Renaissance - Illusion (1970) [Reissue 1995]

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Renaissance - Illusion (1970) [Reissue 1995]

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Illusion was a 1971 album by progressive rock band Renaissance. It was originally released only in Germany and did not receive a wider release until 1973.The original Renaissance lineup fell apart during the recording of this, their second album. Jim McCarty was the first to leave; he departed in 1970, when the band was about to start a European tour, because he hated to fly. Keith Relf and Louis Cennamo left next, subsequently forming the new group Armageddon. McCarty continued to be associated with Renaissance as a songwriter, however, receiving writing credits on the new band's first, second and third albums.

Nice album, I would say is a great leap from their 1969 eponymous album, sadly Keith Relf's Renaissance stays behind the shadow of Annie Haslam's. Michael Dunford gives his first shot in this album, and that's why I think is really special. Dunford wrote and played only on Mr. Pine, which contains a passage that would be re-recorded exaclty in "Running Hard" (clearly Dunford wanted to get credit for his instrumental parts and put them in a more trascendental album). Golden Thread is another strong song, maybe the best in the first Renaissance, but Love Goes On and Love Is All are pretty good but repetitive, made for a quick comercial hit maybe. The only song that doesn't seem to fit is the mini "epic" Past Orbits Of Dust, that follows the experimental line from their first album, although I think it could have become a classic or something like that. I really had low expectatives on this album, but as you listen to it, you can find that the real Renaissance is about to born, a really nice effort, don't miss it!

Review by MyDarling95

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Renaissance - Illusion (1970) [Reissue 1995]

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Renaissance - Illusion (1970) [Reissue 1995]

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