xREL.v3

RELEASE         : Renaissance.Azure.D.Or.1979.COMPLETE.MBLURAY-MIDDLE

DATE            : 2023/07/23

RUNTIME         : 2h04m

AUDIO           : LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit
DTS-HD Master Audio / 5.1 / 96 kHz / 8230 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps /
24-bit)
LPCM Audio / 5.1 / 96 kHz / 13824 kbps / 24-bit

VIDEO           : [1920  |  1080]
SUBS            : [n/a]

GENRE           : Progressive Rock
IMDB            : n/a
RATING          : n/a

COMMENT         : British progressive rock band Renaissance released their ninth studio album, Azure D Or,
in May 1979. This album features what may fans consider to be the band s  classic  line up
of Annie Haslam (lead vocals), John Tout (keyboards), Jon Camp (bass), Michael Dunford (guitar)
and Terry Sullivan (drums).

There were a lot of changes following the release of this album, including the departures of
Tout and Sullivan as well as the band being dropped from their label Sire (under the Warner
Brothers umbrella). In many respects, it is a transitional album for the band.

There was a lot riding on Azure D Or. The band s previous album, A Song For All Seasons (1978),
was their most successful in the UK and featured  Northern Lights,  their only top ten single
and the only charting single in their career.

In terms of music, the band rose above expectations and released one of their best studio albums.
The music is still  progressive  and complex, but the songs are shorter and perhaps more accessible
than previous albums. Haslam s voice is in fine form, as is Cam s, on the stunningly beautiful
Only Angels Have Wings.

The album opens with the wonderful  Jekyll And Hyde.  Haslam adds just the right flair to the dark
lyrics and sets the tone for the album. This is quickly followed by  The Winter Tree,  which is about
as far away stylistically and lyrically from the prior track as possible. There s no dark mystery here,
but instead a beautiful song full of musical and lyrical imagery. Unfortunately, neither single charted
nor helped raise awareness of the album.

01. Jekyll and Hyde
02. The Winter Tree
03. Only Angels Have Wings
04. Golden Key
05. Forever Changing
06. Secret Mission
07. Kalynda (A Magical Isle)
08. The Discovery
09. Friends
10. The Flood at Lyons
11. Island of Avalon
12. Friends (extended version)
13. Jekyll and Hyde (single version)