Label: Pseudonym
Category: Music
Average customer rating:
Format: Original recording remastered
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1
EAN: 8712488004204
ASIN: B0000076FA
Release Date: 2003-12-02
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Artist: Kayak
Label: Pseudonym Category: Music Average customer rating:
Format: Original recording remastered Media: Audio CD Number Of Discs: 1 EAN: 8712488004204 ASIN: B0000076FA Release Date: 2003-12-02 |
Merlin
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Progressive Rock
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Album Description
Digitally remastered reissue of the Dutch prog rock legend's 1980 album. Features the original cover art, full lyrics and all 10 of the cuts that first appeared on it. 1994 release.Album Details
All Tracks Digitally Transferred from the Original Master Tapes.Customer Reviews:
KayaK.......2005-12-15
Once upon a time.......2002-01-14
"Merlin" is a semi-concept album. Its first five tracks are part of Kayak's masterful musical interpretation of the Arthurian legend. All of the songs were composed by keyboarder Ton Scherpenzeel, co-founder and principal genius behind the group. The exceptional, unusually poetic lyrics he wrote together with Irene Linders. (In flawless English, i feel obliged to add, which should never be taken for granted with (European) bands for whom English is not their mother tongue.) The early medieval atmosphere is captured perfectly, partly due to the use of additional stringed and brass instruments - such as flute and banjo. On the whole the balance tips over decisively in favor of ballad oriented material, giving Edward Reekers and Ton Scherpenzeel every chance to show off their preeminence on vocals and piano.
Still there is many a moment when Kayak prove they are very much a (high calibre) rock outfit, who know how to cut loose. Check out epic opener "Merlin" for instance, the dramatic buildup to its chorus featuring a plenitude of soaring guitars and pompous keyboards, rockers like "The sword in the stone" and "Can't afford to lose" or the gorgeous guitar solo toward the end of the infinitely delicate ballad "Niniane (Lady of the lake)". "Seagull" was a single release and, deservedly, a hit in the Netherlands. "Now that we've come this far" is another fantastic track, the lead vocals to this heartbreaking ballad are delivered with great pathos (in the best sense of the word). On "Love's aglow" Edward Reekers yielded his place behind the mike to Kayak's helmsman Ton Scherpenzeel, resulting in a rather long-winded, dreamy song extemely reminiscent of Camel circa "The snow goose". Odd one out is the cheerful "Boogie heart", a fair composition not lacking in merit, but not quite able to hold its own in this company of excessive overachievers.
In "recent" years a number of titles from the Kayak back catalogue have been (re)released on CD by Pseudonym Records in a digitally remastered version. Of these albums "Merlin" is their best and brightest. Two decades after its initial release, this rare gem sounds far from dated and has lost none of its impact. If you're looking for a classic rock album, which showcases superior artistry, dazzling skill, awardwinning melodies, intelligent lyrics and unforgettable songs this is the one to buy. It should be noted that on their new album "Close to the fire" vocal duties have been reclaimed by Max Werner (also known for his solo hit "Rain in May"). Although he is a very accomplished singer, he is not as good as Edward Reekers, who has contributed as guest vocalist to recent releases by Ayreon and Erik Norlander. I can also unreservedly recommend Edward Reekers' 1992 solo effort "Stages", a fine poprock/AOR album.
This is one of the best CD from Kayak.......1998-10-04
Music Album:
Music CD
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