Live: Under Brazilian Skies [Live]

Annie Haslam | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 17, 1999)
• Original Release Date: July 13, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: One Way Records Inc
• ASIN: B00000JN9I
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,277 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Carpet of the Sun

2. I Think of You

3. The Captive Heart

4. Moonlight Shadow

5. Blessing in Disguise

6. Seashell Eyes

7. Summon the Angels

8. Nature Boy/If I Loved You

9. After the Oceans Are Gone

10. The Young Prince and Princess

11. Let It Grow

12. Brazilian Skies

13. Turn of the Century

14. Northern Lights

15. Spare Some Love

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Annie Haslam began her singing career in earnest whilst at university when she got up and performed a version of Those Were The Days at a local pub. Annie later joined a cabaret band called The Gentle People who had a residency in a venue called the Showboat in London's West End. She also trained under the opera singer Sybil Knight. It was however in late 1970 that Annie joined the band she is probably still identified with. Annie became the singer with Renaissance in 1971 after answering an advertisement placed in the music paper Melody Maker in late 1970. Her five octave soprano voice was to be an outstanding feature of this band until the band split in the eighties. While she was a member of Renaissance Annie recorded a number of well-received albums including Prologue, Ashes Are Burning, Novella and Song For All Seasons. The latter album making the top forty of the British albums chart and also spawning a top ten hit single with Northern Lights.

Renaissance continued under the leadership of Annie and Michael Dunford until 1987. Following the end of Renaissance Annie and fellow Renaissance member Michael Dunford formed the short-lived Nevada although Renaissance did briefly reconvene in the late nineties for an album and touring following which Annie returned to her solo career.

Annie's solo career began in 1978 while still with Renaissance when she released Annie In Wonderland and although the album was critically well received Annie regarded Renaissance as her main concern at the time. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Product Description

This album is both an Annie Haslam solo career and Renaissance-lite presentation. Haslam finds a balance between the two sides of her repertory, and even introduces one pleasant if not earth-shaking song, 'Brazilian Skies,' written for the occasion of the concerts where this album was recorded. It also includes Annie's version of the Mike Oldfield song 'Moonlight Shadow.' --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, July 9, 2000

By 

Anthony Dickerson "aldp" (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live: Under Brazilian Skies (Audio CD)

This enormously talented woman is my all-time favorite femalevocalist and this cd of a live performance is truly outstanding. Fromthe title cut, "Brazilian Skies" to Renaissance favorites you can't go wrong with this purchase. There is an import version that adds "Ocean Gypsy".

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful selection of concert material, July 28, 2003

By 

R. D. Waters "rdwaters" (Newton, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live: Under Brazilian Skies (Audio CD)

I am not a fan of live recordings. In fact even some of my favorite singers have done some terrible concert discs. The reasons vary -- sloppy musicianship, crowd noise mixed too high, and other audio problems to name a few. So, with some trepidation I purchased this live CD by Annie Haslam. What a lovely surprise it turned out to be.

The sound is quite good and the performances are excellent. Some of the old favorites are here like 'Turn of the Cards', 'Northern Lights', and 'Carpet of the Sun' from the Renaissance days. She even includes 'Nature Boy / If I Loved You' from the Roy Wood-produced 'Annie in Wonderland' disc. I think I actually prefer the concert rendition here. It has a cleaner, sparer musical backing that serves to accentuate Haslam's tremendous voice. Dave Biglin does a fantastic job of backing Annie on synthesizers, piano, and other instruments.

Of the new songs 'Brazilian Skies' (written for these shows) is a pleasant surprise. It is a lovely melody and Annie's voice positively caresses each word.

I cannot recommend this recording enough. I have already created a new fan for Annie just by playing this CD once for a friend. He now wants to hear her other recordings. Treat yourself to a lovely listening experience and purchase this disc. Thank you, Annie.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful mix of Renaissance and solo material, December 19, 2001

By 

David R. Gaines (Rockville, MD, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live: Under Brazilian Skies (Audio CD)

I've seen Annie Haslam perform solo numerous times and this collection is head & shoulders above any of the live gigs I've seen. I haven't been too thrilled with her more recent solo material performed live, but she must have been tremendously inspired by the Brazilian atmosphere because everything she does works on this album. There isn't a single weak track.

Annie performs with a single backing musician, Dave Biglin, who does a superb job of jumping back and forth between acoustic guitar, piano, and synthesizers, with MIDI-triggered drums thrown in as well. Beautifully done and a very intimate feel to the performance.

If you're a Renaissance fan who has been disappointed with Annie's solo albums, I doubt you'll be disappointed with this CD. In fact, I think it would be a fine introduction to Renaissance and progressive rock in general for people with very mellow tastes.