Customer Reviews

King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents in Concert Part 1

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is Renaissance recorded at the top of their game. Yes, there are some feedback issues with the recording BUT to me they were a minor annoyance. I saw this great band perform live at least a dozen times during the mid to late 70's from very small intimate theaters to large arenas (think Spectrum in Phila.). I have to say that this CD and the companion Part 2, brought back very fond memories of the band's excellent live performances.

I would rate this 5 stars if not for the intermittent feedback and power hums that plagued the set. It was unfortunate that the sound issues happened at Royal Albert Hall with the RPO - the concert of a lifetime for the band members and audience. Again, to me these were minor annoyances and in no way should stop you from buying. Annie Haslam's voice is absolutely superb throughout the performance and the band played a very tight set with the RPO. A must have for anyone interested in Rennaisance.

Here is a buying tip, you can get these for less than $5 each with fast shipping by searching for Renaissance Greatest Hits Part 1 and Renaissance Greatest Hits Part 2. Same CDs by King Biscuit but with different labels. Look at the new and used vendors for good deals on these CDs.

This "King Biscuit" album is a real treat. Recorded in 1977 on the tour promoting the "Novella" album, it must have been a real thrill to see Renaissance performing live with an orchestra. The band had tried this once before, in 1975, with the "Live at Carnegie Hall" album. But even though the sound isn't quite as good, the performance is superior. The group was at the peak of its powers, and they seem far more comfortable working with the orchestra live than they do on "Carnegie". In particular, the suite "Song of Scheherezade" comes across much better, despite Jon Camp's vocal on "The Sultan" being a bit off.

In terms of material, between the two discs, you're missing only one track that was also on "Carnegie", "Ocean Gypsy" (no loss as far as I'm concerned). You also get material from "Novella" (which had yet to be recorded in 1975) and an exciting arrangement of the title track of the "Prologue" album performed exclusively by the orchestra. This is the only place that you can find the latter.

Yes, the sound quality is a bit off. A buzz from bad grounding that couldn't be entirely eliminated is indeed audible during the quiet passages. But this is easily overlooked in the light of the superior performances. Both fans and newcomers should love this album.

This recording has received bad reviews in regard to sound quality, but I have no problem overlooking a few minor technical gliches, because the performance is nothing less than phenomenal.

This is a very mature Renaissance at their peak and a true fan would do well to give it a listen. The musicians are inspired and the group's cohesion as well as individual musicianship has never come across better. Annie's duo with Tout's keyboards in 'Can You Understand' is clear as a bell, unlike its more subdued version at Carniegie, and Camp's bass is much more effectual. This performance of the 'Song of Scheherazade' is the best on record.

Renaissance is always a good listen, but this recording will make you feel the music. To pass on it because of sound quality issues is simply a mistake, especially for a true Renaissance fan.

If I could give this disc two different ratings I would. One for performance and another for production/sound quality. While the performance is top-notch this disc is marred by slip-shod sound. There is an annoying perisitant buzz throughout this disc. It's especially irritating during quiet passages. There are also occasional bursts of feedback. Asking to pay full price for this disc is a thievery. If I could demand my money back I would.

This recording has received bad reviews in regard to sound quality, but I have no problem overlooking a few minor technical gliches, because the performance is nothing less than phenomenal.

This is a very mature Renaissance at their peak and a true fan would do well to give it a listen. The musicians are inspired and the group's cohesion as well as individual musicianship has never come across better. Annie's duo with Tout's keyboards in 'Can You Understand' is clear as a bell, unlike its more subdued version at Carniegie, and Camp's bass is much more effectual. This performance of the 'Song of Scheherazade' is the best on record.

Renaissance is always a good listen, but this recording will make you feel the music. To pass on it because of sound quality issues is simply a mistake, especially for a true Renaissance fan.

I do agree that the recording of this album is very poor. Consider yourself warned. However the performance is powerful enough that it deserves a high rating anyway. I would recommend new listeners find the two "Tales From 1001 Nights" compilations, particularly the second, to discover Renaissance (through the excellent music AND liner notes). Then go on to buy the individual albums based on what you've discovered. For this release I recommend one already be familiar with the band. The version of Prologue is a treat because it is orchestra only, thus differing greatly from the other versions. All the songs are performed very well- Tout in particular sounds great. The bass is a little out of tune in parts of "Can You Hear Me?" but it is otherwise very nice. It's a shame some of the orchestra parts are almost inaudible in Scheherezade, but it otherwise sounds great. Enjoy!!

It's hard to resist comparing King Biscuit's 1977 recording of Renaissance at Royal Albert Hall with the band's "Live at Carnegie Hall" two years earlier. But while "Carnegie" was majestic, King Biscuit's two-volume Royal Albert Hall captures a less-polished side of Renaissance that has an allure all its own.
There are flaws. On Volume 1, the orchestra seems, irritatingly so, to want to get through "Scheherazade" as fast as possible. And on Volume 2, bassist Jon Camp misses a couple of notes on "Ashes Are Burning." And there's that much-discussed pesky buzz.
But hey, it's live, after all, so don't let that douse your interest in buying these. The flaws lend a certain appeal that only a live setting offers, and getting just one of the two volumes won't suffice; buy them both for the full experience of the evening.
High points for me: Hearing "Can You Hear Me?" performed on stage, with Camp's bass stronger than the studio version and Annie Haslam's out-of-this-world voice outdoing even her "Novella" effort. Camp's solo on "Ashes," following drummer Terry Sullivan's fine effort of his own, as he builds his bass to a psychedelic-like crescendo that must have dazzled even the older people in the audience. And the spontaneity of the 28-minute "Ashes" performance is wonderful stuff.
In all, it's another wish-I'd-been-there Renaissance performance that I'll gladly settle for listening to via headphones, eyes closed, as if I were right there in a front-row seat.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

If you have the fine live "Carnegie Hall" already in your collection do not discard the "King Biscuit" and if you are looking to experience Renaissance in a perfect setting but haven't previously indulged, you'll enjoy every note. It is almost thirty years since the concert was recorded and it sounds as fresh today as it did to those fixated on the singer decades past.

Annie Haslam's voice is miraculous. Every word comes out as she is singing for the Kings & Queens of the world. You could listen to hundreds of versions of "Carpet Of The Sun" and each time find some nuance that you've missed previously.

Renaissance is not only Annie's vocal expertise but a band of talented progressive rock musicians that excel during the improvisational passes. "Prologue" works so well as the first track on the album because it lays the foundation of what the band can do but doesn't let every trick out too soon. By the time "Song Of Scheherazade" has firmly entranced your mind and body, you will be wanting to experience more material (Live and studio).

Enjoy the music and be well always,

Craig Fenton

Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

If you are a serious Renaissance fan, Part 1 and 2 are a must-have. At last, King Biscuit releases some worthwhile material. Great sound quality and timeless performances. Annie Haslam is proof that real singers create magic.

It is reassuring to see that some reviewers of this 2-CD piece of crap are cognizant enough to notice the unforgivably horrible sound quality of this recording that should never have been released in the first place. My full review of this set is found under Volume 2. Should you choose not read it, here's the Cliffnotes version: Renaissance performs MUCH better on Live At Carnegie Hall (I think they were probably appalled & disheartened by the sound quality as they performed), and the "sound quality" is absolutely unbelievable--there is buzz from poor grounding and far too much feedback through nearly the entire concert to be tolerated. Either LISTEN to this recording CLOSELY before you buy it, or do yourself a huge favor and pass on it to begin with.