| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Kings & Queens | Renaissance | 10:56 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Innocence | Renaissance | 7:07 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Island | Renaissance | 5:58 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Wanderer | Renaissance | 4:02 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Bullet | Renaissance | 11:21 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
| Total: 5 Songs |
Customer Reviews
Progressive Rock Classic
Given much airplay in NYC (was it by WMCA radio jock Alex Bennet?), "Island" is a chilling tune that won many fans for the original Renaissance, i.e. prior to the Annie Haslam catalogue. This band has a pulsating, grittier side compared to Rensaissance 2.0, with virtuoso piano and bass riffs that leave you breathless. All of the songs have lyrics, tunes and meaning, though Bullet is a brilliantly inpenetrable sonic march through the jungle. Groundbreaking is the only word to describe this album and it is the legacy that most fans of the tragically short-lived Keith Relf will remember.
Give it a go!
This album is full of unusual sonic ideas. Unexpected musical changes, nice use of uncommon instruments like harpsichord, and solid and creative songwriting with many ties to classical and folk music (hence the name). These folks were the precursors of the better known Renaissance with Annie Haslam, John Tout, Jon Camp, Dunford, and Sullivan. This earlier version included Keith Relf and Jim McCarty of the Yardbirds as well as Keith's sister Jane, Louis Cennamo and John Hawken. This first incarnation disbanded slowly between 1970 and 71, and there was only minor continuity between the two versions of the band. Still the idea of a blending of progressive rock, folk and classical lived on. Those who love the later Renaissance should give this a listen if you haven't already.
A Very Obscure Masterpiece
There are two incarnations of Renaissance. This is the original, forming with former Yarbird members right after the breakup. (It's an odd contrast, considering that the other immediate Yardbirds offshoot during the same time as this was being recorded was Led Zeppelin.) The members experimented with their classical training, on a couple of pieces, blending well-known compositions with jazz flavored rock. Many people missed the brilliance of this recording because of its subtlety. It often took more than one listening to catch its beauty, but once you do, you are hooked forever.
A bit of trivia: This incarnation of Renaissance released one more recording (titled Illusion), which while good, doesn't match the brilliance and originality of this recording. They gave the Renaissance name to the new group (Haslam, Camp, Tout, Dunford, Sullivan), while Jim McCarty and Samwell-Smith produced. Later the original incarnation decided to regroup but since they had already given away the Renaissance name, chose to name themselves Illusion, after their 2nd Renaissance album. As Illusion they recorded two records, again, the first being the strongest and well worth purchasing. The second is hit and miss. Confused? Well, most family trees are.
Top Albums and Songs By Renaissance
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Mother Russia | Tales of 1001 Nights, Vol. 1 | 9:20 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Carpet of the Sun | Tales of 1001 Nights, Vol. 1 | 3:32 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Mother Russia | Turn of the Cards | 9:20 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Running Hard | Turn of the Cards | 9:39 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Things I Don't Understand | Turn of the Cards | 9:32 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
I Think of You | Turn of the Cards | 3:06 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Black Flame | Turn of the Cards | 6:26 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Cold Is Being | Turn of the Cards | 3:04 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Ocean Gypsy | Tales of 1001 Nights, Vol. 1 | 7:08 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Northern Lights | A Song for All Seasons | 4:05 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
- $7.99
- Genres: Rock, Music, Dance, House, Prog-Rock/Art Rock
- Released: Oct 17, 2006
- ℗ 2006 Elektra Entertainment Co. Manufactured & Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. Made in the EU
