LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL

I've own Renaissance albums for years, but for some reason never picked this up. Just did, and I have to say it's one of the finest live albums I've heard. I know that in the 70s bands did a lot of overdubbing on their live albums (Kiss Alive!), but something tells me this band didn't need to. In fact, I prefer all these renditions to the studio versions. The performance oozes class, but there is great energy, and songs like "Ocean Gypsy" and "Mother Russia" come to life in these dramatic renditions. Annie Haslam's voice is incredible, and the mix is amazing. Jon Camp's bass explodes out of the speakers. Recorded in front of an appreciative audience, that magical quality that a truly great live album possesses is here in spades. The album closes with a long version of "Ashes Are Burning" featuring great solos from Camp (a bass solo that isn't boring!) and John Tout, and some vocal improv from Haslam that only dogs can hear. If you haven't heard Renaissance, rather than getting a greatest hits collection, I'd suggest this excellent double album as the perfect introduction to their unique rock/folk/classical blend.