Vanilla Fudge - Renaissance (1968/1998 Original Recording Reissued)
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Album: Vanilla Fudge - Renaissance (Original Recording Reissued)
Released: 1968 (1998)
Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Proto-Progressive
Sundazad - SC 6143
This album is a god-like recording. If you ever want to hear the roots of just about anything heavy, this album is it. It is a dramatic display of band interaction that just seethes as much as it swoops. It's pre-goth. It's pre-metal. It's even pre-prog, yet it has all those elements and more. Cream and Iron Butterfly were the heavy bands of the time, and neither could touch the class, dissonance, or precision as well as looseness that Vanilla Fudge had, especially on this album. It even has elements of pre-emo stuff. This is my all- time favorite VF album, and damned if it doesn't come close to being my favorite album of all-time. Prog fans, check out the band who spawned Yes, Deep Purple, Zeppelin, Heep, Grand Funk, Sabbath, Angel, and so many more, on this, their finest moment. You will not be dissapointed. That was the understatement of the year! - Review by Nic Shade, ProgArchives.com
The Vanilla Fudge, Mark Stein, Vinny Martell, Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice put the hammer down on the 60's by jamming pop ballads into their psychedelic meat-grinder and coming up with heavenly hash. No one has ever done "heavy" any better than the Fudge on their original albums, The Beat Goes On, Near The Beginning, Renaissance and Rock & Roll and their concoctions are always mentioned in the same breath as Hendrix, Zeppelin and Cream. Each disc taken from the zooming original master tapes, plus bonus tracks! - Reissue Description
The story of VANILLA FUDGE started (in my opinion a pivotal progressive band in the vein of KING CRIMSON, COLOSSEUM and THE NICE) in the New York era when Mark Stein (organ and lead vocals) and Tim Bogert (bass guitar) played in a band called Rick Martin & The Snowmen. Tim and Mark were so impressed by the sound of THE RASCALS (swinging and floods of organ) that they dediced to form their own band with Vinnie Martell on guitar and Rick Martin’s drummer Joey Brennan. They named themselves The PIGEONS but, after the replacement of Joey Brennan by Carmine Appice, the new name became VANILLA FUDGE. In ’71 the band signed with Atco Records, a division of the famous Atlantic label. They released the single "You Keep Me Hangin'On" and then their first album "Vanilla Fudge". The second album "The Beat Goes On" was the ambitious project of producer Shadow Morton to tell the entire history of contemporary music (from MOZART to COLE PORTER and ELVIS PRESLEY). Unfortunately it all sounded too weird: a 44 minutes nonstop tapestry of sonic images and interruptions by sound bites from band Atco re-released the first single "You Keep Me Hangin'On" and historical figures. To stop the possible demise of the hoped for the best. It became a small hit and soon they released their third album "Renaissance" that consisted primarily of original material. February '69 their fourth album "Near The Beginning" (with the sidelong live track "Break Song") came out and in september '69 their fifth and final album called "Rock & Roll" was released. After these five LP's VANILLA FUDGE decided to split up and to look for other musical challenges. VANILLA FUDGE’s sound is a captivating and exciting blend of soul, blues, rock and progrock with strong hints from JIMI HENDRIX (fiery electric guitar) and THE RASCALS (floods of Hammond B3 organ).
The best way to get an impression of the dynamic and alternating VANILLA FUDGE sound is the compilation-CD "Psychedelic Sundae (the best of..)": some Rhythm & blues with soul/gospel-like vocals and vocal harmonies but mainly music that is based upon great interplay between the fierce electric guitar (like JIMI HENDRIX) and the powerful Hammond B3 organ. The compositions range from slow, almost hypnotizing to propulsive with heavy outbursts. The vocals sound soulful, a rather unusual combination in progrock. Discover this captivating, very progressive blend of different styles and keep in mind that YES, DEEP PURPLE and URIAH HEEP pointed at VANILLA FUDGE as their main influence! Best albums to start with are "Near the Beginning" and "Rock & Roll". - VANILLA FUDGE biography, ProgArchives.com
Considering this album came out in 1968, there really wasn't a precedent for music that sounded like this. To say this album was unique was a huge understatement. This album was definitely psychedelic, but at the same time it was also quite progressive. Given that their first album was essentially a covers album for which "You Keep Me Hanging On" garnered them wide exposure; this album appears to come out of nowhere.
Most of the songs are penned by the band themselves. The lone cover song, "Seasons of the Witch", has a middle section that sounds like Vincent Price reading poetry! And almost all the music is dynamic and haunting. At times the sound is soft and low, but that usually gives way to a controlled cacophony of bombastic noise. The guitars are distorted and heavy, complimented by Leslie drenched organs, and in the middle of it all, the haunting vocals of Mark Stein. Throughout the whole album, Tim Bogart's wandering bass lines augment Carmine Appice's amazing drumming. For many years Tim and Carmine were regarded as one of the best rhythm sections in music (even backing up Jeff Beck for a while).
I've always considered this to not only be their finest album, but to also be one of the more important albums of the era. Renaissance combines psychedelia, proto-metal, and primordial prog with excellent musicianship in a way no band had ever done before and years before anyone else would follow. Unfortunately, the Fudge never did take the ideas on Renaissance any further. One could say the band had a hard time finding their direction because of the popularity of the self- titled debut album. After a few more albums the band split up with the rhythm section forming Cactus, a 220 proof blues boogie band. (worth listening to if you want to hear the inspiration for Van Halen) - Review by The-Digital-Dan, ProgArchives.com
1. Sky Cried - When I Was a Boy (7:37)
2. Thoughts (3:30)
3. Paradise (6:01)
4. That's What Makes a Man (4:26)
5. Spell That Comes After (4:30)
6. Faceless People (6:04)
7. Season of the Witch (8:55)
8. All in Your Mind (2:58)
9. Look of Love (2:49)
10. Where Is My Mind (2:44)
Carmine Appice - drums
Tim Bogert - bass
Vince Martell - guitar, lead vocals
Mark Stein - keyboards
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