Added: 5 years ago
From: ephillipblack
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  • Saw them tonight.

  • beautiful 

  • As I have said elsewhere I just love Renaissance and Annie Haslam's singing. She is beautiful in more than just looks.

    I am having this song at my funeral as I think is so beautiful. My husband says I look like Annie (blonde hair - dyed now) but I wish I could sing like her.

    Enjoy everyone they don't write songs like this any more.

  • @scousesusan Well there is her album Blessing in Disguise =)

  • I randomly typed in 'black flame' just to see what would come and I got this! this is awesome! :)

  • All of the BBC sight & sound concert has now been posted - enjoy it before the suits take it down!

  • Saw Renaissance live a couple months ago in New York. They sounded amazing! Annie still has it too. She hit all the high notes perfectly.

  • she did all right with the low ones, too.

  • Annie Haslam, ohh how i love her vce

  • This song, when I first heard, it really set off my muse. Even though, to me, it's a bit of a 'dark' song, it's one of my Most Favourites of theirs (or anyone else, come to think of it). I'd love to find the lyrics (just haven't gotten around to googling them, LOL).

  • OMG I am so happy to see this...don't mind the slight drag in that one spot... so worth the watch! Danke

  • bons anos q saudades

  • Saw them 3 times before they faded.

    I never knew Terrence used mallets on this song. Thanks for posting.

  • @pleased9 They are on tour now,and as good as ever!

  • the VHS effect at 3:30 somehow adds to the song

  • @GECKOflower, i like the quad effect (the breaking up of the original, 2 inch video tape source) at 4:08.

  • This is Annie haslam when her voice was a True Angel.....she can't hit these notes anymore....but who COULD hit those notes besides her...beautiful.

  • she paints violins

  • @DavelovesRealMusic

    I believe she would be able to because these are not too high. There was a very bad quality bootleg video from the recent reunion concerts of this song and as far as I could discern, she was alright. She probably can't do justice to the Ashes coda anymore, but that would be to expect too much.

  • I'll have to break out the digital freq analyzer.

    My ears are shot over 10k

  • @fluxstringer

    I had a better idea, I just checked the song on the keyboard. The top note seems to be a C5 which is certainly not too high for Annie or most female singers in general. The top note in live performances of Ashes are burning is a G6...no comparison.

  • Sally Oldfield, that's who.

  • @fluxstringer

    Sally Olfield is a terrific singer but she can't touch Annie's Ashes are burning highs. Only Minnie Riperton sings (sang) those notes with anywhere near Annie's strength. Of course, Sally could easily hit THESE notes, as in this song, they are not too high at all.

  • I saw then live in 1976 and it was the first time I actually gave a spontaneous standing ovation! I was on my feet and had no reason why other than I was so caught up in the music. Life is so much better when one FEELS music...............

  • A classic. Renaissance cut it own path in progressive/folk movement, though this song comes close to sounding abit like Fairport Convention.

  • hey this is pretty good i accidently clicked and though eh why not : )

  • LOL, welcome aboard!

  • : ) thanks i got a few of my friends listening some liked it but most people my age are into modern gibberish

  • @draklorian

    Rennaissance was one of the most creative and original bands on Earth. You really should check out their stuff 72 to 78, breathtaking music. Their first incarnation shares the title of first Progressive Rock band with King Crimson but they became so much more than that. Been a fan all my life!

  • @twainname

    awsome i looked up on wikipedia and it just goes with what ive always said the older the music the better, though not always true i'd rather listen to this than sounds of the rainforrest or somtin like that : )

  • Good question. I just heard this song for the first time on KRCL radio here in Utah. Strong similarity.

  • I ran into the band on the street and dared to request this and "Trip to the Fair" .......they played both! <3 < 3

  • heehee lucky you : )

  • Love this Masterful Epic!

  • Rare...

  • that second chorus was outstanding, sounded huge!

  • I believe you dear Borduck! Me too, specially when I'm listening Renaissance's songs...

  • can any body tell me the meaning of this song?

  • There are no meanings in poetries... They are just for your own moments...

  • And believe me, I have moments!

  • What has become of "Can You Understand"?

  • I was just thinking that!

  • annie haslam's voice is the benchmark by which all other female vocalists are measured

  • amazing singer, amazing band

  • progressive

  • This song is beautiful.

  • was written by betty thatcher (lyrics) about the

    vietnam war

  • Thanks....

  • @frododarg Yep, it's apparently about the Vietnam war, although it's a very disguised, or 'oblique' reference, I guess. I remember reading a comment somewhere to the effect that "Betty Thatcher must've been in a really depressed mood when she wrote the lyrics for songs on Turn of the Cards." Pretty 'heavy' subject matter, when you consider this song, Cold is Being, Mother Russia, Running Hard...

  • Played Live at Carnegie endlessly...

    Thanks for posting this!

  • eles são maravilhosos. Infelizmente não haverá outro igual!!!

    pobre de quem não os conheceu..

  • What memories.. Why did this band not get more exposure...Annie, I am smitten all over again!

  • Muito foda esse som!

  • QUe delícia!

  • É vero!

  • One of my all time favorite groups. Must have seen them a dozen times. I actually brought them to The University of Hartford in 1976 for our Spring concert and sat in the first row on the floor. The highlight of my Renaissance memories was sitting in a box at Carnegie Hall for that live show that went on the album. I can still see the mirror ball rotating for the finale of "Ashes Are Burning". Where are you now Annie when we need you? Brad

  • Annie Haslam in the benchmark by which all other female vocalists are measured

  • oh man..i used to drive sometimes alone late into the night..smoking a J, having a beer and just cruising in the summer night air..listening to these guys..... who knew how great those memories would be from this view point now!

  • The band did, indeed, interact with one another, and quite a lot. Annie used to tease Dunford and Camp a lot, at least at shows I saw. Ahh, I miss them.

  • No cherabim or seraphin sing better than Annie!!!!!!

  • Keith Relf left after the 2nd album along with everyone else, except michael dunford. Keith relf then made a band called Illusion. Kings and queens is a beautiful album though long out of print.

  • I saw them headline at Pine Knob in 1977 Novella tour. They were just awesome! John Tout was the piano player. Dunford played an Ovation Guitar in its own stand, which until then, I had never seen before.

    Renaissance is one of the tightest bands I have seen. Close to the Zappa level of musicianship. They did not do Black Flame at the Pine Knob show. They did all of Novella, Ocean Gypsy (My fav) and a host of others.

  • Great song,but there never seems to have been any interaction (or even eye contact ) between the group. perhaps some of you guys from the states who have seen them live,could comment.

  • That's Annie Haslam the real deal on vocals. Great keyboard player John Tout. Renaissance was a great band to see live in the '70's. Annie Haslam looked and sounded like a goddess! (They played Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ after the Scheherazade album, was amazing. They also played the Capitol Theatre a lot in Passaic, NJ) Things went downhill after John Tout and Terry Sullivan left the group in 1979.

  • I think this a great video who is the guy playing piano

  • *sigh* If i were only a good couple of decades older i coulve seen them...

  • You never know.  She may tour again. I saw her a few years ago and she sounded great.

  • Where's my bong and headphones when I need them...........

  • Pine Knob - Auburn Hills Michigan 1977. They openned for Jean Luc Ponty. They were better!

  • Oh man I miss Jean Luc Ponty!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever.

  • I'm still in awe of the first time I saw them. Chills.

  • It seems you saved this preciousness right on time, huh :)

  • I saw them around this time at Monmouth College and they we WONDERFUL!

  • is fairly dickenson college in new jersey? remember seeing them at a college and of couse the Capital Theatre!

  • yes, FDU is in tee neck, must have been early

  • teaneck

  • FDU, eh?

  • fairleigh

    capitol

  • great!!!!!

  • Beautiful, influenced my music

  • V1: (Dm)I am Words, I am (G9)Speaking (Dm)I never heard my (G9)conclusion (Bbmaj7)Lost the (Am7)way in my conf(Bbmaj7)usion, in (Am7)illusion (Bbmaj7)Lost (Am7)inside the picture (Dm)frame - Chorus (Dm)I'm not to (G)blame, I didn't (Dm)see the black (C)flame (Dm)I'm not a(G)shamed, its poetry(Dm), the black (C)flame (Dm)I'm rear(G)ranged, it's changing (Dm)me, the black(C) flame (Bb)Burns my (C)blackened (Dm)brain.
  • Middle:

    (G)Run from me, (A7)don't you see

    (G)That we are one and I'm (A7)part of you

    (G)Get away, (A7)anyway

    (G)I'm still a secret in the (A7)heart of you

    (C)And IÄm the burning in your (G)soul.

    Bridge:

    G A7 G A7

    D G D G

    Em Dm

  • Can anobody verify the Harmonies? Other verses: V2: I am strong, Iam leaving I never knew I'd feel the need so where toge, I'll turn the flow, I douldnotknow Screams inside the burning pain Chorus Its spinning head, it's under hand, the black flame it lies instead, i turned and I ran, the black flame On me it fed, I understand, the black flame burns my blackened brain.
  • And last but not least. V3 No Im week, i am losing Im a lie, Im just a sigh, just crying just a symbol of the game. Chorus: Suspended pain, I cannot face the black flame Intended fear, I cannot trace the black flame Extended reaching into space the black flame Burns my blackened brain. ------------------------------­---------- So anybody out there that can verify the harmonies I would be very pleased. Any discussions about the lyrics?
  • Well, without getting Betty Thatcher (who I am sure wrote the lyrics) to talk directly about it, it is difficult to know what specifically she was driving at. Nonetheless, it resonates with me at a number of levels regarding alienation and disillusionment. It can be seen as personal or sociological and work in both realms. Good art can do that!

  • Suspended pain, I can not face - the black flame

    Intended fear, I can not trace - the black flame

    Extended reaching into space - the black flame

    Burns my blackened brain

  • if someone want to see or read anything of the first renaissance.. see john hawkens homepage.. there is all albums shown with HIS words.. yours beautybo..

  • beautiful song, but where is Keith Relf?

  • KR was inititially in Renaissance from inception in c69 to c72. They released 2 albums of original material. There was then wholsale personnel changes and by the time 'Prologue' was released KR and the others had ALL gone and replaced by Jon Camp, John Tout, Annie Haslam, Terry Sullivan and Mick Hendry. Michael Dunford being (at this time) a non playing composing reserve.

    Hendry left and Dunford joined and out came Ashes are Burning in 73.

  • KR created a band called Armageddon with some of the early Mark 1 Renaissance members. Sadly he died in 76 after 1 album release.

    What was left of the early Mark 1 Renaissance then reformed in c77 and created an Illusion (band) that released at least 2 albums in the late 70s.

    This particular song is from the excellent Turn of the Cards album of late 74/early 75.

  • Thanks for your answer, you've really opened up my knowledge. I have recently bought Armageddon and the REnaissance CD Illusion both produced by Keith. They are very different but love both of them. I have also read something of his life on Wikipedia. Who knows why there is no biography of him. I also have a CD of the Ybirds' history but it's only a summary. It's not easy to find all this material where I live.

  • Keith left the band long before Turn of the Cards

  • wonderful... reminds me when I was 18... Annie's voice simply like a magic

  • Excellent Rick 4001 bass as always.

  • Annies voice was a wonder of memories for me... It was like it awakened a dream within...

    Thank you.

  • thank you, whomever you may be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Awesome

  • thank you so very much for bringing back so many wonderful memories. for 4:45 time just stopped for me, wiggly video and all. i'd forgotten the joy this band brought me.

    jon camp, oh :swoon:

  • a beautiful piece of work. it is craftsmanship like this that we must never let go, because the alternative is surrendering ourselves to mass-produced "x-factor" product, designed only to generate dollars. music used to have a passion...and an innocence..and that's worth its weight in gold!. renaissance are a classic example of this.timeless. priceless.

  • Gorące pozdrowienia z POLSKI.

    Muzyka mojej młodości lat '70.

    Cudowne klimaty - przepięknie !

  • Pretty song, pretty lyrics, pretty voice, pretty girl. Too bad the VHS was exposed to so many years of weathering.

    Great add anyway ;)

  • Great video ! I wish Jon Camp were still playing bass with them. Does anyone know what he is doing now ? Thanks.

  • Soooooo beautiful, Annie the best ever.

  • Hot prog babe!

  • Annie is really spacing here> this one has always been a favorite of mine. good music, great vocals.

  • i saw them in 1973 at the Academy of Music in New York for the late show. at Midnight Soft Machine with allan Holdworth played. Then came Larry coryell with Randy Brecker. At 3 AM Rennaissance did Ashes Are Burning. Amazing. Annie was in White and for an encore the played prologue 4 in the morning. a special moment in time!!!

  • ANNIE RULES!!! THE BEST!!!

  • Saw them at SUNY Stony Brook. Please make a time machine so I can travel back to that day.

    So different; so brilliant.

  • That was fun to see and hear! I've seen them live in Vegas in the summer of 1976 when they were support act of the Yes band. This song was a favorite of mine back then. Thanks for posting.

  • One of my favorite bands of all time, and if you really want to get the "shivers", try laying down on one of the huge sidestage speakers at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic NJ, while Annie Haslam's sparkling voice vibrates throughout your whole body! It was so thrilling and exciting, I could not manage to get my camera working properly, and only managed to get one halfway decent photograph of her while she was singing "Ashes are Burning". She is the greatest, and the others were great also!

  • they were a superb band, musically and vocally, fabulous stuff

  • A Really greate song. Too bad the quality is poor.

  • I was lucky enough to see them twice in Phx. Both times I got in during the soundchecks. First time I got Annie's autograph, and the second time Jon played my buddie's custom 5 string bass during a soundcheck song. Black flame is one of my favorites, especially when Annie sings"And I'm the burning in your soul". Definitely shivers. Thanks.

  • I may be dating myself here...but I have been a fan of this group since the mid-1970's....I sure do miss them.Thanks for posting this video.

  • WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Great Music!!

    I'm 44. My parents used to listen to them in the 70's and used to smoke ??? to this music and have work friends over to party.

    Thanks for the Video! :O)

  • been a fan since i picked up the "Live at Carnegie Hall" lp.

    Have loved them ever since. But this is their best stuff IMO.

    Thanks for the vid!!!!!!!

  • On a scale of 1-10, I give this song a 30!

    Does anyone have a theory about what this song is about?

  • Evil, you cut the song off

  • I know this group now for 2,5 years,I think they are like ABBA but than the Progressive ABBA, this group is a sensation to all of the progressive rockfans, esspecially to those who like a woman's voice in progressiverock (I am an Earth and Fire fan also)

  • to this day, 35 years later , this song drives a spike stright thru my heart, and , as always, Annie pulls it out and I'm whole again..

  • It's a real joy to see this. I remember first hearing this song on the radio when I was in my teens, in the days of progressive radio. Turn of the Cards was one of the first albums I bought. This song had seared my brain. Later I had several opportunities to see them (Irvine auditorium at Penn (terrible acoustics), the Academy of Music in Philly. They were well received in the Philadelphia area. Would love to see Ashes are Burning, Thank you

  • Great song from a great album!!!!

    I would kill to see a video of MOTHER RUSSIA.

    Sadly, I don't think one exists.

  • video poor quality but song is good and band

  • Annie the Angel!

    What a great rare find, this video! Thanks for posting!  This brings back fond memories of my youth....

  • I've been listening to Renaissance for 20 years. And there still one of my favs. Always will be I suppose.

  • Jon Camp is God on that rickenbaker.

    very articulate and takes the place as lead guitar.

    Now if we could have a video of THINGS I DONT UNDERSTAND....that would be too cool.

  • Renaissance is amazing. Their haunting sound just gives me the chills. The intro to Black Flame is fantastic.

  • I can't count the hours I've sat and listened to Renaissance. They will forever be a part of my life. Anne has the voice of an angel.

  • What a beautiful, rich voice. It's so refreshing to hear someone sing so purely like this, after listening to all that over-produced synthetic rubbish that passes for music these days.

  • One of my biggest influences, "Turn Of The Cards" what an inspiring album, and her voice, ascends to the heavens, saw them at The Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone in the 70's, truly mind blowing. Annie, may you haunt me for ever.

    Sonia.

  • You ever notice how "artists" with the least amount of talent jump and hop around a lot?

  • This is an abridged version of black flame. Two minutes are missing.

  • Why can't record companies find artists like these, who can sing and play music? I can't find anything on the radio that I can listen to for more than 30 seconds.

  • ...Because the record companies [and news groups] pander to what people want. In the case of music, pop culture demands uninspiring, insignificant, meaningless, three-chord pap entertainment. Music you love and appreciate exists. We've gotta look where it doesn't leap from mainstream venues. Listen to NPR. University radio stations can be an excellent source for all varieties of wonderful music. Most stations, public and private, stream onto the Net from all over the world now....

  • I agree most music sux but there are a lot of good progressive bands out there- most are heavier than Renaissance, and not as analog, but still, they have good composition and musicianship. Some great musicians (like Jordan Rudess I believe) were influenced by Renaissance.

  • I agree this is the bands best song and that this live version suffers. Got to see them in 1977. Novella is my personal favorite album. Actually, The Sisters is my fav song. Black Flame is second or third

  • I agree, The Sisters (from Novella)is a superb song. I went to see Renaissance play many times in the 70's and very early 80's and I have all of their and Annie Haslam's music on CD.

    IMHO the best pop group ever.

  • studio version better..cold is being is the best song she ever recorded voice just soars

  • oh yeah...i have a few cds.

    but i've nevseen what they looked like before.

    cool!

  • Great song. Is there a better version available?

  • awesome!

  • Great song,great band,and Annie is fantastic.

  • The melody of this is struck deep chords within my spirit as a young teen in the 70's. It is absolutely one of my favorite Renaissance songs. With the lights out and a joint I would float away into their imagination.

  • Good job Annie and band. God I had a crush on you in 1974. Still do really. From Turn of the Cards, good stuff, holds up

  • What an amazing group and incredable video. Music the way it was meant to sound. Turn of The Cards was Awesome as an album. I'd have given anything to see this show.

  • From Turn of the Cards.Their BEST album

  • Incredible performance. A beautiful voice and a tight band. All the great music is gone forever! I have the Ashes are Burning record album which is a classic but I need to get this song somewhere. It is a great song that I had heard before.

  • It's from "Ashes Are Burning".

  • If it made it ignore my previous. It's from "Turn of the Cards"

  • That is the album. Could not remember. Thanks much!

  • This is so strong in vocals by Annie! Love this fine song. One of my favourites. We are lucky to have Christina in Magenta today, the only vocal female singer that can match Annie! ;-)

  • Where can I get a copy of this? Fantastic!

  • They were the perfect band. Sit, close your eyes, feel the wind and wash her harmonies through your soul.

  • And... to be there when they play!

    Looking forward to Renaissance Live-DVD.

    Thank you very much for enjoying.

  • This is great...the classic Renaissance lineup, decent video quality. Outstanding!

  • I am utterly speechless....thanks for posting!

  • Thanks for this....I just got done listening to one of the old albums..This is the same concert that turned me on to them...late night, watching TV...and still think they are one of the best...Thank you and all other progressive rock lovers from the 70's. It just isn't the same anymore...or am I just getting old? thanks again...

  • despite of bad quality, renaissance is one of the best english prog, thanks again phillip!!!!

    where is the don kirchner's full concert????

  • Thanks to the dumbing down of society, we'll never see intelligent, classically-based bands like Renaissance in the popular music scene again.

    BLACK FLAME may be my favorite Renaissance song.

    WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS???

  • I hope the master tape of this still exists! The best band ever. I was lucky enough to be at their farewell concert in 1987.

  • Annie Haslam sings dead posh. You wouldn't think she was from Bolton.

  • Oh man I love this stuff!

    Saw them many times! keep posting this stuff please:)

  • It seems my 70's CD's collection is not complete...

  • Renaissance was a great band. I discovered them for myself back when I was in college almost 20 years ago. Anyone that likes this music may also be able to appreciate what Richie Blackmore is doing now with his band Blackmore's Night. On their first CD they even did a cover of "Ocean Gypsy."

    Here's a link to on of their videos "Shadow of the Moon" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v­=b6oSaFLUf6k&search=blackmore%­27s%20night

  • What a gem! In spite of the video quality, still great! Thanks for posting these Renaissance vids, ephillipblack. Any chance that you have "Mother Russia" or "Kiev" ?

  • this is an awesome song and it's amazing to see the video. Too bad I wasn't even born when Renaissance was around! I used to idolize Annie and had such a crush on her! She is amazing live too.

  • it's perfect!

  • Thanks, i saw them Live and wish more people would realize what a great band they were.

  • muito bom ! ;)