Merlin (Kayak album) explained

Merlin
Type:	studio
Artist:	Kayak
Cover:	File:Kayak_Merlin1981.jpg
Released:	1981, 1994 (reissue)
Recorded:	1981, at Soundpush Studio, Blaricum, The Netherlands
Genre:	Progressive rock
Label:	Vertigo (original LP) Pseudonym (1995 reissue)
Producer:	Gerrit-Jan Leenders and Kayak
Prev Title:	Periscope Life
Prev Year:	1980
Next Title:	Eyewitness
Next Year:	1981

Merlin is the eighth studio album by Dutch band Kayak.^[1] The first half of the original LP (tracks 1 through 5) is a concept fantasy story about Merlin the Magician. The second half of the LP is a collection of individual songs.^{[2] [3]}

In 2003, Kayak released a re-worked and longer version of the Merlin-story, under the title Merlin - Bard of the Unseen.

Track listing

1. "Merlin" - 7:23
2. "Tintagel" - 2:41
3. "The Sword In The Stone" - 3:31
4. "The King's Enchanter" - 2:42
5. "Niniane (Lady Of The Lake) - 7:22
6. "Seagull" - 4:10
7. "Boogie Heart" - 4:11
8. "Now That We've Come This Far" - 4:29
9. "Can't Afford To Lose" - 3:19
10. "Love's Aglow" - 6:03

All songs composed by Ton Scherpenzeel, lyrics by Ton Scherpenzeel and Irene Linders

Lineup

• Edward Reekers - lead (all but 10) and backing vocals
• Johan Slager - electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, flute
• Ton Scherpenzeel - keyboards, backing and lead (10) vocals
• Peter Scherpenzeel - bass guitar, recorder
• Max Werner - drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Irene Linders - backing vocals
• Katherine Lapthorn - backing vocals

Guest musicians

Rein v/d Broek - Brass instruments

Benny Behr c.s. - Strings

External links

• Official site

Notes and References

1. https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Kayak&titel=Close+To+The+Fire&cat=a Dutch Charts - Kayak albums chart positions
2. King Arthur in Popular Culture- Page 148 1476605270

   Elizabeth S. Sklar, Donald L. Hoffman - 2018 - rock band Kayak outlined the wizard's career, including his role in Arthur's life, in a five-song suite on their album Merlin.

3. Billboard- 4 Jul 1981

   Vol. 93, No. 26 First result of the deal is that the album "Merlin" by Kayak, one of Holland's top rock acts, will be released in the U.S. this ...