Customer Reviews

Scheherazade & Other Stories

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Renaissance is a band that went through various permutations, the best known being the line up that featured Annie Haslam's soaring, pure vocals, John Tout's considerable piano prowess, Jon Camp's imaginative bass, Michael Dunford on guitar and Terence Sullivan on drums. This was the second, and longest-lasting lineup of the band. An earlier lineup had a completely different lineup (how/why they kept the same name is somewhat surprising considering the band had a 100% change in personnel). A later permutation had Tout and Sullivan replaced by two other musicians.

Anyway, the Haslam-led lineup had two phases in their musical styles -- an early, progressive-rock featuring long, complex arrangements of songs influenced by classical composers (particularly Prokofiev) and a later, more pop-oriented style.

"Song of Scheherazade and Other Stories" is probably the best of the band's progressive-rock years, and argued by many to be their best overall effort as well. It opens with "A Trip to the Fair", featuring typical Renaissance arrangement of piano and orchestral highlights and, of course, Annie Haslam's distinctive, beautifully strong singing voice. The album's second track, the short "The Vultures Fly High" shows the band making a (then) rare trip to pop arranging. The final track of the vinyl's side one is the poignant "Ocean Gypsy", featuring some of the best piano work John Tout turned in.

"Song of Scheherazade" took up the entire second side of the album, featuring a suite of songs which told the story of 1001 Arabian Nights in condensed form (if you can call a 24 or so minute effort "condensed"). This was certainly the highlight of the band's orchestral/classical arranging, featuring an opening fanfare, a soft romantic ballad ("The Young Prince and Princess"), a piano fugue, and upbeat finale ("The Festival"/"Finale"). From its opening to its ending, the suite presents a well-formed, cohesive movement that tells of the Sultan's betrayal by his wife and his subsequent dastardly daily wedding and execution, Scheherazade (the heroine of the story) becoming his wife and weaving a magic spell of stories for him which he cannot live without, and the sultan renouncing his ways to live with Scheherazade happily ever after. This is musical story-telling in the progressive-rock vein at its finest.

Not only was this probably Renaissance's best effort to that point, it also marked one of the last progressive-rock dominated albums they'd release. Their next studio release, "Novella", was fairly progressive-rock oriented but after that came "Song for All Seasons", on which the band started moving in a more pop/mainstream direction.

Progressive-rock lovers everywhere should get "Scheherazade" and even those whose taste for progressive-lock runs lean will probably appreciate "Ocean Gypsy" for the pure beauty of its melody and arranging, as well as the title track for its overall arrangement and story-telling.

Why this album is listed as an import is a bit of a mystery to me. Several of Renaissance's albums are US releases, but not this one? Well, at least it's pretty decently priced. Anyway, this has got got to be one of the best albums of it's day, at least as far as progressive rock is concerned. Undoubtedly the high point of Renaissance's career, the album consists of 3 tracks that were originally on the first side with the title track that was on the other. The great point about this CD is that there are no weak songs. Scheharzade is the showpiece for the work; it's a group effort and although different members contribute to different parts it fits together really well. The Young Prince and Young Princess is a highlight of this section. The first part consists of strong songs; perhaps the best is Ocean Gypsy. I have introduced this song to various friends and relatives and it has always converted them to followers of the group. I would say that this album, with the possi! ble exception of Live At Carnigie Hall, is the perfect place to get to know the music of Renaissance.

This 1975 album featuring the nine-part 25-minute "Song of Scheherazade" suite is certainly the most ambitious effort by the progressive (nee classical) rock band Renaissance, recorded with a chorus and members of the London Symphony Orchestra. Personally, my favorite Renaissance album was "Turn of the Card," issued the year before this one, which is admittedly a much more atypical work for the group, but the consensus of opinion certainly seems to suggest this is the most popular album among the learned gentry.

The songs on the "first side" of the album certainly make this the strongest album by virtue of the fact that they are all well above average tracks. "Trip to the Fair" is another showcase for the wondrous voice of Annie Haslam, "The Vultures Fly High" presents a nice change of pace, and "Ocean Gypsy" is one of those lush songs you expect from Renaissance. Consequently, this is the one album (besides the live recording of their Carnegie Hall concert) on which you are not inclined to skip tracks.

The "Song of Scheherzade" was inspired by Michael Dunford's fascination with the "1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights" and consists of nine distinct but cohesive movements. The work is unique because it represents a rare example of musical collaboration between Dunford and the rest of the group. Dunford and lyricist Betty Thatcher wrote the three vocal sections, keyboard player John Tout wrote the opening fanfare and fugue sections, with bass player Jon Camp working with Dunford and Tout on the other sections. The orchestrations were arranged by Tony Cox. Like similar efforts by other progressive rock groups (e.g., Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Karn Evil 9" from "Brain Salad Surgery), the Scheherzade Suite represents the great heights "rock" music could attain when it broke away from the radio play format.

I have heard in the past that Dunmore and Thatcher were trying to turn their cantata into a musical, similar to what Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice did with the original children's cantata version of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," but apparently that effort, if not abandoned at this point, has yet to reach fruition.

Rock critics are quick to dismiss the progressive era as contrived and full of excess. They are wrong, and the best example of progressive genius is Renaissance's Scheherazade and Other Stories. I believe this is one of the best rock records of all time, although it will never be acknowledged as such.
The music is absolutely stunning (with the exception of "A Trip to the Fair"). On side one, "Ocean Gypsy" ranks among Renaissance's best pieces, but it is side two that defines this album. The Scheherazade suite is one of the highlights of rock history, featuring gorgeous melodies and fabulous musicianship as it retells the Scheherazade legend. Aficionados of classical music will also appreciate the album.
Renaissance was a staple of progressive radio in New York City, and deservedly so. I have introduced my kids to the band's music, and they love it too.
Buy this album; you will love it.

This 1975 release shows Renaissance at a peak and the excellent music on this album certainly reflects this - it is a personal favorite in fact. I really appreciate the craft that the band put into their music; not to mention the emotional sophistication and superb musicianship. This album is an especially fine example of these qualities.

The music of Renaissance is very disciplined (I really appreciate this) for a rock band and the instrumentation and playing style is more in keeping with a symphony orchestra than a rock band. Keyboardist John Tout uses the acoustic piano exclusively with some minor pipe organ and harpsichord work, along with a string synthesizer - it is used effectively throughout the album and marks a point where John started using synthesizers more. Electric guitars are absent and Michael Dunford employs both strummed and picked parts on the acoustic guitar, which further emphasizes the classical approach. In fact, it is only John Camps virtuosic bass playing on a trebly Rickenbacker bass and to a much lesser extent, Terence Sullivan's drumming that lend the rock aspect to the compositions. To emphasize the classical "thing" even further, an orchestra is featured on this album, and this may very well be their most classically influenced record. Saving the best for last though, Annie Haslam has one of the most stunning altos I have heard - the delicate textures of her voice are both positive and uplifting.

The pieces on Scheherazade include a single short track (The Vultures Fly High 3'04"), two pieces in the mid-length range (7'05" Ocean Gypsy and Trip to the Fair 10'51), and finally the massive multi-movement Scheherazade suite (24'37"). The suite is a very sophisticated piece of music and is extremely well-arranged; with dense ensemble work and breathtaking dynamics. The Scheherazade suite is incredible and my favorite composition by the band - I think it neatly sums up everything that I love about their music. In addition to the suite, there are some absolutely beautiful and haunting moments on this album including the track Ocean Gypsy, although all of the other pieces are very strong.

This remastered effort by Repertoire is not too bad at all and features great sound quality along with a brief band bio and a few photos.

In summation, this is a wonderful recording made during the period of peak creativity for this band (1973-1977) and is very highly recommended to prog fans that also appreciate classical music. If you like this recording, also check out Ashes are Burning (1973); Turn of the Cards (1975); and Novella (1977).

Another must have album, expecially the final suite, which was inspired by Rimsky/Korsakov's original Scheherazade, which is one of the most beautiful prog suites ever, that I will bring to a desert island naturally !!
But proceeding by order, the album starts with the remarkable intro at the piano of "TRIP TO THE FAIR", which is in the vein of the best stuff of classical music;then it continues with the fantastic introduction of the finest femal voice ever (in my opinion) according to the "fairy-tale" romantic style...afterwards a short jazzy/pop solo to conclude the track, before introducing the light and quite easy song "The vultures fly high",whose melody is captivating, thanks to Annie's magical interpretation ... the same consideration, of course, I have to do for the mythical ballad "Ocean Gipsy", which moreover adds the final fantastic crescendo, which alone makes this song well worth checking out.Finally I have to describe the emotion and the feelings too, which are brought about the incredible mood of the Title-track SUITE: it's so enriched with beautiful themes and fantastic arrangements, that it's better if you check it out soon!! Nevermind if you are a critic of classical music, because Renaissance have changed the original opera for its major part, making the concept of "1001 nights" from "Arabian nights" more captivating and sensible (always according to my opinion).

Highly recommended!! Buy this desert island record and you won't be disappointed...

My dad first introduced me to Renaisance when I was eight years old. "Trip to the Fair" was instantly my favorite. As a singer and pianist, I could, even at such an early age, appreciate the intensity of John Tout's piano prelude, Annie Haslam's beautifully pure voice, and the overall magnitude of this band. The hauntingness of "Trip to the Fair," and the sadness of "Ocean Gypsy" are moments every person should experience. It's a shame that music has taken such a downfall these days, and that people have forgotten the capabilities of the creative mind. Renaissance is a genre of its own, combining the discipline and format of classical music, and merging it with the addictive sound and heavy rhythms of rock. I suppose that would be classical rock, wouldn't it? But, nevertheless, Renaissance has paved a sound so original and powerful, and "Scheherizade" is probably their finest moment.

I am delighted that this fine recording is available on CD now, along with my 2 other Renaissance favorites, NOVELLA and LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL. I remember hearing S&OS for the first time in the summer of 1975 as a featured album on Lincoln, Nebraska's then-FM rock station, KFMQ (oh, for the glory days of free-form FM rock radio of the 70's...). I sat & listened to the album from start to finish, having heard OF Renaissance before, but up until that point, I was unfamiliar with their music. I have to admit I was intrigued with Side 1...A Trip to the Fair didn't do much for me, but I enjoyed the reminder of the first side much more. It was not, however, until I heard the Scheherazade Suite that I truly sat up & noticed for the first time that everything I'd heard about Renaissance was basically true. I was (and still am) a huge fan of progressive rock in those days, being a devotee of Yes (my favorite band of all time for the last 31 years), King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull, Focus, Genesis/Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Triumvirat, Trace, The Moody Blues, Jade Warrior, & Van der Graaf Generator. This album was the best marriage of progressive rock & neo-classical music I'd ever heard since DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED. I could not get ENOUGH of Annie's beautiful, angelic voice (which I would place in the pantheon of other great female voices like Maire Brennan, Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Connie Dover [from Kansas City], Kate Bush, & Joni Mitchell) and her amazing vocal range. The band itself were phenomenal as well...the beautiful blends of acoustic guitars, the lush keyboards, everything. I knew right away that this album was destined for greatness and would forever be regarded as a classic in the annals of progressive/art rock.

I cannot recommend this album highly enough...and the only reason it garnered 4 stars instead of 5 is because, imho, Side 1 does not quite live up to the MAJESTY of the Scheherazade Suite of Side 2. No matter, though...taken as a whole, it is a stupendous recording and should be in every prog/art rock fan's collection. I would also like to take this opportunity to warn you all of a grossly inferior recording of Renaissance live in concert, which was recorded by the King Biscuit Flower Hour in 1977. Look for my review of Volume 2 of this 2-CD set, and fasten your seatbelts. Forewarned is always forearmed.

I was a huge fan of the prog bands of the 70s, with the Gabriel lead Genesis at the top of the list. Admittedly, a lot of prog music does not hold up today, and I have moved on. However, I completely missed Renaissance, or if I did hear them it didn't stick. Thanks to mp3 downloads I was able to sample this album. I was in shock . . . achingly beautiful and moving, this music reaffirmed that the best moments of prog were special indeed, and still have the ability to profoundly affect me today. As a rebuttal to the arguement mp3 downloads steal from artists, I have since bought almost the entire Renaissance catalogue. In my opinion this album is the pinnicle, but I also heartily recommend TURN OF THE CARDS, NOVELLA and SONG FOR ALL SEASONS. You will be amazed.

Along with "Turn of the Cards," "Scheherazade & Other Stories" remains the finest moment in Renaissance's career.

Taking the same symphonic approach they did on "Cards" "Scheherazade" is easily the most ambitious album in the band's catalog thanks to the nearly twenty-five minute title track which is a retelling of Scherazade and 1001 Nights. Each aspect of this epic flows into the other with grace and beauty that by the time the song ends it is difficult not to push the repeat button and go on the journey all over again.

But what is really amazing about the album is that the rest of the songs do not merely act as filler. "The Vultures Fly High" prove that Renaissance could have moments of pop accessibility without sacrificing elements of the sound that brought them a devoted cult audience in the first place, while "Ocean Gypsy" remains the single finest and loveliest moment in their entire catalog. If you are looking for a place to begin you Renaissance collection, "Scheherzade" and "Turn of the Cards" are the perfect place to begin. Such a shame that the band headed into a slow, but steady decline afterwards.