Hal Stern's thoughts on the economy, software, services, technology, and snowmen. Hal Stern: The Morning Snowman

I'm firmly convinced that Renaissance was primarily an East Coast, Philly to Boston, late baby boomer phenomenon. The best description I've heard of their music is "electric folk," but sparse adjectives don't do justice to Jon Camp's amazing bass lines, or Annie Haslam's vocals, or composition that draws on Russian literature and Persian folklore. Nearly 30 years after its release, I still get shivers when I hear Annie Haslam hit the final notes of "Sheherazade" or "Ashes are Burning." Annie Haslam has an unheard-of five octave range. All the more amazing to me since I have about two octaves and one of them is consistently out of whatever key we're in.

What happens when you take all-time favorite vocalist (Annie Haslam) and mix with all-time favorite guitar player (Steve Howe) on top-five all-time favorite Yes composition (Turn of the Century)? No, you don't get a recording session with MaryMary. But you can find out on Tales from Yesterday, a CD of Yes covers. It's magic.