Friday, July 4, 2014

Audio Fidelity to Release Renaissance's Scheherazade and Other Stories


One of the signature albums of 1970's Prog Rock, Renaissance's legendary album Scheherazade and Other Stories, is now available through Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity on limited numbered Hybrid SACD.

1975's Scheherazade and Other Stories is a beautifully crafted album, expertly sung and played by Renaissance. The recording is filled with lush, orchestral progressive pop-rock and considered by many music critics to be their best album. Unlike other prog-rock groups, Renaissance eschewed much of the technology in favor of acoustic instruments and orchestral arrangements. Electric guitars and synthesizers were seldom used, giving the band's music more of a symphonic sweep.

The work is unique because it represents a rare example of musical collaboration between Michael Dunford and the rest of the group. Dunford and lyricist Betty Thatcher wrote the three vocal sections, keyboard player John Tout wrote the opening fanfare and fugue sections, with bass player Jon Camp working with Dunford and Tout on the other sections. And, of course, there is Annie Haslam's soaring, pure vocals. The orchestrations were arranged by Tony Cox.

Aficionados of classical music will also appreciate the album.
 
 
Track List:
1- Trip to the Fair - 10:51
2- The Vultures Fly High - 3:04
3- Ocean Gypsy - 7:05
4- Song of Scheherazade - 24:39
    i. Fanfare 
    ii. The Betrayal 
    iii. The Sultan 
    iv. Love Theme 
    v. The Young Prince and Princess as told by Scheherazade 
    vi. Festival Preparations 
    vii. Fugue for the Sultan 
    viii. The Festival 

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