I passed Robin one day on the street. It was maybe 1978 in Hollywood, a back street district, I was struck dumb, not being accustomed to coming face to face with a prince. I stared. Robin, as he passed, smiled and said, "It's a fine day". To this day, I wish I could have found my voice. I love you, Robin. Forgive me for not responding, "Indeed it is, Mr. Williamson."
A few years ago, I saw robin and his wife Bina play in st. John's church in Glastonbury. After the concert, I went up to Bina and asked her a question about the song she'd sung in Hindi, which I can speak to a fairly basic level (I was genuinely interested, but it was mostly an excuse to speak to them). She told me I'd made her day by speaking Hindi with her, and I exchanged a few words with Robin, who I discovered speaks Punjabi. I really had to control myself from being a gushing groupie with Robin and saying "even though I was born decades after you, your music has given me more pleasure than any other musician from Britain"...
Robin and His Merry Band performed at the Blue Bird Cafe, Santa Barbara, California some time circa . . . 1974? Being an ISB fan, I was struck by Robin's creative force, a little sorry Mike Heron wasn't there, but impressed beyond words. A singer/songwriter myself, I've always been influenced by both men. That night, Robin sent me on an entirely new direction it took me years to find my way back from. Robin was an 'envelope pusher'. Not everything might change the world, but everything was a new idea. Like John and Paul, to me, Robin and Mike were not nearly as good without each other. But, like John, like Paul, and like Mike, Robin, OMG, the man continued to infect my thoughts, my feelings, my very instincts. He changed my life before and after. He changed my world.
The Merry Band was great! Live too -- I saw them at least 2x at Club Passim in Boston -- very joyous and energetic and just fun. I wouldn't call their music an attempt to go mainstream or pop -- hardly! But it was more traditional, and less weird (less likely to dramatically change in tone and style mid-song -- more consistent in style and with traditional instrumentation) than the ISB in a way that made it more accessible and more moving.
a great find on this day,i have tried to find a whole lp same band ,a glint at the kindling can only find odd track also a fine lp ,would like to find it if poss
Even so, it is not yet known if the disappearance of the beautiful Licorice was influenced by Scientology or was in a personal way. I love Cristina Licorice Mckecnie
Some of their best works came after that. (I think Liquid Acrobats was one of their best albums) . That is certainly true of Robin in particular. I think it was more a case of the era coming to a close more than scientology messing them up. What band in this era would ever get a record deal doing what ISB did in the 1960s, brilliant as it was?
Love Robin, but the nods to the contemporaneous crappy fusion and rock styles are sadly dated and unfortunate. Happily, there are just a few instances of same.
I believe Robin did try to reach pop excellence, follow up his greatest hit, "First Girl I Loved", which was covered by Judy Collins with a gender change, but did not bring him much acclaim. But . . . yeh, he didn't really understand Pop music.
Strong disagree. This is tight, perfect music outside of any genre boundaries. Just phenomenal writing, performances and production. Faultless from start to finish. They nailed. No need for comparisons, just let it be.
Such an underrated album.some lovely stuff here. Never realized that was licky on there..adding her particular brand of magic.
I passed Robin one day on the street. It was maybe 1978 in Hollywood, a back street district, I was struck dumb, not being accustomed to coming face to face with a prince. I stared. Robin, as he passed, smiled and said, "It's a fine day". To this day, I wish I could have found my voice. I love you, Robin. Forgive me for not responding, "Indeed it is, Mr. Williamson."
A few years ago, I saw robin and his wife Bina play in st. John's church in Glastonbury. After the concert, I went up to Bina and asked her a question about the song she'd sung in Hindi, which I can speak to a fairly basic level (I was genuinely interested, but it was mostly an excuse to speak to them). She told me I'd made her day by speaking Hindi with her, and I exchanged a few words with Robin, who I discovered speaks Punjabi. I really had to control myself from being a gushing groupie with Robin and saying "even though I was born decades after you, your music has given me more pleasure than any other musician from Britain"...
Robin and His Merry Band performed at the Blue Bird Cafe, Santa Barbara, California some time circa . . . 1974? Being an ISB fan, I was struck by Robin's creative force, a little sorry Mike Heron wasn't there, but impressed beyond words. A singer/songwriter myself, I've always been influenced by both men. That night, Robin sent me on an entirely new direction it took me years to find my way back from. Robin was an 'envelope pusher'. Not everything might change the world, but everything was a new idea. Like John and Paul, to me, Robin and Mike were not nearly as good without each other. But, like John, like Paul, and like Mike, Robin, OMG, the man continued to infect my thoughts, my feelings, my very instincts. He changed my life before and after. He changed my world.
Robin, just heard this album and exactly what l expected. Thank you.
The Merry Band was great! Live too -- I saw them at least 2x at Club Passim in Boston -- very joyous and energetic and just fun. I wouldn't call their music an attempt to go mainstream or pop -- hardly! But it was more traditional, and less weird (less likely to dramatically change in tone and style mid-song -- more consistent in style and with traditional instrumentation) than the ISB in a way that made it more accessible and more moving.
Totally wonderful folk rock minstrel album Robin returns to his true passion, many thanks for uploading the full album.
Have long, long loved this LP. Thank you for posting.
When they have those top folk album charts this should be number one no mistake.
thank god, .... this was one fuck of a good album
a great find on this day,i have tried to find a whole lp same band ,a glint at the kindling can only find odd track also a fine lp ,would like to find it if poss
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Often never quite saves himself from the distinct art of showing off.
Even so, it is not yet known if the disappearance of the beautiful Licorice was influenced by Scientology or was in a personal way. I love Cristina Licorice Mckecnie
hard to say...harder to prove... let it go
Sometimes I think Scientology ruined the ISB just like it ruined Chick Corea. Too much eager to please generic crap, not enough magic.
Wait. What?
Some of their best works came after that. (I think Liquid Acrobats was one of their best albums)
. That is certainly true of Robin in particular. I think it was more a case of the era coming to a close more than scientology messing them up. What band in this era would ever get a record deal doing what ISB did in the 1960s, brilliant as it was?
Love Robin, but the nods to the contemporaneous crappy fusion and rock styles are sadly dated and unfortunate. Happily, there are just a few instances of same.
I believe Robin did try to reach pop excellence, follow up his greatest hit, "First Girl I Loved", which was covered by Judy Collins with a gender change, but did not bring him much acclaim. But . . . yeh, he didn't really understand Pop music.
Strong disagree. This is tight, perfect music outside of any genre boundaries. Just phenomenal writing, performances and production. Faultless from start to finish. They nailed. No need for comparisons, just let it be.
Such an underrated album.some lovely stuff here. Never realized that was licky on there..adding her particular brand of magic.