Since the 1970s, Renaissance has recorded fifteen albums while gracing distinguished stages, from Carnegie Hall with The New York Philharmonic to the Royal Albert Hall in London with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestras.

Indeed, even today, the five octave voice of Annie Haslam and brilliant songwriting/musicianship of Michael Dunford remain the core of Renaissance.

In celebration of Annie Haslam’s 75th year, Renaissance are caught live here performing classic Renaissance songs with the remarkable Renaissance Chamber Orchestra and music from Annie’s solo career.

Recorded at the Keswick Theatre Glenside PA USA on October 21st, 2022, there is now this just-released double live audio CD in a fold-out digipack cover with 12-page booklet.

1. Carpet Of The Sun (3:43)
2. Black Flame (6:39)
3. The Sisters (6:39)
4. Ananda (4:26)
5. The Captive Heart (4:46)
6. Symphony Of Light (13:08)
7. Blessing In Disguise (3:42)
8. Celestine (4:41)
9. Reaching Out (3:57)
10. The Angels Cry (4:33)
11. Day Of The Dreamer (10:07)
12. Running Hard (10:26)

The album opens on the emphatically uplifting Carpet Of The Sun and the beautifully angelic vocalizations within Black Flame and then we get the magically nostalgic ambiance of The Sisters, the Eastern-imbibed Ananda, the beautiful piano work that lays the foundation for the sumptuous The Captive Heart, the first disc rounding out on the stirring early acorn of what was to become symphonic rock, the dutiful 13 minute Symphony Of Light.

The second disc of classical/orchestral rock opens on the veritably Choir-hued, ethereal Blessing In Disguise and the gorgeous Celestine and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the harmonically stylistic Reaching Out, the pleasing The Angels Cry (which was written by Justin Hayward, himself having composed it for ABBA’s Agnetha Fältskog), the recording rounding out with the playfully perky, Jon Anderson-esque, ten minute Day Of The Dreamer, coming to a close on a track that perfectly highlights the incredible instrumental work and impressive vocal range of Annie, Running Hard.

Renaissance has had a long history spanning 50 years since it’s formation in 1969. With several personnel changes in the beginning years, the sound of the group eventually matured into a unique blending of folk, rock, and classical music including the integration of a full symphonic orchestra.

Crowning all of this was the sound of the equally unique five-octave voice of Annie Haslam. During their great success in the 70’s the band toured extensively throughout the world in support of their numerous album releases.

www.renaissancetouring.com

Official Purchase Link