''TRB Two'' – also known as ''TRB2'' – is the second studio album by

Tom Robinson Band Tom Robinson Band (TRB) are a British rock band, established in 1976 by singer, songwriter and bassist Tom Robinson. The band's debut single "2-4-6-8 Motorway" was a top five hit on the UK Singles Chart in 1977, and their third single, "Up Ag ...

. It was recorded days after the original drummer,

Dolphin Taylor Brian "Dolphin" Taylor (born 10 November 1958) is a British former drummer. Tom Robinson Band Taylor's first band was Dragon's Playground, which earlier had had Annie Lennox as a vocalist. In 1976 Dragon's Playground appeared on ATV's ''New Fa ...

, left the band. The TRB disbanded four months after its release. Steve Ridgeway designed the cover.

Songs

The album was dedicated to Mrs. Mary Towers, the mother of Liddle Towers. Liddle Towers was an amateur boxer who had died in police custody in 1976 - his case was the subject of "Blue Murder". "Black Angel" was originally recorded as "Sweet Black Angel" by Robinson's first band,

Café Society Café society was the description of the "Beautiful People" and "Bright Young Things" who gathered in fashionable cafés and restaurants in New York, Paris and London beginning in the late 19th century. Maury Henry Biddle Paul is credited with ...

, on their self-titled debut album in 1975. "Law and Order" was co-written by Nick Plytas who joined the TRB as a temporary keyboard player from April to July 1978. Robinson and Danny Kustow believe "Bully for You" inspired " Another Brick in the Wall Part 2" by

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic music, psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philo ...

, with whom the band shared a manager and

label A label (as distinct from signage) is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product, on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item. Information printed dir ...

. "There's no question he song's repeated'We don't need no aggravation' was in the air around loyd lyricist

Roger Waters George Roger Waters (born 6 September 1943) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. In 1965, he co-founded the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. Waters initially served as the bassist, but following the departure of singer-so ...

", said the former. "The truth of it is that I had a really good idea for a chorus and we didn't make the most of it. If 'Bully for You' had started with, 'We don't need no aggravation,' how much better would it have been? Roger's skills as a writer were far more developed than my own. He put a great idea to better use, so fair play to him."

Reception

Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand fo ...

'' said, "This is far superior to the last album and the TRB are developing into a very fine rock band. This album captures more of their live power, but the increasing sophistication of the songs means less immediate impact."

Track listing

All tracks composed by Tom Robinson; except where indicated #"All Right All Night" (Robinson,

Danny Kustow Alexander Daniel Kustow (10 May 1955 – 11 March 2019) was an English rock guitarist, known for his dynamic performance style and work with the Tom Robinson Band in the 1970s and 1980s. Early life Kustow was born at Queen Charlotte's and Chel ...

, Ian Parker) – 2:59 #"Why Should I Mind" (Robinson, Danny Kustow) – 3:01 #"Black Angel" – 4:02 #"Let My People Be" – 4:07 #"Blue Murder" – 5:02 #"Bully for You" (music:

Peter Gabriel Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and activist. He rose to fame as the original lead singer of the progressive rock band Genesis. After leaving Genesis in 1975, he launched ...

; lyrics: Robinson) – 3:20 #"Crossing over the Road" (Robinson, Danny Kustow, Ian Parker) – 3:39 #"Sorry Mr. Harris" – 2:43 #"Law and Order" (music: Robinson, Nick Plytas, Taylor; lyrics: Robinson, Dolphin Taylor) – 2:35 #"Days of Rage" (Robinson, Dolphin Taylor) – 3:33 #"Hold Out" – 4:10

Charts

Personnel

;Tom Robinson Band *

Tom Robinson Thomas Giles Robinson (born 1 June 1950) is a British singer, bassist, radio presenter and long-time LGBT rights activist, best known for the hits "Glad to Be Gay", "2-4-6-8 Motorway", and "Don't Take No for an Answer", with his Tom Robinson ...

– vocals, bass *

– guitar, backing vocals * Ian "Quince" Parker – keyboards; vocals on "Law & Order" *

Preston Heyman Preston Heyman is a British record producer, drummer and percussionist. He is credited on the Kate Bush album ''Never for Ever''. He played Oriental percussion instruments on the track "Blood Sucking" of Mike Oldfield's soundtrack for the fil ...

– drums, triangle, backing vocals with: *

Carol Grimes Carol Ann Grimes (born 7 April 1944) is a British singer and songwriter. In 1969, she joined the band Delivery and recorded one album before departing for a solo career. Her debut solo album, ''Warm Blood'' (1974), was recorded with members of ...

Kasim Sulton Kasim Sulton (born December 8, 1955) is an American bass guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist. Best known for his work with Utopia, Sulton sang lead on 1980's "Set Me Free," Utopia's only top 40 hit in the United States. As a solo artist, Sulton ...

, Niamh Chambers, Barry St. John – backing "high" vocals ;Technical * Bill Price – preparation *Paul Libsom, Tom Edmonds – engineer *Julie Harris, Steve Ridgeway – cover design

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trb Two 1979 albums Albums produced by Todd Rundgren EMI Records albums Tom Robinson Band albums