Nothing special
kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 09/20/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is a live album with an orchestra. There are no liner notes with the CD. I am guessing this concert was in 1978, shortly after Novella came out. The CD is 65 minutes. The sound has a wide dymanic range, so you can appreciate Annie Haslam's vocals. But there is a background buzz and distortion on some of the tracks. I couldn't hear the buzz and distortion on my car stereo, but it was very apparent on my home system.There is nothing special about this CD to recommend it. Renaissance now has many live CD's and the only thing unique here is that the group is backed, or sometimes fronted by an orchestra. The versions of the songs are not that much different than can be had elsewhere. And the track selection doesn't make it a difinitive album of their work.The one unique tune is Prologue, which done is completely by the orchestra. However the orchestra version, without Annie Haslam's vocals is not very interesting. Ocean Gypsy and Scheharazad are not much different than the studio versions or the many live versions out there. The orchestra is really in the background and doesnot add much.The two songs from Novella, Can You Hear Me and Can You Understand, are actually a little better than the studio versions. Renaissance, always had a brighter, more energetic sound when playing live. And the songs are stretched out a little bit, and Can You Hear Me has the patented bass solo. But, the difference between the studio and live versions are not enough to go out and buy this album.This is not a bad album. Renaissance always performs well in concert. As always, the live versions are slighty better than the slicker studio versions. There is just no reason for this album, especially with the issues in sound quality.An interesting side note is that Annie Haslam is always separated from the rest of the band by plexiglass walls."
Same as King Biscuit "At the Royal Albert Hall Part 1"
Astro Jetson | VA, USA | 01/16/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is a Dutch reissue of Part 1 of the King Biscuit Flower Hour release of the 1977 live recording "At the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra." Sound quality appears to be similar, but the songs are out of order and some of the banter between the songs is cut. If you want the entire concert in the correct order, get the two King Biscuit releases."
