Novella [Original recording remastered]

Renaissance | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1977
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B00005LN6J
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,535 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Sisters - Renaissance

2. The Captive Heart - Renaissance

Editorial Reviews

Renaissance, featuring Annie Haslam, has had a cult following from their first album in the late 60's through Annie's la test recording in the year 2000. All of their albums have be en big catalog sellers throughout the years. This is the U.S. CD debut of the album. Originally released in 1977 with two different album covers, this is the original, very first cover. Digitally remastered. 5 tracks. 2001 reissue.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazzy neo-classical progressive non-rock., August 22, 2002

By 

spiral_mind (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Novella (Audio CD)

As often as I've tried to sum up the sound of Renaissance, the above description is the simplest I can give. Their classical influences manifest themselves in lush, elaborate orchestral arrangements. Their melodic sensibility covers the range between haunting and serene. The complexity of their compositions could give Yes a run for their money. The lyrics are poetry as well-written as that of Leonard Cohen.. and of course, it doesn't hurt that Annie Haslam has the most gorgeous singing voice on this planet. Though the first Renaissance album with this lineup (Prologue) and its last two (Camera Camera and Time Line) are mired by their weak spots, it's hard to find serious fault with any of their releases in between. Novella is the next-to-last in their string of near-perfect albums, and it's got plenty to recommend it. "Can You Hear Me" is a captivating 14-minute journey flitting through night-lit city streets, its strings setting just the right note of alienation. "Touching Once" combines slow moody verses with a beautifully soaring chorus, tossing in a little free jazz along the way. Perhaps the most beautiful highlight is the simple "Captive Heart," a romantic lyric carried with lovely alternating vocal harmonies and a dreamy piano. (I actually prefer Annie's solo version on Under Brazilian Skies, but I'm only nitpicking here.)

This music combines classical stylings with prog's technical skill while remaining true to both. I'll just mention that although this group is often labeled as progressive rock, they can make early Genesis sound hard-rocking by comparison (hence my title above). As Renaissance fare goes - no pun intended - Novella and the stunning Ashes Are Burning are usually the first ones I recommend to anyone curious. You could look up Tales of 1001 Nights for a compilation, but you'd be missing out on the overlooked gems, such as "Captive Heart," that are just as worthy. This catalogue is too rich just to settle for the highlights.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The end of a creative peak, December 31, 2006

By 

Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Novella (Audio CD)

This 1977 album is a little bit more "rocking" than previous efforts (Scheherezade and other Stories 1975), although it is still very delicate and classically oriented. Unfortunately, following Novella the band started to yield to commercial interests (not to mention losing their way following the dissolution and fragmentation of progressive rock) and their approach was diluted somewhat on the follow-up album Song for all Seasons (1978). Novella however, is a fantastic album and marks the end of the band's creative peak (1973-1977).

The musicians on Novella constitute the classic incarnation of Renaissance and includes the incredible bassist John Camp (Rickenbacker bass; bass pedals; acoustic guitar; vocals); lead alto Annie Haslam; excellent keyboardist John Tout (piano; synthesizers; vocals); Michael Dunford (acoustic guitar; vocals); and Terrence Sullivan (drums; percussion; and vocals). Like a lot of English progressive rock bands, Renaissance was comprised of excellent musicians, with Annie, Jon Camp, and John Tout being the best. Although a lot of folks have complained about Michael Dunford's strummed and picked acoustic guitar parts, I personally appreciate the lack of electric guitar and feel that his approach works perfectly in this context. Besides, Michael contributes some exquisite acoustic textures to the melancholic The Sisters, not to mention a very tasteful solo on the acoustic. Apart from excellent individual playing, there is also some impressive ensemble work on this album.

Musically, this is a very strong album and shows the band going back to the format on albums including Ashes are Burning (1973). That means there is no massive multi-movement suite like Scheherazade and other Stories (1975) on Novella - the tracks range in length from 4'17" to 13'39". In terms of the pieces themselves, they are quintessentially Renaissance: Annie Haslams' delicate and soaring alto; haunting and beautiful melodies (The Sisters); dense ensemble work; Jon Camp's aggressive bass playing (on a trebly Rickenbacker); sweeping symphonic flourishes; sophisticated arrangements; and fantastic vocal harmonies. In short, everything that I love about this band.

This reissue by Wounded Bird Records is OK and features great sound quality and lyrics. There are no helpful tidbits about the band in the liner notes however.

In the final analysis, this is a fantastic album and is certainly their last "full blown" prog album. Very highly recommended along with Ashes are Burning (1973); Turn of the Cards (1974); and Scheherazade and other Stories.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Orchestral Renaissance, January 3, 2002

By 

Steven Marks "Prog Harpo" (Petaluma, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Novella (Audio CD)

I rated another album of Renaissance, "Ashes are burning" a five star. In this review I will compare the two. So this review is of most benefit to those whom have heard "Ashes are Burning" and/or are deciding between the two albums.

The albums "Novella" and "Ashes are Burning" (AAB) are quite different. Novella uses an orchestra; AAB does not.

I think the strengths of Novella are:
1) Annie Haslam's voice! As hard as it is for me to believe -
she is yet even better than in AAB - where she was fabulous. So many Prog bands really let us down on vocals - Renaissance does not. Annie seems to have more harmonics/ more depth than pure crystal breaking soprano on this album.
2) Well engineered and produced. This is a "fire and forget" album - that is, you do not have to constantly be twiddling with the volumne or boost bass in one section and back off in another. it is better than AAB in that regard.
3) Not a weak track - very consistent.
4) Orchestra is effective - not as effective as the Moody Blues "Days of Future Past" nor Yes' "Magnification" nor any of Rick Wakeman's epics. The band gets a little drowned out by the orchestra.

So why do I personally like AAB better? The title track, "Ashes are Burning" is an awesome Progressive Rock masterpiece. There is nothing like it on Novella. Novella does not rock! The band is overwhelmed by the orchestra - bass lines are subdued. Even the keyboardist/pianoist, John Tout, is really not showcased like he was on AAB. Only in the title "Touching Once" is he highlighted.

If you are looking for more of a rock sound, I reccomend AAB over this one. If you like Haslam's great voice and want an orchestral accompaniment - this is a great album. This is an album that, like mentioned above, you can put on and play and at most adjust to taste once and listen to the whole thing. I think both albums are excellent - my tastes lean towards more of a Yes like sound - Prog that is. So I like AAB better. But this album is pleasent to listen to.