A Song for All Seasons is the eighth studio album by the English progressive rock band Renaissance, released in 1978. It marked the return of electric guitars to the band's music after several years of absence.Liner notes from the Tales of 1001 Nights compilations "Northern Lights" from the album reached the top ten on the UK Singles Chart and is the band's only UK chart single.
Overview A shortened recording of "Back Home Once Again" was used as the theme song for the short-lived 1977 British TV series The Paper Lads.
"She Is Love", sung by Jon Camp, was meant to be sung by Annie Haslam, but the orchestral backing track turned out to have been recorded in the wrong key for her.
"Kindness (At the End)" is both written and sung by Jon Camp.
Drummer Terry Sullivan had his first songwriting credit with the band on the title track. He was responsible for the basic tune to the song's extended instrumental intro. This was based on a song he wrote on guitar in 1971.Discussion with Terry Sullivan on the (now retired) Northern Lights message board.
Expanded 2019 edition In 2019 Esoteric Recordings announced a re-mastered and 3 CD expanded edition of the album which was released on 29 March 2019.
Track listing
Personnel
Renaissance Annie Haslam – lead vocals on tracks 1–3, 5, 7, 8 Michael Dunford – 6 & 12-string acoustic guitars, electric guitar John Tout – keyboards Jon Camp – bass, bass pedals, electric guitar, lead vocals on tracks 4 and 6 Terence Sullivan – drums, percussion
Additional musicians Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Harry Rabinowitz – conductor, arrangements on track 6 Louis Clark – orchestral arrangements
Production David Hentschel – producer, engineer Barry Kidd, Declan O'Doherty, Dick Plant, Steve Short – assistant engineers Hipgnosis – album cover design
Charts
Album YearChartPosition1978UK Albums Chart35RPM100 Albums (Canada)45Billboard 200 (USA) 58
Singles YearSingleChartPosition1978"Northern Lights"UK Singles Chart10
Certifications Country Organization Year SalesUKBPI1979Silver (+ 60,000)
References