Friday's Nugget: "Prologue" - Renaissance 1972
Whenever a rock singer (usually a male rock singer – Steve Perry, John Kaye) describes his voice with the cliché "my voice is my instrument" I have to fight urge to throw up, but then I think ...
of this song and that phrase seems no longer pretentious.
Back in the days of Yes/King Crimson/Genesis (w/Gabriel)/E,L &P, et al there was a lesser known band that arose from The Yardbirds of all bands (see Keith Relf, Jim McCarty), that truly melded classical music with popular songwriting methods and played “classical” rock: Renaissance.
I am not talking about E,L, & P covering Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition", nor Rick Wakeman squeezing Brahms through his moog.
Renaissance was a small rock outfit that attempted the play their own tunes through the structures and grand themes of classical music. Many songs come to mind ("Sounds of the Sea", "A Trip to the Fair", "Ocean Gypsy", "Mother Russia", "Can You Understand", “Running Hard”, "The Vultures Fly High") but my favorite has always been this week's Nugget: the title track from 1972’s "Prologue" LP. The most “classic” lineup has the angelic voice of Annie Halsam out front, the writing and arranging of keyboardist John Tout & guitarist Michael Dunford and the dramatic bass runs of Jon Camp.
This song was a game-changer for me the first time I heard it. I instantly became a fan. As music has morphed over the years into a TV Channel/Computer software/Game Show there is something to be said for people who understand and appreciate the HISTORY of music, instead of simply how to exploit it. Renaissance really seemed to be onto something for 2 or 3 years in the early 70’s, but unfortunately (as with most bands) egos got in the way as did the ability to continuously create unique, original classically themed and structured songs that would hold the changing pop audience’s attention. This is not music to be listened to while exercising, working or reading the paper. This is music to be savored. I have been listening to these songs for going on 40 years and they STILL SOUND FRESH to my ears. I hope you enjoy.
I have to dedicate this week’s Nugget to my great-nephew Mark Ceppetelli, who embarked just this week on his collegiate career at the Hartt School of Music at one of my (many) old alma maters, The University of Hartford. Mark is studying classical piano composition at the Hartt school. I wish you luck, Mark. May you always listen to your muse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41H8smI0dJI&list=PL878F1A0DA932731B
Back in the days of Yes/King Crimson/Genesis (w/Gabriel)/E,L &P, et al there was a lesser known band that arose from The Yardbirds of all bands (see Keith Relf, Jim McCarty), that truly melded classical music with popular songwriting methods and played “classical” rock: Renaissance.
I am not talking about E,L, & P covering Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition", nor Rick Wakeman squeezing Brahms through his moog.
Renaissance was a small rock outfit that attempted the play their own tunes through the structures and grand themes of classical music. Many songs come to mind ("Sounds of the Sea", "A Trip to the Fair", "Ocean Gypsy", "Mother Russia", "Can You Understand", “Running Hard”, "The Vultures Fly High") but my favorite has always been this week's Nugget: the title track from 1972’s "Prologue" LP. The most “classic” lineup has the angelic voice of Annie Halsam out front, the writing and arranging of keyboardist John Tout & guitarist Michael Dunford and the dramatic bass runs of Jon Camp.
This song was a game-changer for me the first time I heard it. I instantly became a fan. As music has morphed over the years into a TV Channel/Computer software/Game Show there is something to be said for people who understand and appreciate the HISTORY of music, instead of simply how to exploit it. Renaissance really seemed to be onto something for 2 or 3 years in the early 70’s, but unfortunately (as with most bands) egos got in the way as did the ability to continuously create unique, original classically themed and structured songs that would hold the changing pop audience’s attention. This is not music to be listened to while exercising, working or reading the paper. This is music to be savored. I have been listening to these songs for going on 40 years and they STILL SOUND FRESH to my ears. I hope you enjoy.
I have to dedicate this week’s Nugget to my great-nephew Mark Ceppetelli, who embarked just this week on his collegiate career at the Hartt School of Music at one of my (many) old alma maters, The University of Hartford. Mark is studying classical piano composition at the Hartt school. I wish you luck, Mark. May you always listen to your muse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41H8smI0dJI&list=PL878F1A0DA932731B
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