Prologue

This group successfully integrates various styles into its music: Prog-rock, classical, a bit of world music, folk, you name it. And it's done extremely well. Each song is like a little opus in and of itself, and Annie Haslam's voice is ideally-matched to the music. Many might find the performances a bit "dated", but good music is timeless. While the recording itself is not up to today's best standard, this reissue is still quite listenable.

This album was on my list to upgrade from vinyl for a while now. This first outing of Renaissance with Annie Haslam is a classic gem. In the era when Prog was front and center in AOR radio playlists Renaissance stayed clear of many of the standard Prog-rock cliches of the time. What drives this album is John Tout's flowing piano work and the clear as a bell vocals of Annie Haslam which dominate the sound. This set is a must have for anyone interested in classic early Prog-rock.

I never heard this album when this first came out 35 years ago. I was enchanted and in musical bliss to hear one great song after another.This is a masterpiece of poetry mixed with the great music and gorgeous vocals of the great annie haslam.The songs are so different and beautiful and annie makes each song like a heavenly diamond.I feel happy when i listen to this music.I stronly recomend this cd for the collection.It's a rare and beautiful album of great songs.

Been a fan of Renaissance since their beginning, decades ago. Annie Haslam has the pipes and training to make her singing look effortless, plus an awesome band to match.

Renaissance is perhaps my all time favorite group. I discovered their music in High School (SAHS class of '78). Yes I was considered a bit of a geek or 'long-hair' for liking music with a decidedly classical flair (progressive classical or progressive rock, whatever). Over the intervening 31 years I have worn out 3 or 4 CD's of each of their albums. The combination of classical themes with a rock influence and the incredible voice of Annie Haslam can still send chills along my spine. Their Albums 'Prologue', `Ashes Are Burning', 'Turn Of The Cards', 'Novella', 'A Song For All Seasons', 'Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights, Vols. I & II', 'Live At Carnegie Hall', and `Scheherazade and Other Stories', probably get more play time on my stereo than any other music (with the possible exception of NPR). I don't know if I could ever really explain in musical terms why I like their music so much, I don't really care to understand why - I just know what I like listening to and that's good enough for me.If you have an interest in progressive rock then I would highly recommend adding Renaissance to your music library.I knew what the Prologue album sounded like before buying and simply needed another replacement copy. The shipping was very quick and reasonable and the product was exactly as advertised. Thank you

Ok

Typical Renaissance music: great vocals by Annie Haslam, backed up by excellent piano and the rest of the band. This CD will not let you down

Love my Renaissance, had to get in touch with my roots again, purchased all the old ones again as my records were all worn out and tapes gone! Missed them wish they resurfaced in the US when they came back out again, saw them in my youth every time they were within a 50 mile radius of my home!! Annie was so alive with such vocals and the band had such talent.