13.01.2008.
Annie Haslam - Still Life (1985) (@256)
(Review from amazon.com)
In 1984, singer Annie Haslam, after releasing two badly received synth-pop albums with her formerly progressive rock band Renaissance, decided, in a sense, to get back to her roots. She had Betty Thatcher, Renaissance’s primary lyricist, put words to 11 classical pieces. Some are quite well known (Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”, Bach’s “Air on a G String”), others more obscure (Chopin’s “Opus 10, No. 33, “The Pilgrim’s Chorus, from Wagner’s “Tannhauser”). Louis Clark, who had done orchestral arrangements for ELO and Renaissance’s “A Song for All Seasons” album, did the honors again here.
The results are very unique, quite above the average pop album. Classical purists will balk for a number of reasons, one being that a muted rhythm section of bass and drums is employed to make the pieces song oriented. But Clark’s arrangements are never tacky or overwhelming, tastefully bringing out the gorgeous melodies of the pieces. He even occasionally throws a male choir into the mix.
Thatcher’s lyrics are very deep and meaningful, if tinged with a bit of sadness. One of the tracks is actually a rework from Renaissance. Thatcher’s 1974 song “Cold is Being” was based on Albinoni’s “Adagio”. Here, she provides an entirely new set of lyrics to it called “Save Us All”, almost prayerful in tone. She does, however, manage to be playful on “Skaila”, which actually refers to the harpist on the track, Skaila Kanga.
Delivering these lyrics over these arrangements is the always stunning voice of Annie Haslam. For the first time in five years, she finally got to agian sing material worthy of her talent. Her range is exploited to its best, singing the lyrics with the perfect combination of emotion, grace and power. Even long time Renaissance fans may be amazed at the skill that she employs here. There’s a 12th track not written by Thatcher which proves the point for sure. Annie performs Mozart’s “Ave Verum” in the original Latin. This shows that Annie could have made it singing opera instead of rock if she had wanted to!
It certainly isn’t rock and roll. But if you’re open minded enough to hear both classical music and stunning vocals in a new setting, then this album will well reward you. Unfortunately, the 1984 LP was released only in Britain, and the 1996 CD is out of print (the company went bankrupt). Hopefully, another company will pick it up soon — this album deserves better than obscurity.
Track List :
01. Forever Bound
02. Still Life
03. One Day
04. Ave Verum
05. Shine
06. Careless Love
07. Glitter and Dust
08. Day You Strayed
09. Save Us All
10. Skaila
11. Bitter Sweet
12. Chains and Threads
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Original Post Date : 9.Feb.2007 | 12:20 am
