Out Of The Mist

In 1975, the original 1969 lineup of Renaissance tossed around the idea for a reformation. Sadly, guitarist Keith Relf died in May 1976 before anything was formalized; he was electrocuted in his home while playing guitar. But the unfortunate turn of events (sorry) energized the remaining members to form Illusion, taking their name from the second album of the original Renaissance lineup. Drummer and main composer Jim McCarty, singer Jane Relf, bassist Louis Cennamo and keyboardist John Hawken (ex-Armageddon and ex-Strawbs, respectively) recruited guitarist John Knightsbridge and drummer Eddie McNeill. Signed by Island Records, the group released their debut album Out Of The Mist in early 1977. The bright “Isadora” leads off, picking up right where the old lineup left off. Hawken’s piano is to the fore, with the combined voices of McCarty and Relf high up in the mix; it’s a typical melodic number for the band, with a beautifully-arranged fade out. McCarty’s acoustic guitar opens “Road To Freedom,” but Hawken’s piano quickly takes over and leads the song through to a rousing finale. “Beautiful Country” is a prime example of Illusions’ craft, with Cennamo’s ever-present bass a perfect complement to the delicate arrangement. “Solo Flight” offers Knightsbridge a chance to shine on electric guitar. A capable rehash of “Face of Yesterday” was first proffered on their 1971 namesake album, while “Candles Are Burning” is perhaps a nod to the Dunford-Haslam led band. The band supported both Dory Previn and Bryan Ferry, and the album even rose into the lower reaches of the US charts. Wagering for success in the rapidly-closing progressive era, former Yardbird Paul Samwell-Smith was brought in to produce a second album, Illusion, released in 1978. Whether the powerful rock of “Madonna Blue,” the quiet introspection of “Louis’ Theme” or the more progressive “Cruising Nowhere,” it was again a strong showing, though without a US release. Demos for a third album were recorded (released in 1990 as Enchanted Caress), but after being dropped by Island Records, the band quickly split up. McCarty’s next major project was the partial Yardbirds’ reunion with Samwell-Smith and Chris Dreja, Box of Frogs, in 1984.