Renaissance
Renaissance

Release Date: 1969 | Tracklist

“Renaissance” is the eponymous debut studio album of Renaissance and was released in 1969. The line up on the album is Jane Relf, Keith Relf, John Hawken, Louis Cennamo and Jim McCarty.


Many, including myself, first took notice of Renaissance with the release of their classic albums of the 70’s. So, most people only know Renaissance as a British symphonic progressive rock band that released amazing albums in the 70’s, such as “Prologue” in 1972, “Ashes Are Burning” in 1973, “Turn Of The Cards” in 1974 and “Scheherazade And Other Stories” in 1975, which are real great progressive beauties and are real highlights in the history of the progressive rock music. By the other hand, Renaissance's most recognizable characteristics were Annie Haslam's angelic voice, Jon Camp's pumping bass and John Tout's classical piano playing. However this is not really true. In reality, they started in the 60’s and recorded two albums, without Annie Haslam and the other follow band members, their eponymous debut album “Renaissance” and its successor “Illusion” released in 1971, with a totally different line up.

"Renaissance" was first released in 1969 and was mainly a showcase for the former Yardbirds members Keith Relf and Jim McCarty. They were in search for a more progressive and experimental style than what they had played with their former bands and they wanted to try out new musical ideas on a much more ambitious musical project. They'd organized a new group devoted to experimenting with rock, folk and classical music, with Relf on guitar and vocals, McCarty on drums and supplemented by bassist Louis Cennamo, pianist John Hawken and Relf's sister, Jane, as an additional vocalist. They succeeded very well to blend all those different styles on a well sounding album. Their self titled debut mixed influences of rock, folk and jazz with some frequent quotations from various pieces of classical music. Despite be very good, it's quite an embryonic album compared to their classic albums from the 70's.

However, on “Renaissance”, the music seems almost miraculous in its ease of execution and inventiveness. The playing is precisely powerful yet delicate. The piano, bass, guitar, harmonica and drums are as tight as one could ever hope for. The vocal interplay between brother and sister, Keith and Jane, are superlatively integrated. Keith's voice is as soulful as it ever sounded, and Jane's soaring angelic melodies penetrate right to the core with their pristine beauty. This originating source recording laid the foundation for a totally new form of musical expression, the influence of which now permeates the music of the 21st century. Anything that came after had this work to use as a compass. So, in a certain way, the album is even more gratifying, than the next incarnation of the group that became so well known and appreciated by their fans.

Musically, the album borrowed liberally from the classics, as would later the other Renaissance albums, as well as incorporating elements of jazz, folk, avant-garde and late 60’s psychedelic rock. Dominating throughout is the virtuoso piano performance from the classically trained pianist John Hawken. So, on “Renaissance”, you can hear the masterfully piano playing by Hawken which has been slightly influenced by the classical masters composers like J.S. Bach. The band makes excellent use of varied rhythms and musical light and shade. The musical style on both albums became very successful. The voice of Jane Relf more or less resembles Annie Haslam's voice on the aforementioned albums. Not as good, but yet strong enough to keep the attention which also applies for the strong compositions. However and despite some seeds of the classic Renaissance sound were sown already here, unfortunately, it seems that it wasn't enough to make these albums of interest to others, than merely collectors and completists.


Conclusion: As I wrote, I only heard about the first two albums of the band many years later and after knowing the great albums of the band made by their classic and most known line up. Always was a great surprise and a great mysterious to me, that the same group could have two completely different line ups all over their career. So, when I bought the first two albums of the band, I must say that I became very pleasantly surprised with them. Thought I prefer the second line up, I really like both. About the Renaissance debut, it may not be as perfect as the classic albums of the second cast, but the play and experimentation of the band incarnation makes it easy up for it. All in all, their debut album is a wonderfully inventive album which has never gained the recognition it warrants as a cornerstone of the genre. If you have never had the time to explore early Renaissance, as I had, you might want to check this album out. I had not expected much when I purchased this album, but it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise to my ears. If for no other reason, every progressive fan should hear this album to further their understanding of how prog came about.


Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)

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