Annie Haslam has a voice like an exotic bird; it can soar,
inspire wonder, and put earthbound mortals in touch with the heavens. When I first heard Renaissance, the
progressive rock outfit Annie has been associated with for more than forty
years, I was quite literally blown away by the astounding vocal agility and of
artistry of this gifted singer. But
there has always been far more to Renaissance than Annie’s hauntingly beautiful
voice; Renaissance is also a band given to grand concepts, poetic imagery, and
exemplary musicianship. Annie’s voice is
attention-getting, no doubt, but there are many other elements that made
Renaissance rather unique in the world of rock.
Renaissance seemed like a rarity when I first heard songs
like “Trip to the Fair” on the late-night FM airwaves back in the 1970s, and
they may be even more of a rarity today.
But as a recent performance at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Connecticut
demonstrated, Renaissance is both special and more than the sum of its parts. To begin with, Renaissance is a band that
eschews electric guitar pyrotechnics.
Instead, acoustic guitarist Michael Dunford tasteful fretwork provides
the group with a textural element that highlights the group’s folk, classical,
and jazz roots. His style suits the band
and the music, adding crucial atmospheric aspects, but also allowing plenty of
breathing room for Annie’s voice and the dual keyboards, which are also part of
Renaissance’s sound signature. Here,
relative newcomers Rave Tesar and Jason Hart excel with exemplary solos and
instrumental interplay. The rhythm section
is top notch too. David Keyes bass work
is very much front and center, which is a very good thing given how
exceptionally inventive and imaginative his playing is. Likewise, drummer Frank Pagano supplies
percussion that is technically impressive but also spirited and soulful. Virtually every instrumentalist contributes
vocals too, which really gives the music cohesiveness.
Renaissance performed a wealth of selections from their long
career, including a complete performance of their album “Novella.” But the highlight of the evening may have
been the world premier of two new songs from their forthcoming album, “Grandine
Il Vento.” Listening to the new music
was every bit as soul stirring as hearing classics like “Carpet of the Sun” and
“Mother Russia,” which were also
superbly rendered and enthusiastically received. The ovations were numerous and well-deserved.
The enthusiasm of Renaissance’s audience was palpable. Health
problems have hampered Annie’s touring schedule, but her voice is as beautiful and
radiant as ever. The audience clearly appreciated
Renaissance’s commitment to their music, their art, and their dedicated fan
base. The feeling here was of mutual
love. Not many bands create that kind of
bond with an audience, but it certainly makes for memorable music and a magical
evening. If you have a chance to see and
hear this amazing band, don’t miss it.
Renaissance is a band that can transport you to a special place.
