Merlin-Merlin-Vinylrip-320-Abrasax

Merlin / Merlin



Released 1974

UK Vinyl : CBS 80338



Musicians :

Alan Love - Vocals

Jamie Moses - Lead Guitar, Vocals

Bob (Scully) Webb - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals

Dave Whitwhick - Drums, Vocals

Paul Taylor - Bass



Produced by Roger Greenaway



Side A :

01.Space Raider

02.Takin' Part

03.Gettin' Involved

04.Gypsy

05.He Thinks About You All The Time



Side B :

06Look At Life

07.Marina

08.Sweet Sweet Cheetin' Rita

09.Alright

10.(Let Me) Put My Spell On You

11.Wild Cat



Definitely not to be confused with the later funk outfit of the same name, Merlin produced a mixed album of progressive and glam sounds. Even the sleeve pictures reflect the schizophrenia; on the front they are laughing in red and white stage uniforms, decorations round their necks and covered in flashes and the letter "M", on the reverse they are more moody, clad in denim on fog-bound stone steps. The album itself displays progressive touches both lyrically and musically on the first three tracks, particularly Taking Part and Gettin' Involved. From track four onwards the album is a more straight-forward rocking affair, sounding a little like Sweet in places especially on (by coincidence) Sweet Sweet Cheatin' Rita. This is one of the two songs on the album jointly written by Roger Greenaway, who also produced. Elsewhere the songs are mainly band compositions. It's only a guess, but one gets the impression of the band coming from a prog direction, getting a record deal, and going all out for a hit with Cook and Greenaway production values.