Renaissance stunning at Saratoga center
by Steve Webb, The Knickerbocker News, July 24, 1979
Renaissance has the dynamics, the range, the melodic quality and the harmony of a classical ensemble, as it should.
The rock band started by incorporating Rachmaninoff and Bach quotes into its songs that have little to do with adolescent romance or ending the war.
The quintet performed a 1 1/2 show at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Monday to 4,456 persons, a stunning showcase of 11 songs from its seven albums, especially the new one, “Azure d’Or.”
This was one of those instances in which the frailties heightened one’s appreciation for the end result. A malfunction on the band’s soundboard halted a brisk opening set by the Pousette-Dart Band, and mixing problems appeared to throw Renaissance out of rhythm early in its set, particularly during the song “Northern Lights.”
But the recovery was swift. The unity on such major pieces as “Mother Russia,” the suite “Song for All Seasons,” and the encore “Ashes are Burning” was only matched by the ferocity of the band’s attack and the soaring vocals of Annie Haslam.
The second piece drew long, enthusiastic applause from the crowd, and would dispel any notion this band’s music is sterile or lightweight.
Of the new material, the most impressive was “Secret Mission,” a rock song about spies. Another piece, “Forever Changing,” successfully featured three acoustic guitar parts by guitarist Michael Dunford, bassist Jon Camp and drummer Terrence Sullivan. The early piece, “Prologue,” was keyboardist Jon Tout’s flashiest showcase, although it was principally an acoustic piano piece.
The group drew a respectable crowd for its most lavish stage show to date. Much time was spent preparing visual effects for this tour, including a smokestack sequence on “Forever Changing” and using two mirrorballs on “Ashes are Burning” for the first original use of this effect in several years.
Of course, if the band doesn’t work musically, or if it can’t generate its own excitement, what good are effects? Renaissance has nothing to worry about on that count. It was a dazzling show.
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