Listening to Renaissance: Scheherazade And Other Stories, Side 1

[@patricknicolucci5073]

Jon Camp is the bass player played a white Rickenbacker 4001, his tone and technique are just amazing. I have been talking to him on Facebook he lives in Stafford UK such a gentleman kind and humble for the great musician that he is.

[@tomratcliff3755]

I'm binge watching the whole Renaissance journey. So good! I'm still amazed at how much of their music is unknown today. Shame if it was to be lost. 30 years later you never heard of them,and who knows what comes next. Please people... Share this beautiful music.

[@richardtaylor6187]

Thank you so much for playing my favorite band again! This is a very good album. I absolutely love Ocean Gypsy! So beautiful........!

[@JimNewstead]

It was my pleasure.

[@richardtaylor6187]

@@JimNewstead They were so great back then, weren't they?!?! There are another 2 or 3 albums of theirs you will love. I mentioned Novella on the Side 2 Comments. Songs for All Seasons is really good, and so is Ashes Are Burning.

[@tomratcliff3755]

​@@JimNewstead by the way,at least in the USA it's not a compliment to say something sounds like a movie soundtrack. Just saying. Love your reactions, although I have been binging Renaissance, and the dead. Lots more to see!

[@murdockreviews]

Those Renaissance albums really are a little treasure discovery for me. I listened to some of it in my teens trying to find out if there was some prog for me, but it was just the wrong age to appreciate this soft, melodic and sophisticated music. Now i love it!

[@JimNewstead]

You hear music at the right time for you.

[@markdrechsler5660]

This was the first Renaissance album I ever heard, and is still among my favorites. I am urging you not to ignore their earliest two albums, with an entirely different group of musicians. Looking forward to side two!

[@JimNewstead]

I won’t…. But as usual will take a while to get to them!

[@ericanderson8886]

Brilliant album, think Scherezade is a prog masterpiece.

[@DethThrasher1]

so glad you listened to this record! one of the best prog albums ever made IMO, and so glad you loved the bass. he reminds me of a calmer chris squire, similar tone (same bass guitar) and lots of runs up and down the neck, hardly ever stays on the same note! i recommend ashes are burning after this its absolutely brilliant

[@JimNewstead]

So good! Thanks, that’s on the agenda 👍🏼

[@davidcandelaria4411]

Their Live at Carnegie Hall is a must listen. Renaissance is still touring....with Annie being the only member left. Her voice has aged as all ours have but she can still soar. John Camp was one of my early bass guitar hero's. I saw them twice back in the late 70's

[@andrewwallace4481]

Instantly Recognisable wonderful Music !! 😀

[@wicky4473]

Wow… after wearing the grooves out on this album all those years ago, I haven’t listened to this for over 40-something years. It’s like I never stopped listening, all the songs just popped into my head with such familiarity. Brilliant. Thanks Jim

[@JimNewstead]

Happy memories!

[@Tsongkapa1]

Thatcher is their longtime poet/lyricist friend

[@drjsac57]

I had the good fortune to see them live in my college gymnasium in the mid seventies. They were unknown to me at the time. The musicianship, compositions, and of course that angelic voice just blew me away. Thanks for bringing back a great memory!

[@JimNewstead]

You’re welcome!

[@douglasennis7291]

Cornell? If so I was there 👍🏻

[@davidbarker77]

One of my all-time favourite albums. It's wonderful listening to it through higher quality headphones than I had in the 70s and 80s. So much depth I missed. Looking forward to your reaction to side 2.

[@JimNewstead]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ganazby]

Beautiful song. To my ears, it owes a wee debt to Coltrane’s version of ‘My Favourite Things’.

[@uapuat]

I do enjoy listening to music with you. It reminds me of the days when my friends and I would share our musical discoveries with each other. I remember hearing this for the first time in my friend's house. Please don't stop.

[@JimNewstead]

Oh ok 👌. Thanks for sharing the journey!

[@jeffpose2135]

My introduction to Renaissance, had just bought the album when I saw them in concert. The first song "Trip to the Fair" is based on Annie's first date with Roy Wood of ELO and the second song is about the greed of the record executives

[@patricknicolucci5073]

I love Renaissance Annie 's voice is amazing and the band is incredible. I love the Ashes are Burning album my favorite. also I discovered many other gems over the years. Winter Tree , Kalynda, Opening Out to name a few. Such a great listen to great music.

[@JimNewstead]

Lots more to hear then!

[@jennd8935]

I discovered Renaissance by chance. I was looking a albums (back in the 70s) and happened to see their Prologue album and was fascinated with the cover but had no idea who the group was or how they sounded. I was hooked in no time! I loved their first several albums (after Annie became the lead singer) but when they came out with Novella, that is when they changed their style and I was not into the direction it went, but I still listen to their first several albums often and love the music from that era.

[@stephanevilleneuve9450]

After all these beautiful compliments you made on their music, I hope that even more music lovers will discover this jewel so cruelly underestimated.

[@JimNewstead]

I do hope so.

[@gabiesiren]

Jim!!! You're back!! Sunny and -3 in Montreal, no cloud in the sky!

[@JimNewstead]

Chilly but sunny here. The problem with my studio is that I’ve not been in there for a week so was absolutely FREEZING this morning!

[@gabiesiren]

@@JimNewstead ah ah ah! We, your 20,4k sub's must send you some $$$ to pay the heating bill !

[@davidfelgate9541]

Most of the music by Renaissance was composed by Michael Dunford. Most of the lyrics were written by Betty Thatcher, who was a friend of Jane Relf, sister of Keith Relf of the Yardbirds and one of the founding members Renaissance. Dunford would produce a tape containing music for an upcoming album, send it by post to Thatcher, who would write lyrics for the music and send it back several days later.

[@JimNewstead]

Super interesting creative process!

[@tomratcliff3755]

@daidfelgate9541 Thank you for your historical insights. I knew the bare bones of the songwriting, but it was never clear to me before

[@palantir135]

Bought this album earlier this year after hearing this band on this channel. Great album, love it. That’s all I’m going to say today. Going back to bed. Had 39,1°C this morning. Enjoy the weekend.

[@JimNewstead]

Glad you enjoy it! Hope you’re better soon.

[@robertsonwilliams8650]

Nice to see you back again Jim ,hope everything is ok , this is a very good album, ashes are burning is my favorite album from them ,but I'd recommend most of them .

[@JimNewstead]

I’ve yet to hear that one

[@charleswagner2984]

Betty Thatcher was a poet who became a primary lyricist for this amazingly talented band because of her brilliant story telling. Much like Bernie Taupin, her wordsmith skills are a perfect fit for the music this incredible band comes up with, and vis vers. I've seen them four times in the 1970s and twice recently. Annie is the only one left, but she still has that golden voice. The more Renaissance you listen to, the more you love them. Novella is my favorite album by them, and that one ranks 7th on my all music history favorites. More to come for you, I'm sure.

[@DethThrasher1]

What are the albums ahead of it btw? Always looking for gems I may have missed

[@douglasennis7291]

Ocean Gypsy is on of the saddest and most beautiful songs ever written imo I saw them do it at a concert at Radio City in NYC and I cried which I have never done before or since at a concert

[@tomratcliff3755]

@douglasemnis7291 I married her. Such a lovely woman, but she couldn't get over all her ex- s. Eventually I couldn't either. I hope somewhere she is ok, but I still see her as Annie sings, with her fine hair spread beautifully in the waves. Happiness is always mixed with pain, isn't it?

[@lesblatnyak5947]

That was very nice, very relaxing. Had a certain comfort and feel of a 1940s night club with dancing.

[@JimNewstead]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@threestringsomg]

I'm probably....most definitely.... biased here but loved the Tab In The Ocean video Jim....lol....and then i also enjoyed soon after a video where the nice guy you chatted with had got hold of a copy of it because he loved it from watching your video ☺️👏....as for this album....it's genius....one of six albums or so by the band that are exceptional....Ashes Are Burning, A Song For All Seasons, Novella, Turn of The Cards, Prologue and this are all spellbinding....👋👋👋👋👋👋...just need to get a copy of the debut to complete what are probably the essentials😇

[@JimNewstead]

I love that when people that watch my videos then discover something from my content. And then they invest in it! Like you! Love it 😁👍🏼

[@stephaniethurmer5370]

Love this and Renaissance even before Annie joined them. Thank you so much

[@TheProgCorner]

Probably their “best” album - although I have a soft spot for Novella.

[@JimNewstead]

Hey buddy 👋 It’s certainly a lovely record. I’m intrigued to hear more!

[@monsieurlehigh4912]

I'm just sitting here with goosebumps... thanks Jim! Interesting you hear everything through the woolly hat. 🤣

[@JimNewstead]

It surprised me too, but there’s no way I wasn’t wearing a hat today, it was proper cold!

[@sethrichardson9974]

I knew you'd get around to this one. This was the album that addicted me to Renaissance back in the 1970s. The Song of Scheherazade is based on 1001 Arabian Nights, in which s sultan, having caught his wife cheating, had her executed and determined to marry a different young woman each night, enjoy her, then execute her in the morning. Scheherazade gets herself selected and keeps him interested for 1001 nights by telling him stories that never end in the morning, so he can't kill her and not hear the end of the story. Then he marries her. A lot of stories that have become movies of their own came out of that book, like Aladdin and his lamp, Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, etc as well as flying carpets and so forth.

[@JimNewstead]

I feel silly now realising that of course I know many of the stories and of course heard of Arabian nights, 1001 nights etc….

[@sethrichardson9974]

@@JimNewstead Renaissance does an awesome (as always) job on their Side 2 Song of Scheherazade, though there are several riffs in there that came from Rimsky Korsakoff's version. As far as the book is concerned, I haven't read it in about half a century, give or take. 😁 Hell of a read, though.

[@Tsongkapa1]

You should check out their live performances on youtube. The Sight & Sound ones in particular. Its the real deal.

[@JimNewstead]

I’m sure I will 👍🏼

[@dailyprognosisnick]

Smashing! And yes quite the pristine copy you have there!

[@chrisredlich7075]

Absolutely brilliant. Such detail and effort.

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Jim! Glad your boy is healthy again and back to school. 😎

[@JimNewstead]

Healthy…. Enough to get him out of the house! Still coughing and sneezing 🤧

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@JimNewstead 👍😎

[@lesblatnyak5947]

214🍁

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@lesblatnyak5947 😎

[@JohnLRice]

Fantastic album, especially Ocean Gypsy and Scheherazade! The other Renaissance I love as much as this one is Novella!👌🥰

[@kenl2091]

Difficult to know why Renaissance didn't quite reach the heights of the top 6 prog bands (in terms of record sales) as their musicianship certainly equalled them (and their vocals surpassed most). 'Symphonic prog' seems particularly appropriate here. Let's hope that your pronunciation of Scheherezade nears that of Annie by side 2! (she uses Shi - herr - ah - zahd rather than zade) Apart from that, excellent video!

[@JimNewstead]

I picked up on the pronunciation on side two!

[@cornellrosiu8818]

Great rxn, tks Jim! By the way, Betty Thatcher is the lyricist on many of their songs.

[@Warloo100]

What a lovely, sad but proud song. Love it till I heard it for the first time back in the Seventies. Do yourself a favour and listen to their "Novella", their most mature album. It's worth it. Cheers.

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

This is lovely! :)

[@JimNewstead]

Glad you think so!

[@threestringsomg]

When listening to a A Song For All Seasons yesterday at work I thought they sounded like Abba at one point, then Fairport Convention at another, then something totally from another world soon after....just brilliant artist ....I'd agree Kate Bush probably loves this band 👍👍....they are all brilliant but I think the pianist gets me by the whatsits as much as Annie ever does on most albums...🖤🎹

[@Lightmane]

Hi Jim. Do you have no heat? Very much looking forward to listening to this again.

[@JimNewstead]

I do, but I’ve not been in the studio for a week so was frickin’ freezing! The heating was on full blast but only just getting up to temperature after a couple of hours.

[@Tsongkapa1]

Blackmore's Night covers Ocean Gypsy early on. I'm curious if it was Candace or Ritchie or both that like Renaissance. Candace sounds great in it.

[@nuimaleko7]

I love the whole album, but Ocean Gypsy is my favorite track from any Prog band

[@JimNewstead]

It’s beautiful

[@michaelcapewell4811]

Try their first album too Jim. Different line-up obviously but John Hawken and Louis Cennamo were peerless musicians on keys and bass too. In fact, another great lp featuring John Hawken is Hero and Heroine by the Strawbs. Well worth a reaction and if you haven’t got the vinyl, it should be quite cheap to pick up a copy. Hope your family are well now 👍

[@MisterWondrous]

There is a God! One my earliest loves, can't wait to listen with headphones, and see and hear what ye think. Nab yourself an interview with Annie. I love this version as much as do I love the one by that Rimsky-Corncob dude. Off to listen...

[@JimNewstead]

Hope you enjoy it 👍🏼

[@MisterWondrous]

@@JimNewstead Main bien sur, Monsieur. Je suis enceinte d'impatience pour la belle Scheherazade {Zadie) mon couer. Love all of side one two, I mean won to, I mean Gertrude Stein. No hear here. Hear hear! A trip to the fair, but nobody was there. The vultures fly high, they do. They circle over us all. Even the Ocean Gypsy where are you?

[@davidjon13]

@@JimNewstead Hello Jim. Daily Doug interviewed Annie last year. She lives in Pennsylvania. Fabulous interview as she is so humble and accommodating. I met her circa 1997ish after a solo show at a tiny studio in Baltimore. Maybe 60 people SRO. Got her autograph too for posterity. Lovely woman.

[@davidjon13]

Jim, the term you’re seeking is “Art Rock.”

[@tomratcliff3755]

@davidjohn13. Absolutely, although I haven't heard that term since national lampoon radio hour became Saturday night live. I'm so old, and right now so happy!

[@stefanandersson2402]

I think they sound more like Curved Air. Another band from the same period.

[@RMForbes505]

I was going to a local community college in the mid 70's when I first heard this song Trip to the Fair on the college radio station. I bought this album and now Trip to the Fair is my least favorite song on the album not because I don't like that song but instead the other songs are more meaningful for me.

[@WooBino.]

Besides Ocean Gypsy I do not know this album as well as I should. Not having a lead guitar forced Renaissance to sound differently than every other band. Very theatrical....Walt

[@JimNewstead]

My tee shirt was on Walt, just under a lot of layers….. it’s very cold!

[@WooBino.]

@@JimNewsteadMom always said dress in layers. 🙂Next package you'll have no excuse! hmm...

[@gabiesiren]

@@WooBino. if said package can arrive... LOL !

[@WooBino.]

@@JimNewstead kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnSlhJulg5eVnqM&ab_channel=2old2Rock

[@WooBino.]

@@gabiesiren I have faith.

[@yes_head]

LOL, I just got finished watching Vaylor Truck's thoughts on Henry Cow's Legend. Talk about the polar opposite of this album! Annie's voice is incredible, but something about it always struck me as odd, and it wasn't until Doug Helvering pointed out that she has an unusual approach to her vowel sounds that I could understand why. Speaking of odd vocalization: Jim, you need to change how you pronounce Scheherazade or it will make my eardrums explode. It's Shuh-heh-ruh-ZAAD. Please! 🥺

[@JimNewstead]

Yes yes…. Alright already! I know, I get it on side two!

[@tomratcliff3755]

​@@JimNewstead yes but it is still Re - naissance , not ren- aissance.

[@simonangel871]

Sorry to be picky but it's pronounced 'Sh Hair A Zard'! Great review!!

[@malekmo64]

I know Kate Bush is a fan of Sonja Kristina so I guess similar love for Annie Haslam?

[@douglasennis7291]

Thatcher is lyrics

[@douglasennis7291]

I think songwriting credits are alphabetical

[@douglasennis7291]

It's Ren Faire music