My favourite album of all times
Ole Bolaas | Oslo, Norway | 06/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was made aware of Renaissance by a friend of mine 3 years ago. He told me that I should listen to "Ashes are burning". Well, I liked it, but it didn't knock me completely over. I liked the title track and a couple of other songs, but as a whole I thought it sounded a bit old-fashioned and immature. Then, last year I read "The Billboard Guide to Progressive Music" by Bradley Smith, where he actually considers Renaissance as one of the most important and ground-breaking progressive bands, beside Genesis, Yes, King Crimson and Pink Floyd. Shortly after I bought the double "best of"-album "Da capo", and I loved most of it, especially the pieces from "Scheherazade and other stories" and "A song for all seasons". Some months later I ordered "Novella" from England, not being available in the Oslo CD stores, and it hit me like an earth-quake. I love progressive rock, especially Genesis, Yes and Spock's Beard, but also more commercial pop music like Abba, ELO, Supertramp, Dubstar and Pet Shop Boys(!), but I have never had such a deep and heartfelt experience as with "Novella". For all the beauty and power of Genesis' and Yes' music, for me Renaissance surpasses them in one aspect, namely warmth. Their music never shares the sharper, rockier edges of "Close to the edge" or "The lamb lies down on Broadway", for example is the abscence of electric guitar nearly total. Their strength is the symphonic, pastoral beauty, being extremely close to romantic, classical works, combined with the almost angel-like voice of Annie Haslam (If I can say that I love a human being that I've never met, I love that woman). Well, let's go to the music. The opening 13 1/2 minute track "Can you hear me?" is probably Renaissance's most symphonic piece ever, even if "Song of Scheherazade" is almost twice as long. The grandeur of this mighty piece is often replaced by very quiet parts of stark beauty and sadness. "The sisters" is my favourite song ever, with a religious and heart-breakingly sad mood. I've probably heard it at least 500 times, but it always brings tears to my eyes, when Annie sings "There was nothing they could do..." in the refrain. "Midas man" is a more classic story- telling piece about how greed destroys human relations. It has some gorgeous passages of multi- 12-string-guitar. The shortest piece "The captive heart" took me quite long to digest. I thought it was a sentimental and banal pop-ballad, but after a while I found that "OK, with everyone else it would have been, but Annie's incredibly expressive voice turns it to a jewel". The final piece "Touching once (is so hard to keep)" returns to the more complex, symphonic texture of the first track. It has a marvellously beautyful quiet middle section, similar to some parts from Genesis' "Wind and Wuthering", and ends with a surprisingly rhytmical and rocky section, where Annie finally yells: "Touching once is so hard to KEEEEEP! " Finally, when I die, I want "The sisters" to be played in my funeral. Period...."
Annie Haslam's Voice Pierces
Robert H. Nunnally Jr. | Allen, TX United States | 12/30/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Renaissance used classical instrumental arrangements and an operatic lead singer to experiment with the interface between rock and older forms. In its time, this type of music was sometimes dismissed by critics for its pretension, but in hindsight the critics were wrong. In "Novella", Renaissance perfected a sound that was neither fish nor fowl, with the driving insistence of rock but a texture that might be described as folk, light jazz, or even the dreaded "art song". Annie Haslam's vocal stylings drive the action--her multi-octave range and incisive, insistent phrasing is impressive and effective. Lyrically, the songs are somewhat inconsistent. In "Can You Hear Me?", we get the unfortunate phrasing "like a bird without winging" in the midst of an otherwise breathtaking song. On the other hand, "The Sisters" features a good narrative---this band really worked best with folk-type story lyrics. Overall, this is an interesting, impressive and tuneful collection. This band and this album have been overlooked over time, but they are certainly worth a listen."
"Novella" Good Place to Start Your Renaissance Journey
Rod Everhart | Indianapolis, IN United States | 11/17/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard of Renaissance in 1977 when, while working as a DJ, I took home a vinyl copy of "Novella." It didn't take long to hook me on the beautiful melodies of the songs and haunting voice of Annie Haslam. Her unique vocal quality and 5-octave range is easily recognizable. To this day, all I need to hear is the first couple of bars and I know it's Annie singing.I compare Renaissance's style to Emerson, Lake and Palmer because of their ability to blend classical and rock music into unforgettable songs. Novella easily fits into this category.Among my favorite songs are "Midas Man" and "Can You Hear Me Call Your Name." But any song on Novella is worth a listen. Plus if you've never experienced the pleasure of hearing Annie Haslam, here's your opportunity."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1