their shows in NY back in the 70's. Before the backstage meeting they were playing shows at Radio City Music Hall, and I was the crazy nut job who ran up on stage and presented Annie with a dozen roses. At the backstage encounter Annie said, "We meet again". I have pictures...I have to see if I can find them. Anyway, another great job!! You are terrific!!
There is no comparison or real category for the complete genius of renaissance.
Song for all seasons is a classic from the best band the UK never had.
Love watching the reactions to a song that is nearly 50 years old. Especially love the way Americans call them RenUssance❤
The zenith of blended music between classical and progressive rock! Annie has a five octave range! Jon is among the most underrated and best bass player!Amazing blouse Lex!
I remember sharing a cabin on a ferry from Harwich from Harwich to Hoek van Holland in the late 1970s. With three Americans. And we chatted about Renaissance, and how good they were. I learned that they had a real big cult following on the East Coast. We had a great chat - I loved it! They appreciated how great this band was. I would love to chat with them now.
Sha hair rah zahd. That was their apex! After Novella they receded in my opinion. Times and music styles changed. Saw them at UVa working stage crew in 1978 and the opener was Al Di Meola!!! They were touring the Song for All Seasons album.
Ocean Gypsy closes side one of Scheherazade album. The Song of Scheherazade on side two will completely blow you away! It is 24 mins long and has nine sections telling the story of Scheherazade. Annie's last note could shatter all the glass in the room!
The bass player is Jon Camp and his hero was Chris Squire. I think you can hear that too. Oh, and for all you air-bassists out there, he plays with a pick (like Chris)! Since there was no electric guitar, he really carried the tunes. He also provides the vocal harmonies (and dissonance). The keyboardist was John Tout and he was adept at stealing riffs from classical music composers. Michael Dunford played acoustic guitar (listen to Midas Man on Novella) and composed many of the songs and wrote lyrics. And the drummer Terry Sullivan played all modes of percussion and hit the gong like no other. Folks refer to this lineup with Annie as the classic lineup.
Here's a video of them live in 1974. Unless you like French, skip 3 mins or so. Amazing they produced all those sounds live!
ruclips.net/video/fKJx4V_7hj8/видео.html
Nick: I'd play this music for my kids. Lex: um hmm, um hmmm. (hahaha) you two are great
I was expecting Lex to say “*your* kids? OUR kids, you mean!” 😂
For my best bud's bachelor party, four of us went to see Renaissance at a little place in San Diego, The Bacchanal. Even on the back row, we weren't even 30 feet away. What a night. What a perfect night.
Yes, absolutely caught that James Bond chromatic line in the strings. Awesome.
The first band that I ever saw as a young lad back in the early 70s.
Harrow.
North London.
Great Stuff.
A very good set of songs by Renaissance. Thank you.
Cheers.
Thank you for hearing and sharing this wonderful band!! I have many Renaissance's records in LP and I treasure them! If you like this band, I recommend you to hear the life versions of the Carnegie Hall concerto, It is amazing!! By the way, in spanish you can pronounce it as Sherezada.
Great choices here, from my three favourite albums by the band. Saw the classic lineup twice back in the day, sublime.
Interesting that you compared the Moody Blues to Renaissance because Justin Hayward wrote one song on Annie's third solo album, and he also sang backup and played guitar on it. It's called 'The angels cry'.
Anytime you ask anybody about Renaissance you're going to get one of two responses and they are either I've never heard of them or oh yeah man they're great
Since 2010 or so the band uses a second keys player to play the orchestral parts, PLUS they often perform with a small orchestra in the area near Philly. For these reasons they sound better live now than they did when they were a five piece. This music is symphonic and needs an orchestra. It is not rock and roll. The second keys players have included Tom Brislin, now with Kansas, Jason Hart, and now Jeff Langley. The original John Tout keys parts are played by Annie's longtime musical director, Rave Tesar. NO ELECTRIC GUITARS in this band. Jon Camp's bass lines are as close to Chris Squire's as you'll hear. He played a Rickenbacker too and Chris was his inspiration.
They were brilliant live. The live at Carnegie Hall album has an orchestral backing and is astonishing.
That was really amazing! On the last track, even before you mentioned it the 1st time Nick, I definitely heard a James Bond “lick”!
I'm a massive Renaissance fan. This group ticks all the boxes. Mother Russia is probably my favourite track of theirs but there are so many stunning tracks it's so hard to judge. These tracks are wonderful. Captive Heart is my favourite shorter track of theirs.
I saw them several times 50 years ago Andria have tickets for their farewell concert. Love them
Love it. You could do a month of Renaissance as far as I am concerned You need to do the full version of Scheherazade now. Try the live version from Carnegie Hall
I remember hearing the symphonic piece Scheherazade by Rimski-Korsakov when I was very young. It has many memorable melodies in it, and was inspired by the story of 1001 nights. The stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba came from there.
These days i mostly listen to symphonic metal, but back in the 80s when you wanted to listen to some symphonic stuff with female vocals, yeah there wasn't so much else than Renaissance. So i listened quite a lot to them, and somehow i often think that they were maybe where it all started with all the great female fronted metal bands we have now. Even since they of course were not metal.
But just before this i saw another reaction to "Swan Song with Chopin Intro" from Lovebits that just perfectly shows how well classical music and metal work together.
I saw them twice if I remember right, the first time about 45 years ago on the Song for all Seasons tour. The album was phenomenal live, and just an amazing band. I saw them just once more a year later after they released Azure d’Or album, that didn’t quite reach the heights of Songs. ❤
What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this? Thank you! I need to whip together a marathon, since I pay by the year, and have not had one yet, although Renaissance would probably be on it. I had and loved all their albums except the live one and one other, and would love to lie on the floor and pull the speakers up to my ears, and drift away with the music. Such riches! I was also teaching my parents well, and they came to like a lot of the music. Moody Blues was another I had most of, and knew entirely. You're right, they are quite similar. Perhaps even more similar is Lisa Gerrard & Dead Can Dance, which sounds morbid but is exactly the opposite. Like Renaissance, they never produced a bad song, and most songs are unique diamonds. But DCD took the forms and progressed them even further, and should be considered progressive.
Definitely give a listen to Renaissance's timely "Mother Russia" and "Kiev" as well as "Scheherazade" (she-hera-zod) who was the clever lady in 1001 nights (Arabian Nights) and her wondrous story. "Carpet of the Sun" is a snappy tune as well. Many excellent choices. Kudos!
Hi Guys, I remember watching Top of the Pops every week here in England, and the very 1st time hearing and seeing Renaissance with a song called "Carpet in the Sun" [ still available to watch on u.t ] I ended up buying the album "Ashes Are Burning" and what a debut album !! Wow ! I bought the double live album Live at Carnegie Hall and it's a superb concert from 1975. Love female vocals in Prog and rock music. Incidentally 1975 was the year the incredible debut album by Heart was released > "Dreamboat Annie" [ & Annie Haslam was the vocalist of Renaissance ] Makes you wonder ? Great reactions to these beautiful tracks thankyou ! Byeee Jim X
@@kbrewski1 "Carpet in the Sun" was the 1st time I ever saw and heard them and it was on the album Ashes, so I took it to be their debut....Maybe it was just the 1st to enter so high in the charts ?
Great choice of tunes from an important band that is to progressive rock what John Williams is to classical music, something that fits perfectly in between and is somehow both and yet apart, in a great way. It sounds like prog, but it also sounds ancient and classically arranged.
Another band that is in this category is Magenta, though they are more rock/jazz oriented, whereas Rennaissance is classical.
Scheherazade is a famous romantic (erotic?) fairytale about a Sultan that was betrayed by a lover, so decreed that virgin women would spend one night with him and then be killed, so as to not be able to betray him later.
A clever woman Scheherazade, stays alive by telling the Sultan stories that end in cliffhangers, so he would keep her alive for the next night, to hear the end. By the time 1001 nights have passed , the Sultan has fallen in love and marries her, and the Sultan gives up his evil ways, Scheherazade becomes the Queen, etc. In other tellings of the tale, she is just too good in bed to give up, doing something amazing sexually and new every night ... depends which version of the fairytale you happen to pick up... There are movies and ballets and symphonies (both regular, and "adult" about 1001 Arabian Nights.) The story of Scheherazade is the inspiration for all the tales of Alladin , Sinbad, Ali Baba and the forty thieves, etc. They are all supposedly tales told by Scheherazade to the Sultan.
A very underrated and less known band than the more popular 70's rock bands. Turn of the Cards is a fantastic album, and Annie Haslam and Jon Anderson are my favorite vocalists of all-time. She does a rendition of Turn of the Century with Steve Howe on an album called Tales from Yesterday, which is a YES tribute album. It is an amazing rendition!
Very cool. Some parts I could imagine YES performing... Love that LEX digs that church organ part of CTTE .. we had a large console stereo in our living room where I had my drums set up.. I would always crank up the volume on the church organ part and close my eyes and be moved by the powerful experience. 😋
Annie does a great job singing Turn of the Century by Yes. It’s must see You Tube!!
. . . and _with_ Steve Howe. On the Magna Carta label; "Yesterdays: A Tribute to Yes" :).
Captive heart is my favorite song by them. Have every one of their albums. Renaissance Moody blues and Strawbs my go to bands
Thank you for posting this- I remember rushing home to play these vinyls and being blown away every time from this band. I had the good fortune to see them play a few times and they were fantastic. The young folks of today should hear them, puts a lot of the new music to shame.
Huge fan bought everything they released. The first 2 albums Renaissance and Illusion featured Jane Relf on vocal. She and her Brother Keith and drummer Jim McCarty formed the band and Keith and Jim came from The Yardbirds. Annie joined for the 3rd album Prologue and Jane started her own band Illusion I think with Jim McCarty but not sure at the moment. Keith Relf died tragically from electrocution iirc.
Three wonderful pieces! Great reaction, LnN.
I love this group!!!
Got introduced to their music with the Novella Lp. Favorite songs would be Can You Hear Me and Midas Man. Way ahead of their time.
Saw them play Song For All Seasons a few months ago live at the Count Basie tgheater in New Jersey .
A Song for All Seasons is an absolute masterpiece of composition, orchestration, poetry and meaning. Though it has to be listened in album's entirety, or at least immediately after Opening Out and Day of the Dreamer. You'll find musical motifs referencing and making an arch of completeness. Released in 1978, it's a sort of closing to the era, a lament-anthem for progressive rock. After this album Renaissance abandoned writing huge orchestral epics for a long time.
We fall while aiming so high We crawl, flying Man has North South East and West Man has trying Man has North South East and West Man has Music Man has North South East and West Man MAKES MUSIC A song for all seasons through
Try It's a Beautiful Day 1 White Bird 2 Bombay Callin (See where Deep Purple got Child in Time from) 3 Hoedown
love this band's music and of course, love everything about Annie. The lyrics have deep meanings, most reactors do not talk about lyrics, maybe you two could give it a try. Those of us who comment could tell what we think the songs are about. Seasons, what we reap we sow, so true. Ocean Gypsy still trying to figure that one out. Ashes Burning-see prior reactions.
The Lyrics were often written by a poet, Betty Thatcher. This is probably the reason for the brilliant imagery.
Mi banda favorita de siempre. Gracias por resaltar la belleza de sus composiciones !!!💟
Renaissance are one of the Greatest Art Rock Bands Ever!!!
Your next Renaissance track should be "Can you Hear Me" the opening track on Novella perhaps followed by "Touching once is so hard to keep" from the same album. I'm an old man who was a fan in the 70's when everyone else was moving to poorer music! I'm still a fan! Dave from the UK.
I’ve been in love with Annie Haslam since this album… I saw them live @ Penn State on the Novella tour. Yes, college students got into Renaissance! In fact, Pennsylvania was a hotbed of Interest in the band, and or rhaps that’spartly why Annie relocated there many years ago!
We had the riches of the best music in the 70’s!
@@kbrewski1 It's so cool that two of my fave female vocalists live in E.PA... Annie and Mary Fahl, who was once the lead singer for October Project - one of my fave groups which was short-lived back in the early to mid-90's. They've even sung together! Between Philly's Keswick, Sellersville and Jim Thorpe/Penn's Peak venues... they've played them many times!
The angelic Annie Haslam, have fun everyone!
There have been many great voices in modern music - Karen Carpenter, Ann Wilson, Rhiannon Giddens to name just a few - but I really think Annie Haslam is probably the best of them all.
Too true. Add Aimee Mann to the list.
Good comparison with Moody Blues due to the classical orchestral sound.
The first two songs are lovely, but I really liked "Song For All Seasons."
That really IS a beautiful blouse, Alexia- your sister and stepmom have great taste and know what will look good on you!
🎵❤️🎵 Debbie
Thank you so much! 🌸 ❤️
NicknLex: I had the good fortune to have seen Renaissance live 3 times; absolutely exquisite music. But to experience "Ocean Gypsy" live, here's a link to a performance from the '70's: ruclips.net/video/DQUnQ17JLkc/видео.html. And, BTW, it's pronounced Shah-hair-ah-zod.
Thank you NIKNLEX that was a fantastic reaction to one of my 6 Favourite Bands. These Guys and Girl Pioneering Symphonic Rock. Next time please react to Things I Don't Understand from Turn of the Cards Album and Can You Understand from Novella💥❤
Not that Annie's voice isn't amazingly beautiful, but I just thought of how well Jon Anderson's voice would fit with this music.
Sheh-he-ra-zard as in A Thousand and One Nights (Sorry not checking nearly 150 comments to make sure it hasn't been mentioned! lol)
So hard to pick 3 fave songs from Renaissance.
I'd probably have to include Ashes are Burning and Things I Don't Understand
I want Carpet of the Sun played at my funeral.
For something with many of the same flavors, though folkier and less prog/classical, I'd recommend Pentangle or The John Renbourn Group.
Love Pentangle and John Renbourn!
Great!! Now you have to listen to Ashes are Burning and Can You Understand?
I saw them at the Chicago Ampitheater in ye olden days. It was a great show.
I love your reaction, I remember listening to Renaissance in the seventies. You might consider listening to music of the Irish band Clannad, I loved their song Harry's Theme.
Jon Camp on bass, used Rickenbacker basses a LOT.
Renaissance - Annie Haslam's voice - devine, superb. The rest of them aren't bad either.
You must listen to Mother Russia, about Solzhenitsyn, from early-mid ‘70s
They have, about a year ago. I only know so well because I requested it. LOL.
Apart from Days of Future Past, I don't think Renaissance are like the Moodies, though both could be considered as symphonic rock/prog.
But it's funny to me because from the 70s the trio of bands I love the most are YES, Renaissance and the Moody Blues.