YOKO'S SOLO, COVER BAND PROJECTS 1990 - 1995
 This page is about Yoko Royama(vocalist of VERMILION SANDS) and her activity in a session unit RENAISSANCE OF DREAMS.
 After VERMILION SANDS was suspended in 1990, we had a bit of fun every year until 1994 in giving a live concert as RENAISSANCE OF DREAMS. The band's name was chosen, as you guess, after CARAVAN OF DREAMS. (Sorry for being a Copy Cat!) The following is a history of Yoko's activity after 1990.
 

 SCHEHERAZADE which was active from 1982 to 1985 as a coverband of RENAISSANCE was reborn and gave a concert at SILVER ELEPHANT. (The SCHEHERAZADE in Osaka area is not related at all. Sorry for the confusing names.) Members: Yoko Royama(vo.), Masahiro Yamada(key), Kazuhiko Aikawa(d.), Minoru Tanaka(b.), Toshiki Sato(g.), Keisuke Ai(g. ex. CINDERELLA SEARCH). The program was "Prologue" of RENAISSANCE, "It All Comes Back to Me", TUDER LODGE, "Fool", TREES and others.

 

Solo Album "SUNNY DAYS" was released.

1.SUNNY DAYS
2.EDOM O'GORDON
3.MORNING WAY
4.LOVE IS HERE
5.THE BLACKSMITH
6.THE BIRD
7.THE DROWNED LOVER
8.MISTY BAY

 "EDOM O'GORDON", "THE BLACKSMITH" and "THE DROWNED LOVER" are arranged from English and Irish folksongs. "SUNNY DAYS", "THE BIRD", "MISTY BAY" are originals which Yoko played before VERMILION SANDS was formed. "MONRING WAY", "LOVE IS HERE" are Hisashi Matoba's songs which had never been played by VERMILION SANDS.
Apart from guitar by Hisashi Matoba and Toshiki Sato, Yoko did most of the parts including vocal, sequencer progrmming, flute etc.

 SCHEHERAZADE gave a live concert at SILVER ELEPHANT to celebrate the release of CD series "THE GLORY OF BRITISH ROCK" from EDISON. SCHEHERAZADE was joined by Katsuhiko Hayashi from MUGEN. The program was "Heaven Heath" by MELLOW CANDLE, "Accoring to Matthew" by SPRIGUNS, "Ashes are burning" and "Ocean gypsy" by RENAISSANCE and others.

 

 The band's name was changed to "RENAISSANCE OF DREAMS" and a live concert was given. The concert members: Yoko Royama(vo.), Masahiro Yamada(key.), Kazuhiko Aikawa(d.), Toshiki Sato(b.), and Keisuke Ai(g.). The program was "Beautiful Country" and "The Man Who Loves the Tree" by ILLUSION, "Farewell Farewell" and "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" by FAIRPORT CONVENTION and "Let It Grow" by RENAISSANCE and others.

 

 At the new year festival at SILVER ELEPHANT, Royama and Yamada Unit had mischievous fun by playing STEWART & GASKIN. By the way, "Mrs. Yamada" who won the first prize in the Keyboard Magazine's "Horrible Chord Contest" organised by DAVE STEWART is our Yoko. Hey, Mr. Dave Stewart, the first prize "Bullfrog Leg-warmer" has not been received yet!

 The live concert in summer was totally devoted to SANDY DENNY and FAIRPORT CONVENTION. The regular members(Yoko Royama(vo.), Masahiro Yamada(key.), Toshiki Sato(b.), Keisuke Ai(g.)) were joined by Hisashi Matoba(d.) and Ryoji Ogasawara(b.), and we believe VERMILION SANDS's fans also enjoyed the whole event.

 

 July, a live concert of RENAISSANCE OF DREAMS. Members: Yoko Royama(vo.), Masahiro Yamada(key.), Toshiki Sato(b.), Keisuke Ai(g.), Hisashi Matoba(d.). The program was "Rudiment" of JOY UNLIMITED, "Swan Song" of REBEKKA, THE CRABERRIES, MARY HOPKIN and CAPERCAILLIE, etc.

 October, a live concert. Members: Yoko Royama(vo.), Masahiro Yamada(key.), Toshiki Sato(b.), Keisuke Ai(g.), Genta Kudo(d.), Junko Minobe(vl.), Ryou Takahashi(b.). The program was mainly from the album SUNNY DAYS as well as BRITISH TRAD and SANDY DENNY.

 

 Live performance is being suspended. Concentrating on composing new songs. Preparing for the new VERMILION SANDS.