From The Keswick Theatre, Glenside,Pennsylvannia, we have this amazing 2cd+DVD recording from old time favourite band Renaissance.  The recording is from September 23, 2011. This is a new incarnation of the band, however, with two core members; Michael Dunford (guitars,vocals)  from 1970 and Annie Haslam, (vocals) from 1975.

The newcombers are Jason Hart (keys), Frank Pagano (drums), Rave Tesar (piano,keys), and David J. Keys (bass).  Here the band is performing their two classic albums Turn of the Cards (1974) and Scheherazade and Other Stories (1975)- - in their entirety!T   he double dose keyboards makes the sound very rich.  Also The bass lines of Keys and Paganos drums are outstanding at this performance. Arrangements are slightly changed from the original; which makes this extraordinary and very interesting in many ways.

The music of Renaissance has always been a melting pot of classical meets rock and symphonic progressive with some Celtic tones. As always Annie Haslam's beautiful vocals holds it all nicely together.  It must, however, be said, that her voice is often having hard times to keep the high tones. In spite of this, there are so many great songs on these discs that contribute to an overall very high standard.  Classic songs like I Think Of You, Things I Don't Understand, Black Flame, Mother Russia, Ocean Gypsy and Song of Scheherazade are simply amazing. The music of Renaissance should be and obligatory circulum for every progfan, and you don't need to have heard this group before in order to highly enjoy them.

This box set is a great document of one of symphonic prog's best and longest living bands. The DVD documents - in full - this great performance at the famous Keswick Theatre which is well known for the good live-sound quality.

A highly recommended box set which gives great value for hard earned cash!