This live album is quite good. It does seem like it started life as a bootleg, though. For that reason there are a few issues here and there with crowd noise that’s a bit too loud and localized. Still, to have a live recording of this historic concert is great. Not only do Renaissance play this gig with an orchestra, but Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash guests on one track. The sound is quite good here, particularly if it was (as it sounds like it was) an audio recorded bootleg.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2015  Volume 2 at lulu.com/strangesound.

A gong starts this, and they launch out from there into melodic, fast paced Renaissance prog. This song works through quite a few changes. There are mellower moments and more rocking ones. Vocal moments are interjected between extended instrumental movements. Parts of this bring to mind classical music, while others call to mind world music. This is such an effective and powerful piece. It’s classic Renaissance and performed with style and precision. I particularly love the fast paced movement around the nine minute mark.

This song includes guest appearances from Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash) and Howard Stein. The song is another dynamic and powerful Renaissance classic. It has some exceptionally strong passages in a lot of ways. The jam later in the tune has an almost Allman Brothers go prog kind of vibe to it. I really love this piece so much. It’s one of the best here for sure. The section that it works out to near the end is absolutely amazing in this live telling. At over 21 minutes in length, it is certainly epic.

With only non-lyrical vocals, this is great fast paced melodic prog. It does include some feedback. I really love the fast paced bass driven section later in the track in particular. The classical excursion in the middle is a nice touch, too.