Biography
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, best known for their 1978 UK top 10 hit “Northern Lights” and progressive rock classics like “Carpet of the Sun”, “Mother Russia”, and “Ashes Are Burning”. They developed a unique sound, combining a female lead vocal with a fusion of classical, folk, rock, and jazz influences. Characteristic elements of the Renaissance sound are Annie Haslam’s wide vocal range, prominent piano accompaniment, orchestral arrangements, vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser, and versatile drum work. The band created a significant following in the northeast United States in the 70s, and that region remains their strongest fan base. The original line-up included two former members of The Yardbirds, Keith Relf and Jim McCarty, along with John Hawken, Louis Cennamo and Relf’s sister Jane Relf. They intended to put “something together with more of a classical influence”. Renaissance was born, and the band released a studio album in 1969, and another in 1971. Subsequently, John Tout replaced Hawken on keyboards, followed by a period of high turnover of musicians until the “classic line-up” of Haslam, John Tout, Michael Dunford, Jon Camp, and Terry Sullivan was established, although none of them was in the original band. Because Prologue was a new start for the band, with a line-up that now included none of the original members, it would frequently be referred to as their “first” album (for example, on the Live at Carnegie Hall album, both in a song intro and on the inside cover). Though all the songs are Renaissance originals, they were not written by any current members of the band but by former members Jim McCarty (from the first line-up) and Michael Dunford (ex-Nashville Teens, from the transitional line-ups), along with lyricist Betty Thatcher. Dunford would become part of the band again after Hendry’s departure, but was not officially a band member during the recording of next album Ashes Are Burning in 1973. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_(band)
Album & Cover
A Song for All Seasons is the eighth studio album by the British progressive rock band Renaissance. It marked the return of electric guitars to the band’s music after several years of absence. “Northern Lights” was a Top 10 hit on the U.K. charts and is the band’s best selling single. A shortened recording of “Back Home Once Again” was used as the theme song for the short-lived 1977 British TV series The Paper Lads.
Cover Location:
Who Did What: Artwork/Photography – A. Powell/Hipgnosis
Label: Sire SRK 6049(US), Warner Bros. K56460(UK)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell
Tracklist
| Side One Opening Out Day Of The Dreamer Closer Than Yesterday Kindness (At The End) |
Side Two Back Home Once Again She Is Love Northern Lights A Song For All Seasons |
Credits
Acoustic Guitar [6 & 12 String], Guitar [Electric] – Michael Dunford
Arranged By – Renaissance
Arranged By [Orchestra] – Louis Clark (tracks: A1 to B1, B3, B4)
Bass, Bass [Pedals], Guitar [Electric], Lead Vocals – Jon Camp
Conductor [Orchestra] – Harry Rabinowitz
Drums, Percussion – Terence Sullivan
Engineer [Assistant] – Barry Kidd, Declan O’Doherty, Dick Plant, Steve Short
Keyboards – John Tout
Lead Vocals – Annie Haslam
Leader [Orchestra] – Barry Griffiths
Orchestra – The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Producer, Engineer – David Hentschel
