merlinband-archive

[merlinband-archive]

Merlin is now available on streaming!

Amazing news folks! I'm not sure when it happened, but Merlin's self-titled album is available to stream AND it looks like it includes the non-album b-side Just Another Fish On My Hook!

[merlinband-archive]

Source: Torbay Express and South Devon Echo

Date: Saturday 16 March 1974

Screenshot from an online newspaper archive

(Transcript Below)

Merlin back

With a new name, a new image, and a new record in the shops, one of the most consistently popular groups to appear in Paignton returns this weekend.

Merlin, better known to regulars at Penelope's nightspot on Paignton seafront as Madrigal, changed their name six months ago. Now they have landed a record production deal, an LP, and a concert tour of at least 45 dates this spring.

Lead vocalist Allan Love says they are working on a rock opera with music and story built around the name of the band - a sort of Merlin the Magician fantasy. The idea came from keyboard player Scully Wagon-Lits, and is an extension of Merlin's current 15-minute operetta, which has been getting a great reception from audiences.

Merlin's drummer is David Wightwick, with Paul Taylor on bass and Jamie Moses on lead guitar.

Merlin are returning to a favourite haunt where they always get a tremendous welcome, when they open at Penelope's tonight.

[merlinband-archive]

Happy 50th anniversary to Merlin's first (and sadly only) album!

Let's all spend some time today listening to their music and remembering this short-lived but rather incredible band!

Discography

Merlin (1974)

Released October 25, 1974

(Photos of the album from my collection)

Sleeve Design: Roslav Szaybo Photography: Joe Gaffney

Produced by Roger Greenaway for Cookaway Production Ltd. Engineers: Geoff Emerick/Peter Henderson Studio: A.I.R. (London) Ltd. No. 1 Mastered: Arun Chakraverty, CBS Studio

Merlin Personnel: Alan Love - Vocals Jamie Moses - Lead Guitar/Vocals Bob (Scully) Webb - Keyboard/Guitar/Vocals Dave Whitwhick [sic] - Drums/Vocals Paul Taylor - Bass Guitar

Side One

Space Raider (Love/Hardwicke) 5:22

Takin' Part (R. Webb) 4:25

Gettin' Involved (Love/Hardwicke) 2:50

Gypsy (J. Moses) 3:36

He Thinks About You All The Time (J. Moses) 3:40

Side Two

Look At Life (R. Cook) 4:22

Marina (R. Webb) 3:47

Sweet Sweet Cheatin' Rita (Stephens/Greenaway) 4:07

Alright (R. Cook/H. Flowers) 3:38

(Let Me) Put My Spell On You (R. Greenaway/T. Macaulay) 3:24

Wild Cat (H. Barter/R. Barter) 2:36

Single Releases

"(Let Me) Put My Spell On You" b/w "Just Another Fish On My Hook" - Released March 1, 1974

"Alright” b/w “Pictures In My Mind” - Released June 28, 1974

“Wild Cat” b/w “Half A Man” - Released November 1, 1974

"What A Funny Way To Fall In Love" b/w "Rock and Roll Express" - Released February 14, 1975

"Too Too Much" b/w "Gettin' Involved" - Released July 18, 1975 (as 'Alan Love & Merlin')

[merlinband-archive]

Source: Market Harborough Advertiser and Midland Mail

Date: Thursday 21 August 1975

Screenshot from an online newspaper archive

(Transcript Below)

Alan Love and Merlin

"Too, too much" (CBS): If you think there's room in the market for another Alvin Stardust then you'll reckon this is another smash... but I'd have said one "Coo ca choo" was enough.

[merlinband-archive]

My Collection & Want List

The following is a catalogue of Merlin items already in my collection for my own records, as well as a list of items I am still seeking.

If you have anything on my "Want" list that you're willing to sell, please send me a message!

WANT

Vinyl

(Let Me) Put My Spell On You - 7" single Germany, Portugal, Sweden, and CBS-Blitzinformation releases w/ original sleeves

Alright - 7" single Germany, Netherlands, Yugoslavia, and CBS-Blitzinformation releases w/ original sleeves

Wild Cat - 7" single Germany and CBS-Blitzinformation releases w/ original sleeves

Too Too Much - 7" single Germany and CBS-Blitzinformation releases w/ original sleeves

What A Funny Way To Fall In Love - 7" single, any version

Articles / Adverts

"David Essex on Tour With Special Guests Merlin" advert - New Musical Express, November 1974

"Pop In The Supermarket" - Melody Maker, March 1974

CBS promotional "Biografie" - Unknown, c. March 1974

"Merlin On Tour" advert - Any sources other than Melody Maker, early 1974

Any other article/advert not listed here or already in my collection!

Merchandise / Memorabilia

Any other article/advert not listed here or already in my collection!

OWNED

Vinyl

Merlin - LP

(Let Me) Put My Spell On You - 7" single UK release

Alright - 7" single UK release

Wild Cat - 7" single UK release

Too Too Much - 7" single UK release

Articles / Adverts

"Merlin On Tour" advert - Melody Maker, early 1974

"The Merlin File" - Melody Maker, late 1974

"You'll Be Spellbound!" advert - Unknown source, November 1974

"Watch Out For Merlin..." - Disco 45 magazine No.50, December 1974

"Alan Love & Merlin" - Unknown Swedish magazine, December 1974

Merchandise / Memorabilia

Centrefold poster - Record Mirror magazine, January 1975

Poster - Unknown Swedish magazine, January 1975

[merlinband-archive]

It was the first proper band, I guess, first proper touring band that I’d been in.

They got discovered by Roger Greenaway and turned into - what he wanted was his own version of The Sweet or Mud or the bands that were around at the time, sort of the glam rock things. So he stuck us all in leather cat-suits and feather boas and stuff…

–Jamie Moses on the band “Merlin”

Keep reading

[merlinband-archive]

Merlin vs. Queen - TopPop, 1974

The Melody Maker had a two page spread on us, called “Hype in the Pop Market” and it had mirrored image of the two bands: CBS band Merlin and EMI band Queen. And it listed who was on guitar, who was doing vocals and so on, and who was championing this within the production companies and everything.

Turns out that one had more success than the other!

But I remember when I first started playing with the Brian May Band… When we’d been in rehearsals for a couple of weeks I thought it was safe to bring it up to Brian and I said, “I used to be in a band- I don’t suppose you’d remember a band called Merlin?”

And he went, “You were in Merlin? We were worried about you!”

I said, “You needn’t have been, honestly!”

–Jamie Moses (guitarist with Merlin and the Brian May Band)

[merlinband-archive]

Merlin - Alright • TopPop

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: Wild Cat

Written By: H. Barter/R. Barter

Length: 2:36

Notes: Released as a single on November 1, 1974 (b/w "Half A Man)

Above: German single covers Below: UK 7" single discs (vinyl/vinyl promo/acetate)

Translation of CBS-Blitzinformation cover text:

The magician Merlin (from the legendary times of King Arthur's Round Table) not only gave the group his name, his sinister face also looks down as a logo from their posters. Merlin's sound, on the other hand, is anything but sinister. This can be heard on their third single, which has the beautiful name "Wild Cat". A powerful rock number that the five "magicians" put on the floor.

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. My best-guess is below, with unknown or uncertain parts in brackets like [this].)

My [?] baby’s dressed in black Well come on wild cat scratch my back Move over here and let me love you Just can’t spend another night without you

‘cause it ain’t right letting you go When you know I’m needing you so No it ain’t right breaking my heart When you know you’re tearing me apart

You’re a wild cat Come on wild cat

A jingle jangle from her charms With silver bangles on her arms She looking good, she looks real fine So come on wild cat don’t take your time

‘cause it ain’t right letting you go When you know I’m needing you so No it ain’t right breaking my heart When you know you’re tearing me apart

You’re a wild cat Come on wild cat

I said it ain’t right letting you go When you know I’m needing you so No it ain’t right breaking my heart When you know you’re tearing me apart

I said it ain’t right letting you go When you know I’m needing you so No it ain’t right breaking my heart When you know you’re tearing me apart

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: (Let Me) Put My Spell On You

Written By: R. Greenaway/T. Macaulay

Length: 3:24

Notes: Released as a single on March 1, 1974 (b/w "Just Another Fish On My Hook)

Above: UK single releases (1st row) & German single releases (2nd row) Below: Portugal release (left) & Sweden release (center & right)

Translation of CBS-Blitzinformation cover text:

Merlin, a new group on the CBS label, had some success in England some time ago, but at that time still under the name Madrigal. The first disc she releases as Merlin is the single "(Let Me) Put My Spell On You", a production by the successful English team Roger Greenaway and T. Macaulay.

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. My best-guess is below, with unknown or uncertain parts in brackets like [this].)

Love me now I got the power to make it good for me and you If you look into my eyes you know I do [Don’t play now] baby One little touch leads to another Let me be your [loving] man Come on, come on

Come on and take me You know you could make me For heaven’s sake please Let me put my spell on you (You know you want me to, let me put my spell on you)

Come one, come on yeah Come on and hold me (sha-la-la-la…) Baby you [sold me] I’m all hot and cold please Let me put my spell on you (Let me put my spell on you)

Can’t you feel the magic vibes electrify? [Burning you] from where you stand up to my side One little spark leads to a fire Tonight you are my one desire Come on, yeah, come on

Come on and take me (sha-la-la-la…) You know you could make me (sha-la-la-la…) For heaven’s sake please Let me put my spell on you (Let me put my spell on you)

Come on baby You know you like it (Let me put my spell on you) Oh don’t fight it baby (Let me put my spell on you) I think I’m gonna put my spell on you Oh come on (Let me put my spell on you) Come on, come on (Let me put my spell on you) Come on!

Come on and take me (sha-la-la-la…) You know you could make me (sha-la-la-la…) Come on and take me (sha-la-la-la…) You know you could make me (sha-la-la-la…) I said come on and take me (sha-la-la-la…) You know, you know you could make me (sha-la-la-la…) Come on baby and take me (sha-la-la-la…) You know you could make me now (sha-la-la-la…)

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: Alright

Written By: R. Cook/H. Flowers

Length: 3:38

Notes: Released as a single on June 28, 1974* (b/w “Pictures In My Mind”)

*Yugoslavia release dated from 1975

Above: UK single releases (1st row) & German single releases (2nd row) Below: Netherlands release (left) & Yugoslavia release (center & right)

Translation of CBS-Blitzinformation cover text:

After their last big hit "(Let Me) Put My Spell On You", the rock bards from England are stepping into the limelight with a new big rocker: "Alright", so short and sweet the title of this rock boogie, is exactly what the name suggests: Alright. No wonder that Radio-Luxembourg has long had power play for this number.

Videography:

A performance of "Alright" was recorded for TopPop, a Dutch pop music TV show. The clip was originally broadcasted on November 1, 1974.

This is the only known surviving video of Merlin performing.

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. My best-guess is below, with unknown or uncertain parts in brackets like [this].)

Alright! Your daddy don’t dig, alright! Your mama don’t dig, alright! Your sister don’t dig, alright! You’re letting your people down

Your teacher don’t dig, alright! Your preacher don’t dig, alright! They call me a pig, alright! But you’re gonna stay with me Are you ready for me and my big bird?

We’re doing that windy highway We’re shooting it up Do you know where we’ll go? And my [fly is a tryer], she ain’t slow

We’re burning up gas and rubber We’re taking our boots and [speeding leather stuff] Well our company’s rough and I’m a dude in the race And I’m a face that ain’t no disgrace

Alright! You gotta home, alright! You better sit down, alright! You gotta hold on, alright! You wanna hold me so tight

‘cause you’re ready to blow, alright! You’re itching to go, alright! Your body said no, alright! You wanna go [skid] the track? Just so’s you can call yourself one of the pack

We’re doing that windy highway We’re shooting it up Do you know where we’ll go? And my [fly is a tryer], she ain’t slow

We’re burning up gas and rubber We’re taking our boots and [speeding leather stuff] Well our company’s rough and I’m a dude in the race And I’m a face that ain’t no disgrace

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: Sweet Sweet Cheatin' Rita

Written By: Stephens/Greenaway

Length: 4:07

Notes: Roger Greenaway first gave the song to Merlin, who released it on their LP in 1974. After Merlin disbanded Greenaway had Alvin Stardust record the track, which was released in 1975. The lyrics are more-or-less unchanged between the two versions.

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. Lyrics below are taken from the Alvin Stardust release.)

She ain't a lady, but she's my baby, she gotta lotta soul I take her out to the local hop, 'cos she sure digs rock and roll She keeps me guessing She's always messing with guys who're twice my size To tell you the truth she's always telling me lies

She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita, you oughta meet her And I know, yes I know how much I need her, my cheatin' Rita She's my sweeeet, neat! Cheatin' Rita

I never take her and I don't blame her, she really turns me on But I don't care 'cos I'm well aware that she don't know right from wrong Who could be sweeter than cheatin' Rita, she makes me feel so good And I wouldn't change one hair on her head if I could

She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita, you oughta meet her And I know, yes I know how much I need her, my cheatin' Rita She's my sweeeet, neat! Cheatin' Rita

I never take her and I don't blame her, she really turns me on But I don't care 'cos I'm well aware that she don't know right from wrong Who could be sweeter than cheatin' Rita, she makes me feel so good And I wouldn't change one hair on her head if I could

She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita, you oughta meet her And I know, yes I know how much I need her, my cheatin' Rita She's my sweeeet, neat! Cheatin' Rita

A-cheat, cheat, a-cheatin' Rita A-cheat, cheat, a-cheatin' Rita A-cheat, cheat, a-cheatin' Rita A-cheat, cheat, a-cheatin'

She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita She's my sweet, sweet cheatin' Rita...

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: Marina

Written By: R. Webb

Length: 3:47

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. My best-guess is below, with unknown or uncertain parts in brackets like [this].)

Hold my hand and we’ll reach the sky Don’t let go while you’re feeling high While you’re feeling high While you’re feeling high

Foreign lady, dressed in gold You wanna be a raver Well c’mon now And do whatever you’re told

Two men lover, [Bombay lover] I’m a rock’n’roll star Come and take me And look at the sky above

Hold my hand and we’ll reach the sky Don’t let go while you’re feeling high While you’re feeling high While you’re feeling high

Live in Chelsea, drive every car Big blue hairdo Come and take me And show me whoever you are

Foreign lady, dressed in gold You wanna be a raver Well c’mon now And do whatever you’re told

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: Look At Life

Written By: R. Cook

Length: 4:22

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. My best-guess is below, with unknown or uncertain parts in brackets like [this].)

I stepped outside in the white light [?] All night long in the studio gone I was feeling tired

Red eyes burning and the night’s still turning Around inside my head When all of the [?], I got this crush She was standing right there On the sidewalk Looking at me

What a funny way to fall in love What a funny way lead my life What a funny day to see a dream Really it’s amazing when you look at life

Now suppose it is another day Maybe even in a different time Love may not have happened quite this way Really it’s amazing when you look at life Look at life

Isn’t it strange how nothing much more than a smile could change the world? You and I could’ve passed right by not a look between us All night long I was singing this song about loving that was going bad But who would’ve thought that the [cynical pomp] when the night was dying And me and my band Was homeward flying

What a funny way to fall in love What a funny way lead my life What a funny day to see a dream Really it’s amazing when you look at life

Now suppose it is another day Maybe even in a different time Love may not have happened quite this way Really it’s amazing when you look at life

What a funny way to fall in love What a funny way lead my life What a funny day to see a dream Really it’s amazing when you look at life

Now suppose it is another day Maybe even in a different time Love may not have happened quite this way Really it’s amazing when you look at life

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: He Thinks About You All The Time

Written By: J. Moses

Length: 3:40

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. My best-guess is below, with unknown or uncertain parts in brackets like [this].)

He never really got over you Your memory still stays on his mind Your picture still hangs on his bedroom wall Now he thinks about you all the time

He says he’d like to see you But you just won't come ‘round He’d like to make it up to you girl And take you out on the town

So if you find time won’t you visit him? (Gotta find time…) You gotta find time just to visit him ‘cause he’s still a good friend of mine, lord Yes he’s still a good friend of mine

The times you said you’d marry him I guess it was all just a lie (It was all just a lie…) You never meant a word that you said Now he thinks about you all the time

So if you find time won’t you visit him? (Gotta find time…) He’ll go out of his mind if you don’t visit him (Go out of his mind…) Yeah you gotta find time just to visit him ‘cause he’s still a good friend of mine, lord Yes he’s still a good friend of mine

Swallow your pride for a minute To forgive they say is divine You’re not [?] to admit it He thinks about you all the time

He tried many times to phone you But he never gets a reply So I rung you up just to tell you the news He thinks about you all the time, yes he does He just can’t get you out of his mind, no no no Forgetting you’s a waste of his time

(One, two, three…) So if you think you can’t go [wrong] Then you’re wrong And all that I said is a lie Because he thinks (He thinks about you after all) About you after all The time Oh yeah

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: Gypsy

Written By: J. Moses

Length: 3:36

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. My best-guess is below, with unknown or uncertain parts in brackets like [this].)

I’ve never known a chick like this She goes wild for just one kiss I’ve never known her kind before When it comes to making love she wants more and more

Gypsy, gypsy Why do you do what you do? Gypsy, gypsy I gotta get rid of you Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah yeah

I know a girl she looks really nice Trouble is she got one bad vice She’s mad about love and the boys in the band But the love that she gives them is secondhand

Gypsy, gypsy Why do you do what you do? Gypsy, gypsy I gotta get rid of you Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah yeah

I know a girl she looks really nice Trouble is she got one bad vice She’s mad about love and the boys in the band But the love that she gives them is secondhand

Gypsy, gypsy Why do you do what you do? Gypsy, gypsy I gotta get rid of you Wow!

Gypsy, gypsy Why do you do what you do? Gypsy, gypsy I gotta get rid of you Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah

[merlinband-archive]

Song Info: Gettin' Involved

Written By: Love/Hardwicke

Length: 2:50

Notes: Released as the B-side to the single "Too Too Much" on July 18, 1975 (as 'Alan Love & Merlin')

Above: German single releases Below: UK 7" single releases

Translation of CBS-Blitzinformation cover text:

Merlin was actually pretty good too. Now Alan Love, the former lead singer, is trying to win the hearts of pop friends solo. He will find open ears, especially among girls. "Too Too Much" is a pop teen rock number with an English commercial sound a la T. Rex, which has already had considerable success in England.

Lyrics:

(Official lyrics were never provided. My best-guess is below, with unknown or uncertain parts in brackets like [this].)

We’re getting involved, like a mystery unsolved How d’you think it will end? What a long time I’ve been seeing the signs You’re more to me than just a friend

It’s strange the way and it just can’t explain We have grown into one Sharing our days as we [look up] and gaze [?] [shower] by rays from the sun

I’ll be reborn It’s a new kind of birth I’ll be reborn Like a flower growing Coming up from the earth

An explanation’s not needed Words are better unsaid This feeling inside, that just stays in my mind You’ll never escape from my head

I’ll be reborn It’s a new kind of birth I’ll be reborn Like a flower growing Coming up from the earth

I’ll be reborn It’s a new kind of birth I’ll be reborn Like a flower growing Coming up from the earth