Renaissance at The Strand April 13th 2013 -- A Review

Adversity has a way of revealing character.  Few bands have been tested the way Renaissance has of late.  Fewer still have met their challenges with such flying colors.  In late November of last year Michael Dunford, the lead acoustic guitarist and guiding spirit of the band, passed away unexpectedly of a brain hemorrhage .  The group had just completed work on Grandine il Vento, its first studio album in more than a decade, but their tour schedule was hampered by lead vocalist Annie Haslam’s fractured spine and Hurricane Sandy.  Nevertheless, the group was vibrant and impressive when I heard them at the Ridgefield Playhouse (CT) on Oct 19^th 2012.  Tragically, it was one of the last opportunities to hear Michael’s tasteful acoustic work live.

The spirit of Michael Dunford was very much in evidence as a regrouped Renaissance took the stage at the historic Strand Theatre April 13^th 2013 in Lakewood NJ.  The band has a new guitarist, Ryche Chlanda, a Jersey native, who did a commendable job conjuring up Michael’s inimitable tapestry-like fretwork.  Likewise, percussionist Joe Goldberger was energetic and rock solid behind the drums.  And the rest of the band, which includes David Keyes (bass and vocals), Rave Tesar (piano), and Jason Hart (keyboards and vocals), was fresh and impressive on even the most ambitious material, which included an epic rendition of The Tales of Scheherazade.

The highlight of the evening, however, may have been the two songs from the new album, Cry to the, World and Grandine il Vento, which were performed during the encore.  The music had a special poignancy given the circumstance, but to my ears this was some best music Renaissance has ever done.   Annie’s voice remains as wondrous and attractive as ever, but her performance was also infused with the kind of passion and artistry that made the concert a fitting tribute to Michael Dunford.  If you have a chance to see Renaissance on tour, then don’t miss them.  You’d be hard pressed to find better live music anywhere.

Renaissance Concert Reviewed

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.