Turn Of The Cards - Classic Card Game for Family Game Night & Parties | Fun Strategy Game for Adults & Kids | Perfect for Travel, Camping & Indoor Entertainment

This 1974 release opens with the 9'34" Running Hard, which is ushered in with a classical flourish on the acoustic piano courtesy of excellent player John Tout. John Camps superb, trebly Rickenbacker bass provides some nice counterpoint and then the rest of the band gradually joins in, with the delicate soprano of Annie Haslam soaring above. The music of Renaissance is extremely disciplined and the instrumentation and playing style is more in keeping with a symphony orchestra than a rock band. Keyboardist John Tout uses the acoustic piano exclusively with some minor organ and harpsichord work, and does not use synthesizers at all on this recording (if they are used, they are buried deep in the mix). Electric guitars are also absent, which further emphasizes the classical approach. Perhaps the only thing missing from this recording is the "tap-tap-tap" of an impatient conductor tapping his baton on the stand! It is only John Camps bass work and to a much lesser extent, Terence Sullivans drumming that lend the rock aspect to the compositions. I might add that Terence Sullivan is a very sensitive drummer (he is more of a symphony percussionist) and engages in a dialogue with the acoustic piano rather than bulldozing over it. This is largely attributable to his emphasis on cymbal/high-hat/snare work rather than heavy beats on the bass drum/floor toms. The pieces on Turn of the Cards include three short pieces that range from 3'01" to 6'25" (I think of You, Black Flame, Cold is Being) and three longish pieces in the 9'00 - 9'30" range (Running Hard, Things I don't Understand, Mother Russia). There are some absolutely beautiful and haunting moments on this CD including Cold is Being, which is based on Albinoni's excessively melodramatic Adagio for Organ and Strings in G minor. Although Albinoni is not credited on the piece, there is a "thanks to" Albinoni cited in the liner notes, in addition to a "thanks to" composer Jehain Alain (1911-1940) for the introduction to Running Hard. Alain was not credited on the composition either. In summation, this is a wonderful recording made during the period of peak creativity for this band (1973-1977) and is recommended to prog fans that also appreciate classical music. If you like this recording, also check out Ashes are Burning (1973); Scheherezade and other Stories (1975); and Novella (1977).