The Restoration of Renaissance
It all starts with the sound of a gong.
Renaissance’s fourth studio album, but the first great one with their classic line up, Ashes Are Burning is one of the forgotten gems of 1973. In fact, the band are largely forgotten today which is a real shame.
They made a series of truly wonderful albums between 1973 and 1977. Many of which have recently been remastered and issued in replica sleeves. All are worth acquiring, but Ashes Are Burning is the place to start.
Often classed as Art Rock (whatever that’s supposed to mean) the band’s music cuts through such categorisation and takes flight on wings powered by the truly transcendental vocals of Annie Haslam. The owner of one of the best female voices in rock, her high-end voice gives the band’s music an other-worldly feel.
Although many of the band’s songs are well over the usual four minute length, Carpet Of The Sun is a relatively short but perfectly judged performance. It may be their finest moment and is certainly a showcase for the talented musicians in the band.
It’s a lovely, beautiful almost childlike performance whose fragility develops into life affirming majesty as only tracks from that period could do.
The eleven minute title track gives a feel of what was in store over the next few albums. The band used the lyrics of poet Betty Thatcher throughout their golden period and you can really see the advantage of such a decision. It’s all very English, pastoral and with hints of Tolkien, but the band pulls this off with verve.
All their albums from Ashes Are Burning to A Song For All Seasons should be checked out. The remastered sound really allows the band to shine and the listener to wallow in the glory of Haslam’s vocals.
It’s time for a Renaissance Renaissance.
