Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, best known for their 1978 UK top 10 hit “Northern Lights” and progressive rock classics like “Carpet of the Sun”, “Mother Russia”, and “Ashes Are Burning”. They developed a unique sound, combining a female lead vocal with a fusion of classical, folk, rock, and jazz influences. Characteristic elements of the Renaissance sound are Annie Haslam’s wide vocal range, prominent piano accompaniment, orchestral arrangements, vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser, and versatile drum work. The band created a significant following in the northeast United States in the 1970s, and that region remains their strongest fan base although there are a large number of British fans such as Pam and I who have listened to their music ever since we first met.

The original line-up included two former members of the Yardbirds, Keith Relf and Jim McCarty, along with John Hawken, Louis Cennamo and Relf’s sister Jane Relf. There were, however many line-up changes before what is considered to be the classic line-up” of Annie Haslam, John Tout, Michael Dunford, Jon Camp, and Terry Sullivan was established, although none of them were in the original band. They were assisted with lyrics on many songs from Cornish poet Betty Thatcher-Newsinger. From 1972 to 1979 Renaissance released seven successful studio albums, toured extensively, and sold out three nights in a row at Carnegie Hall with Tony Cox conducting the New York Philharmonic. The 80s were a less than successful period for the band and it gradually disintegrated. 

Every one of the musicians in Renaissance are of a quality rarely seen in rock bands but special mention must be made about singer Annie Haslam who possesses a voice with a remarkable 5 Octave range. She is also a painter and her work has been used on a number of the bands album covers. I have even got one in my own collection here at Chez Waye. 

As I said earlier, the group all went their separate ways and John Tout, Michael Dunford and lyricist Betty Thatcher have all sadly died but there is a Renaissance band still treading the boards with Annie Haslam as lead singer. She still has that gorgeous voice. 

The YouTube clip here is from a BBC Sight and Sound in Concert programme from 1977.

If you want to investigate further I would recommend listening to their 1978 studio album “ A Song For all Seasons”. It is a real beauty.

Keith.

01 – 01:00 – Carpet of the Sun

02 – 05:18 – Mother Russia

03 – 16:05 – Can you hear me 

04 – 29:22 – Ocean Gipsy

05 – 37:28 – Running Hard

06 – 48:14 – Touching Once (Is So Hard to Keep)

07 – 58:36 – Prologue