''Merlin'' is the eighth studio album by Dutch band

Kayak A kayak is a small, narrow watercraft which is typically propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. The word kayak originates from the Greenlandic word ''qajaq'' (). The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each se ...

. The first half of the original LP (tracks 1 through 5) is a concept

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

story about

Merlin the Magician Merlin ( cy, Myrddin, kw, Marzhin, br, Merzhin) is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a mage, with several other main roles. His usual depiction, based on an amalgamation of historic and l ...

. The second half of the LP is a collection of individual songs. 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 ... In 2003, Kayak released a re-worked and longer version of the Merlin-story, under the title ''

Merlin - Bard of the Unseen Merlin ( cy, Myrddin, kw, Marzhin, br, Merzhin) is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a mage, with several other main roles. His usual depiction, based on an amalgamation of historic and l ...

''.

Track listing

# "Merlin" - 7:23 # "Tintagel" - 2:41 # "The Sword In The Stone" - 3:31 # "The King's Enchanter" - 2:42 # "Niniane (Lady Of The Lake) - 7:22 # "Seagull" - 4:10 # "Boogie Heart" - 4:11 # "Now That We've Come This Far" - 4:29 # "Can't Afford To Lose" - 3:19 # "Love's Aglow" - 6:03 All songs composed by Ton Scherpenzeel, lyrics by Ton Scherpenzeel and Irene Linders

Lineup

Edward Reekers Edward Reekers (born 24 May 1957, in Hengelo) is a Dutch singer and voice actor. Most notable is his work as lead singer for Dutch progressive rock band Kayak. Having been a fan of the band for years, Reekers joined Kayak in 1978. He replaced M ...

- lead (all but 10) and backing vocals *

Johan Slager Johan Slager (born 8 June 1946, Amsterdam) is a Dutch musician best known as the original guitarist of rock band Kayak. He co-founded the band along with Ton Scherpenzeel, Pim Koopman, and Max Werner in 1972. He left the band in 1982 after ni ...

- electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, flute *

Ton Scherpenzeel Ton Scherpenzeel (born 6 August 1952) is a Dutch keyboardist, composer, lyricist, and founding member of progressive rock band Kayak, together with Pim Koopman and Max Werner whom he met whilst at the Hilversum Muziek Lyceum (Hilversum College o ...

- keyboards, backing and lead (10) vocals *Peter Scherpenzeel - bass guitar, recorder *

Max Werner Max Werner (born 29 December 1953 in Hilversum) is a Dutch vocalist, musician, and drummer. He was the lead singer, drummer, and percussionist of the progressive art rock band Kayak. In 1972, Werner co-founded the band along with keyboardist ...

- 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

References

External links

Official site
{{Authority control 1981 albums Kayak (band) albums Works based on Merlin