I saw Don Kirshners rock concert in 1974 and the performance of Black Flame. The next day I bought Turn of the Cards. In all those years I have collected every album and CD but also went to the source which was members of the Yardbirds i.e. Jim McCarty, Keith Relf and his sister Jane as well as others. The first two albums I like as well because they are different plus the live album from that period is very good as well. After the two first Renaissance albums, McCarty went on with Renaissance Illusion, Shoot, Box of Frogs and of course a nice solo career. Keith Relf went on to a super group called Armageddon with Bobby Caldwell on drums, Louis Cennamo Bass, Martin Pugh of Steamhammer fame and Keith on vocals. Great album but afterward Keith passed on. Jane, Keiths sister went on to sing on some of the Renaissance Illusion albums and some of Jim McCartys solo efforts. So this album Da Capo features songs from the early first two albums without Annie and crew and I think they are worthwhile, if nothing else, to show people there is other great music that came out of this dynasty. Of course the rest of Renaissance is featured here also even with the last album before drummer Terrence Sullivan and writer and guitarist Michael Dunford left which is Azure D' Or. Camera Camera and Timeline were the last two with bassist Jon Camp and Michael Dunford and of course Annie (with Peter Gosling on keyboards and Peter Barron on drums). There were other albums later into the 2000's but are not represented here. I of course have all albums mentioned as well as live albums and video concerts. I like them all and have been a fan since 1974 and I think this group and all that have touched it is one of the greatest lineages in the world of music. All these other albums by McCarty and Relf are not represented here but I would recommend all of them and check out Annie keeping it going in the 3 videos concerts you can get. Michael Dunford is still with her in the first one with the name Renaissance which is the presentation of two albums, Turn of the Cards and Scheherazade and Other Stories. Yep 5 stars on anything Renaissance............and Annies solo albums as well and has a live album. 2014: 'Live' Studio Concert Philadelphia 1997 (Re-release). Plus many guest appearances. I recommend this album as for one it is cheap and a two CD set and good recordings and I enjoy the previously unreleased material as well.
I forgot to mention another solo effort from the group Renaissance and that is Renaissant; South of Winter. This is headed by Terence Sullivan the drummer for most of the Annie Haslam era Renaissance, up to and including the album Azure D' Or. Terence got Jon Tout the keyboardist and also had his wife supplying most of the vocal duties (he actually contributes his vocals to a couple of songs). I will have to tell you that this is a very solid effort by this collection of musicians. Highly recommended.
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Top reviews from other countries
littlebigman
This group and all that have touched it have been my friends for years
Reviewed in the United States on 14 July 2019Verified Purchase
Linnaeus
Another side of Rennaisance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2013Verified Purchase
Paul Venske
Renaissance
Reviewed in the United States on 30 April 2024Verified Purchase
Skinman
Didn't know their studio music sounded this great!!
Reviewed in the United States on 18 October 2010Verified Purchase
Keith A. Morse
A good start -- but only a start
Reviewed in the United States on 17 January 2000Verified Purchase
