Illusion (band)

For the Polish band, see Illusion (band). For the American band, see The Illusion (band).

Illusion

Illusion were a British band formed in 1977. They released two albums, Out of the Mist and Illusion on Island Records. Their music was classically-inspired, sophisticated, and polished. The band undertook a number of tour dates but found their style of music out of fashion with the rise of punk rock and disbanded.

Illusion were intended to be a reunion of the original line-up of Renaissance (whose second album was titled Illusion), but singer and guitarist Keith Relf died before the project was realised. Jim McCarty moved from drums to play acoustic guitar and share vocals with Jane Relf, while Eddie McNeill replaced him on drums and John Knightsbridge took Keith Relf's place as guitarist following his death.

In 2001 the four core members issued an album of new material under the name Renaissance Illusion, but did not play any concerts in support of the album.

Discography

Out of the Mist

Edsel Records (EDCD 369) UK 1977 total time 35:55

Track listing

1. Isadora (J.McCarty) — 6:56
2. Roads To Freedom (J.McCarty/J.Hawken) — 3:53
3. Beautiful Country (J.McCarty/J.Hawken) — 4:21
4. Solo Flight (J.McCarty/J.Hawken) — 4:23
5. Everywhere You Go (J.McCarty) — 3:18
6. Face of Yesterday (J.McCarty) — 5:45
7. Candles are Burning (J.McCarty) — 7:10

Personnel

• Jim McCarty - vocal, acoustic guitar, percussion
• Jane Relf - vocal
• John Hawken - piano, synthesizers, mellotron, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, harpsichord
• Louis Cennamo - bass guitar
• John Knightsbridge - electric and acoustic guitar
• Eddie McNeil - drums, percussion

Illusion

(1978)

Track listing

1. Madonna Blue (J.McCarty) - 6:46
2. Never Be The Same (J.McCarty) - 3:18
3. Louis' Theme (L.Cennamo/J.Relf)- 7:41
4. Wings Across The Sea (J.McCarty) - 4:49
5. Cruising Nowhere (J.McCarty) - 5:01
6. Man Of Miracles (K.Relf/J.McCarty/J.Hawken) - 3:27
7. The Revolutionary (J.McCarty/J.Hawken) - 6:15

Personnel

As for Out of the Mist

Enchanted Caress

(recorded 1979, released 1990) These are demos for a planned third album, plus a 1976 Keith Relf demo and a John Knightsbridge solo instrumental.

Track listing

1. Nights in Paris (McCarty)
2. Walking Space (McCarty)
3. The Man Who Loved the Trees (McCarty)
4. Getting Into Love Again (McCarty)
5. As Long as We're Together (McCarty)
6. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (R Rodgers) - John Knightsbridge guitar, Chas Cronk bass, Tony Fernandez drums
7. Living Above Your Head (McCarty)
8. Crossed Lines (McCarty)
9. You Are The One (McCarty)
10. All The Falling Angels (Relf) - Keith Relf vocals, Louis Cennamo bass

Through The Fire

(2001) (by Renaissance Illusion, featuring McCarty, Cennamo, Hawken & Jane Relf)

Track listing

1. One More Turn of the Wheel (McCarty)
2. Good Heart (McCarty)
3. Glorious One (McCarty)
4. Through the Fire (McCarty)
5. Blowing Away (McCarty)
6. Mystery of Being (McCarty)
7. Beat of the Earth (McCarty)
8. Beyond the Day (McCarty)
9. My Old Friend (McCarty)
10. Through the Fire (reprise) (McCarty)

Personnel

• Jim McCarty - vocals, drums, percussion
• Jane Relf - vocals
• John Hawken - piano, keyboards
• Louis Cennamo - bass

with

• John Idan - acoustic guitar
• Ravi - percussion
• Jackie Rawe - vocals
• Mandy Bell - vocals
• Emily Burridge - cello
• Dzal Martin - acoustic guitar
• Gary Le Port - acoustic guitar
• Jonathan Digby - acoustic guitar
• Danny Relf - synthesizer programming
• Ron Korb - vocals, flute

External links

• Northern Lights Renaissance website; includes Illusion discography etc.
• John Hawken website
• Allmusic