Renaissance - Winter Tree

[@deitchphillip3773]

My absolute favorite band as a very young teenager in the 1970's. Most beautiful vocals I have ever heard! Progressive 70's " Rock!" But done to Classical Guitar and Piano, like Yes and ELP but much softer! I simply can't handle watching these early films and seeing her dance! She is so beautiful!

[@adkpeakboy]

What a great, uplifting song. I wonder how much more wonderful music we would have been able to enjoy had they made albums through the 80's, 90's and to the present. I've been blessed to hear the voice of an angel.....Annie.

[@walterhusi7082]

A voice like clear water, its sounds amazing!

[@adkpeakboy]

What a voice.....what a song...what an album....what a band!!!!! Songwriting at its finest here. Thank you for posting.

[@Anglagard1]

For all the problems I recognized in the 70's and for all the incompleteness that life held for me when I was 13, I wish I could go back to the time when I first held this album in my hands.

[@crnel]

Ditto me too.

[@melissarainchild]

All we have is the memories and the good vibe. That, nobody can take away from us :)

[@steve94044]

Annie is beautiful! Angelic voice. Amongst the finest female singers I have heard. The music of Renaissance is awesome even in 2012. Back in the 1970's I remember "Carpet of the Sun" on the radio for a short time. It was the late summer of '76 I think I just re discovered Renaissance and Annie I'm picking up music on itunes for tomorrow. Bless you Annie you are an angel!

[@patrikhallberg670]

I'm in love with this group. What a lovely sound.

[@russs7574]

Annie is the most amazing female vocalist I have ever heard, and having been born in '56, I grew up in the era of Aretha, Gladys Knight, Cass Elliot, Martha Reeves, Freda Payne, Carly Simon, Dusty Springfield, Diana Ross, Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior, Lesley Gore, Dianne Renay, Ronnie Spector and a plethora of other fantastic female vocalists. Annie Haslam stands head and shoulders above them all. I first heard the band in 1975 when our local AOR played "Scheherazade and Other Stories" as their Midnight Album. By the time the album was over, I was thoroughly in love with Annie Haslam's voice. And here we are, 48 years later, and I am still absolutely in love with her voice.

[@paulk556]

I have to agree with your sentiments. Listening to Renaissance on a small transistor radio tuned to either Radio North Sea International or Radio Luxembourg, Turn of the cards was my introduction to the delightful voice of Annie performing Running Hard. I have been a lifelong fan (now turning 65) and wished my travels had taken me to a concert when they were all younger.

[@philmann3476]

@@paulk556 Yep, Running Hard from Turn of the Cards when released in 74 is what turned me on to Renaissance and the wonderful Annie at age 19. I was lucky enough to hear them twice in the 70s with the "classic" line up. I've heard some concerts by big name groups over the years, but those two Renaissance performances are what stick with me most. What a great band.

[@philmann3476]

And to think, people with straight faces actually claimed Janice Joplin was a great singer. Yikes!

[@diggerbarnes5708]

" have you ever seen a better day "..This is a classic song from a class band.

[@mtfsant]

@MrMegacakinho Que bom q ainda há mts brasileiros de bom gosto. Renaissance é pra quem gosta e respeita a música como arte. Grande abraço

[@pleased9]

Saw Renassaince first at Winterland, San Francisco opening for Rick Wakeman' s King Arthur tour on Halloween night. Then at Oakland stadium - they opened for the Eagles. I've heard they weren't big on the west coast, but had a huge following on the East coast.

[@brinmoody]

one of my favourites! well done!! I love these "Videos" too! I'd have to say this one and Forever Changing are tied for my favourite videos for Renaissance! and in all of my 15 years, Renaissance is the most naturally gifted band and they are my favourite!

[@SeattleLA]

I remember a lady in a Santa Rosa, CA record store, 1979, suggested Renaissance when I asked her for suggestions of bands. So, I purchased Azure d' Or, and it remains about my third favorite album from the band. The classic period, as with most prog bands, is my favorite (early 70s) Renaissance is my second favorite Prog band ,after YES.

[@pleased9]

Great song. Lots of changes and dynamics. Annie knows how to enchant an audience.

[@musicadoxaxim6111]

Lovely song! So glad I had the chance to see this! Thanks!

[@Jpeterson7]

Lots of progressive bands tried their hand at more pop-style music and failed. This songs works on many levels. it was pop but it was still inspiring like other great songs by them.

[@MrMegacakinho]

a primeira vez que ouvi essa maraviha eu tinha 14 anos e nunca mais esqueci dessa banda......hoje tenho 47 anos

[@system01]

Beautiful "Art-Rock" band of the seventies. I'm 45 but did not really discover them until around early/mid 80's. Fell in love with the unusual union of music styles & Annie's beautifuly trained voice. In just one song they did-"Touching Once", the styles run the gammit- from progressive rock & driving jazz thru to(as their name implys), Renaissance(choral)Madgrils. It's said Annie Haslam was working towards being a costume designer before joining.

[@EastCoastDude]

Annie looks great, sounds great. Thanks for posting.

[@HowardKlein1958]

Winter tree, Golden Key and Kalynda are heavenly. All on Azure d'or album.

[@midnightfury9001]

Love this song, the more I listen to it the more It grows on me.

[@NatashaNichollsMusic]

What are great song!! Cheers Love Natasha xoxoxo

[@70053morayfirth]

Wonderful songs on this album.

[@borgduck]

As beautiful as ever!

[@medinavix]

I saw her in Rio, 98. It was called "Annie Haslam´s Renaissance", and she opened with the atmospheric "Opening Out". One of the greatest of all my life, and I saw hundreds of shows over there...

[@cavalier080854]

The necklace was a specially commisioned one off piece given to Annie by Roy Wood for their engagement. Annie wore it for many years on stage. Annie, last year, put it up for auction along with her Thea Porter dress for the Scherazade concert in New York.

[@cliffcarr3632]

Beautiful

[@londonbangkok]

To complete the story, Keith Relf/McCarty /Cennamo formed Armageddon with 1 LP in c75. Very heavy stuff! McCarty/Jane Relf/ Cennamo/Hawken (alas Keith Relf RIP) re-formed in c 77 as "Illusion". Illusion was the title of the 2nd LP the Mk1 Renaissance released.

[@Clown90125]

Bloody magnificent.

[@totallycrunchy]

this is great! I used to sing along to all the albums when I was a kid, well I'm only 30 but still! I love her voice! song for all seasons is still one of my favorites. I have almost all the albums on vinyl and love the sound with the crackly needle.

[@MG180Man]

Annie Haslem has no equal!

[@josephcvetetic5814]

Fantastic

[@jeffrey322]

Get a grip: This is not a live performance! Saw Renaissance several times back in the day. They were one of my fave bands growing up..

[@marcolozano7915]

Love live 🌞 shine glitter your life.

[@cliffcarr8569]

Love this song, outstanding!

[@peteryyz43]

..Annie is my absolute perfect woman..Perfect!!..What a song;What a phenomenal track.-love that oh oh oho ho oh hohoooo bit. on the chorus..Unreal vibe man!!

[@harrymccabe6691]

great video !!!

[@londonbangkok]

This IS how story goes. McCarty/Relf/Relf/ Hawken/Cennamo formed Ren mark 1. 1971/2 proved a big change year people joined and left daily it seemed until they became Haslam/Camp/Tout/ Sullivan/Hendry and released Prologue in 72 with 2 songs written by McCarty still. Hendry left and Ashes Are Burning was realeased in 73. Dunford was writing most songs (still 1 song by McCarty) but not officially a member. Dunford officially joined for Turn of the Cards in 74.

[@fernandosergio2656]

É de arrepiar...

[@MadanRajaRock]

I would like to correct that. Is there a better SINGER? I think not. ;) And no, I am not being patronizing at all, non-fans, listen for yourself, the incredible clarity, tonal purity and massive, well connected range will not be emulated for years and years to come. Though...you need to listen to Ashes are burning or Scheherazade to understand the full scope of her repertoire.

[@godbluffvdgg]

the shame is you missed the greatest era in music , late 60s to 1979 music took a serious dive after that,of coarse there are exceptions, but for the most part blechhhh. and watching a video from the era does no justice you had to be there. oh the majesty ,like you were seeing god and all angels jamming

[@Aestros909]

I missed this era of music, but I'm happy Renaissance made "videos" way back then. If you listen to this with headphones there are walls of sound coming at you! It's magic.

[@cavalier080854]

Just like "Blackmores Night", yes that Richie Blackmore only on a folk trip, also they do a cover version of Ocean Gypsy, all found on KZbin.

[@SeattleLA]

A tremendous band, capturing a classical, yet pop sound, with great vocals, and more. This song, along with the others, makes it my favorite of their albums.(Azure D'or)

[@spaceplayer]

God, my mom played this song when I was young, and I discovered it again as a teen going through her collection. It's a weird song for me, the verse is so...and I mean this with respect...lame for a guy...but then the chorus comes in, and it's just beautiful...("have you seen a better day...). Takes me back. Jeckyll and Hyde is great, and the rest of the album just gets better.

[@geoffolehane]

As usual Annie is amazing in this song. I have seen Renaissance (twice).

[@cavalier080854]

Try MAGENTA, a modern welsh prog-rock group with Christina Booth, they also produced a disk with Annie Haslam called "Night and Day" (only 4 tracks). Also Curved Air with Sonja Kristina, and Girlschool (all female), all of the above can be found on KZbin.

[@joseantonionevessenna723]

Sensacional.

[@borgduck]

Ah yes,cheers! I know of these bands I already listen to Curved Air but still think Annie has the advantage with her angelic voice! MAGENTA sounds like an exciting band! do you know what Mostly Autumn are like?

[@giancarlokindschmid9968]

I love Renaissance!

[@leisterverner5211]

Carpet of the sun is my favourite song

[@eternalcolonel]

This was a staple on HBO before VHI came along. I'd love to see them perform "Northern LIghts"...

[@hatfieldhouse1986]

Jon Camp's trebly bass sound here is positively... Squire-esque? All the more charming because, of course, he's playing some double-necked axe, in a way that's so sweetly seventies.

[@SeattleLA]

@gofnas3 Few, if any. I recently signed up for her nice mailing list. Karen Carpenter, Cass Elliot, are some of my other favorites, for pure skill.

[@frododarg]

holy cow!!! 5 octave range she had/has she claims she never wrote a song until her solo albums. she said she only did vocal arrangements when in the group

[@Meandgenevieve]

I like this album as much as the others, and this is my favourite from it.

[@motherthecar]

Chris Squire of YES still uses a triple neck bass when the band performs "Awaken" [ from the "Going For The One" album]

[@gumborific]

Yes....my Dad had that recording, thanks for reminding me!!! I know you can't post websites here so send me a private message if you need to find some hard to find CDs.

[@pierstheoneandonly]

Twin necked guitars - those were the days! Who uses them now?

[@borgduck]

Indeed! so when is your next conquest attempt of the Earth?

[@frododarg]

she was interveiwed for an art showing (she paints) and she had it on !!! was only about 3 years ago

[@motherthecar]

With all the video's of Renaissance on here, I'm surprised that the band has not released any DVD's...or am I mistaken?

[@mtfsant]

THE BEST!

[@shabadoo799]

Great band. I remember seeing them in early 80's in S. California. I had all their old record in Vinyl Lp, then my ex-wife trashed them when I filed for divorce. I can't find all their recordings on CD. Damm.

[@IpswichTown1981]

over 50,000 views - many of them by me =)

[@belteffects]

Rod B Me too! Cheers from Chile

[@borgduck]

Richie from Deep Purple right? I met his cousin in a pub once!

[@fbrown172]

1:48 BEAUTIFUL!

[@johnmcclintock8004]

When & where was this vid made ? Must have been 70's .?

[@malekmo64]

1979

[@SeattleLA]

@sewerbyarnold very good point

[@borgduck]

Like I said, as beautiful as ever.

[@bestNameICanThinkOf]

I was looking here to see if I could find a video of them doing "Mother Russia." Does anyone know if a video to that exists?

[@bluerabbitvine]

Just gonna say that the range of her back up singer is pretty impressive too...high Eb there... (Eb5)

[@borgduck]

I love Annie Haslam! Its a pity there arent more Prog Rock bands with female leads. Moody Blues with a female singer.

[@bestNameICanThinkOf]

Will do, Thanks, Blondie.

[@bhs6252]

Annie Haslam sings Free Bird?

[@knownfact4905]

Annie is just uncanny, what an amazing voice. (But where is the keyboard player's white jacket?)

[@geoffolehane]

I've seen her perform twice. Great live.

[@80sStranded]

Your mother must be around my age. The entire premise of the song falls around a well used poetical primise taken from the Bible that altough your life may feel like winter time, spring is not far behind

[@borgduck]

I love Annie too.

[@jeamphe]

Annie's smile can melt polar ice caps.

[@sogggyyy]

So I guess this was the single?

[@leisterverner5211]

There's a little likeness

[@MrJoesakic1988]

As far as I know this is the only video of Renaissance that isn't concert footage. Too bad Annie Haslam has an amazing voice, and she's very pretty too !!

[@borgduck]

It's my birthday tomorrow. Annie is a Gemini dream, I'm just a Gemini nightmare!

[@motherthecar]

100% true...why isn't Renaissance in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame yet?

[@alexeisenberg2834]

Album....Azure D'or

[@hootsmon]

Cheers for the info:)

[@leisterverner5211]

Annie hasslam reminds me of Kate garroway

[@RobertLaberge]

Azure d'Or: Golden Azure.

[@ShakepearesDaughter]

No. Just different ones, just as fine and tuneful and evocative in their own particular way, but not better. No, never better.

[@PanditaPaz]

Alguien tiene la Discografia?? :D

[@prosoloist]

Yes, I know and Yes, I know and right :)

[@herzogsbuick]

ROTOTOM SI SI

[@jeamphe]

Annie was my teenage crush

[@Obiwannabe]

One of if not the only good song off Azure D'or

[@forestwalker5798]

"Had a dream by the Winter Tree"

[@spectriaofficial]

So is noone gonna comment about how this is in a different key

[@Girdedloins]

Roy Wood? Yikes. LOL Maybe the only stranger looking Hippie than myself back in the 70's.

[@axxellein]

The Quill....

[@aboutdafunk]

Earle Bailey sent me here.

[@gofnas3]

I'm sorry, Is there a better female singer? I think not.

[@ffej980]

annie always annie...enough said