SCHEHERAZADE AND OTHER STORIES

No, this album is not based on Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Scheherazade', but the intent to mirror and draw inspiration from it are evident on the intro to "A Trip to the Fair". Like Fairport Convention 's Sandy Denny, Renaissance's Annie Haslam is, unfortunately, a nightingale in shadow, obscured by the shallow record industry marketing machinations.

A beautiful song like "Ocean Gypsy" is simply to good for radio airplay. Renaissance's magnum opus, the 24 minute "Song of Scheherazade", is sublime, and John Tout's keyboards are top notch. 'Scheherazade & Other Stories' is a timeless piece of 1970's progressive music that is as astounding today as back in 1975, a splendid song cycle that more listeners should experience. It was an ambitious undertaking, and one that few "rock bands" could attempt, even if they had the talent.