Ashes are burning
| Ashes are burning | ||||
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| Renaissance studio album | ||||
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Publication |
October 1973 |
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admission |
April – August 1973 |
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| Label (s) | Sovereign Records | |||
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Format (s) |
LP |
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Title (number) |
6th |
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running time |
40:50 min |
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| occupation |
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Dick Plant |
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Chart positions Explanation of the data |
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Ashes Are Burning is the fourth studio album by the British progressive rock group Renaissance . It was recorded and released in 1973.
background
After the release of Prologue , this album was to be promoted with a tour in early 1973. Rob Hendry, guitarist on Prologue , had already left the band and Michael Dunford wanted to concentrate on songwriting. During the tour, Peter Finberg took over the part on guitar. Dunford became the official Renaissance guitarist again when the recording of Ashes Are Burning began, but by that time the cover was already designed for printing, so Dunford was not listed as a member of the band.
Jim McCarty had a record called On the Frontier out in 1973 with his group Shoot. The title track, which he had written together with Betty Thatcher, also seemed to be suitable for Renaissance and was used again on Ashes Are Burning . All other songs are written by Michael Dunford and Betty Thatcher. At the beginning and at the end of At the Harbor is La cathédrale engloutie of Claude Debussy quoted. The strings were arranged by Richard Hewson. Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash contributed a solo on the electric guitar for the title track .
Track list
page 1
- Can you understand? - 09:53 (Dunford / Thatcher)
- Let It Grow - 04:18 (Dunford / Thatcher)
- On the Frontier - 04:57 (McCarty / Thatcher)
Page 2
- Carpet of the Sun - 03:31 (Dunford / Thatcher)
- At the Harbor - 06:48 (Dunford / Thatcher)
- Ashes Are Burning - 11:20 (Dunford / Thatcher)
reception
Reviews
“With all due recognition, I would like to say that the music of the Renaissance should often be classified more as symphonic art pop with prog elements. The complex instrumental passages that are typical of classical prog, based on the solo performances of several band members, are not among the strengths of Renaissance. Nothing bad in and of itself. Nonetheless, Ashes are burning remains a recommendable record that comes with Can you understand? and Carpet of the Sun includes two unforgettable Renaissance songs. "
“The record is framed by two of the best Renaissance works ever, Can You Understand? and Ashes Are Burning. With the former, I am always enthusiastic about the powerful yet bombast-free orchestral performances (which sound a bit like Slavic folklore), which alternate with vocal passages predominantly carried by acoustic guitar, the latter goes with its - by Renaissance standards - furious keyboard orgy like hardly any other song the band in the direction of the symphonic progressive rock of the 70s. By the way, this is the last time an electric guitar is used for a few years, even if only very subtly! [...] So Ashes Are Burning is a somewhat mixed album with two very good songs (which at least make up half of the running time) and some very good ones. Not the first choice, but recommendable. "
“Together with the breathtaking Scheherezade from 1975, Ashes are Burning can be considered a classic work of Renaissance. A true masterpiece, due to At the Harbor , Can You Understand and Ashes are Burning . Recommended for fans of ultra-melodic and beautiful acoustic prog, with strong classical and folk influences. "
Aftermath
In June 2015, the renowned trade journal Rolling Stone voted the album 31st of the 50 best progressive rock albums of all time .
Individual evidence
- ↑ 'Carpet of the Sun' b / w 'Bound For Infinity' , badcatrecords.com, accessed on September 5, 2012 (English).
- ↑ Charts US
- ↑ promotional photo with guitarist Peter Finberg , renaissance-fanfare.net, accessed on September 5, 2012.
- ↑ a b The History Of Renaissance , nlightsweb.com, accessed September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Shoot - On The Frontier , discogs.com, accessed September 5, 2012.
- ↑ Shoot - 1973 On The Frontier , glorydazemusic.com, accessed September 5, 2012.
- ↑ symphonic art pop with prog elements , babyblaue-seiten.de, accessed on September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Not the first choice, but recommendable. , babyblaue-seiten.de, accessed on September 4, 2012.
- ↑ Recommended to fans of ultra melodic and beautiful acoustic prog , progarchives.com, accessed September 4, 2012. Original English: Along with 1975's stunning Scheherazade, Ashes are Burning stands as Renaissance's classic work. A true masterpiece on the strength of "At the Harbor", "Can You Understand", and "Ashes are Burning". Recommended to fans of ultra melodic and beautiful acoustic prog, with strong classical and folk influences.
- ↑ Will Hermes: 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time - Renaissance, 'Ashes Are Burning' (1973). In: Rolling Stone . Wenner Media, June 17, 2015, accessed on September 30, 2015 .
Web links
- Ashes Are Burning at Allmusic (English)
- Ashes Are Burning on Discogs
- Reviews of Ashes Are Burning on the Baby Blue Pages