1) A Britis… Read Full Bio ↴There are 7 artists/bands under the name of Renaissance:
1) A British progressive rock band - The first incarnation of Renaissance came out of the ashes of The Yardbirds in early 1968 when drummer Jim McCarty and guitarist/vocalist Keith Relf formed an acoustic based band. They added keyboardist John Hawken, bassist Louis Cennamo and vocalist Jane Relf (Keith's sister). This band released two albums (Renaissance (1969) and Illusion (1971)) before breaking up. Some of the members reformed as Illusion.
McCarty then reformed the band with singer Binky Cullom, bassist Jon Camp, keyboardist John Tout, drummer Terence Sullivan, and guitarist/composer Michael Dunford. Cullom was promptly replaced by Annie Haslam, then McCarty himself left soon after, but this group went on to become the "classic" lineup of Renaissance. They recorded a string of successful albums starting with the LP Prologue (1972). Throughout numerous personnel changes in the 70s, Haslam, Dunford and Camp remained the core of the band.
Their particular brand of mixing classical and classically-inspired music with melodic rock is arguably one of the most successful attempts at this sort of fusion. In the 80s, the band saw their popularity wane with a turn to shorter song forms dominated by synthesizers. After breaking up in the mid-80s, various combinations have reformed for concerts and recordings.
2) A Mexican rock band ( Mexican Renaissance)
3) A Japanese band. (Japanese Rеnaissance)
4) A Serbian medieval/renaissance assemble
5) Renaissance - The band was originally formed back in November 1991 by Chriss Ons (guitar) who decided to leave the band he was in at the time, Chronic Death. His band mates Dirk Vollon (bass) and Jürgen De Wispelare (drums) joined the new project, followed by Domingo Smets (guitar). The idea was to musically break out of restraining thrash/death metal sound and to incorporate more harmonic content & epic song structure into the songwriting, something which seemed impossible if staying in Chronic Death. The band set out to rehearse and by early '92 had some song ideas together, most of which would wind up on the bands debut demo Archway later that year. By late '92 The band got offered a split 7" EP (with the band Ancient Rites) on a small Belgian label, After Dark Records, and used the demo track "Windows" for that release. Meanwhile the band had also been brought to the attention of Hans de Wyngaert of the new label Shiver Records. A deal to release the 13 minute epic track "Tired Blood / Vaudeville" (split over 2 sides) on a 7" single was signed in early '93. Both EP's sold really well, yet while keeping on searching to find new band members, it was mainly Chriss who, assisted by Dirk, would continue writing new material using a small 4 track recorder. Despite the fact that it looked like the trio Chriss/Dirk/Santiago had become a studio project until other musicians were found, Shiver records offered them a CD deal. During the summer of '93, about a year after the bands first demo; Chriss and Dirk recorded a 40-minute piece called "The Death Of Art". The initial idea was to make a concept album and to focus on just the music, and add vocals later. A friend of the band, Canadian writer and philosophy student John Hymers, was asked to write a poem entitled "The Death Of Art", which would serve as working material for vocalist Santiago. After the final vocal tracks had been recorded, Chriss finished the project by himself due to a lack of input and interest from Dirk. The album finally saw release on Shiver Records in February 1994. The first pressing of the CD sold out in a matter of months, and the album has been repressed and licensed since (including a Polish issue in cassette format). Chriss took a break from writing and recording for about a year, only to start doing so again by mid '95, with Dirk Vollon sporadically collaborating. For the time being, the project name was also changed to Rinascimento, to avoid confusion with the other Renaissance, a band that released material mainly during the 70's. Tons of stuff was recorded over the following years, but, reluctant to release another record without the ability to perform any of it live, most of this demo material was shelved or not entirely completed - Chriss didn't really feel the "need" to make the music commercially available on a label so in 1998, a double CDR set aptly titled "Rinascimento - demos 1995-1998" was distributed among just a few friends of the band. Due to other interests and activities, the whole project was laid to rest by late 1998 ... (from the official website - http://renaissance_online.tripod.com/biography.html )
6) Renaissance - an Acapella Christian Quartet - In 1985 a new birth of music took place in Los Angeles, California that would change the landscape of acappella gospel music forever.
The quartet is comprised of soprano and first tenor Sharon Harris, first and second tenor George Pendergrass, baritone Adam Thompson, and first and second tenor Ronald Walker. All four are noted alumni of Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas.
Every member of the group is also a distinguished lead singer in a league all their own. In addition to the Renaissance project, members of the group have also left an indubitable imprint on the world of Christian music. Not only has he released several solo albums, Ronald Walker has deposited a treasury of well-known songs particularly among church groups, sadly many of which still go without his credit today. Sharon Harris has lent her angelic voice to several projects including Los Angeles' own Southside Church of Christ Choir, Reflections, enjoyed a brief stint with Straight Company, and was a featured vocalist on "Acappella Gospel," produced by George Pendergrass and Keith Lancaster. Adam Thompson has provided "the bottom" on Ron Walker's projects, is a worship leader in Reseda, California, in addition to pursuing an acting career in Hollywood. Probably the most notable member of Renaissance to date is George Pendergrass who is known to people everywhere as the lead singer of the internationally known group, Acappella. His powerful voice is immediately recognizable and needs no introduction in most circles of the music industry. Featured on over 15 albums on the Acappella Music Group, George has also performed with U2, Michael W. Smith, on a Disney soundtrack and with a host of other well-known recording artists.
7) An all-female accapella group from the University of Maine, Orono.
Mother Russia
Renaissance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frozen days, he thinks of you
Cold as ice but he burns for you
Mother Russia, can't you hear him too?
Mother's son, freedom's overdue
Lonely man, he thinks of you
He isn't done, only lives for you
Punished for his written thoughts
Starving for his fame
Working blindly, building blocks
Number for a name, his blood flows frozen to the snow
Red blood, white snow
He knows frozen rivers won't flow
So cold, so true
Mother Russia-he cries for you
Ooh ooh ...
Bah dah dah dah ...
Punished for his written thoughts
Starving for his fame
Working blindly, building blocks
Number for a name his blood flows frozen to the snow
Red blood, white snow
He knows frozen rivers won't flow
So cold, so true
Mother Russia-he cries for you
The song "Mother Russia" by Renaissance is a poignant tribute to the people who have experienced the harsh realities of life under Soviet rule. The lyrics speak of a man who pays the price of living in a country that is cold and unforgiving. He works his way through the seasons, his blood flows frozen to the snow as he painfully builds the nation's infrastructure. In spite of his suffering, he sings of his love for his country, calling out to Mother Russia for liberation.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Mother Russia, can't you hear him too?" emphasizing the man's plea for freedom and his desire to be heard. These lyrics could be interpreted as a commentary on the oppressive regime in the Soviet Union, where citizens were forced to work hard and live in substandard conditions, all while being denied basic human freedoms. The reference to the man's "written thoughts" and his desire for fame could be alluding to the struggles of artists and intellectuals who sought to challenge the regime's propaganda.
Overall, "Mother Russia" is a powerful lament for those who suffered under Soviet rule, and a reminder of the importance of human rights and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Pays the price, works the seasons through
Despite being burdened, he perseveres through the changing seasons
Frozen days, he thinks of you
In the midst of harsh winters, he longs for his home country, Russia
Cold as ice but he burns for you
Though his current surroundings are frigid, his passion for Russia is still strong
Mother Russia, can't you hear him too?
He hopes his homeland can sense his unrelenting love for her
Mother's son, freedom's overdue
He is a product of Russia, but feels that the nation owes him liberty
Lonely man, he thinks of you
While isolated, he reminisces about his motherland
He isn't done, only lives for you
His existence holds one purpose: serving Russia.
Punished for his written thoughts
WIthout permission, he expressed his ideas and was reprimanded for it.
Starving for his fame
He yearns for recognition of his artistic endeavors.
Working blindly, building blocks
He's only participating in the formation of the state without seeing or understanding the greater picture.
Number for a name, his blood flows frozen to the snow
The government has dehumanized him; He gives up blood for a country that is indifferent
Red blood, white snow
The contrast between what he is and the country he's bleeding for
He knows frozen rivers won't flow
Nonetheless, he still longs for change and progress despite the obstacles
So cold, so true
Despite the arduous circumstances, his feelings for Russia remain sincere and deeply rooted.
Mother Russia-he cries for you
He is genuinely pained by the current state of his country and seeks a way to improve it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL DUNFORD, BETTY MARY THATCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jason Wells
One of the most beautifully haunting voices I've ever heard. This song is so powerful in it's lyrics and story. A true masterpeice.
Scott A.
That pretty much sums up how I felt when I first heard it many years ago. I never grow tired of it. Still gives me goosebumps and shivers. Annie Haslam's voice is magical. It really is a true masterpiece!
Chris Thurmond VO
Me too! And now when there are people bleeding in the streets there yet AGAIN
Rozelle
I love this song..
Felonius Skunk
Annie Haslan is (was?) one of a kind - she had a vocal range of FIVE full octaves, and could move from one to another anywhere on that canvas from note to note. She was probably the best female singer alive in the 60s/70s, and that says a LOT.
Brian E
Still the best and I’m still in love with her!
harleygal420
The 70's is the most creative period in rock music.
John L Rice
Agreed! Especially the first half, 1970 - 1974, was a miraculous explosion of creativity across many genres, especially rock, funk, pop, soul, R&B, metal, and jazz.
Luke Saucier
Agreed, and much of that can probably be attributed to psychedelics and heroin.
Vollmerine
Turns out drugs are cool after all.