Ashes Are Burning, Renaissance's fourth album from 1973, the first album on which the band played with a symphony orchestra, is rightly considered one of the best prog albums of all time. I completely agree.
It is one of the pinnacles of symphonic progressive rock, a masterful fusion of classical, folk, and rock influences, and, along with cheherazade and Other Stories, the pinnacle of the band's discography.
By the time of Ashes Are Burning, none of the original members who founded the band in 1969 (Keith Relf and Jim McCarty) remained. The album is, in fact, the second work by what is considered their "classic" lineup, led by Annie Haslam, which officially formed for the previous album,Prologue, in 1972.
To distinguish themselves from contemporary bands, they deliberately chose to maintain an acoustic and orchestral approach, and bassist Jon Camp played almost all the guitar parts. However, the only electric guitar on the album is in the final solo of the title track, performed by Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash as a personal favor, reciprocating John Tout's cooperation on the 1972 album Argus, playing organ on the final track ("Throw Down the Sword").
The album's title comes from a near-death experience personally experienced by the album's lyricist, Betty Thatcher, who wrote the lyrics for almost the entire album. The title and lyrics evoke images of transition and rebirth. The "burning ashes" represent the remnants of the past ("dying embers," "breath of the past") that continue to emit light and heat, indicating a path forward ("ashes are burning the way") toward a dimension of peace and universal love where sins are forgotten.
Annie Haslam's voice is stunning, with its five-octave range and celestial tone that gives each track an almost operatic beauty. The inclusion of a full orchestra on some tracks marks the band's transition to a more majestic and refined sound, with John Tout's classically styled piano and Jon Camp's melodic bass playing being simply exceptional.
The album contains six tracks, lasting approximately 40 wonderful minutes.
- "Can You Understand?", a song lasting approximately 10 minutes, opens the album, probably one of the best openings of a prog album. It begins with a powerful orchestral introduction and a driving piano riff, and continues alternating complex sections with quiet moments, featuring splendid melodic bass, classical piano, and Annie Haslam's sumptuous vocals.
- "Let It Grow" is a roughly 5-minute acoustic folk ballad, one of the album's most emotional vocal performances, with a stunning string arrangement.
- "On the Frontier," also of the same length, written by Jim McCarty (formerly of the Yardbirds), features stunning male and female vocal harmonies and a driving chorus.
- "Carpet of the Sun" is the album's most accessible song, a celebration of nature and beauty, with a splendid melodic line.
- "At the Harbour" is the album's most atmospheric track, opening and closing with a melancholy piano prelude by Debussy (La Cathédrale Engloutie).
- "Ashes Are Burning," a track lasting approximately 11 minutes, is the album's masterpiece, an epic suite featuring a stunning bass solo by Jon Camp and the only electric guitar on the entire album, a magnificent solo by Andy Powell. Annie Haslam's vocal performance is astonishing, reaching high notes with unique precision.
The album cover was created by British photography studio Hipgnosis and is one of the few exceptions to the studio's surreal production, opting for a portrait-like approach that reflects the album's folk and acoustic soul. The front cover features singer Annie Haslam and drummer Terence Sullivan on the right, while the back covers feature the other two members of the band: keyboardist John Tout on the left and bassist Jon Camp on the right.
An album that strikes the perfect balance between classical, folk, and rock, a MUST for lovers of symphonic prog. A marvelous album. Essential.
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.
Tracklist
1. Can You Understand (9:49)
2. Let It Grow (4:15)
3. On The Frontier (4:53)
4. Carpet Of The Sun (3:31)
5. At The Harbour (6:50)
6. Ashes Are Burning (11:24)
Duration 40:42
LineUp
- Annie Haslam - lead vocals and backing vocals
- Michael Dunford - acoustic guitar
- John Tout - keyboards, backing vocals
- Jon Camp - bass, co-lead (3) and backing vocals
- Terence Sullivan - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Featuring:
- Andy Powell - lead guitar (6)
- Richard Hewson - string arrangements (1, 4)
