SCHEHERAZADE AND OTHER STORIES

At this point it's no secret that RENAISSANCE was a one-trick pony who developed a specific niche in the symphonic progressive rock arena and are actually often cited as progressive pop. It had been a long and arduous trip that began with a completely different lineup as that which is on this album. Somehow and i'm still not sure how it happened, every member from the beginning stages of this band exited stage left and the management took control of this band's destiny. Album by album they slogged through the trials and tribulations of reinventing themselves with only meager improvements over the previous album. At this stage I would have to say that all the work payed off as SCHEHERAZADE AND OTHER STORIES is the pinnacle of this sound of classically inspired progressive pop tinged music that is complete with Anne Haslam's beautifully bellowed vocals accompanied by John Tout's classically inspired piano riffing.

I can see both sides of the story with this one. This is not a substantial difference from the previous albums but I feel this album just flows more cohesively from beginning to end and I like the sound so I am rating this on a personal level only. It must be remembered that this is pretty much a manufactured band and that they were directed to perform a specific task of creating a specific symphonic prog sound that I think they did quite well for what this band is. Perhaps it is indeed a little predictable and I would very much prefer a little spontaneity that would lend to a surprise or two but that was not to be in the mix but taken as the progressive pop it is, I think it is a very pleasant album that never fails to entertain me from the beginning predictable piano run of "A Trip To The Fair" to the finale 9-part title track which in my opinion is one of the most sophisticated the band had ever done and remains one of my favorites from them.

An excellent album that takes the symphonic sophistication of classical music and merges it with the melodic pop and progressive folk to create a unique album that is based on a beautiful tale of the legendary Persian queen who was the proficient storyteller of "One Thousand And One Nights" who kept herself alive with elaborate storytelling to a king who was way too fond of ritualistic beheadings.