GRANDINE IL VENTO [AKA: SYMPHONY OF LIGHT]

Renaissance is an interesting band, quite unique would I say. Firstly I would axaggerate if I said it was rock, but it do tangents the rock subject. Secondly I must state it's certainly symphonic music, more symphonic than most of the prog. The strength in Renaissance is concert piano and a clear female voice. Renaissance made it's first record 1969 and "Grandine il Vento" is their sixteenth studio making, released thirteen years after their last one "Tuscany".

Michael Dunford died this year but he contributed on this record. Together with the vocalist Annie Haslam he had been in the band for the longest time. Michael Dunford plays guitar, Rave Tesar keyboards, David J Keyes bass guitar, Jason Hart keyboards and accordion and Frank Pagano plays percussion.

What's best on this record is the orchestral feeling shown in the piano and the vast sweaping melodies. Haslam's voice is also very enjoyable. I think she sounds like Maddy Prior, the vocalist of Steeleye Span, one of my favourite bands.

The most proper rating would had been 3,5 and I don't like to give too many fours, but I think this is a record to advertise. The tracks I like do really affect me, and they're quite marvelous. Especially the first and last tracks: "Symphony of Light" is a perfect modern symphony and "The Mystic and the Muse" has a very special power and, truely mystical approach. The title track "Grandine il Vento" is also powerful and highly recommended just like "Waterfall", a calm and young song and "Blood Silver Like Moonlight" which is a duet with John Wetton which is interesting to hear.

Three more tracks are not mentioned yet. "Cry to the world" contains great flute by no one else than Ian Anderson, but the song is a little bit annoying. "Air of drama" is a tune is what I would say enjoyable and "Porcelain" though is a less important track. My overall rating would be 3,6 and therefore four stars. The beautiful oil painting on the front gives a glimpse of the music inside. Fantastic that this band still exists.