Customer Reviews

Ashes Are Burning

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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This 1973 album marks the beginning of the bands signature sound and a four album period that shows them at a creative peak. The lineup on this album included lead vocalist Annie Haslam, John Camp (Rickenbacker 4001 bass and vocals), John Tout (acoustic piano, harpsichord, organ, moog synthesizer, and vocals), Michael Dunford (acoustic guitar), and Terence Sullivan (drums/percussion and vocals). Of the musicians, Annie Haslam's soaring soprano, John Tout's delicate acoustic piano playing, and John Camp's aggressive and trebly Rickenbacker bass sound really make this album work for me. Some people have complained about Michael Dunford's approach to the guitar but I actually like his folky strumming on the acoustic - it works well with the material. In addition to the core musicians, guest Andy Powell plays electric guitar on Ashes are Burning, and various pieces of an orchestra are featured here and there.

The six tracks on the album range in length from 3'34" to 11'24" (with most in the 3-7 minute range) and feature haunting melodies and soft acoustic textures, with some heavy bass playing. In general the overall style is that of progressive rock, with a great deal of English folk influences and European classical. In fact, there are a number of classical sounding melodies scattered throughout the album that sound awfully familiar - I am sure that if I took out some recordings by (for example) Debussy or Prokofiev, I would probably unravel the mystery. My favorite tracks include the proggy Ashes are Burning with it's churchy organ work and Can you Understand? although the rest of material is pretty strong.

This album is strongly recommended to prog fans that do not mind a lot of classical and folk mixed in with their prog rock. Other great albums include Turn of the Cards (1974); Scheherazade and other Stories (1975); and Novella (1977).

1973's "Ashes Are Burning" is the fourth Renaissance album, which saw the band say goodbye to guitarist Rob Hendry and a hearty hello to guitarist/songwriter Michael Dunford. "Ashes Are Burning" is also the band's masterpiece, with stunningly superb songs & performances from beginning to end. It's just an incredible listening experience. All six songs on "Ashes" are musical works of art in their own right. The nearly 10-minute "Can You Understand" sees Renaissance thundering in like a powerful storm, before the thunder gives way to the calm and beauty of Annie Haslam's voice and the lovely accompanyment by the band. Then they go thundering out again at the end. It's brilliant! The next four pieces, "Let It Grow," "On The Frontier," "Carpet Of The Sun," and "At The Harbor" are simply gorgeous numbers. But the band save the best for last---the title track, which is 11 1/2 minutes of astounding, passionate classical/rock (with a thrilling, jamming instrumental bridge and powerful conclusion, too). It is without question the Renaissance signature song, the number they always concluded their concerts with, and rightfully so. Absolutely phenomenal work from the whole band---Annie Haslam's astonishing five-octave voice, and the equally astonishng playing of guitarist Michael Dunford, bassist Jon Camp, keyboardist John Tout, and drummer Terry Sullivan. "Ashes Are Burning" is a sensational album from a sensational group. Buy it now!

Half of the half-dozen songs on Renaissance's second album from 1972 are prime examples of the group's progressive (nee classical) rock sound. The best proof of this is that "Can You Understand?", "Carpet of the Sun" and "Ashes Are Burning" are also performed on the 1976 "Live from Carnegie Hall" album.

The title track is undoubtedly the ultimate Renaissance encore piece. Indeed, it serves as the final track on not only that pair of albums but also the two volume "Tales of 1001 Nights" set, where it is moved from its contemporary pieces on the first volume to the last track on the second. "Ashes Are Burning" is the perfect encore piece because it serves so well as an extended showcase for solos by the group's members.

In contrast, "Can You Understand?" has always been the ideal opening song for a Renaissance album, with its driving piano melody that spurns the rest of the band to match it as the song progresses. Yet within this 10 minute epic we are also treated to Annie Halsam singing accompanied only by acoustic guitar, before the song again builds upon a larger them appropriated from a Russian classical composer.

"Carpet of the Sun" remains the group's best known "single," not only because it is one of the few songs short enough to be given airplay, but also because Annie Halsam's vocals with that dazzling trill continues to delight. More than any other singer of her time, Halsam's singing voice was an instrument integral to the composition and performance of each song, which is why she is as effective singing a series of la's as she is singing Betty Thatcher's lyrics.

Michael Dunford wrote the music for all but one of the songs on this album, which marked his official return to the group. Jim McCarty did the music for the remaining track ("On the Frontier) while Richard Hewson wrote and conducted the orchestral arrangements that became a defining element of Renaissance's work. In retrospect, what is most impressive about "Ashes Are Burning" is how quickly the group found its voice after the release of their first album, "Prologue." For the next six years things would only be getting better with many considering their next effort, "Turn of the Cards" to be their best album.

Some bands and some recordings are superb. These are all very special. But when a band defines an entire genre and sets the standard for others who follow well, that is extraordinary. Renaissance is such a band. Completely defining the folk/pop genre with their superb arrangements, classical music references and homages, and their incredible novel-like story songs Renaissance is a fantastic band widely unknown by most Americans.

Renaissance has a large discography with this particular disc appearing early in their career. Some fans call their sound "progressive rock" which only hints at the folk/classical foundations of it. I prefer folk/rock and few do it better than Renaissance. Annie Haslam is the lead singer of this band, and how lucky they were to find her. Her voice is exceedingly expressive with her interpretations and inflections. She is a pleasure to listen to reaching highs effortlessly and staying the lovely middle range most all the time. She is a superb singer, but again widely unknown. This should change.

Renaissance often created long songs, "Ashes are Burning" runs at almost 12 minutes. Another song "At the Harbor" is almost 7 minutes. This is not "pop" music for those looking for a quick fix. This is art for people who appreciate the blending of folk music, folks heritage and a deep appreciation for story-telling through music and lyrics. This is not Steely Dan (I LOVE Steely Dan!) with their unusual and sometimes strange lyrics. Renaissance lyrics are a core part of the experience and art. Haslam is invariably perfect and all are supreme musicians and arrangers/composers make a Renaissance album an astounding treat.

Hearing this record for the first time many years ago was something of a surprise. I only had an experience like this a few times with music listening recently. I often feel this way when I listen to Bach, but I felt it again when I heard Gorecki's shattering "Symphony 3" Henryk Gorecki: Symphony 3 "Sorrowful Songs". That record introduced me to Dawn Upshaw whose singing I then began to listen to with avid interest.

And that is the kind of response that Renaissance evokes in the listener who cares for quality, intellectual truth, and true art in their musical experiences. Haslam is not quite Upshaw's caliber-- but they are both incredible vocalists.

There are many great Renaissance records to enjoy, though no new ones unfortunately. This one is a great start if you've never heard Renaissance before. Sit back and listen. Grab a good Syrah, and light a fire in the hearth, and let Renaissance fill the house with story and melody. You will not be disappointed.

This was their first turn of career (1973), as it was their 1st TRUE PROG EFFORT,containing some classics;you can appreciate the amazing title track "Ashes are burning" very much, or the first interesting track "Can you understand" too, whose melodies would have been utilised in the mythical album "Turn of the cards" once again !!(for example in the amazing mini-suite "Mother Russia"). The beautiful mix of russian and indian music as well, by means also of some pretty songs like "Carpet of the sun" and "At the harbour",contributes to make this album highly recommended...

This CD is probably the best of the albums issued by this version of Renaissance, and that says a lot. The group pours its heart into everything it does. Annie Haslam's voice soars and dips at will, capturing every nuance of the wonderful lyrics and melody. The songs are like little self-contained symphonies, each with an incredible range of emotion. Maybe it's an old album, but it still ranks among the classics of its time. Renaissance was never given its due. It deserved a lot better.

Renaissance was mid major player in the 1970's progressive rock movement. They never quite got to the level of popularity of some of their contemporaries like Yes and Genesis, but managed to carve out their own unique nitch for about a decade. I have several of the band's albums on vinyl, but this is the only one that I have on CD. Fronted by golden throated vocalist Annie Haslam, Renaissance sounded like no other band and to this day remains a unique footnote in rock n roll history. Probably more than any other 70's era prog band Renaissance was able to blend rock with classical and folk to create their unique sound. The band used practically no electric guitar with keyboards and even bass often used as the lead instrument. This is really a great album from start to finish. Annie's voice still amazes me after all these years. It is one of the clearest most precise vocal instruments these ears have ever heard. The songs range from shorter more poppy material like "Can You Understand" and "Carpet Of The Sun" to long progressive rock epics like the title track "Ashes Are Burning". To me "Ashes" is probably the band's all time best composition and was often used as their set closer in live performance. When Annie hits the high note on the lyric "ashes are burning the waaaay..." and John Tout's bass kicks in it still sends shivers up my spine. Another favorite of mine is the 5th track "At The Harbor" is another great one. This album sounds a bit "hippy-ish" by today's standards which somewhat dates it, but it is still a gem in the Renaissance cannon and one of the better prog albums of the 70's.

Renaissance fans know this album. If your not familiar with Renaissance but like progressive rock you should definately get this album. My favorite song of all time, from any group is "Ashes are Burning." That epic masterpiece makes this album a necessary addition to anyones music collection. You get a 5 octive range female singer at her best on this 12 minute or so song. The song has many changes and great buildups in it. This song has always stimulated my creative energy for art & writing more than any other song. I get a lot done when this song is on. It's an amazing rock/classical music hybrid. One of rock musics finest efforts. If you are already a Rennaissance fan I finally found a current band that reaches the potential that Rennaissance floundered away in their later albums. The Rennaissance of today in my opinion is "Night Wish." Check them out.

Undeniably rich and ornate album, unapologetic in its reach and grandeur. Renaissance hit one of their high points here. Annie Haslam's vocals are right on the mark, the songs are melodic and memorable, and the instrumentation is complex without being obscure. Piano and organ dominate, and classical structures abound.

People with a low tolerance for symphonic prog rock and long songs are advised to stay away. But for those who have a secret craving for the days in the early 1970s when bands were trying their best to turn away from being pop hit machines and create something better, this is a fountain of beauty and grace.

"Pretentious"? Yes. Everything that the punk rock revolution of the late 70's was trying to overturn? Yes. Fantastically beautiful and worth hearing again and again? Yes indeed.

One of my most favorite Renaissance albums, what can I say but awesome. Can't wait until they're new live CD comes out before Christmas.