womaninterrupted:

The Mavericks // Come Unto Me

This song is my current obsession.

“The Black Flame”

Another favourite from Renaissance.

christopher-j-rutty:

Remembering Michael Dunford and Renaissance

Sad news about the passing on November 21, 2012, of Michael Dunford, guitarist and musical master behind the long story of progressive/symphonic rock band, “Renaissance.”

—

Obituary from Ultimate Classic Rock, November 26, 2012.

Michael Dunford, guitarist and chief composer behind Renaissance’s sweeping, symphonic progressive rock, passed away last week after suffering an Instantaneous Cerebral Hemmorage at his Surrey, England home. He is survived not only by his wife, two sons, and sister — but also by some of the most hauntingly beautiful progressive rock albums ever recorded.

Sadly, both Dunford and his old band are rarely mentioned in the same breath as their prog peers likeGenesis, Yes, and King Crimson. Part of the reason is exposure: Even during their mid-to-late ’70s prime, Renaissance were never chart-toppers or stadium sell-outs (though they did manage one UK top-ten single, 1978′s ‘Northern Lights’). And they were never as technically flashy or boldly experimental as those bands: Throughout the group’s quietly excellent lifespan, the Renaissance catalogue is middle-of-the-road, but in a good way — consistently built on Annie Haslam’s soaring, operative, five-octave vocals, Jon Camp’s propulsive and melodic basslines, and Dunford’s tasteful guitar playing and arrangements. They were never prog’s trailblazers or sonic innovators — but they were certainly one of the most consistently great, album-to-album…

Lots of Renaissance music here…

What an amazing artist. I’m so fortunate to have been able to experience his music live and I’ll enjoy and share for many years.

(Source: river-of-constant-change)

“Violet Hour” by The Civil Wars. Beautiful.

hereticnarrative:

Pray to god I won’t live to see

the death of everything that’s wild.

(Source: lecoeurentrevosdents)

Dear Followers,

I am about to write you a novel, bear with me. Above this ridiculous amount of text, you will find a video of the English Prog Rock band, Renaissance, performing a song entitled Mother Russia.

The woman singing is the absolutely radiant Annie Haslam. Her voice was one of the first and most influential sounds that I heard (which is something, considering the musical house that I grew up in). It was her voice what inspired me to sing. I remember climbing up onto the stage with her (both of us barefoot), and telling her that when she sang, it felt like the music was going right through me and taking me away.

Last night, I had the opportunity to see her perform again, but it was my first experience seeing Renaissance and it reminded me just how transitive music can be when each of the brilliant performers is truly present in their art. These musicians don’t just write, or play, or sing, they allow themselves to become a part of something beyond themselves as create an experience that, if given the opportunity, can encompass the entire sensory experience. I can’t listen to this group with my eyes open. From six years old, to twenty-two, I still feel like this music brings me somewhere I can’t describe as anything that won’t sound entirely sentimental.

Please enjoy this amazing piece of music.

Ravi Shankar & Philip Glass - Ragas In Minor Scale

Shared by a friend who is pursuing her Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology. The piece is fantastic. Give it a listen. It’ll make your day better, I promise!

whatmaddiewho:

the best version of stormy weather, by nat king cole & ella fitzgerald

(via honeyalmondmilk)

lbgtlove:

brilee726:

Don’t Give Up - Sammi

She is amazing! Love the song, such a good message!

 For anyone who is struggling, stay strong.

This is all kinds of wonderful!

(Source: lesbriana, via amore8daysaweek)