Renaissance - Mother Russia (BBC Sight & Sound 1977)

One of the greatest songs ever written performed brilliantly by Renaissance in their prime.

[@vascomunista]

That can't be live!!!!! That voice can't be so perfect!!!! Annie Hasslam is a legend of prog rock... ❤

[@jumpoffa5011]

One of the most underrated bands ever. They are the very best of the 70's/80's. If you haven't heard them then you really missed the boat.

[@SierenH]

I agree...best group with a female vocalist

[@thinhamautechtrinh1207]

@@SierenH Fleetwood Mac ?

[@juniorjohnson9509]

@@thinhamautechtrinh1207 : Good, but not even close to Renaissance.

[@ricardoluizalves51]

Agree.

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

Oh, I don't know. They were very, very good, but the '70s had Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant... {:-:-:}

[@JeffSchreiber99]

I was at a flea market in PA a few years back and there was Annie selling her paintings. Had a lovely chat with her. At one point it felt so surreal and yet so natural I need to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

[@richardmcmillan4307]

What a great musician John Tout was. His contribution to the sound of Renaissance II was immense.

[@jeffreymarshall6518]

Others have said it: Bless KZbin for allowing us to channel the memories of this band and the amazing Annie. Sends chills down my spine.

[@user-qv1ix5uz4b]

：🌌.，知道了一個小時

[@user-qv1ix5uz4b]

音樂非常的棒請分享給我加LINE的朋友

[@stevepowell1508]

Well said

[@debbiejohnson4727]

I have loved this band since I was teenager. I used to sing like her when I was young.

[@danniejohnson5047]

Ee

[@marvinflyer3043]

Annie has such a beautiful angelic voice with amazing vocal range of like 5 octaves. After hearing this group in the 70s, I still get chills when I hear Annie sing Mother Russia. This song goes right to the soul.

[@khkartc]

As a guy who came of age in the ‘70s, I can’t say there’s much I miss from that era, but one thing I will _always_ miss is the babes. Annie Haslam exemplified the look, the hair, the alluring demeanor, the grace, etc.

[@user-fj7df3ng7z]

Yet for all the grace while she was singing, she seemed very warm and personable when speaking between songs. She even giggled at times, which made her seem like she had a good sense of humour.

[@glennholmes9705]

Anne Haslam has THE BEST VOICE in the Progressive rock genre. Since that is part of the "Rock" genre I will say she has THE BEST VOICE in ROCK.

[@michaelgranger7113]

Yes, a full 5 octaves, amazingly beautiful but also powerful and mature

[@briansimons9472]

Not Jon Anderson of Yes?

[@glennholmes9705]

@@briansimons9472 I like Jon Anderson as I am a big fan of YES. But no. I think Anne has the better voice.

[@lkpage]

Agreed!

[@Sebas_Mendez_Kinoman]

What about Greg Lake?

[@dennisjones8622]

One of the 10 best chilling musical pieces of all time. If this does not stir your blood and soul, you are dead.

[@kellyheath1355]

Dennis Jones Haunting..

[@freddyfunes8231]

You right Dennis, it's a Beautiful Music of all the times.

[@paulshanahan135]

The first time I heard this song, I was in college and was home on summer break. Had been out with some of my friends after crawling into bed I plugged my headphones into my stereo and Tuned it to an FM Rock station. After one or two songs, Mother Russia began to play. Between the music and Annie Haslam’s phenomenal voice, I felt like I was transported to a Siberian gulag. Annie’s voice cut through me like a knife and touched my very soul. The next day I went out and purchased the album, Turn of the Cards. Years later I bought the CD. Unfortunately it got displaced and is nowhere to be found. Thanks KZbin for keeping this one alive!

[@KJ-4321]

I remember in the 70s a radio station played a full album every Saturday at midnight. I came in a few minutes late and heard a most AMAZING band with an unbelievable female singer. I had no idea who it was. So I waited till the album was over to find out. They played the full double album so I fell asleep. I had to find out...months loafer they played it again... this time I stayed up and found out it was Renaissance. I went out the very next day and bought the album. “Live at Carnegie Hall” played it to death! Never heard anything like it before and Annie has the most beautiful amazing voice I ever heard. Lots of female singers these days basically just yell and scream and they all sound alike to me. No comparison to the true talent and BEAUTIFUL voice of Annie. The entire band...very talented!

[@tiamazzola5752]

I believe that DJ was Allison Steel of WNEW New York

[@cliffcarr8569]

The total height of excellence, there is no one quite like Renaissance

[@richardpeej]

Annie has such a beautiful voice, she still has.. I have always loved this one.

[@JannPaula]

I saw them in concert along with Rick Wakeman on Oct 31, 1975 at Winterland in San Francisco. My friend took pictures, I will have to find them.

[@jimicmore1895]

We are still waiting for pics😷 Nov252020 you find them ✌

[@warrenbendler2879]

This is still relevant.

[@Stew357]

My favorite band of ALL time. I was very fortunate to meet Annie some years ago and talk to her. I admit I was a little star-struck, but Renaissance meant so much to me as a young man. She signed all of my CDs (the paper inserts) and was just as sweet as could be!

[@SumSouuthernSugar]

gave me goosebumps in the early 70's. gives me goosebumps now!

[@michaelnye9203]

Such a beautiful and haunting song. Annie's vocals are spellbinding!

[@EduardoFrancoOcnarfeara]

On the January 21st, 1975 I saw Renaissance playing at the Brunel University, Uxbridge, near London. I was only 17 and real big fan of the band ..I came from Rio specially to see them playing that night...they were touring with Caravan another great 70's band ..That was a special evening ..they played fantastically , Annie's voice was powerful and unforgetable.. I still keep with me that concert ticket and booklet ..

[@jean-lucguignard2904]

Welcome to the seventies, a magic time for the music! Love from Switzerland

[@tigerstripe56]

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to see them in concert back in the day. It was a memorizing performance. From the opening to the end. Annie Haslam’s voice was angelic.

[@martyippolito369]

One of my favorite groups of the 70's. Just beautiful.

[@nancyeisele]

I loved this group. They never got the attention they deserved. Her voice is like crystal. So clear and exact. I hadn't heard them "live" until now.

[@MsThebeMoon]

Youth likes to discover music on their own. My son (now 30 yo) discovered Renaissance via my record / cd collection. Somewhere in his teens it hit him how ultimately creative and talented this group was. Went to see them live a year ago with him and his wife. Wow, it had to be the best concert of my life as it was in a very small classy venue with great acoustics that felt like one was part of an exclusive group privy to a private concert of excellence.

[@alanbruce8632]

I just saw Annie Haslam perform a tribute to Sandy Denny during the Strawbs 50th anniversary festival in New Jersey! Annie was so awesome back in the 70's. I loved the Carnegie Hall concert album. One of the best albums ever made!

[@basistish]

Wow, beautiful song and girl. Hi all from Siberia!

[@robertcatesby8420]

An amazing epic song written for and about the great Russian writer and gulag survivor Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn,; an impeccable live performance . What an incredible group of unbelievably talented people !

[@joernschramm8483]

Haven't heard this wonderful music much too long. After listening to to what they played on the radio today, I just had to come back. THIS is music!

[@CrYou575]

We were spoilt in the 60s and 70s.

[@tommyhaynes521]

I got the Renaissance "Live at Carnegie Hall "album in the 70s and wore the grooves off of it . It was such a rich experience to discover them. Thank you Wake Forrest University college radio for exposing me to them

[@ambadad]

New re-release package of the live album due out soon.

[@terryoshaughnessy1650]

Only got to see them once Absolutely amazing. The girl I took with me didn't get it and complained through the entire show. First and last date.

[@DragonSlayer-hw8wl]

What a stupid bitch ;-)

[@galena130]

And wasted date

[@harveyklatzko3461]

What didn't she get ?? what great music really is , this band was fantastic.

[@MichaelCohen48]

"First and last date." I should hope so too !

[@davidsigalow7349]

It's good to find out quickly so don't have to waste any more great experiences on one not capable of appreciating what is good in life.

[@jeffcarter8932]

Saw them in 1976. What a great concert. Annie's voice is so beautiful.

[@rossness5539]

When I watch this it brings back memories. Both concerts sent chills up on my arms when Annie sang, and those times were 10 years apart! Thank you Renaissance for the most captivating music I think I have ever heard live in my 58 years of eargasms. Thank you Annie. The world would have been a sadder place if not for you and Renaissance.

[@ebdl8488]

I think I was the only person i knew back in 1974 who had a Renaissance album. I just love their compositions and especially Anne Haslam's beautiful vibrato free voice. Thanks for posting video. Very talented and glad to see she is still active singing.

[@stanster69]

She has one of the most beautiful melodic voices I have ever heard. They wrecked me! :)

[@harleygal420]

I was there. Toronto, February 1977. Her voice is magical.

[@BlueSun2]

Thank you, "Backroads" motorcycle magazine, for recommending this song! 3/19/22

[@MINTZ56]

Just saw them FRONT ROW yesterday April 28th 2013 in Fla. Went back stage and talked to the band. WAS GREAT. I saw them more then 26 times

[@wearenothomeyet1]

Song is very relevant today. This band was the best cause oriented band of all time as far as I am concerned. We really need them today in so many areas. Besides the use of extremely talented musicians and instruments.

[@mastadonwesley1042]

Collusion to pure beauty and sublime emotion. THIS IS MY REPORT

[@EastCoastDude]

Wow, great to see this! Thanks for posting. Brings back many great memories of seeing Renaissance live in the NYC/NJ area in the 1970's. Three really terrific instrumentalists, one prolific songwriter, and a brilliant, beautiful vocalist-- John Tout, master of the keyboairds, the powerful and always tasteful Terry Sullivan on drums, Jon Camp on bass, Mike Dunford wrote the great tunes, and Annie Haslam was the amazing and truly moving vocalist. Wow, never thought I'd "see them" again like this!

[@akxeman]

I think wore out all my Renaissance vinyl by 1982! To not only be able to listen to them again, but to see them perform in video, is special. God Bless the internet!

[@7mikri]

I used to stay up and wait for K-SHE 95 in St. Louis , Mo. to play this every sunday night at somewhere around midnight. So many memories!!!!

[@ryanshaunkelly5427]

real rock radio

[@anilfanatikbjk]

Love that smile at the end. Greetings from Turkey. :)

[@PiercingMetal]

I've loved this group for more years than I can count and was happy to bring along a young friend to a couple of their concerts. They still amaze me and Annie sounds as good as always.

[@jeffreylemal7432]

I saw rennasaince steeleye span and fairport convention at the garden in the later 80s. Talk about a lineup.

[@mirrortime]

Mind blowingly beautiful. Cast so many images and un- feathered memories. Thank you Renaissance!

[@warmswarm]

Dean Prescott - "un-feathered" memories? You sure about that?

[@denisejkillick8591]

Unfettered memories

[@MINTZ56]

Saw them more them 20 times. Back stage more then 17 times. Just saw them in Fla 6mts ago. We had a great time back stage with the new band members

[@ivanmay7890]

I really love watching this old concert footage of Renaissance. They were so good.

[@amykazane2525]

saw them in Carnegie Hall in '77 maybe - thanks for the memories!

[@OZRIC1985]

Annie's voice is angelic and mesmerizing!!! :)

[@cardcreekdesign]

This is the most beautiful voice in Rock I know of.

[@justicebombers-d-rfans4015]

She and the Nico of Velvet's Underground

[@jonathanrobins558]

Glad I got to meet the band and photograph them when they opened up for Gentle Giant in 74. Love them still.

[@josephcvetetic5814]

I've told this story too many times..but brief roommate situation..Rafael had entire Renaissance collection..what a game changer!!!

[@wayneswhirld]

Me too...and I just saw them last week in Vermont. Annie is the only original band member and at 67, while she is no longer the lithe, angelic Annie of the 70's, her voice and range are still amazingly good! And the other band members faithfully played Renaissance faves from back in the day. And they have a new album, Grandine il Vento. Live on Renaissance!

[@smilanesi98]

I just recall that night I saw them perform back then that I felt this enduring sense of peace. It was as if I never wanted the night to end. When Annie was leaving the stage she had such a thankful smile. Like she realized how much we loved the performance.

[@ACooke108]

I was at that show. Remember that they were handing out beautiful Renaissance posters, which I had up on my wall for years. Just saw them do this song the other night in Ridgefield, CT. Better than ever!

[@karenm8952]

What a wonderful trip down memory lane! Renaissance was always one of my favorites. I saw them 3 times in concert and I think I have every album they ever made (yes, still have all my vinyl). I was trying to choose which song to introduce my niece to Renaissance, primarily Annie Haslam's voice, and once I got started listening I couldn't stop. Now it's past 2 a.m., lol. I think I'll go with Can You Understand and Mother Russia. :)

[@mandolinic]

Don't forget to add "Ocean Gipsy"!

[@jeffreygorey5540]

Most bands would have started a guitar solo at 5:10. Not Renaissance! They did a vocal solo because annie's voice is so beautiful

[@ZippyThePinhead]

Considering there was no backing orchestra this was a stellar performance, BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@12laube12]

I'm crying listening to this beautiful song.

[@georgedodge7316]

completely awesome

[@gaylel6071]

Oh, my word! Thank you for posting this amazing performance! Just came across this is and is the last video I expected to see, haven't heard this in DECADES! YOU TUBE is amazing. Had this album and played it so much, always loved this poignant and powerful song. Remembering now how Annie used to stick that long, high note and I tried to mimic it, lol. Those sure were the days of some beautiful music.

[@amykazane2525]

yes, Gail, but as with Jeff Lynne, could never hit those high ones!

[@vickylaurienzo2644]

Gayle, your post could've been written by me! Ditto!!! Including that high note and trying to hit it.

[@walterkrohngold9391]

I just saw them (really Annie H and an all new band) in Kent, Ohio about a month ago. Not a lot of people were there, but the band and Annie sounded great!!

[@debradolan4350]

Was in a band and we didsome of this stuff! Awesome

[@Nashvillekat]

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a Russian author and dissident who was a prisoner in the USSR labor camps for his outspoken criticism of the government and communism. He wrote The Gulag Archipelago, a book about his experiences there and which won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1970. This song is about and a tribute to him.

[@donlang7964]

Solzenyitzen's works were snuck out of the USSR and brought to the west, depicting his, and others treatments and poverty, and punishments. He became a world media darling, much like Bishop Tutu, and and Apartheid. The notaries helped to release him and unfortunately few others from their captivity. Rennesiance captures the lonely spirit of Russia's patriots very well!

[@pepperprovasnik]

As a slavic person I will say, he was a double agent who worked with th2 CIA thats why they let him defect to the USA. He was a disinformation bastard

[@annavoellmecke9932]

@@pepperprovasnik, if he worked against the Soviet Union in that capacity, that makes him even more of a hero. Your comment makes you an embarrassment to all Slavic people who were finally freed from Communist tyranny. Stidno!

[@pcon8]

He was most of all..a Russian Patriot. Embodying the concept of "Rodina."

[@kentlein2266]

Солженицын лгун и предатель! А предателей всегда надо лишать гражданства и выдворять и з страны...

[@jamesroets800]

This was the first song I ever heard from Renaissance, and I immediately fell in love with it. Annie Haslam has the most incredible and truly gifted voices un history. No one but her could have sung this song. The band and background are perfect here.

[@emiliae.4415]

Sending love to John Tout wherever he is! What a genious! I am so sorry only a few saw that. And to Betty Tatcher for the amazing poetry!

[@allisonrich5061]

I adored John Tout’s playing.

[@markgooden7057]

Nothing has ever be the same after the Prog Rock european invasion of the late '60's early '70's..

[@lindamaggio5317]

thank you so much for sharing this- I loved them then and still do now.

[@CPDSMD]

Thank you for posting!

[@jdchevy100]

First heard them was Allison Steel,the midnight owl.The only station WNEW FM where the disc jockeys talk to the audience without commercials.

[@JTRocks4Ever]

Alison Steele called herself, The Night Bird because she did the late shift. She was my idol and the reason I got into radio.

[@user-mu6fd5um9z75]

I am such a blessed man to be able to watch this rare live video. So much beautifully composed, not only classically but modernly outstanding music. Thank you KZbin, you are a great contribution to the world. A fan from Seoul

[@dansimsss]

I saw them on my birthday in the 80s in Montreal..best gift you can get...

[@TheCwhite137]

Wonderfull song, band and OMG Annie, I love you. It's sad that as long as we have American Idol, music like this will soon be vanquished.

[@gregkisinger4183]

I think that I put the first 8-track tape that I bought (circa 1982), which was Renaissance, into my "time capsule" chest. Not sure if it is worth any money but it sure was worth the good memories!

[@khalood1111]

One of the best female voices I've heard..

[@sylvieboisgirard3399]

Je ne me lasserais jamais de la voix de cette merveilleuse chanteuse et de ce groupe.

[@Kabooom777]

Thank you Sir for this Vid! Its a long time ago since i last heard this and she still thrills me.

[@jpirard]

I was a bit in 'love' with her back then ( in my head! LOL! ) her voice and their music was so awesome. THEY STILL ARE. This is how I remember FIRST seeing them live...

[@russs7574]

I don't know if Annie is still performing. But for several years in a row she would do shows at a couple small venues in the Pittsburgh area....either the Carnegie Library in Homestead (just outside of the city, and the facility has a very nice little theater), or the Palace Theater in Greensburg (maybe 45 minutes out of town...a great small venue). On one occasion, she did a show with Yes' Steve Howe. I made a point of catching as many of her shows as possible. I fell in love with her voice listening to Scheherazade and Other Stories, and all these years later, her voice still sends chills down my spine.

[@tommyhaynes521]

The most amazing piece of music I have ever heard. I got turned on to it by the Wake Forest radio station in North Carolina in the 70s. Thank you Decon Light you opened up many new worlds to me, including Tom Waits

[@florinanescu4864]

Exratetresrtial?

[@edblumenthal7110]

Chills when I listen best ever

[@BobHunter1977]

Fantastic!!! Such a high-quality recording, so rare of such a great band - thank you for posting this!

[@fsade]

I'd sell my soul to every demon in the deepest hell to see them live at his apex.

[@VampRoman]

It was one of those ''Southern Comfort '' nights in northern California , in the 70's, just broke the seal on the second pint. When I saw them on the tube while switching Channels , they just started singing ' Black Flame ' sat there mesmerized , they then did '' Trip to the Faire '' . I was hooked . Got "Turn of the cards '' that day , couldn't believe how the magnitude of '' Mother Russia '' went over every ones head . Just try to name a 'bad ' album , you can't.

[@mandolinic]

"Just try to name a 'bad ' album , you can't." Since you insist... Time Line was a disappointment, but even that had the excellent Chagrin Boulevard so it wasn't all bad.

[@Draeka]

I wish this was mainstream music and on my radio every time I turned that shitbox on.

[@gutturaldarkness]

Peter Steele!

[@kenwilf910]

With you on that one.

[@brucebeasman192]

Instead we get that thumping, misogynous garbage. That's why I don't listen to radio.

[@keithfreeland7638]

Marko Petkov everyone wishes

[@roxannewolfe4433]

We had a wonderful radio station in the '70s and early '80s, back in Rochester, NY. They actually played Renaissance! I credit WSAY 1370 with developing the varied musical tastes I have to this day.

[@artcashin10]

Thanks for uploading. I used to listen to this song in late seventies, riding around in my 66 pontiac tempest. Brings back memories. UK artists in the 70's were by far the most creative. Could only visualize in my mind what this may have looked like back then, we didn't have the BBC back then.

[@allisonrich5061]

Jon Camp's playing was always very underrated. I love his bass and his voice.

[@kjbalog1]

Intense beauty, world class vocals. Super talented band.

[@MrRandblues]

Absolutely Loved Sherharazad sp. and Turn Of The Cards . Saw them at the Spectrum along with Chick Corea & Return To Forever with Stanley Clarke,Lenny White, Al DeMeola an incredible show.

[@jeffreylemal7432]

Saw them at the garden with steeleye span and fairport convention

[@diogolopes8486]

Deepest song ever... right to the soul.

[@jpirard]

I was a bit in 'love' with her back then ( in my head! LOL! ) her voice and their music was so awesome. THEY STILL ARE.

[@Cavecricket1]

I saw them over 10 times in the old Capital in Passaic, Carnegie Hall and a small tavern in Butler, NJ. Always a great performance. We love you Annie.

[@Scottlp2]

Thanks for posting. Ahh the memories.

[@jeffstrack1143]

I close my eyes listening to this and somehow get transported back to the 70’s. Great music is truly timeless.

[@edfowles5096]

Annie, seen two of your concerts, you were and still are such a great singer and performer, and still listen to your songs to this day!

[@mikhaellevin3353]

Thank you!

[@deathofbeauty1]

Classic. I saw them in 1977 at the Calderone Theater in Hemstead, Long Island. One of the best shows I ever saw.

[@Kryanowitz]

This song brings tears to my eyes

[@steveschoo3369]

best female rock voice everrrrr!

[@fran0162]

I loved WNEW!!!! I grew up listening to that station....

[@AtlanSumerian]

암만 들어도 정말 명곡입니다. 멜로디, 리듬, 하모니, 구성....가사까지... This is the masterpiece!! I'm a fan from Corea.