Renaissance - Black Flame

[@savagemathorror4671]

Just discovered them a few months ago and I’ve been listening to their ‘Prologue’ ‘Ashes are Burning’ ‘Turn of the Cards’ and ‘Scheherazade’ records on repeat ever since, 4 perfect albums! They are phenomenal and I can’t believe I had never heard of them before, incredibly gorgeous and moving music!

[@foolishwatcher]

I had this same experience around 2 years ago. Have been a prog rock fan since the 90s and stumbled upon the 1974 RTL live studio recording on YT. I was stunned by their quality and of course especially by Annie's voice and vocal range. I couldn't believe I had never heard of them. It was really like I had dug up a gemstone out of the mud. Renaissance is up in my top 5 since then.

[@beds139]

Vastly underrated band ,probably not helped by hitting their musical peak just as punk hit the UK. Annie Haslam is one of the greatest singers I have ever heard live. She has never been given the plaudits she deserves.

[@Thullin13]

So agree.... she is one of my all time favorite female vocalis....along with Harriet Wheeler and Cristiana Scabbia

[@inyenster]

Great band, great voice, unique bass. Millions of admirers. People should stop whining that their favourite music is underrated. Enjoy.

[@beds139]

@@inyensterI agree that someone always says a band is underrated on YT comments when clearly they are not. But it is true that Renaissance & Annie are both hugely under appreciated.

[@EduardoFrancoOcnarfeara]

I saw them on January 21st, 1975, at the Brunnel University, Uxbridge, near London, I came from Rio de Janeiro specially to see them live in concert, they were touring together with Caravan. it was a beautiful and unforgetable evening...Annie's voice was fantastic and powerful, I still keep that concert ticket and tour booklet

[@beds139]

I saw them at Liverpool Uni. on the same tour. I was a big Caravan fan and loved their performance ,but Renaissance were just stunning. I was hooked from that point on. It's incredible that two such brilliant bands were playing universities. The ticket prices would have been modest and the bands would not have been making much. Different days!

[@beds139]

I have a CD of their performance at Nottingham Uni on that tour.

[@MrJosten72]

That’s a heck of a lineup!

[@richardstocks9139]

This was one of my older brothers favourite bands. RIP Andy

[@dbvetter7485]

Jon Camp, bass player is up there with Chris and Geddy and Sir Paul. Very underrated bass player as with all the band.

[@larrylorenzen2449]

Their lack of popularity is one reason we won’t see a Renaissance tribute band. The other reason is nobody else has close to the talent!

[@glenonoko4918]

The Brazilian group Fleesh put out a whole tribute album of Renaissance songs. It's pretty good and some of it is on youtube

[@kristinharshman1304]

First saw Renaissance right around Christmas 1974? On Midnight Special. I had never heard of them but was instantly mesmerized by Annie Haslam and John Camp playing this song. Became a huge fan, have seen them many times through the years, most recently at The Egg in Albany. Still probably my all time favorite music. They will endure with me forever. Never Enough.

[@mostlyautumn]

Renaissance is amazing. Their haunting sound just gives me the chills. The intro to Black Flame is fantastic.

[@ravello99]

Annie the Angel! What a great rare find, this video! Thanks for posting! This brings back fond memories of my youth....

[@oregonbobv]

i saw them in 1973 at the Academy of Music in New York for the late show. at Midnight Soft Machine with allan Holdworth played. Then came Larry coryell with Randy Brecker. At 3 AM Rennaissance did Ashes Are Burning. Amazing. Annie was in White and for an encore the played prologue 4 in the morning. a special moment in time!!!

[@ralphstalnecker2449]

This song was my first introduction to renaissance,saw them perform this song on a late night concert show.the next day I went out and bought their entire u..s. collection

[@akxeman]

What an amazing group and incredable video. Music the way it was meant to sound. Turn of The Cards was Awesome as an album. I'd have given anything to see this show.

[@Xdxa1X]

I first heard this song in the early seventies and have been a fan ever since. Annie's voice is glorious.

[@thomaszadorozny451]

The audio quality is subpar! Thank you for ?

[@philmann3476]

@@thomaszadorozny451 That's the thing. If the talent is there, it still shines through, even if "the audio quality is subpar." (Indeed, how many "high quality" recordings of Enrico Caruso are in existence?) And too many modern performers are still mediocre and perfectly forgettable, even if the audio quality is superb.

[@Farknight]

They were the perfect band. Sit, close your eyes, feel the wind and wash her harmonies through your soul.

[@Winedarkseas]

a beautiful piece of work. it is craftsmanship like this that we must never let go, because the alternative is surrendering ourselves to mass-produced "x-factor" product, designed only to generate dollars. music used to have a passion...and an innocence..and that's worth its weight in gold!. renaissance are a classic example of this.timeless. priceless.

[@wigginsdesign]

Thanks, i saw them Live and wish more people would realize what a great band they were.

[@kennethorlando]

Freakin' incredible...this song gives me the chills!

[@pleased9]

Saw them 3 times before they faded. I never knew Terrence used mallets on this song. Thanks for posting.

[@EastCoastDude]

That's Annie Haslam the real deal on vocals. Great keyboard player John Tout. Renaissance was a great band to see live in the '70's. Annie Haslam looked and sounded like a goddess! (They played Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ after the Scheherazade album, was amazing. They also played the Capitol Theatre a lot in Passaic, NJ) Things went downhill after John Tout and Terry Sullivan left the group in 1979.

[@wigginsdesign]

The melody of this is struck deep chords within my spirit as a young teen in the 70's. It is absolutely one of my favorite Renaissance songs. With the lights out and a joint I would float away into their imagination.

[@BlogDaBrega]

wonderful... reminds me when I was 18... Annie's voice simply like a magic

[@ghbeatle]

I was lucky enough to see them twice in Phx. Both times I got in during the soundchecks. First time I got Annie's autograph, and the second time Jon played my buddie's custom 5 string bass during a soundcheck song. Black flame is one of my favorites, especially when Annie sings"And I'm the burning in your soul". Definitely shivers. Thanks.

[@ogrebattle22763]

Great song... studio & live versions equally great...

[@kelvindodd5577]

June 28th, 1979. Renaissance under the stars at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. My spine was pinned to the rock seating by Annie’s voice.

[@Laurasiana]

No! It ends there? I hope you'll post the rest?! Despite the audio and video, this is such a great clip. What a performance - such beauty, power, and grace. It's such a joy to see them at their peak. I never thought I would! Thanks for the vids you've posted.

[@satyr1968]

4:12 When Annie's voice cracks, it's just beautiful. Damn, this band was great!

[@rickjeren147]

one of the best !

[@breodan]

It's a real joy to see this. I remember first hearing this song on the radio when I was in my teens, in the days of progressive radio. Turn of the Cards was one of the first albums I bought. This song had seared my brain. Later I had several opportunities to see them (Irvine auditorium at Penn (terrible acoustics), the Academy of Music in Philly. They were well received in the Philadelphia area. Would love to see Ashes are Burning, Thank you

[@MandrakeMoorglade]

Saw Renaissance live a couple months ago in New York. They sounded amazing! Annie still has it too. She hit all the high notes perfectly.

[@MrJosten72]

This clip epitomises what I love about the Rickenbacker sound. Huge, singing, vocal upper register, snarling, growly lows. Wonderful tone. Wonderful tune. Wonderful playing and vocals!

[@eilzed]

OMG I am so happy to see this...don't mind the slight drag in that one spot... so worth the watch! Danke

[@herzogsbuick]

that second chorus was outstanding, sounded huge!

[@ScottatHouseonaHill]

The band did, indeed, interact with one another, and quite a lot. Annie used to tease Dunford and Camp a lot, at least at shows I saw. Ahh, I miss them.

[@londonbangkok]

KR was inititially in Renaissance from inception in c69 to c72. They released 2 albums of original material. There was then wholsale personnel changes and by the time 'Prologue' was released KR and the others had ALL gone and replaced by Jon Camp, John Tout, Annie Haslam, Terry Sullivan and Mick Hendry. Michael Dunford being (at this time) a non playing composing reserve. Hendry left and Dunford joined and out came Ashes are Burning in 73.

[@nazarethfleischhauer111]

Progressive Rock for Ever = LOVE FROM BRASIL 🇧🇷🤔

[@raybrettman9618]

man o man I had a crush on Annie Haslam around this period. I know I ain't the only one.

[@waynealarsen]

I saw them around this time at Monmouth College and they we WONDERFUL!

[@NJtoTX]

Also saw them at Stony Brook mid 70s. Was stuck in front of a huge speaker, and thus the loudest concert I ever attended. Probably why I have awful tinnitus today.

[@Billboy10]

You never know. She may tour again. I saw her a few years ago and she sounded great.

[@Luis_Magalhaes]

I believe you dear Borduck! Me too, specially when I'm listening Renaissance's songs...

[@PaulHartXYZ]

Thanks to the dumbing down of society, we'll never see intelligent, classically-based bands like Renaissance in the popular music scene again. BLACK FLAME may be my favorite Renaissance song. WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS???

[@scottprather5645]

Your comment was posted 15 years ago the dumbing down has continued !!

[@Careah]

There still is quality music, keep faith brothers

[@lvanteale4679]

Annie still has that beautiful voice after all these years ❤

[@MoonchildTheKing]

Soooooo beautiful, Annie the best ever.

[@londonbangkok]

KR created a band called Armageddon with some of the early Mark 1 Renaissance members. Sadly he died in 76 after 1 album release. What was left of the early Mark 1 Renaissance then reformed in c77 and created an Illusion (band) that released at least 2 albums in the late 70s. This particular song is from the excellent Turn of the Cards album of late 74/early 75.

[@OldJimbo]

I'm still in awe of the first time I saw them. Chills.

[@frododarg]

was written by betty thatcher (lyrics) about the vietnam war

[@MadanRajaRock]

Renaissance was five people a long time back. Two left the band in 1979 and Camp in 1984. Same as any other band. The vocalist has not changed nor the main music man. The new musicians are excellent, especially the rhythm section. Also, they have three new songs, one of which is regularly performed live, so it is not a cover band.

[@WaterboyPhx]

This song, when I first heard, it really set off my muse. Even though, to me, it's a bit of a 'dark' song, it's one of my Most Favourites of theirs (or anyone else, come to think of it). I'd love to find the lyrics (just haven't gotten around to googling them, LOL).

[@CCM104]

Excellent Rick 4001 bass as always.

[@LaylaSpellwind]

: ) thanks i got a few of my friends listening some liked it but most people my age are into modern gibberish

[@dannyrose55]

beautiful

[@axxellein]

Love this Masterful Epic!

[@zatoth13]

saw her at nearfest! totally awesome!

[@Mawshroom]

*sigh* If i were only a good couple of decades older i coulve seen them...

[@MadanRajaRock]

@fluxstringer I had a better idea, I just checked the song on the keyboard. The top note seems to be a C5 which is certainly not too high for Annie or most female singers in general. The top note in live performances of Ashes are burning is a G6...no comparison.

[@lieberman70]

Can anobody verify the Harmonies? Other verses: V2: I am strong, Iam leaving I never knew I'd feel the need so where toge, I'll turn the flow, I douldnotknow Screams inside the burning pain Chorus Its spinning head, it's under hand, the black flame it lies instead, i turned and I ran, the black flame On me it fed, I understand, the black flame burns my blackened brain.

[@claretea]

Love her.

[@absolutefriend]

Great!

[@GuillermoAlcocerAleaJactaEst]

Great song!

[@MadanRajaRock]

@DavelovesRealMusic I believe she would be able to because these are not too high. There was a very bad quality bootleg video from the recent reunion concerts of this song and as far as I could discern, she was alright. She probably can't do justice to the Ashes coda anymore, but that would be to expect too much.

[@lieberman70]

And last but not least. V3 No Im week, i am losing Im a lie, Im just a sigh, just crying just a symbol of the game. Chorus: Suspended pain, I cannot face the black flame Intended fear, I cannot trace the black flame Extended reaching into space the black flame Burns my blackened brain. ---------------------------------------- So anybody out there that can verify the harmonies I would be very pleased. Any discussions about the lyrics?

[@waynealarsen]

yes, FDU is in tee neck, must have been early

[@lothlorien13]

@scousesusan Well there is her album Blessing in Disguise =)

[@borgduck]

I was just thinking that!

[@MadanRajaRock]

THAT depends on what exactly you mean by 'right'. I have the new live DVD and she still hits all the notes on Black Flame. Actually, every note in the repertoire of Cards and Scheherazade albums plus the new song (which, by the way, has a D6!). She doesn't sing Black Flame as effortlessly as on this clip, but I am not sure anybody was expecting that? Show me a singer in pop music who can hit D6 as full throated as Annie on Mystic and the Muse, and let alone at the age of 64.

[@MadanRajaRock]

I have on the other hand seen several mobile phone clips posted on youtube from recent concerts where she does hit Black Flame. It's a voice, not a machine and on a bad day, she may not get there. Nothing unusual about that, even in some concerts in the 70s, she couldn't hit all her notes. Second show in the two concert DVD that you speak of - 1979, missed Jekyll, Northern Lights and Secret Mission. Anyway, neither McCartney nor Mitchell could hit her notes in their prime, let alone now.

[@somewhere6]

Well, without getting Betty Thatcher (who I am sure wrote the lyrics) to talk directly about it, it is difficult to know what specifically she was driving at. Nonetheless, it resonates with me at a number of levels regarding alienation and disillusionment. It can be seen as personal or sociological and work in both realms. Good art can do that!

[@BarryLyndon63]

wonderful !!!

[@LaylaSpellwind]

hey this is pretty good i accidently clicked and though eh why not : )

[@moonchildtheking5008]

I think Annie is the best female singer of the second part of the XXth century, along with Liz Fraser.

[@Arzgebargscher]

And Maddy Prior.

[@moonchildtheking5008]

And Jaqui McShee

[@rickedwards5309]

+moonchildtheking Agreed!

[@custodioguimaraes9981]

And Mariska Veres.

[@borgduck]

And believe me, I have moments!

[@CUBALAW]

All the good folks who think they're seeing Renaissance these days, what you're seeing is a Renaissance cover band. It's Annie and Mick and while it's a nice show, it's not "Renaissance" .Renaissance is Camp, Tout and Sullivan. Trust me!

[@YourEscape]

I'm suddenly pissed that I did not know they came around! =(

[@Adfumbler]

On a scale of 1-10, I give this song a 30! Does anyone have a theory about what this song is about?

[@luciouspyro9524]

vietnam

[@basscorteadg]

É vero!

[@kdreilly8]

Where's my bong and headphones when I need them...........

[@lieberman70]

V1: (Dm)I am Words, I am (G9)Speaking (Dm)I never heard my (G9)conclusion (Bbmaj7)Lost the (Am7)way in my conf(Bbmaj7)usion, in (Am7)illusion (Bbmaj7)Lost (Am7)inside the picture (Dm)frame - Chorus (Dm)I'm not to (G)blame, I didn't (Dm)see the black (C)flame (Dm)I'm not a(G)shamed, its poetry(Dm), the black (C)flame (Dm)I'm rear(G)ranged, it's changing (Dm)me, the black(C) flame (Bb)Burns my (C)blackened (Dm)brain.

[@Patrickillian]

muito bom ! ;)

[@rejtmand]

Mala imagen, mala grabación, pero la voz de Annie es y sera una de las mejores del rock de este planeta sin duda alguna !!!

[@LaylaSpellwind]

@twainname awsome i looked up on wikipedia and it just goes with what ive always said the older the music the better, though not always true i'd rather listen to this than sounds of the rainforrest or somtin like that : )

[@scorpioman1964]

I know this group now for 2,5 years,I think they are like ABBA but than the Progressive ABBA, this group is a sensation to all of the progressive rockfans, esspecially to those who like a woman's voice in progressiverock (I am an Earth and Fire fan also)

[@basscorteadg]

Muito foda esse som!

[@borgduck]

LOL, welcome aboard!

[@PaulHartXYZ]

Great song from a great album!!!! I would kill to see a video of MOTHER RUSSIA. Sadly, I don't think one exists.

[@fluxstringer]

I'll have to break out the digital freq analyzer. My ears are shot over 10k

[@DavidLiphshitz]

A Really greate song. Too bad the quality is poor.

[@Luis_Magalhaes]

There are no meanings in poetries... They are just for your own moments...

[@marisaelenenadiejamusiccom3974]

Lovely

[@scottprather5645]

Great song and video unfortunately sound qualities pretty poor. Love Annie Haslam and Renaissance such an incredible band

[@MadanRajaRock]

@fluxstringer Sally Olfield is a terrific singer but she can't touch Annie's Ashes are burning highs. Only Minnie Riperton sings (sang) those notes with anywhere near Annie's strength. Of course, Sally could easily hit THESE notes, as in this song, they are not too high at all.

[@gypsygirl731]

video poor quality but song is good and band

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

3:30 Fucking Betamax

[@fluxstringer]

Sally Oldfield, that's who.

[@vtripaldi]

progressive

[@LaylaSpellwind]

heehee lucky you : )

[@Susanskarma]

No cherabim or seraphin sing better than Annie!!!!!!