TALES OF 1001 NIGHTS VOLUME 1

In general, including live material on a compilation is not a good idea, unless, as in the case of the title cut of "Ashes are Burning" by Renaissance, it is so extended and superior as to be a different song. Here on the first of two compilations released when most Renaissance albums had not yet seen CD release, the first 3 cuts are all from "Live at Carnegie Hall". Two of them, "Prologue" and "Carpet of the Sun", simply lack the sharpness of the studio versions. "Can You Understand" is a pretty good version, however. But there was simply too much outstanding material from both albums left out of the compilation, and too much from "Scheherazade" included. Luckily, the bulk of the groundbreaking "Turn of the Cards" is here, especially "Black Flame" and "Mother Russia". It's a decent compilation for those on a budget or who just want a taste, but ultimately you'll want to spring at least for the reissue of their second album, "Ashes are Burning".