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Renaissance — Mother Russia
Album: Turn Of The Cards
Avg rating:
5.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 732









Released: 1974
Length: 9:16
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Pays the price, works the seasons through
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
Mother Russia, can't you hear him too?

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 ...

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!
Comments (112)add comment
This song followed by "Comfortably Numb" just gave me chills through my spine! What an amazing idea. Just perfection.
Bill your guilty of great sets when divine inspiration over rules Mediocrity
 eyke wrote:

Jury's out on this cut, but I think it's cool William played it after Sting's "Russians."



OMG. I represent the Jury of RP. 
I find bill Innocent. 
Jury's out on this cut, but I think it's cool William played it after Sting's "Russians."
 cely wrote:

I like Russia, and I don't like this song.


I am indifferent to Russia - bit of an enigma...but I love this song.
First time gave it an 8
Favourite concert of all time. Massey Hall with awesome acoustic. She soared.
Still gives me chills!  I wish I could see them again...  I wanna be Annie when I grow up!
Unfortunate song title, many must be turned off by the label without ever reading the words.
Thanks for this one team, only on RP :-)
 snitramc wrote:
Saw them in Chicago at the Auditorium theater warming up Firesign Theater. Great show. Guy behind  us kept yelling "Show us your boots!" Needless to say the band did not quite hear him correctly.
 

Firesign & Renaissance - wow, that's a combination I could never imagine for a show.
I have not heard this in 40 years.  Thank you for this wonderful tune.
 Larrygrrl wrote:
I just noticed the tip of the hat to Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse" in this song!  Or is it a blatant rip off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaC0vNLdLvY
 
I think that passage is more of a nod or maybe a kind of an ironic joke: adapting a bassline from a light-hearted piece into such a dour, serious song.  "Blatant ripoff" is kind of a harsh term that I see far too often in these threads.   Oddly enough, Rush has an instrumental number where they play an adaptation of "Powerhouse" as well.
Annie Haslam's range is incredible. They were at Union Chapel in London a couple of years ago. One of the best events ever, she can still hit almost all of the high notes first shot.

I am sorry for those guys who don't like the title/theme or the length of the track, you are missing out.
Thanks for playing Renaissance. Very few do. I got to see them in concert (in the 70's when a lot of progressive bands were touring) and I still play their music from time to time.
Sweet, nice, feels good.
Brings back the best of my old memories!
Seems to be a real love/hate thing with Renaissance and Annie Haslam. I love 'em, my wife hates them.

Personally, liked them when I first heard them and the one time I saw them in concert. Brings back good memories of college days.
Haven’t heard this since I played the track on a cold winter’s day back in ‘78- dj’ing a Monday morning slot on the college radio station. Loved Annie’s voice back then, and bolted upright in my chair hearing it just now. Thanks for the memory, Bill!
Saw them in Chicago at the Auditorium theater warming up Firesign Theater. Great show. Guy behind  us kept yelling "Show us your boots!" Needless to say the band did not quite hear him correctly.
 Kilroy wrote:
I don't like this song and I don't like Russia.

 
I like Russia, and I don't like this song.
 dublanica wrote:
At their height, there was no stronger and more pure voice on tour than Annie Halsam.
 
Good comment ~ what a voice,

At their height, there was no stronger and more pure voice on tour than Annie Halsam.
an ancient gem
I must be in the minority of people who listens to music more than lyrics.  I wouldn't have even known this song was about Russia if not for the song title.  The vocals for me are just another instrument.  Yet half the reviews here dont' like the song because of the topic.  WTF?  Maybe that's a reason I don't like all the country music twang songs on RP — all I hear is twang while others are apparently getting some lyrical meaning out of those songs.  Whatever.  I like this song.
Ah, those little threads of humor, or commentary, in the RP playlist... 
I just noticed the tip of the hat to Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse" in this song!  Or is it a blatant rip off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaC0vNLdLvY
5.3 average...Come On Man!       6 {#Roflol}
I don't like this song and I don't like Russia.
Ooph. Not for me. 

Given the recent assassination/murder and current headlines regarding Russia...
This could be anytime in last 250 years.

America and Russia are two very different countries.
I don't think we appreciate each other.
I know we don't understand.

TOO any politicians everywhere...
Renaissance is a wonderful progressive rock group. Mother Russia is a classic recording. {#Bananajam}
 ecojot wrote:
great song - its about Tolstoy.

 
My error - its Solzhenitsyn
great song - its about Tolstoy.
 rtrudeau wrote:
Sounds like it should be on a James Bond soundtrack. 

 
Agreed.
For some strange reason, this song has popped into my head frequently in the past few months.  And here it is on PSD.
Lyrics is good. Don't like her voice in most worked up parts though. Although I must say.. Very interesting type of music.. hmm.
Would've given it a 7 if the lady hadn't started singing...
Sounds like it should be on a James Bond soundtrack. 
Annie Haslem-only vocalist I've heard with a 5-octave range.
 ShaunJ wrote:

And a young Gavin Harrison played drums on the 1983 Renaissance tour.   {#Drummer}
 
Gavlaaaaaaaaaa!



I'll get me coat 
 BoulderKevin wrote:
add some Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pentangle and Yes to the mix and I think we have all the makings for a  prog rock overdose...
 
There is no such thing

;-) 
 Deadwing wrote:
Annie Haslim has such a beautiful voice  {#Music}
 
And a young Gavin Harrison played drums on the 1983 Renaissance tour.   {#Drummer}


 BoulderKevin wrote:
add some Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pentangle and Yes to the mix and I think we have all the makings for a  prog rock overdose...
 
Except for the Incredible String Band - which I have never heard on RP - although it would be hard to categorize them (and Pentangle) as a progressive rock band.
 a_genuine_find wrote:

 
"E - Murgancy... please to run from street"


Excellent segue, Bill.  First Al Stewart, now Renaissance.  Blast from my past.  I love it!!
Sounds like the overture for a broadway play or movie...not really into it.
...this is a fun listen...
add some Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pentangle and Yes to the mix and I think we have all the makings for a  prog rock overdose...
If RP was into this kind of music this is exactly the kind of music it would play.

no sir.... I don't like it...
{#No}
It's a 1, but a funny one.
Just.. wow.   I know I have this on vinyl somewhere, and have not listened to it for 30 years.    I'm so old.

It is a pretty melodramatic song, even for 1974.  Al Stewart, ELP/Greg Lake melodrama.

 donnyballgame wrote:
Sounds like Jefferson Airplane doing a Monty Python song while Phil Spector tweeks the knobs.
 
lol
donnyballgame wrote:
Sounds like Jefferson Airplane doing a Monty Python song while Phil Spector tweeks the knobs.

my kind of song !

So one of the things I really like about RP is that they spread the love around all over.  I think this song is great.  Just sit back and enjoy it.  You don't need to dance to everything.
Sounds like Jefferson Airplane doing a Monty Python song while Phil Spector tweeks the knobs.
And it just keeps going on and on and on....
Am I supposed to salute something right now?
Well, RP never cease to surprise. A bit too "motion picture-ish" for me. Just sayin' ...
Oh no, not again.
 Deadwing wrote:
Annie Haslim has such a beautiful voice  {#Music}
 
that only begins to describe it.


I've tended to prefer the Sisters of Mercy version - It's got a great beat and you can dance to it!
Annie Haslim has such a beautiful voice  {#Music}

I'm with you.  I like it when RP mixes it up.  Interjecting the big orchestration (is that an oboe I hear?!) and dramatic vocals once in awhile keeps things very interesting.  I hope we'll hear some Trans-Siberian Orchestra come Christmas time!

 
DaveInVA wrote:
Seems like a really polarizing song from the comments and score spread. Guess you either love it or you hate it. I'm one of the ones that love it...

 


Seems like a really polarizing song from the comments and score spread. Guess you either love it or you hate it. I'm one of the ones that love it...

Simply awful...{#Puke}
Like Mother Russia this song covers 8 time zones.
A great Sunday morning set (in my neck of the woods!)
Wow! Nice to hear more Renaissance on RP! I've seen them do this 6 times live. Their live performances tend to be better than the studio versions in general. For the sheer amount of great music this group (and variations of it) have done they get amazingly little radio play.
 Alafia wrote:
Nice to hear Rennaissance again. Been a long time.
I was into them back int the late 70s early 80s.
Saw them once in Boulder and enjoyed it a lot.

 

Same sentiment...saw them 4 or 5 times in the late 70s... very good.  Thanks for uploading this...whoever you are
oy... it makes my head hurt... like I'm being pounded by the hammer & thrashed with the sickle...

{#Beat}
 sonofpick wrote:
SYG
 
OK, I'll bite what does SYG mean?
2 words; Brill Yent!
Awesome!

Haven't heard this since I misplaced my Renaissance cassette tape in '89 or so.

Thanks for digging this up, Bill!
SYG
ok I am an old fart. but this band I love.

sending you 100.00

Wow, I love this group! I would not mind to hear more of Renaissance in the future... how about "Black Flame"?

BTW... People, what is wrong with you?

Can't you hear "Russia" without shivering? Please grow up. This is a multicultural world. I see this kind of reaction again and again whenever RP dares to air something which smells a bit foreign and it's just annoying. I thought RP community was a more mature. Maybe I am just plain wrong, but then I am still glad of the music I am able to hear here.

Oooh!  I rolled the dodecahedral dice and got a 4!! 
Good for a laugh I suppose.
 manzanitafire wrote:
Wow, is this really a song about Solzhenitsyn? As a lit geek, that rates a 10 on pure principle.
 
Of course it is.  And it packed a real whallop when it first came out.  I remember it well.
Nice to hear Rennaissance again. Been a long time.
I was into them back int the late 70s early 80s.
Saw them once in Boulder and enjoyed it a lot.

This comment was posted 20 April - exact same playlist today 20 May. I thought that RP didn't used computerised playlists!?!

Please be the last Russia song in this set, it's getting a bit heavy around here.

Renaissance - Mother Russia
Tom Baxter - Icarus Wings
Al Stewart - Roads To Moscow
Trail of Dead - Russia

She is doing some pretty weird chord progressions, or whatever its called when people make noise instead of instruments.

Not that I'm repelled or anything, kinda dig the oddness of it all. :)

Renaissance on RP!!!!!!

My GOD!!

{#Notworthy}


Once I got into my late teens I pretty much stopped listening to Progressive/Classical rock stuff.  Not that I hated it or "outgrew" it; it just didn't interest me or "say anything" to me anymore and there were other genres of music that I identified with more.  I've always liked this song though, for some reason.


I'm glad they played this again but now if they'd only play some of their other stuff like Ocean Gypsy, Can You Understand, Trip to the Fair, You, Ashes are Burning, etc, etc. Some of their stuff sounded best live. There are great versions of some of their songs on their "Live in Japan 2001" album. I've seen them live 6 times and greatly enjoyed it every time...

Dave
Please be the last Russia song in this set, it's getting a bit heavy around here.

Renaissance - Mother Russia
Tom Baxter - Icarus Wings
Al Stewart - Roads To Moscow
Trail of Dead - Russia
Bill. Are you ok dude?
I love it!  Bet it's been over 25 years since I last heard it.  Great band, Bill, please add more!

Is this a James Bond song?


Renaissance played at my college in the 70's, and I met Annie Haslam at a party afterwards. She was a snit. How's that for dated snark?

Renaissance on RP?  Way to go Bill!!


Running Hard would also be a nice addition
Wow, is this really a song about Solzhenitsyn? As a lit geek, that rates a 10 on pure principle.
i love it!
music with an acutal meaning and background, those are always jewels. i am glad you keep them in honor. although there are many bad feedbacks (for those giving them you should look up aleksandr solzhenitsyn).
maby you could point out a little what a song deals with in moderation?
 rgr0707 wrote:
Wow!!, is this the first Renaissance song ever play in RP? Not their best song but I'll take it.

 
Amen.  I'd pay money to hear "Trip to the Fair" again, or whatever it was called.  It was the only one that got any airplay.  Back in the mid 70's, in the age of male power-vocals (Zep, The Who, Pink Floyd, Kansas, blah blah blah) it was amazing to hear, in contrast, a voice like hers.  Indescribably delicious.

 j7 wrote:
Ok RadioDoc,
the song is a 1 the singer is a 1 and you are so much cooler than me, because I have no idea wtf slashdot is.

 
RadioDoc wrote:
Geez...you gave this a one?  The lead vocal alone deserves no less than a 5.

By the way, this ain't Slashdot.  You can leave the "first!" nonsense at the door.
 
Well, you got that adolescent "first post!" crap from somewhere, which is pretty sad for someone in their 40's.

Everyone's musical tastes are different but giving this a "1" just shows a general lack which is not surprising considering a third of your ratings are 3 or below.  Carry on.

{#Lol}  
Instant   8 !
Voice
Sound
Upsetting
What else to ask for?


Cool! I've seen them six times in concert - Great stuff! I asked them about playing some Renaissance a while back and I guess others have also. Glad they finally did...
Coool  ......  haven't been here for ages ,, dunno why ... I am in Siberia so the Russia theme is going down well ... I have this album but haven't played it in over 20 years hahaa  ... cant undestand those folks knocking TMC ... why are they here  hahaa  ..
What a pure voice has Annie Haslam. One of the best concerts I've ever been (Cleveland, circa 1979). Thanks Bill!
 j7 wrote:
I'll be 2nd!
It's the set of overdramatic Russian themes!
yuck.{#Eyes}
I mean, really yuck.
{#Sorry}

 

"Overdramatic" = "Russian"  Don't be redundant.  

But why "Yuck?"  Because it is different?

We have a LOT of Russians living in this part of Florida, mostly young people (and the women, mostly drop-dead gorgeous!)  They are incredibly talented and smart.  If they are at all representative of those still in the Motherland, I think we will see a very strongly resurgent Russia in the next decade.  We need to learn a lot more about them and try to understand them better, because we WILL be contending with them.

 Fooboy wrote:
Good Gawd ! ... This is Horrible !!  it's like Jethro Tull doing the theme for a cheesy James Bond film in the late 70's... only Worse !
 
LOL. Exactly. Music for 3rd graders.
 j7 wrote:
I'll be 2nd!
It's the set of overdramatic Russian themes!
yuck.{#Eyes}
I mean, really yuck.
{#Sorry}

 
Geez...you gave this a one?  The lead vocal alone deserves no less than a 5.

By the way, this ain't Slashdot.  You can leave the "first!" nonsense at the door.

Renaissance on RP!!!! Saw them several times back in the 80s.  Great band and Annie Haslams voice is incredible.{#Notworthy}
Good Gawd ! ... This is Horrible !!  it's like Jethro Tull doing the theme for a cheesy James Bond film in the late 70's... only Worse !
Make it go away!
Nice :)    {#Music}

Wow!!, is this the first Renaissance song ever play in RP? Not their best song but I'll take it.

Oh yeah... {#Music}