ANNIE HASLAM : ANNIE IN WONDERLAND

1. Introlise / If I Were Made Of Music
2. I Never Believed In Love
3. If I Loved You
4. Hunioco
5. Rockalise - to Alison
6. Nature Boy
7. Inside My Life
8. Going Home

Label : Sire Records

Time : 41:34

Release Year : 1977

Review (Wikipedia) : Annie in Wonderland is the first solo album by Annie Haslam, vocalist with the 1970's band Renaissance. Produced by the multi-talented Roy Wood, who also wrote some of the material, the album features a range of musical styles enabling Haslam to experiment with vocal styles outside the ethos of Renaissance. The range for which Haslam is well-known is still apparent, however, especially in the showcase number "Rockalise". The album peaked at #167 on the Billboard "pop albums" chart. Annie in Wonderland was originally released in a gatefold sleeve featuring original artwork by Roy Wood. Many of John Tenniel's characters from Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland appear, in particular the Knave of Hearts (as a teddy boy), the March Hare (as a football supporter), and the caterpillar (as Wood himself) - the caricatures are reasonably faithful to the original illustrations. The interior features photographs of the performers, friends and family as well as the track listing and credits.

Review (AllMusic) : While Renaissance started to veer from prog rock to new wave pop, Annie Haslam and Roy Wood concocted this little gem to hold over the prog fans. Annie in Wonderland is whimsical, fanciful, and verging on precious. One of the highlights is the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic "If I Loved You" (which acts as a precursor for Haslam's One Enchanted Evening album). It is interesting to compare the version of "Nature Boy" on this CD with her post-Moulin Rouge interpretation of the song on One Enchanted Evening. In both versions, Haslam gets right to the heart of this beautifully soulful song. Haslam brings the pipes, Wood makes sure to keep it weird - and the result is something for early Renaissance fans who missed the band's far more interesting swing toward the mainstream. Interestingly, it would be 22 years before Haslam would release another solo album.