TUSCANY

A return to true Renaissance? Well, at least Annie Haslam makes a welcome return on this album after a convoy of poor releases from a different line-up. Annie proves she IS Renaissance despite the band flirting with other singers, namely Stephanie Adlington. Actually I had avoided the stinkers Time-Line and The Other Woman due to the onslaught of 1 star ratings from my esteemed Honarary colleagues. But you can't keep a good band down. Tuscany is no masterpiece but Annie sounds angelic on some of these tracks and there is a concentrated return to prog.

The opener Lady from Tuscany is a delicious proggy treat with powerhouse vocals and innovative structure. A beautiful piano piece opens Pearls Of Wisdom, a very calming track with Annie's tranquil vocals and keyboards from Mickey Simmonds. It is actually a very majestic wall of sound.

Eva's Pond has sparkling keys and Annie's echoing high vocals driving its beautiful sparse ambient atmosphere.

Dear Landseer is a return to form that features Michael Dunfords excellent guitar work with acoustic flourishes. The drumming finesse of Terence Sullivan is prevalent throughout. Annie provides a happy positive sound along with the harpsichord of John Tout. Annie even indulges in her high octave intonations familiar to those who remember the masterpiece Ashes are Burning.

In The Sunshine opens with cheerful trumpet sounds and Annie in a romantic medieval mood.

In My Life has haunting tinkling piano and an odd atmosphere. Annie sounds beautiful, crystal clear vocals and very emotional. It is a sad song about wasted moments and "things that should have been said, like how much I need you." The romantic lyrics are heartfelt on this album all written by Annie. Draw into the lyrics and they can really touch you deeply.

The Race has a strong percussive beat and is a jolt of energy on the album. The pace emulates a race of course, and it works well after the previous slowpaced meandering.

Dolphins Prayer is ambient violin textures mixed with very slow paced vocals. I believe it's a cry out for saving dolphins. It is OK due to the multilayered vocals, but a bit too brooding for its own good.

Life In Brazil has a fast tempo guitar, and overlaid vocals with an uplifting atmosphere. It sounds a bit pretentious musically, but thankfully the melody has some endearing qualities and I like the ending.

One Thousand Roses closes the album with pretty synth pads and lovely vocals with a dreamy quality. One of the best songs on the album structurally.

Overall, Tuscany is a genuine return to form though not up to the standard of early Renaissance classics.

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