Originally created from the ashes of the Yardbirds in the late sixties by vocalist Keith Relf and drummer Jim McCarty, classically influenced Renaissance were never really taken to the hearts of the British public though they did initially find favour with European audiences.

By 1972 the original band had been scattered to the four winds and a line-up acknowledged as the definitive incarnation consisting of Annie Haslam, Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp, and Terry Sullivan was arrived upon. ‘Ashes Are Burning’ – their first outing with this new beginning – set the tone for what can only be described as the bands golden period from which these live recordings are curated. Unlike many overblown progressive bands of the period Renaissance’s baroque’n’roll was instrumently and vocally both pioneering, epic and magical at the same time.

Comprised of  the previously unreleased 1977 BBC Sight & Sound In Concert performance (recently discovered in the archives and issued on CD for the first time) and a previously unreleased performance for BBC Radio’s In Concert from October 1978 these recordings demonstrate that not only was the band adept in the studio but that they could cut it live. John Tout’s virtuoso piano playing was undoubtedly an integral part of the sound but the real ace in the pack is Annie Haslam’s 5 octave range vocals. Her soprano flourishes imbue songs such as the shimmering ‘Mother Russia’ with a haunting beauty that is a perfect complement to the symphonic Rachmaninoff inspired classical arrangements.

It’s extraordinary that such an immensely talented band were virtually ignored in Britain and were probably best known for Haslam’s relationship with the Move’s mercurial Roy Wood – save for the belated success of their sole hit ‘Northern Lights’. Fortunately the band developed an appreciative audience for their sophisticated approach on America’s East Coast, selling out major venues like New York’s famous Carnegie Hall. This package finds the band on top form and also included is a region free video Blu Ray disc which features the band’s appearance on the Swiss TV show Kaleidospop from 1974 (previously unreleased), the complete 1977 BBC TV Sight & Sound In Concert performance and a clip of Northern Lights from BBC TV’s Top of the Pops show.

Lyndon Noon

CherryRed.co.uk