Renaissance

Paco Fox wrote: Blacksword wrote: I'd like to know more about this band. I have one album by them called 'The other woman' (1986) I think its terrible to be honset, but I have a feeling it may not be anything like their earlier work. It features singer Betty Thatcher (no relation to the facist dictator) and not Annie Haslan (??) I bought it on the strength of 'Northern lights' which is a lovely song. The album is a collection of dreadful, self indulgent love songs which all sound exactly the same and are in no way progressive IMO. Can anyone reccomend a good solid album by this band?? In the 90s, Michael Dunford, who was Renaissance Mark II (a long story that one) main composer, released this album and some compilations of earlier hits as 'Michael Dunford's Renaissance', but this is not technicaly the same band. Besides that, he continued the pop trend the group started with 'Camera, camera', so it's not interesting for prog heads. My recomendation is you start with the same record I did, 'Scheherezade and other stories'. You can also try 'Turn of the Cards'.

Thanks Paco Fox

I may also look into 'Ashes are burning' that seems to get reviews.

Superb band. the worst thing that happened to them though was they had a hit single (with "Northern Lights"), and headed off in a pop direction.

Watch out for the post Haslam albums by "Rennaisance", they are not nearly as good. On the other hand, their sister band called "Illusion" (Renaissance made an album of that name, but this is a separate band), made a couple of excellent albums.

The Illusion albums are very good. Not as orchestral/classical influenced as Renaissance MarkII, but it's still amazing how two different line-ups could make such similar records in style.

For a taste, I recommend you all check 'Isadora', one of the most beautiful and melancholic songs I've listened to, very in the mood of these autumnal times. The first record also features a 'remake' of 'Face of Yesterday', wich is my favourite song from Renaissance MarkI. The second record has 'Madonna Blue', wich is also fantastic. I agree with one internet reviewer that this song could have been considered the best prog single in history.

I've read there's a third Cd of rarities, but that it really isn't very interesting, and a recent one wich is not really (as with Michael Dunford's Renaissance) the same band nor the same style.

Their King Biscuit double live CD is one of the most incendiary and beautiful prog live recordings ever...!

RENAISSANCE rules!!