Renaissance - 2025 - Running Hard [The Albums 1974-1976]

(188:51; Esoteric Antenna)




















There have been multiple versions of Renaissance over the years, and at one point there were even two different ones operating at the same time, and although this particular line-up did not include any of the founders, there is no doubt that most view vocalist Annie Haslam, Michael Dunford (acoustic guitars), John Tout (keyboards, vocals), Jon Camp (bass, vocals) and Terry Sullivan (drums, percussion) as being the “classic” version. What we have here are the first two studio albums from this line-up (Dunford had been involved with earlier records but these were his first as a full member), namely ‘Turn of the Cards’ and ‘Scheherazade and Other Stories’ along with the double live album ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’. This last included songs from all of the band's Annie Haslam-era studio albums to date, as well as the forthcoming ‘Scheherazade’ which was a month away from release at the time. To reproduce the sounds of the studio album, the live recordings had them accompanied on all three nights by the New York Philharmonic and choir, with the best versions of the tracks then chosen for the final album.

It comes with a 40-page booklet containing a fascinating essay by Malcolm Dome, along with plenty of photos, and adds a nice touch of class to what are some amazing releases. They have not dated at all, and one can certainly understand just how much of an influence they have been to the likes of Epica, Nightwish and others. Musically the arrangements are incredibly broad, the lyrics (often by outside contributor Betty Thatcher) are often deep and meaningful, while at the front there is the angelic voice of Annie Haslam. There is no doubt that Annie has been one of the finest singers to ever grace a band, and at this moment she was in her prime – note, there are no vocal overdubs on the live album, it was just pure class. Symphonic, orchestral progressive rock, with some hints of the Middle East here and there, this collection of albums is a delight and although this set is now more than three hours in length the time just flies by. This is a flawless set, and even though this music is now 50 years old it could have been recorded yesterday, although one must wonder if it would have had the same impact now that musicians are discarded in favour of studio trickery and everything sounding the same. This set is a delight from beginning to end, and if anyone has yet to discover the music of one of the progressive world’s greatest bands then this is the way to do it.  

Kev Rowland, July 2025

Links:
https://renaissancetouring.com/
https://www.esotericrecordings.com/

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