PROLOGUE

A very good "debut" album from this second (or third?) incarnation of the formely folk-oriented group, Renaissance. The opening, title, song, in particular, is masterful--one of my favorite Renaissance songs of all-time (and its live version on the "Live at Carnegie Hall" album is equally impressive). "Kiev" and "Sounds of the Sea" are good songs that will find perfection in later songs ("Mother Russia" and "Ocean Gypsy"). The band's overall shift to a classical music orientation is, IMO, a very welcome change. I will like it more in future when pianist John Tout lets go of his penchant for incorporation of known classical riffs and styles and begins composing from his own creative juices. The other great thing about this album: The World gets to welcome one untrained phenom who will shake people to the quick: I speak, of course, of prog's First Lady, Annie Haslam.