Ranking the Studio Albums: Renaissance

[@seanschmidt8408]

Annie has always had the voice of an angel. One of the best female vocalists EVER.

[@joselito9390]

Certainly!

[@lyrictroy6717]

You prolly dont give a shit but does any of you know of a way to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid forgot the login password. I would love any tips you can give me

[@chrisbilly5632]

@Lyric Troy instablaster =)

[@danaaronmusic]

The angels thank you for the compliment.

[@Jims2517]

Hear here! Absolutely beautiful voice, amazing control.

[@thomasdohlinger5850]

Renaissance also published a great live album "Live at Carnegie Hall" with the best titles of the top albums on it.

[@carlfisher3924]

My first Renaissance album

[@ozuidema]

Carnegie is my favourite Renaissance album and actually one of fav live albums of all time. Not a weak note to be found on it.

[@MG-chaotic]

Live At Carnegie Hall ... one of my all time favorite albums ... 🙂

[@davidcohen821]

My first Renaissance concert was one of the Carnegie Hall dates.

[@pejimco1]

Live at Carnagie Hall One of my top ten live albums of all times. Excelent amd beautiful

[@lemuelkrause3029]

Great band. Trully underrated. I love them. One of my favorites.

[@dougmcauliffe2253]

Pete this is good timing! I listened to Ashes are Burning for the first time last night and It knocked my socks off! That album grabbed me from the first note to the last. I've listened two more times and thats a damn masterpiece! Can't wait to do a deep dive into this discography, I've heard Scheherazade as well!

[@garyshearer25]

I've spent the last month or so really getting to know all the classic Renaissance albums, and this video was invaluable, so thank you! I knew Northern Lights of course, but never got around to digging into the albums until now. Favourite song at the moment is probably Day of The Dreamer' (the ballad section is sublime), but they have so many great songs.They're a criminally underrated band, even here in the UK. And that voice of Annie Haslam's - just wow.. What an absolutely beautiful, unique tone. They should have been HUGE!

[@edbeck5692]

This is great. The older I get more I love this band. Great review. Also loved your interview with Annie. 👍👊

[@markspooner1224]

Wow, never expected to see a video about Renaissance, I wish there was more fuss made about them. Thank you for a very informed and enthusiastic review, great stuff!

[@jennd8935]

I bought my 1st Renaissance album because I was intrigued by the cover; that album was Prologue....I was hooked and loved their next several albums until Novella. After that, mostly hit or miss. I was absolutely amazed to see a video about Renaissance because I don't know anybody who seems to remember this great band. I still listen to them, not as often as I used to, but some of their songs are still on my playlists.

[@markspooner1224]

@@jennd8935 Nice!

[@timothyfuller4299]

Has never heard this band. Just found Turn of the Cards on vinyl in a $5 bin. Great find!

[@joebloggs8636]

Huge fan of them since thier heyday.

[@Scoharr]

I'm with you all the way on this one Pete. I had the great honor of meeting John Tout and seeing the band with Return to Forever back in '76. Treasure.

[@KBlankLV]

Great show! Saw them up-state New York Oct of 76.

[@vorhangauf...]

Great review, Pete. Thank you!! My No.1 Studio Album is still Ashes are burning. But nothing gonna top the live album "Live at Carnegie Hall". This is the absolutly cream of the cream of all Live Albums ever. Nobody should say me any different. It is an extraordinary adventure in live feeling and dreaming.

[@edbeck5692]

Great review of a band more people need to know about.

[@pc7343]

My favorite band since the mid 70’s! I listen to them regularly and never get tired of it. Sheherazade has defined my taste in music since the album came out : I was enjoying pure musical beauty, while my friends were listening to violent heavy metal bands. I still play Renaissance, I wonder if they still play the Scorpions, Iron Maiden,Def Leppard and others like them? I’d say no. Renaissance’s music does not get old. Thank you for this nice vlog.

[@karenkelley1628]

Saw them live twice in the late seventies, absolutely amazing. You are correct that most people don't know about them. I still listen to them all the time.

[@AudiophileTubes]

Jesus, how did I never listen to Renaissance?! I have thousands of albums and CD's, across many genres, but I 'missed' them! Thanks Pete. Going to order some of their albums.

[@minkahl1644]

I was disappointed, or even angry at the music community, radio and tv that I had to find Renaissance some 40 years later than should have! It is a crime how they haven't been heralded and hailed to the very top.

[@gajk041008]

So glad you did this Pete, I really love this band... The word "underrated" is thrown around much to liberally (for just about any subject matter really) in music, but I find it almost criminal how underrated Annie's vocals are!!! They are soaring, operatic and so beautiful.

[@helenmarshall3799]

I first heard this band on the 30th January 1981 when I was 17 and they have been a life long love ever since. I'm now 57 and I still love their music as much, if not more to this day. You are right. There is no one else like them. I agree with your rankings pretty much. You clearly know your stuff. I think The Song of Scheherazde album is for me, along with Novella and Turn of the Cards are my all time favourites. Song for all Seasons is pretty close to these too. They should have had more recognition in the UK and I would have loved to have seen them life. Annie Haslam's voice is amazing . They were all uniquely talented.

[@KevinSnodgrass-gobroncos]

I was stationed at RAF lakenheath back then and remember seeing their records at Andy's records in Cambridge England

[@edbeck5692]

I love this band. Great review.

[@smilerjerg]

Spot on, I think! Great summary of one of my all-time favourite bands. (I'd be tempted to bump Scheherazade up to the top though!) Live at Carnegie Hall is a great live 'anthology' for the band to that point. I have a real soft spot for Novella, so I'd like to think some of those songs would've featured on a later live album (alas, that wasn't to be!).

[@paulecrosby2006]

Gorgeous music. ♥

[@davecourlang1]

Thanks Pete this was one of my absolute favorite bands. They were epic and spectacular. Had the privilege of seeing the classic line-up a number of times in the 70s - one show was them and Gentle Giant (what a show). I was always partial to Novella and Song for all Seasons but I think they all are great even Camera Camera.

[@marcelob4132]

1 Turn Of The Cards 2 Scheherazade... 3 Ashes Are Burning 4 Prologue 5 Novella 6 Renaissance 7 Illusion 8 A Song For All Seasons

[@robertbriggs4129]

Actually liked your listing, Pete. I was right there with you but for me the tops would probably run like this: 1. Novella 2. Turn of the Cards 3. Song For All Seasons 4. Scheherazade 5. Ashes Are Burning Any of these could flip as they are all fantastic and have their own "charm" and "quirks". Thanks for you ranking. Love it!!

[@HerrP58]

Been listening to them since the 70s. Courtesy of excellent FM radio rock in Philadelphia when I was in high school. Fast forward to a couple years ago, after Michael passed away. Saw them live in ATL. Superb.

[@toeknee6047]

So happy I discovered your channel!!!! I love your album rankings!!!! I discovered Renaissance in 1974-5 from Billboard magazine. My first album of theirs was Scheherazade and Other Stories so naturally I rank that as number one. I played that over and over then. As I earned money to buy more albums I loved them as well, but not like my "first love" of Scheherazade :) I would rank the first two albums: Renaissance and Illusion as my bottom two. Time-Line has one of my fave Renaissance songs, "Chagrin Boulevard" so I would rank that album above Camera Camera. My list: 1. Scheherazade and Other Stories 2. Ashes Are Burning (all-time fave song "Carpet of the Sun") 3. Turn of the Cards 4. Novella 5. A Song For All Seasons 6. Prologue (love Rajah-Khan!) 7. Azure D'or 8. Grandine il vinto 9. Tuscany 10. Time-Line 11. Camera Camera 12. Renaissance 13. Illusion

[@windnchgo]

Thank you for your quick response to my email and in short order I have found this posting. I am giddy with excitement! I have been a fan of theirs since I discovered them while in college in Philadelphia, 1976 - which coincidentally, and unbeknownst to me at the time, was the epicenter of their popularity in the US.

[@windnchgo]

Yes! You ranked Turn of the Cards as #1 - My favorite too. I also agree Ashes Are Burning through Novella are ALL outstanding.

[@williampeters7190]

Thanks Pete! Turn of the Cards is one of my fav albums by anyone of alltime. Mother Russia about Alexander solzhenitzyn and Running Hard is amazing piano. Of course Annie Haslam's voice is magical like you said. Great music and great musicians.

[@agitation-free]

Great to have a deep discussion about lesser known classic prog bands!

[@johnappleton8133]

US prog bands like Cathedral, Ethos, Surprise, Quill, Babylon, etc... quite a few more and maybe do them best by regions countries etc..

[@arthurprice603]

Also remember some other lesser known but great British bands fronted by female singers who were contemporaries of Annie Haslam in the early years - late 1960s to mid 1970s. Very different styles in some cases - the full range from folk, electric folk, prog, rock, rhythm and blues. One of my personal favourites was Stone The Crows, with singer Maggie Bell. Many know the tragic story of the death on stage, by electrocution, of their outstanding guitarist Les Harvey r.i.p.(brother of Alex Harvey r.i.p.- of Sensational Alex Harvey Band). Some perhaps don’t know that James Dewar r.i.p. (later singer/bass guitarist with Robin Trower) was a key member of Stone The Crows in the early years. Jimmy McCulloch r.i.p. (later - guitarist with Wings) was also a member of the band. Perhaps something else of interest here? :D Stone The Crows (Maggie Bell) kzbin.info/www/bejne/amLFmZ2HopuWq7M kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5nPo515mbGMbs0 Babe Ruth (Jenny Haan) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWqUi4Fnfqqrd8k kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6qzfJibZputmrs Vinegar Joe (Elkie Brooks) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4PQeHR_gKp1oqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXiYYqejntyAos0 Curved Air (Sonja Kristina) kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGGyo5SljdWYra8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnLIYpqbbL6qfMk Steeleye Span (Maddy Prior) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gniqi5t8fs2Yoas kzbin.info/www/bejne/poiYdoF7o7tppJo Pentangle (Jacqui McShee) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIfThGdqgaykis0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrKdIFvYq-hnMk Fairport Convention (Sandy Denny) kzbin.info/www/bejne/noXFYZKKm7qhe80 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX3MeWuVnZJkia8 Anne Briggs kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmeYmJ6Ji8t9r68 June Tabor kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3KqiY2MlJ5knZY

[@timvanbaelen9797]

Hearing On The Frontier makes me think life can be beautiful. Amazing band that I'm glad i got to know a couple of years ago.

[@stuarthecht8196]

I am SO glad you covered Renaissance, one of my favorite bands ever! A couple of interesting side-notes: the CD version of Rajah Khan on "Prologue" may be shortened, and it may be lacking the best part: the killer, several minutes long, raunched up bass solo intro which starts the song on the original vinyl LP. If it's not there, this solo is a must hear- the original track is probably on KZbin somewhere. It's somewhat out of character for the majority of the material the band did, but it's insane and you will seriously dig it! Also, I do believe Carpet of the Sun was a minor hit single for the band. It wasn't a smash top 10, but I am almost certain it charted and got some airplay, at least in America and England. Also, I saw Renaissance in concert quite a few times during their height of popularity. I saw them in a variety of venues- everywhere from St. John's University in Queens, Carnegie Hall (that concert was taped for the live album), and even later on at smaller clubs, like the Bottom Line in Greenwich Village, NYC. Annie Haslam was a phenomenal singer, and all the players were amazing, but my personal favorite was the late pianist John Tout. There will never be music like that again, and I seriously miss those guys!

[@Rhythmmanify]

I had the pleasure of meeting Annie Haslam. My father did some house work for her. We’re both fans of Renaissance. Anyway, my father needed help in moving a bird bath of Annie’s. Sucker was heavy but she’s very organic, polite and laidback. Been a Bucks County resident for about 20 years or so. This was about 4 years ago. Very sweet person.

[@markgarin6355]

Great lady...met her at a women's shelter charity event in media PA.

[@grahamnunn8998]

A fantastic band and one of my favourites since the late 70s. Musicianship off the scale and obviously, the ridiculously talented lead singer. Saw a recent interview with Annie and she is charming, funny and had some great stories. The re-issues are fabulous and many have a full concert on the bonus disc, even Carnegie Hall!

[@gurgisjones1120]

Novella at the top for me. Still had the longer songs, but being later, the sound quality was the best of those epic song albums. Can You Hear Me and Midas Man especially.

[@progger53]

I never want Can you hear me to end!

[@edbeck5692]

Remaster with live Royal Albert show fantastic. 👍

[@spectriaofficial]

YES it's honestly in my top 2 albums of all time currently. Second only to Ommadawn by Mike Oldfield my favorite album of all time.

[@siroswaldfortitude5346]

@@progger53 same here

[@PeterBrown-mz4nv]

@@progger53 Opened with Can You Hear Me on the Timeline your. What a surprising thrill that was.

[@rapidfirerob4]

Annie is my favorite female vocalist. She still blows my mind. One of the greatest bands ever assembled, not just prog bands. Sad how they ended up breaking up. I only saw them once, in the early 80s for the Camera, Camera tour. Thankfully, they did a lot of the classic material. Annie doesn't sound as great as when she was younger, but is still out there doing it with a fine band. I wish they would come to California. They don't seem to leave the east coast. So many great albums and songs, very hard to rank them. You did a fine job.

[@kevinrombouts3027]

Totally agree with your listing. Turn of the Cards is one of the greatest albums of all time. Got me totally hooked on Renaissance. It was my first experience of them. Thanks. Incredible group.

[@howardtennenhouse7849]

Thanks for another great show.Also loved your prog rock worst albums discussion.You guys remind me of the characters in High Fidelity . As a fan of prog rock since the early 70’s,only now have I heard of Renaissance and will dip my toe in the water and buy a CD and go from there.

[@MuzixMaker]

Credit should be extended to Betty Thatcher for the sublime lyrics she contributed during the "classic" lineup period and later rendition of the band. Sadly, she passed away in 2011.

[@DesmondBedarte]

He absolutely DID credit Betty in the first couple minutes of the video. Perhaps you missed it.

[@MuzixMaker]

@@DesmondBedarte I did, thanks. 1:44 I’ve developed the habit of scanning ahead on many vids since many creators tend to drone on for a minute or two before cutting to the real content.

[@LSUfan]

WOW, very impressed that he knew about Renaissance, one if my favorite 5 bands.

[@joe2_515]

Absolutely correct on Renaissance (as usual). They rank with the best of prog (and therefore the best of music). May I put in a request for ranking Eloy at some point?

[@neilanderson7669]

Another great video!! I've loved them for a long time, but haven't listened for a while. One of my favorite things about your channel is when I am reminded of a band I haven't listened to in a while. Also, I had no idea about their recent stuff. AND--when I describe Renaissance to anyone else, I always mention the absolutely killer bass lines!!!

[@JoeChewBaca]

Yep. Jon Camp is very underrated as a bassist!

[@Icannothandleany]

And more so as a vocalist

[@threestringsomg]

Woah and you've already done Renaissance!😎 This band and Nektar have become my two new fave bands in last few weeks....cool....-well I'm hopin Ashes or Cards is near top...yeah agreed, but I think both these bands should've been huge.

[@starpowermike2846]

Mr. Pardo, thank you for this !! Been waiting for a Renaissance ranking. Totally agree with your assessment of Jon Camp. One of the best bassists ever.

[@frederickfranchi6408]

I never thought I see the day when someone actually ranked Renaissance records!!!! I guess you don't count the live album that is my favorite live at Carnegie Hall because it has the best of all those records up to 1975 and oh that Orchestra😀😀😀👍

[@kevinrombouts3027]

Totally agree with you. A phenomenal band. Totally unique.

[@LanceRED58]

Hey Pete after watching this episode I went out and bought your top five albums , plus A Song For All Seasons . I must admit I'd never heard of this great band , am looking for for more albums by them !

[@michaelmeyerson5051]

I love your comments on Renaissance. As for your rankings they are very well thought out. I'm trying to put my tankings out but I can't separate my top 6 or 7. Guess it shows how much I love this band.

[@klausdreams4275]

Thank you for review this great band!! Greetings from Spain ♥️🇪🇸

[@martynhewitt91]

Not a band I got hugely in to but two earlier members became members of Medicine Head and Strawbs respectively. Keith Relf recorded Dark Side of the Moon album in Medicine Head. Yes, that title predated Pink Floyd's album of the same name and John Hawken was keyboard and melotron supremo on the Strawbs' Hero and Heroine classic prog album.

[@pulsar861]

Great review! One of my favorite groups - saw them live at least a half a dozen times in the 1970's. Please do a ranking of The Strawbs! 1. Turn Of The Cards 2. Ashes Are Burning 3. Prologue 4. Scheherazade And Other Stories 5. Novella 6. Azure D’or 7. Song For All Seasons 8. Renaissance 9. Illusion 10. Tuscany 11. Camera Camera 12. Time Line

[@brunovallesmunoz4757]

UNIQUE BAND IN TIME! My top is: 1. Turn of the cards 2. Ashes are burning 3. Sheherazade and other stories 4. Prologue 5. A song for all seasons 6. Novella 7. Renaissance Annie Haslam: BEST FEMALE VOICE EVER! Cheers every one! Take care

[@joelliebler5690]

My older brother had the Prologue and Ashes are Burning album and always loved them ever since And was lucky to be able to see them live at The Bottom Line in Downtown Manhattan!

[@zlortnikto3614]

Renaissance was one of my favorite bands back in the 70s. I even had a Renaissance T-shirt that I bought at Waterbeds and Stuff. Carpet of the Sun was a single, which I have that as well. Great revue, thanks.

[@jamesbennett1634]

Wow, what a delight to come across this video. I love Renaissance, and can tell that you do too. There is something special about Renaissance, and that time in music. I agree with you 100% on your rankings, but also agree that there are some awesome tunes on the lower rated albums. Flight off of Time-Line is one of my favorite Renaissance songs. The Flood at Lyon is epic, as is Day of the Dreamer. In My Life and Dear Landseer from Tuscany are great too. They were very much of their time in the 70's when there was a tremendous breadth of high quality music. Here's to one of the great and unjustly overlooked bands.

[@144Donn]

You may man are the antidote to all of the first time hearing eviews! You are the kind of guy my friend and I would meet at Titus Oaks Record Store in Brooklyn when we would cut school to browse and buy records in the 70's. My sister was heavily into Renaissance and then I caught the bug.

[@mandolinic]

Good ordering. I knew you were going to put Time Line in last place ;-) I'd put Song for All Seasons higher up the list. It's my go-to album whenever the world gets me down and never fails to lift my spirits.

[@stevebass8378]

In the mid 70's a friend of mine told me he was into Renaissance. I laughed at him. Me and most of my friends were into The Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Queen etc. As I was getting into playing an instrument, and broadening my musical horizons, I got the Scheherazade and other stories album. Wow! What an amazing album. Anne (what a voice) Haslam and as you say, and I agree with you, the very underrated bass player and the rest of the band. Excellent musicians. I did get a few more of their albums, but I like this one is the best. I never did get a chance to tell my friend that he was right about Renaissance because he had moved out and I never saw him again.

[@thewal1ofsleep]

I just heard Ashes are Burning for the first time yesterday; and had never heard Renaissance before. Really, really excellent music.

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

I would have included the two albums by the band Illusion. The original Renaissance reformed (minus Keith Relf who had passed away) in the late '70s but since the other Renaissance existed they chose the name "Illusion" for the band name. The first album, "Out of the Mist" is very good. Amazing duo vocals with Jane Relf and Jim McCarty. The second album, "Illusion", not to be confused with the second album title by Renaissance, has better production but the writing is weaker. Like many, I avoided the original Renaissance and the band Illusion for years but that was a mistake. These are wonderful albums. Hard to choose a favorite Renaissance album - arguably "Turn of the Cards" - the new Esoteric release with the 5.1 mix arrived today :-)

[@reducecotwo]

Love that song 'Isadora' by Illusion.

[@grahamcole1539]

Thank you for this Pete and agree with much of your feelings and choices. I saw them live at the peak of their classic period in 1975 and a few times in the 90s and noughties. Wonderful underated band and albums.

[@jeffreyramous641]

I am 61 going on 62 and I have seen 1000s of concerts and this band by far and damnit I mean by far blew me away in 78. No visual effects of any kind just the most mesmerizing vocals and harmonies. Love sea of tranquility we are in the same page with the reviews I've watched. In answer to people who leave negative comments with no reasoning to back it up are shallow music people. Long live sea of tranquility! btw my last name rhymes with famous.

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

not with mouse, eh?

[@michaelrohde7743]

So happy to finally hear about Renaissance. I always thought they were prog because of the classical influences. Haven't heard anyone else mention them in this category. I actually agree with the ranking [for maybe the first time ever] Thanks!

[@paulsmith5949]

Nice analysis - I agree with your rankings (I'm particularly fond of Novella, but hard to beat your top three). When I was in high school in the '70s in Houston, "Carpet of the Sun" was actually played quite a bit on our local rock station, so it may have been a local hit. I saw the band perform on the A Song for All Seasons tour, and Annie had a wonderful rapport with the audience.

[@jefferfoxmustang5945]

Just discovered Renaissance so this is helpful to me. Need to start my Renaissance collection.

[@johnnykawakid]

Fantastic band. Why they were never mega successful is beyond me. All the albums are superb.

[@richdisilvio4591]

Well, I agree, Renaissance should have been HUGE and should be ranked alongside the greatest progrock bands, like Yes, ELP, Tull, Pink Floyd, etc. As for favs: Scheherazade & Turn of the Cards are the strongest albums, with Song for all Seasons close behind. Can't pick One Best album really, however, the song Scheherazade is without doubt their greatest work of "Art"... a composition that masterfully combined sophisticated Classical with Rock. Adding Novella to the mix, that is indeed their signature sound, yet I also love their other line-ups with a harder rock, jazz, bluesy sound. Phenomenal musicians.

[@banazir2021]

Someone mentioned the other day on your latest rant video to do a year by year breakdown of your favorite albums. I was wondering if you had seen the comment and was considering it? Thanks for all you do and keep 'em coming!

[@caseypsa]

Haha that was me under the no more live music rant video. How about it Pete?

[@adriangoodrich4306]

Genesis. Yes. Renaissance. My top Three bands ever. Hard to rank them. Great review, Pete, of this so-underrated band! My top 4 and 6 too, although in a different order - but it is so hard to rank these wonderful albums. For me, #1 has to be "Scheherazade...", just pipping "Turn of the Cards", because it is the only album where EVERY song would make my "Renaissance top...say 12? Songs" playlist. If "Can You hear Me" (perhaps my favourite Renaissance song, over AAB, SoS or ASFAS) was not on "Novella", then "A Song for All Seasons " would replace it.

[@joeyboy69]

Really surprised and happy you ranked them, and I liked your order. I always thought Vultures Fly High would have been a natural single to get them more attention

[@FundamentalsUK]

Hi Pete, re posted the link to this great review on FB including Jon Camp’s page, he liked your review of the Renaissance albums

[@FundamentalsUK]

Maybe you could interview Jon 👍🏻 enjoying your interview show too 😉

[@kevinbrown5146]

Thank you again for recognizing another terrific band. Annie’s cosmic vocals and a very underrated musicianship. Luckily...got a chance to see them a few times the last 10 years...one while Dunford was still alive. Keep up the outstanding work.

[@peterm.fitzpatrick7735]

It was not until I subscribed to this channel that I realized my ignorance about the number of good musical groups that have been around. Thank you!

[@hajosteffen1793]

Nearly agree completely - great review! I only would exchange #1 and #2. You are putting lights on the important spots.

[@dt1978]

Glad to see an album ranking here. Love this band to pieces. I own everything from Prologue to Azure d'or, and love each of them, regardless how they get ranked. Here is how I would rank those: #7. Azure d'or #6. Prologue #5. Ashes Are Burning #4. Scheherazade & Other Stories #3. Novella #2. A Song For All Seasons #1. Turn Of The Cards

[@dipanjanbiswas6580]

Thanks for this. Really digging their sound!

[@paulwolffart1251]

I first discovered Renaissance when I was in college in the late 80s. I found the album "Novella" on vinyl in a used record store and immediately fell in love. I actually just this morning downloaded "Renaissance" and "Illusion" from iTunes for only $5.99 a piece. I already had all their albums up to "Song for All Seasons" for many years and really was interested in hearing those first two pre Annie albums. The first one is actually really great and there is now on KZbin live footage of the original band performing the songs from that album which is totally worth searching out. Thanks for the video Pete!

[@laughingstock8213]

Agreed! One of the most underrated prog bands ever. Same goes for all the musicians, especially Jon Camp. I would place 'A Song for all Seasons' higher, but that is because it was the first one I got, and it blew me away. Thanks to Mikael Åkerfeld, btw

[@kathleenmccann3120]

Definitely would put Scheherazade at the top. For the concept as well as the music. I still find myself hearing the entire B side of the album in my head. Ocean Gypsy is in a tie with At the Harbor for my favorite song. I saw Renaissance last week on tour. Still a huge fan.

[@merlinscat]

Hi Pete I was interested to see how many rankings you have done, I thought you might have done one on Barclay James Harvest as your channel could be named after one of their songs love the channel though

[@VallinSFAS]

The period between ELP's Works Vol. I and A Song For All Seasons--including the Works Orchestra Tour--is the High Point of Western Civilization. I chose my legally adopted brand surname SFAS as an acronym of Song For All Seasons that I used as a title of an orchestra project for almost 25 years prior. I often remark that Robert Johnson is the Godfather of Renaissance and Led Zeppelin. Indeed, Ashes Are Burning, Stairway To Heaven, and All Along The Watchtower have the same basic chord pattern in the outro.

[@charlesnolan7602]

Thanks Pete for your rankings and opinions of Renaissance. Renaissance has been my #2 band after YES ( all time) with King Crimson a close 3rd. I started following R in 1974-75. Bassist Jon Camp's extraordinary Rickenbaker playing was what I first heard, then Annie, then keyboardist John Tout. R was HUGE in the Philadelphia area, plus the New York metro area, Boston and Wash in the mid 1970's - not like Genesis and YES, but like Gentle Giant- a solid regional following. I was able to see the band about 30 times since 1977. Annie Haslam emigrated to the Philadelphia suburbs in the mid 1980's, so as a solo artist in the 1980's and 1990's we could see her quite often. Novella I have owned since just about the day it was released in January, 1977. I have played this album constanly since, and about to buy the latest 3 CD ESOTERIC version, which will make 2 albums, and 3 CD versions purchased over the decades! The 1980's sadly were a bit harsh on the band. I went to shows up until the last Renaissance ( first run ) Spring of 1987. I have seen current Renaissance at least once a year since 2009... Novella Sheherazade Turn of the cards Ashes are Burning Song for all seasons Azure D'Ore Prologue Camera, Camera Timeline ...and the rest! The Live at Carnegie Hall, plus a recent triple live Renaissance CD which includes BBC tracks 1973-1979 is available. A 1974 live, and an excellent 1973 De Lane Lea live studio album have been released. In the 1990's Mickey Dunford, acoustic guitarist and composer, teamed up with Betty Thatcher, hired vocalist Stephanie Adlington and created 'Mickey Dunford's Renaissance .' There are 2 albums, "The other woman," and "Ocean Gypsy." ILLUSION was a group from the 1970's that featured 4 of the very first Renaissance line up with Jane Relf on vocals. " Out of the Mist" and one other...

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Incidentally, Blackmore's Night covered Ocean Gypsy on their first album.

[@ozuidema]

So happy, Pete, that you did a show on Renaissance. At the peak of their career they were phenomenal; as good as Yes, Genesis etc. Annie Haslam was one of the all-time greatest vocalists. Fantastic soprano voice, the ability to sustain notes without that horrendous use of vibrato that so many singers have to revert to; listen to that high note at the end of Sheherazade, man, it still sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. Favorite albums are: 1. Live at the Carnegie Hall (this live album just has to be on 1, just perfect from beginning to end) 2. Sheherazade 3. Turn of the cards 4. Ashes are burning (3 and 4 could also be swapped); 5. A song for all seasons 6. Renaissance 7. Prologue 8. Novella Later albums are fairly forgettable so I have not bothered to list those. By the way, the two albums released by Illusion, the “other incarnation” of Renaissance (titled “Illusion” and “Out of the mist”) are also fantastic. Jane Relf was an extraordinary singer and I actually prefer her version of “Face of yesterday” over the one sung by Annie on the Renaissance album …” Illusion” (it’s pretty confusing).

[@ZenarchersLair]

Thanks for covering one of my favorite bands, Renaissance. Loved them since Jr High. Have copies/albums of In The Beginning (Prologue and Ashes compilation), Carnegie Hall, Scheherazde, A Song For All Seasons, Novella, and many others. Was fortunate to see them in a small venue with Jean-Luc Ponty opener ('77). Hard to select the best, but mostly on the same page with you, but for me, Scheherezade, A Song For All Seaons and Novella reign at the top.

[@rubicon-oh9km]

I bet Jean-Luc was fabulous?

[@ZenarchersLair]

@@rubicon-oh9km Yes, it was right after Enigmatic Ocean was released. So good to see them both in a small venue-in-the-round, the memory is almost surreal. I was 16, and took a girlfriend that had never heard of them.

[@groovy56]

My all time favorite band. I totally agree with your ratings and my favorite song is also “Ashes are Burning” I just discovered that the “At the Harbor” piano intro is from Debussy, and would love to know where others are from. Anyone know?

[@stuartwexelbaum9070]

Saw them on the Ashes Are Burning & Turn Of The Cards Tours 5 times in total..Amazing live band..Just love this band..so glad to see you ranking their albums and recognizing them for the great band they were..

[@markholmes2357]

Another really enjoyable episode! My top 5 would be: 1) Live at Carnegie Hall - don't normally choose live albums but if you only buy one of their albums this is ideal (despite not having Black Flame) The extended bass solo on Ashes..brilliant! 2) Scheherazade and Other Stories 3) Ashes are Burning 4) Turn of the Cards 5) A Song for all Seasons As you say underrated band...great musicians fronted by a brilliant singer.

[@Prog-t9d]

Great band, highly underrated.

[@galtsghost4454]

Growing up in NJ, I have 3 older sisters. One of them had several of the top albums on this list, Ashes Are Burning, Turn Of The Cards, Song of Scheherazade, and Novella, IIRC, so I was turned on to these guys in their prime. My early record collection consisted of lps consisted of several singles and lps they left when they moved out of the family home. These included Machine Head, Living In The Material World, and Hot Rocks. Sadly, the Renaissance albums went with my sister when she moved out so I had to pick them up later when I was out on my own!😂 all I can say is, to know Renaissance is to love Renaissance. Count me as one of those who put SoS at the top of the list, followed by TotC, and AaB.

[@conradpoos2859]

Great overview Pete, phenomenal, but you're very diplomatic and gentle about the IRS years IMO. Since you love Turn of the Cards, be sure to check out the duet of Annie and October Project's Mary Fahl performing the criminally underrated I Think Of You here on KZbin. Pure heaven.

[@carlfisher3924]

Hey Pete. Did you ever hear the Illusion albums from the reformed, original lineup minus then recently deceased Keith Relf? 77's Out of the Mist and 78's Illusion... I believe there was also another after that. I have Out of the Mist on vinyl and I'm now inspired to hopefully find the second, self titled album on KZbin to check it out.. I also might have listened to the first two Renaissance albums, on my way chronologically through their catalog... Prologue next. Getting juicy. Thanks as always for inspiring me to check out new and new, old music as well as revisiting some vinyl that's been neglected for years. 👍

[@rydermike33]

Very many thanks Pete. Saw them in about 1976, what a brilliant, underrated, band.

[@biomeman]

Saw the band many times. Carnegie Hall, Academy of Music in Philly, several colleges. My fave was the one the did at the Spectrum in Philly. Opening up for them was Chick Corea and Return to Forever ( they were doing Romantic Warrior). One heck of a show. Saw two great bass players that night. Stanley Clarke and John Camp

[@johnbenard9550]

Mickey Simmonds is an English session keyboardist, arranger, and composer. He is best known for his work with progressive rock acts, Mike Oldfield, Renaissance, Camel, and Fish. He has also worked with Joan Armatrading, Paul Young, The Rutles, Art Garfunkel, Kiki Dee, Mastermind, John Coghlan's Diesel Band, Elkie Brooks, Judie Tzuke, Imagination, Bucks Fizz, Jennifer Rush, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, the list goes on.

[@rosshageman951]

Long time fan of Renaissance. I was able to see them in the early 1980's at Front Row Theater near Cleveland. FRT was in the round and the stage rotated so all audience members could see all the members of the band. Fantastic concert. "Live at Carnegie Hall" is one of my "stuck on a desert island" albums.

[@carlyard1743]

I was kind of having a pissy day, until I watched this spot. Great synopsis of this amazing band. Just pulled my discs of this band to smile with a glass or two of wine over the next several hours. Thank you once again for giving me a smack in the head that life ain't really that bad.

[@FundamentalsUK]

Thanks Pete, wonderful, favourite band. Love John Touts piano playing, truly underrated keyboard player / composer. 👍🏻 turn of the cards/ Scheherazade / ashes / novella are favs

[@billwillets7174]

So nice to hear someone talking about this great band! I got to see them twice, once at Stony Brook university and once in Madison Wisconsin. The Madison show had a disappointingly small small audience. The opening act, Tim Wiesberg backed out, perhaps because of the small turn out but this was the only concert that I was able to get front row seats for so I was happy for that. The band never seemed to be able to gain any popularity other than in the north east, which is a shame. I might rank Novella as my number one. When it came out I wouldn't have thought so but over the years it has really grown on me. I was introduced to the band listening to WNEW-FM hearing them play Ashes are Burning. I immediately went out and got the album and was hooked. I have not kept up with their later stuff. After the debacle of them trying to be new wave I lost interest. There is apparently some good stuff that came after that which I need to catch up on. After this review I might even give another try to Timeline and Camera Camera. Perhaps time has healed the butt hurt I was feeling the first time around. :) Thanks for the great review!

[@donmoore7785]

One of my favorite bands. Was headed excitedly to see Annie Haslam in about 1996 at a local music festival, and a darned thunderstorm rolled in and caused the performance to be cancelled just before it began. I got only a glimpse of Annie, and she was gone... pity. For some reason, I picked up Novella on cassette in the clearance bin at the record store, which began my association and love affair with R. Glad to see you placed it this high - I believe it deserves it and agree with your top rankings. The longer pieces are amazing.

[@awickedtribe]

As a 67 year old Renaissance fan I had to go listen to 'Northern Lights' and went 'oh yeah!'. I remember hearing 'Midas Man' and 'Can You Hear Me?' on the radio but had forgotten 'Northern Lights' even though it was one of my favorite songs to hear live. I saw Renaissance with the original lineup then the next tour with the new members. And Camp is definitely one of the great unknown and underrated Bassists out there (Along with John Taylor and others)

[@josefeschweiler3631]

For a progrock listener their essential albums are a 'must have'. Man, these are nearly 50 years past and I sometimes wonder who will talk about them when we are gone.

[@Zyborggian]

Im 28 just got into em and am shilling them to everyone I know :)