Illusion (Renaissance album)
Encyclopedia
Illusion was a 1971 album by progressive rock
band Renaissance
. It was originally released only in Germany and did not receive a wider release until 1973. It was first released in the U.K. in 1977, with a cover that had the original front and rear cover artwork swapped.
was the first to leave; he departed in 1970, when the band was about to start a European tour, because he hated to fly. Keith Relf
and Louis Cennamo
left next, subsequently forming the new group Armageddon. McCarty continued to be associated with Renaissance as a songwriter, however, receiving writing credits on the new band's first, second and third albums.
John Hawken
kept the band going by recruiting new members, including Michael Dunford and Terry Crowe, former bandmates of his from The Nashville Teens
. New bassist Neil Korner had previously been part of The New Vaudeville Band
(though he did not appear on their big hit, "Winchester Cathedral
".) This new lineup, which recorded "Mr. Pine", was one of several short-lived transitional lineups that existed between the original one and the classic Annie Haslam
band.
"Mr. Pine" is the only released Renaissance track in which members of the original lineup (Hawken, Jane Relf
) are heard together with a member of the classic lineup (Dunford). It includes a theme that was later used in the far better-known Renaissance song "Running Hard" (from Turn Of The Cards
, 1974).
In order to complete the album, the (already disbanded) original lineup got back together—minus Hawken and plus guest keyboardist Don Shin—to record "Past Orbits Of Dust".
One track recorded during the Illusion sessions, a fairly short song called "Statues", was not used on the album. It was eventually released in 2002 on the album Live + Direct.
Illusion is notable for being the first Renaissance album to feature lyrics by Betty Thatcher
, who would work with the band throughout its entire "classic" period (1972–79) and beyond. Thatcher was brought to the band by her friend Jane Relf.
When the four surviving members of the original Renaissance reunited in 1976, after the death of Keith Relf, the Renaissance name was still in use by their successors in the band, and they named the band Illusion
. Their first album under that title, "Out of the Mist", included a reworking of the song "Face of Yesterday", while their second album was simply titled "Illusion".
(on "Past Orbits Of Dust")
(on "Mr. Pine")
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Renaissance
Renaissance (band)
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, most notable for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock classics like "Carpet of the Sun", "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning".-Original incarnation :...
. It was originally released only in Germany and did not receive a wider release until 1973. It was first released in the U.K. in 1977, with a cover that had the original front and rear cover artwork swapped.
Information about the album
The original Renaissance lineup fell apart during the recording of this, their second album. Jim McCartyJim McCarty
Jim McCarty is an English musician, best known as the drummer for The Yardbirds and Renaissance.-Early life:...
was the first to leave; he departed in 1970, when the band was about to start a European tour, because he hated to fly. Keith Relf
Keith Relf
Keith William Relf , was a musician best known as the lead singer and harmonica player of The Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds broke up Relf formed the acoustic duo Together, with fellow Yardbird Jim McCarty, followed by Renaissance, which also featured his sister, singer Jane Relf, then hard rock...
and Louis Cennamo
Louis Cennamo
Louis David Cennamo was bass guitarist with an early line up of The Herd, the original line-up of Renaissance and later Colosseum, Steamhammer, Armageddon and Illusion . He also worked with Jim McCarty in Stairway. The song "Bullet", on the first Renaissance album, includes an extended...
left next, subsequently forming the new group Armageddon. McCarty continued to be associated with Renaissance as a songwriter, however, receiving writing credits on the new band's first, second and third albums.
John Hawken
John Hawken
John Hawken John Hawken John Hawken (born John Christopher Hawken, 9 May 1940, at Christchurch General Hospital, Bournemouth, Hampshire (now Dorset) is a British keyboard player. He studied classical piano between the ages of four and eighteen at which point he succumbed to the lure of rock and roll...
kept the band going by recruiting new members, including Michael Dunford and Terry Crowe, former bandmates of his from The Nashville Teens
The Nashville Teens
The Nashville Teens are a British pop band formed in Weybridge, Surrey in Summer 1962.-History:Arthur Sharp began his career in music as the manager of Aerco Records in Woking, Surrey...
. New bassist Neil Korner had previously been part of The New Vaudeville Band
The New Vaudeville Band
The New Vaudeville Band was a group created by songwriter Geoff Stephens in 1966 to record his novelty composition "Winchester Cathedral", a song inspired by the dance bands of the 1920s and a Rudy Vallee megaphone style vocal...
(though he did not appear on their big hit, "Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral (song)
"Winchester Cathedral" is a song released in late 1966 by Fontana Records, whereupon it shot to the No. 1 spot in Canada on the RPM 100 national singles charts and shortly thereafter in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was released by The New Vaudeville Band, a novelty group established...
".) This new lineup, which recorded "Mr. Pine", was one of several short-lived transitional lineups that existed between the original one and the classic Annie Haslam
Annie Haslam
Annie Haslam is an English progressive rock vocalist and songwriter.Originally a fashion student, she began studying under opera singer Sybil Knight in 1970 and developed her five-octave vocal range...
band.
"Mr. Pine" is the only released Renaissance track in which members of the original lineup (Hawken, Jane Relf
Jane Relf
Jane Relf is the younger sister of Keith Relf of the Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds disbanded, Keith formed Renaissance and Jane joined on vocals. After Keith's death the surviving members of Renaissance reformed as Illusion, under which name they recorded two albums with Jane's vocals to the fore...
) are heard together with a member of the classic lineup (Dunford). It includes a theme that was later used in the far better-known Renaissance song "Running Hard" (from Turn Of The Cards
Turn of the Cards
Turn of the Cards is a 1974 album by progressive rock band Renaissance.-Information about the album:* "Things I Don't Understand" was founder member Jim McCarty's last contribution to the band; it had already been performed live for several years when it was finally recorded.* "Running Hard" quotes...
, 1974).
In order to complete the album, the (already disbanded) original lineup got back together—minus Hawken and plus guest keyboardist Don Shin—to record "Past Orbits Of Dust".
One track recorded during the Illusion sessions, a fairly short song called "Statues", was not used on the album. It was eventually released in 2002 on the album Live + Direct.
Illusion is notable for being the first Renaissance album to feature lyrics by Betty Thatcher
Betty Thatcher
Betty Thatcher was an English lyricist, who wrote most of the lyrics for the UK progressive rock band Renaissance.-Early life:...
, who would work with the band throughout its entire "classic" period (1972–79) and beyond. Thatcher was brought to the band by her friend Jane Relf.
When the four surviving members of the original Renaissance reunited in 1976, after the death of Keith Relf, the Renaissance name was still in use by their successors in the band, and they named the band Illusion
Illusion (UK band)
Illusion were a British band formed in 1977. They released two albums, Out of the Mist and Illusion on Island Records. Their music was classically-inspired, sophisticated, and polished...
. Their first album under that title, "Out of the Mist", included a reworking of the song "Face of Yesterday", while their second album was simply titled "Illusion".
Track listing
Island 89 076 Germany, Netherlands, France (1977: Island HELP 27 UK)- "Love Goes On" (K.Relf) - 2:51
- "Golden Thread" (J.McCarty/K.Relf) - 8:15
- "Love Is All" (J.McCarty/B.Thatcher) - 3:40
- "Mr. Pine" (M.Dunford) - 7:00
- "Face Of Yesterday" (J.McCarty) - 6:06
- "Past Orbits Of Dust" (J.McCarty/K.Relf/B.Thatcher) - 14:39
Personnel
(on most tracks)- Keith RelfKeith RelfKeith William Relf , was a musician best known as the lead singer and harmonica player of The Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds broke up Relf formed the acoustic duo Together, with fellow Yardbird Jim McCarty, followed by Renaissance, which also featured his sister, singer Jane Relf, then hard rock...
- guitar, vocals, lead vocal on "Love Is All" - Jim McCartyJim McCartyJim McCarty is an English musician, best known as the drummer for The Yardbirds and Renaissance.-Early life:...
- drums, vocals, lead vocal on "Golden Thread" - John HawkenJohn HawkenJohn Hawken John Hawken John Hawken (born John Christopher Hawken, 9 May 1940, at Christchurch General Hospital, Bournemouth, Hampshire (now Dorset) is a British keyboard player. He studied classical piano between the ages of four and eighteen at which point he succumbed to the lure of rock and roll...
- keyboards - Louis CennamoLouis CennamoLouis David Cennamo was bass guitarist with an early line up of The Herd, the original line-up of Renaissance and later Colosseum, Steamhammer, Armageddon and Illusion . He also worked with Jim McCarty in Stairway. The song "Bullet", on the first Renaissance album, includes an extended...
- bass - Jane RelfJane RelfJane Relf is the younger sister of Keith Relf of the Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds disbanded, Keith formed Renaissance and Jane joined on vocals. After Keith's death the surviving members of Renaissance reformed as Illusion, under which name they recorded two albums with Jane's vocals to the fore...
- vocals, percussion, lead vocals on "Love Goes On", "Face Of Yesterday", "Past Orbits Of Dust"
(on "Past Orbits Of Dust")
- same as above, but with guest keyboardist Don ShinnDon ShinnDon Shinn is an English keyboard player, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and vocalist. He is known primarily as an organist and pianist, and also plays vibraphone. In the early-mid 1960’s he recorded and performed with British Beat groups The MeddyEVILS, The Echoes , and The Soul Agents...
(credited as Don Shin on the sleeve) in place of HawkenJohn HawkenJohn Hawken John Hawken John Hawken (born John Christopher Hawken, 9 May 1940, at Christchurch General Hospital, Bournemouth, Hampshire (now Dorset) is a British keyboard player. He studied classical piano between the ages of four and eighteen at which point he succumbed to the lure of rock and roll...
.
(on "Mr. Pine")
- John HawkenJohn HawkenJohn Hawken John Hawken John Hawken (born John Christopher Hawken, 9 May 1940, at Christchurch General Hospital, Bournemouth, Hampshire (now Dorset) is a British keyboard player. He studied classical piano between the ages of four and eighteen at which point he succumbed to the lure of rock and roll...
- keyboards - Jane RelfJane RelfJane Relf is the younger sister of Keith Relf of the Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds disbanded, Keith formed Renaissance and Jane joined on vocals. After Keith's death the surviving members of Renaissance reformed as Illusion, under which name they recorded two albums with Jane's vocals to the fore...
- vocals - Michael Dunford - guitars
- Terry Crowe - lead vocal
- Neil Korner - bass
- Terry Slade - drums