Tuscany [Extra tracks, Import]

Renaissance | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Inside Out Germany
• ASIN: B00005NPKO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,993 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lady from Tuscany

2. Pearls of Wisdom

3. Eva's Pond

4. Dear Landseer

5. In the Sunshine

6. In My Life

7. The Race

8. Dolphin's Prayer

9. Life in Brazil

10. One Thousand Roses

Editorial Reviews

annie Haslam, Michael Dunford and Terrence Sullivan, known to the world as Renaissance deliver one of their finest efforts to date entitled Tuscany. Complete with ten new beautiful songs, filled with the haunting musical interplay of the band and the mystical operatic voice of the enchanting Annie Haslam, the North American fan base will finally get to hear an album that has been only available overseas as an expensive import.

Recorded a few years ago, Renaissance journeyed to Kent, England to begin the sessions for this masterpiece and they delivered what we feel are some of their best music since their hugely successful Schehrazade, Ashes Are Burning and Novella albums.

The journey begins with the fine "Lady From Tuscany", complete with Haslam's soaring voice over an orchestral setting.

Roy Wood (The Move, ELO, Wizzard) has a guest appearance here on one of the more beautiful songs on the album "In The Sunshine.

Tuscany is now released for their very loyal North American Renaissance fans. Complete with lyrics to sing along with and beautiful artwork from Spencer Zhan, Tuscany is truly a journey worth taking. Pour a glass and enjoy! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fairly good, December 5, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tuscany (Audio CD)

After a 20 year break from releasing from studio albums, Renaissance gets back together and releases Tuscany. It is a much updated sound for the band.

On the positive side, the production is good, sounding better than any of the 70's and 80's albums. Terry Sullivan's drums are bigger and fuller than on the older albums. The songs are most reminiscient of the 80's (Songs from Renaissance Days) and 90's (Annie Haslam's Renaissance - Blessing in Disguise).

Annie Haslam sounds as good as ever. It's good to see Michael Dunford back on acoustic guitar. John Tout's appearances on the album are a big plus. His occasional piano parts, like on Pearls of Wisdom, give the album the occasional `old Renaissance' sound. The best song might possibly be "Dear Landseer". That almost sounds like it could have been on Song For All Seasons or Azure D'Or.

On the down side, Jon Camp's bright and melodic bass lines are sadly missing. Alex Caid does an okay job, but the mix on his bass is rather muddy and bland, making him sound like millions of other bass players. There's also a shortage of piano on the album. It would have been great if John Tout had been able to play more of the parts, or Mickey Simmonds backed off the synths a bit and settled down at the good old piano.

Regardless, it is great that the band got together and took the time and effort to release this album. It belongs in any Renaissance collection. We owe it to this special band to support them by purchasing and sharing this music.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Renaissance Days, July 2, 2007

By 

Mark Champion "autumnfair" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tuscany (Audio CD)

Comprising what can only be termed a return to form, this popped up a couple of years ago pretty much unheralded. Too bad, because any fan of Renaissance will appreciate its hearkening back to the band's heyday as well as the return of Annie Haslam after a brief detour with Stephanie Adlington on the not-bad-at-all THE OTHER WOMAN. True, synths play a prominent role in the instrumentation department, but the orchestra is back as is the grand piano. It sounds like the band never left, and as if CAMERA CAMERA and TIME LINE never happened (this time it's Haslam, Michael Dunford, Terry Sullivan and Mickey Simmonds, with contributions from Roy Wood and former full-timer John Tout). And yes, the smarm factor is, as always, present (In The Sunshine is the most egregious here, and Dolphins Prayer is exactly what the title implies). But at least one song, the beautifully plaintive Pearls Of Wisdom, is easily worthy of any of the best the band ever did, if not better. If you've ever had a place for Renaissance, here's one more.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD Replete With Environmental Themes !, December 5, 2006

By 

Brien Comerford (Glenview, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tuscany (Audio CD)

I concede that this sounds more like an Annie Haslam solo CD. However, it is akin to a paramount Annie Haslam CD augmented with brilliant and talented musicians. Her wondrous and diverse vocals resonate with grandeur throughout the inspiring recording. The CD themes are very spiritual and some of the songs focus on nature and the environment. Fans will especially appreciate "Tuscany" if they also purchase the Renaissance Live 2001 Album recorded in Japan. These new songs blend in well with the Band's greatest hits recorded a few decades ago. Annie Haslam is as important to Renaissance as Jon Anderson is to Yes !