King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents in Concert Part 1
In the 1970s, rock was not without its pretensions, but neither was it without a sense of freewheeling adventurousness. In the case of Renaissance, that meant on occasion adding not just strings but a full orchestra to their relentlessly English brand of progressive folk rock. The Royal Albert Hall concert captured in part on this 1977King Biscuit Flower Hourradio broadcast (thesecond halfis available separately) features lengthy versions of "Can You Understand" and "Can You Hear Me," plus a brief, beautiful take on "Carpet of the Sun." The heart of the album, though, is the 25-minute suite "Song of Scheherazade." The band and orchestra are in exemplary form throughout. Not surprisingly, however, it is vocalist Annie Haslam who is first among equals here, her gorgeous multi-octave voice keeping attention riveted between long instrumental excursions.--Daniel Durchholz