Renaissance - 1978-06-18 - Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ

RENAISSANCE

June 18, 1978
Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
FM Radio Broadcast, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Here's more from Annie Haslam and  Renaissance, this time from a few years later than the previous post, but still during their classic years. This very good radio broadcast show features the band on their tour promoting their recently released album A Song For All Seasons (1978), and following two of their most successful albums, Scheherazade and Other Stories (1975) and Novella (1977). Thus, they were pretty much at their peak here, and feature extended versions of songs from throughout their catalog in this 2-hour show. Unfortunately, however, this would essentially be the end of their 'classic' period, as in their subsequent album, Azure d'Or (1979) they would move away from lush orchestrations and long songs to more short songs and use of syntheisizers, This resulted in losing fans, lower sales, and being dropped by their record company. John Tout and Terryu Sullivan then left the band. Although the band continued into the '80's with additional albums (Camera Camera-1981 and Timeline-1983), their attempts to adjust to the times by moving toward a more synthpop and new wave style was not successful, leading to dissolving the band by the mid-eighties. Various attempts in the '90's to revive the band (with different bands led by Haslam and Dunford separately) were not very successful, But by 2000, a partial reunion with Haslam, Dunford, and Sullivan produced a new album, Tuscany, in 2001. Various other incarnations of a Renaissance-like band, mostly lead by Haslam) have gotten together throughout the subsequent years. Michael Dunford died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 20212 and John Tout died of lung failure in 2015, but Annie still continues on with a new line-up still performing the songs of Renaissance. But here, you can enjoy the unique and refreshing song stylings of this wonderful band still during their peak years.  

Tracklist:

01.Can You Hear Me?

02.Carpet Of The Sun

03.Things I Don't Understand

04.Northern Lights

05.Mother Russia

06.Day of the Dreamer

07.Midas Man

08.The Vultures Fly High

09.Running Hard

10.Song For All Seasons

11.Prologue

12.Ashes Are Burning

TT 121:57

Annie Haslam - lead vocals
Jon Camp - bass, vocals
John Tout - piano, keyboards
Michael Dunford - guitar
Terrance Sullivan - drums  

FLAC - Renaissance_1978-06-18_PassaicNJ_FLAC.rar

Mp3 - Renaissance_1978-06-18_PassaicNJ_mp3.rar

Renaissance - 1974-05-17 - Academy of Music, New York, NY (FM)

Renaissance

1974-05-17
Academy of Music, New York City, NY
FM broadcast recording (WNEW), very good quality

Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Hearing Annie Haslam in the previously posted Intergalactic Touring Band (1977) project reminded me of how wonderful her vocals are (when she's singing worthy material) and that I haven't listened to her with Renaissance for quite some time (and also that I somehow haven't posted any Renaissance here previously). So, here is some classic Renaissance, from 1974.

Renaissance was an English progressive rock band that combined heavy influences from classical, folk, and jazz into their version of progressive rock, and focused on strong female vocals (from Annie Haslam) and a prominent role for piano and classically styled pieces. Renaissance was first formed in early 1969 by former Yardbirds musicians Keith Relf (guitar/vocals) and Jim McCarty (drums/vocals), who wanted the new band for experimentation with rock, folk, and classical forms. The original lineup also included bassist Louis Cennamo, pianist John Hawken, and Relf's sister Jane as an additional vocalist. They released their first album, self-titled Renaissance, later in 1969, and began work on a second album. But by mid-1970, Relf and McCarty left, and other personnel changes led to various temporary and short-lived lineups being brought in to keep the band going. Guitarist Michael Dunford and keyboardist John Tout joined in late 1970, and vocalist Annie Haslam came on board in early 1971. The album Prologue (1972) was the first to really get the attention of the growing progressive rock fan base, with its unique style and sound. But several more lineup changes continued before what is considered the 'classic' lineup was finalized in 1973, consisting of Haslam, Dunford, Tout, and Jon Camp (bass) and Terry Sullivan (drums), and the beginning of their most successful and celebrated albums [Ashes Are Burning (1973), Turn of the Cards (1974), Scheherzade and Other Stories (1975), Novella (1977), Azure d'Or (1979). Interestingly, this 'classic' lineup did not contain any of the original members of the band. 

Featured here is a great show from 1974, which was right around the time of the release of Turn of The Cards. This the show features many songs from that new album as well as the previous album Ashes Are Burning, and features a guest appearance from Wishbone Ash guitarist Andy Powell on the epic title track from that album (he also played on the album track itself), and also includes accompaniment.  by a 24-piece Orchestra (and this was the first time the band had played live with an orchestra). So, check out Renaissance from back in 1974. 

 

Tracklist:
disc one: 53:13
01: dj, intro music
02: Can You Understand?
03: Black Flame
04: Carpet Of The Sun
05: Cold Is Being
06: Things I Don't Understand
07: Running Hard
disc two: 40:08
01: Ashes Are Burning*
02: Mother Russia
03: Prologue
04: dj outro

Annie Haslam - vocals
Michael Dunford - Guitar
Jon Camp - Bass
John Trout - Keyboards
Terence Sullivan - Drums
with 24 piece orchestra
*w/ Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash) on guitar,
promoter Howard Stein on piano
 

 mp3 - Renaissance_1974-05-17_NYC_mp3.rar 

FLAC - Renaissance_1974-05-17_NYC_FLAC.rar