This the second album by mkII of Renaissance, or if you like the fourth album proper from the beginning but in truth, both albums prior to 'Prologue' is by another band in all but name. This was/is the watermark for Annie and company. As I am a respectable fan of their music and catalog, I am constanlty frustrated by reviews that only center on Annie Haslam. The greatest crime is the oft over looked and criminally underrated musicianship of the band and particularly keyboardist John Tout, (possibly the most gifted keyboardist aside from Keith Emerson or Rick Wakeman or Van Cliburn) whereas some may disagree and want to put Michael Dunsford as the leading musical genius of the band. Originally as mkII the band consisted of four members: Annie Haslam-vocalist supreme; John Tout-Keyboards; Jon Camp-bass and Terence Sullivan-drums and percussion. Michael Dunsford at this time was the composer of most of the songs while Betty Thatcher was the lyricist pro-tem, much like the mid-seventies King Crimson lyricist Richard Palmer-James, who would write lyrics for KC but otherwise had no day to day dealings with the band in the studio.
While it is easier for some I guess to identify with the singer, much of the musical journeys with this line-up was provided by just bass, piano and percussion with the occasional string arrangement or guitar, earlier by Rob Hendry and later by Michael Dunsford who had guested on this album and would finally join with the follow up "Turn of the cards".
If you are not familiar with this group it should be noted that internal strife was setting in as John Tout's role began to dimish and eventually he would leave after only 3 more albums and a live document from concerts during June of 1974 and return some twenty years later only as a guest artist, how ironic since the core of this group as represented on this album was what gave this exceptional group the sound that made them cult favorites, (but to be fair Michael Dunsford's musical compositional skills also provided what was their musical identity as he wrote all the music), at least on the East Coast of the US.
The track listing had six songs:
Can you understand
Let it grow
On the frontier
Carpet of the sun
At the harbour
Ashes are burning
Originally released on Sovereign/Capitol records in 1973, the best current edition is released by Repertoire record as an import Rep 4575-wy.
This is the best available so far although I have read that the Japanese market is pressing editions in the current fad of mini-album copies, and usually the Japanese pressings are always impressive in sound quality and attention to detail.
The most represenitive song of this band would have to be "Ashes are burning", but I'm also partial to "Can you understand" which could have fit easily on Prologue with its heavy bass riffing, and of course my second favorite "Carpet of the Sun", which according to Betty Thatcher was written to a child as a response to a question "...is the grass in the garden a carpet? Oh yes, she replied, It's the carpet of the Sun"
If there is one album to represent Renaissance in all their glory before too much pretention set in it is 'Ashes are burning' followed closely by 'Turn of the cards' and then 'Prologue', some may want to add 'Sheherazade and other stories' but by then pretentions were setting (read side two).
Of the other songs "Let it Grow" is the kind of song wherein Annie Haslam's vocals are the stuff that made her famous and eventually the focal point of the group, "On the frontier" was written by past member Jim McCarty(of the Yardbirds) from the first edition of the band with lyrics by B. Thatcher, a curious number but given the appropriate treatment by the band and Annie, although it remains the weakest song, but still interesting.
If you like intelligent well played music, than this music is for you and this album is the best place to start as this is the most represenitive of the best the band had/has to offer, surreal, trance like, mood setting, impecable musicianship. This repackage also has fine notes from Chris Welch and quotes from Annie Haslam and Betty Thatcher. All in all a very nice package. Thanks to Repretoire for such a fine remaster/release.

Some bands and some recordings are superb. These are all very special. But when a band defines an entire genre and sets the standard for others who follow well, that is extraordinary. Renaissance is such a band. Completely defining the folk/pop genre with their superb arrangements, classical music references and homages, and their incredible novel-like story songs Renaissance is a fantastic band widely unknown by most Americans.

Renaissance has a large discography with this particular disc appearing early in their career. Some fans call their sound "progressive rock" which only hints at the folk/classical foundations of it. I prefer folk/rock and few do it better than Renaissance. Annie Haslam is the lead singer of this band, and how lucky they were to find her. Her voice is exceedingly expressive with her interpretations and inflections. She is a pleasure to listen to reaching highs effortlessly and staying the lovely middle range most all the time. She is a superb singer, but again widely unknown. This should change.

Renaissance often created long songs, "Ashes are Burning" runs at almost 12 minutes. Another song "At the Harbor" is almost 7 minutes. This is not "pop" music for those looking for a quick fix. This is art for people who appreciate the blending of folk music, folks heritage and a deep appreciation for story-telling through music and lyrics. This is not Steely Dan (I LOVE Steely Dan!) with their unusual and sometimes strange lyrics. Renaissance lyrics are a core part of the experience and art. Haslam is invariably perfect and all are supreme musicians and arrangers/composers make a Renaissance album an astounding treat.

Hearing this record for the first time many years ago was something of a surprise. I only had an experience like this a few times with music listening recently. I often feel this way when I listen to Bach, but I felt it again when I heard Gorecki's shattering "Symphony 3" Henryk Gorecki: Symphony 3 "Sorrowful Songs". That record introduced me to Dawn Upshaw whose singing I then began to listen to with avid interest.

And that is the kind of response that Renaissance evokes in the listener who cares for quality, intellectual truth, and true art in their musical experiences. Haslam is not quite Upshaw's caliber-- but they are both incredible vocalists.

There are many great Renaissance records to enjoy, though no new ones unfortunately. This one is a great start if you've never heard Renaissance before. Sit back and listen. Grab a good Syrah, and light a fire in the hearth, and let Renaissance fill the house with story and melody. You will not be disappointed.

Renaissance was mid major player in the 1970's progressive rock movement. They never quite got to the level of popularity of some of their contemporaries like Yes and Genesis, but managed to carve out their own unique nitch for about a decade. I have several of the band's albums on vinyl, but this is the only one that I have on CD. Fronted by golden throated vocalist Annie Haslam, Renaissance sounded like no other band and to this day remains a unique footnote in rock n roll history. Probably more than any other 70's era prog band Renaissance was able to blend rock with classical and folk to create their unique sound. The band used practically no electric guitar with keyboards and even bass often used as the lead instrument. This is really a great album from start to finish. Annie's voice still amazes me after all these years. It is one of the clearest most precise vocal instruments these ears have ever heard. The songs range from shorter more poppy material like "Can You Understand" and "Carpet Of The Sun" to long progressive rock epics like the title track "Ashes Are Burning". To me "Ashes" is probably the band's all time best composition and was often used as their set closer in live performance. When Annie hits the high note on the lyric "ashes are burning the waaaay..." and John Tout's bass kicks in it still sends shivers up my spine. Another favorite of mine is the 5th track "At The Harbor" is another great one. This album sounds a bit "hippy-ish" by today's standards which somewhat dates it, but it is still a gem in the Renaissance cannon and one of the better prog albums of the 70's.

Renaissance fans know this album. If your not familiar with Renaissance but like progressive rock you should definately get this album. My favorite song of all time, from any group is "Ashes are Burning." That epic masterpiece makes this album a necessary addition to anyones music collection. You get a 5 octive range female singer at her best on this 12 minute or so song. The song has many changes and great buildups in it. This song has always stimulated my creative energy for art & writing more than any other song. I get a lot done when this song is on. It's an amazing rock/classical music hybrid. One of rock musics finest efforts. If you are already a Rennaissance fan I finally found a current band that reaches the potential that Rennaissance floundered away in their later albums. The Rennaissance of today in my opinion is "Night Wish." Check them out.

I have been reading several reviews, several, several, and the motto has been always the same, "The spectacular Haslam's voice, the spectacular Haslam's voice" again and again and again, hey, you all, pay attention please; Ok her voice is the first impact and the trade mark of this band, and I love her voice too, but everybody has been forgotten that Michael Dunford always composed all the songs, virtually all the songs since the first time, and mainly on this album where he composed all the songs, simply the entire album, he was the genius of the band, "he was the Renaissance soul". You can replace eventually a singer, a bassist, but try to replace the genius composer, try to replace Michael Dunford here in this case and for sure Renaissance wouldn't have existed. Only later John Camp started to contribute and share the compositional task with Dunford, but Dunford kept himself as the main composer untill the end. Remember Annie has never composed anything. I repeat, I love Annie Haslam's voice it is superbly beautiful but you all have forgotten the real hero here. This album in my opinion it doesn't have only one weak moment, or a weak composition, it is perfect and the best Renaissance work, and don't forget John Tout's unbelievable piano playing ability he is a real piano genius, all the group was on their peak, superb work, "Ashes are burning" is the best song, but you can recognize that is a masterpiece since the first piano notes of the "Can you understand". Simply perfect. Moving, Essential to all progressive rock fans.