ASHES ARE BURNING

Difficult that 4th Renaissance album "Ashes Are Burning" is not judge as Masterpiece. Dunfor is present as songwriter and as guest (but it is, in truth, the 5th member of Renaissance) as Andy powell of Wishbone Ash that plays electric guitar on "Ashes Are Burning" and string section. Annie Haslam finally found congenial compositions and can be triggered. Fundamental is the mix betweem Arabic Folk and Classic Rock in musical style all combined with tons of symphonic arrangements and Rachmaninov! Only "On he Frontiers" is not a Dunford/ Tatcher penned song because it is a McCarty/ Tatcher penned song.

The 1st song is "Can You Understand" is a Classic Rock with Arabic parts, dominated by Annie and Tout's harpsichord. Great song with various atmospheres. But my description is all. "Let It Grow" is a extraordinary ballad, romantic and passional. Annie is from orgasm, what is good and inspired. Great (of course) is also the piano by Tout. "On The Frontier" is the typical McCarty/ Tatcher penned song with two voices (male & female) and hard atmospheres, not joyful as the rest of the song in this album. In a certain sense "On The Frontier" is the more Prog song in this album and, at the same time, the less symphonic song in "Ashes Are Burning" album. "Carpet Of The Sun" is a great Rock song with great strings and a sublime Annie Haslam. This song is very aggressive for Renaissance's standards! At the same time "Carpet Of The Sun" is also a simple joyful song. Good also the insertions og hatpsichord. "At The Harbour" present a symphonic and tragical intro with solo piano. The rest of the song is the usually omage to Annie voice with a sweet melody (by acoustic guitar and accordion) with psychedelc final by piano. "Ashes Are Burning" is another Classic Rock with Prog structure and symphonic treatment and arrangement. This is apparently another song for Annie's incredible and magical voice. Is, instead, the more band song in "Ashes Are Burning" and also the more Progressive song in this album, with a great Rock section and great organ viruoso rhythmic solo section. After a suffered (but sweet) Annie part the electric guitar of Andy powell of Wishbone Ash bursts. And the magic bursts! As because the music becomes a military march and as because the music is tragic!

That "Ashes Are Burning" is a Masterpiece is logic. But is "Ashes are Burning" a Masterpiece of prog or the masterpiece of Renaissance? Difficult to judge. I rate "Ashes Are Burning" as 5 star album, in every case!