SCHEHERAZADE AND OTHER STORIES

A very ambitious undertaken, no doubt about it. And quite successfull, most of the time. Side one of the orginal vynyl LP had 3 songs: Trip To The Fair is a jazzy number that shows how far this band has evolved since Prologue, with some great piano job by the very talented John Tout, and also a fine xylophone solo by drummer Terry Sullivan. Very haunting and interesting. Second tune, The Vultures Fly High is Renaissance´s most rocking moment of their entire career. I really think it´s a great song, and the ARP String Synthesiser solo in the middle is quite memorable. Ocean Gypsy is a classic track, a bit sad, but very well done.

Side two, the Scheherazade suite is many people´s fav Renaissance´s work. Well, to me it never really clicked that way. Too much orchestration, I guess, but that´s just a personal statement, a matter of taste, because the band quite succeeds on the overall concept. Some parts are really good, I must admit. I can hear it all without problem.

Conclusion: very fine album and one of their best. It sounds a little overblown on the second side, what makes this album less endearing to me than the previous two. Still, it is an excellent addition to any prog collection and a must have for any Renaissance´s fan. Solid four stars.