About the band: Kayak is a Dutch progressive rock band formed in 1972, and still going strong after a time-out from 1982 until 1999. Their singles and albums sold well in the Netherlands, but they made little impact internationally. A pity, because they are my favourite Dutch band. Kayak currently have seven songs in my list of about 200 best pop/rock songs of all time.
About the song: The legend of Merlin became the subject of two albums by the Dutch group Kayak. The first album from 1981, entitled Merlin, dedicated one side to this subject, the later album from 2003 (Merlin - Bard of the Unseen) took the original five songs (re-recorded), and added seven more. The crowning moment of the original suite, yes of Kayaks full repertoire, is the closing ballad Niniane (Lady of the lake), which must be one of the most beautiful ballads in the world of progrock. The music by Ton Scherpenzeel and the lyrics by his wife Irene Linders blend in perfect harmony. I have a slight preference for the original version, although the remake is frankly almost as good. Run time 7:24.
