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Originally released on the Irish Claddagh label in 1981, ‘Songs Of Love And Parting’ was Robin’s first solo album after the amicable demise of the Merry Band. It contains the classics ‘For Mr Thomas’ (a tribute to the Welsh Bard), which was later covered by Van Morrison, ‘Fare Thee Well Sweet Mally’ and ‘Flower Of The Briar’. Around the same time Robin released a cassette of songs and poetry titled ‘Selected Writings’ which was only ever sold at concerts. This is closely linked with the ‘SL&P’ album, as material from both collections made up a substantial part of his ‘Tree of Leaf & Flame’ stage show. The cassette also contained Robin’s major poetic piece, ‘Edinburgh’, that reflects on his childhood and early years as a musician in his hometown. Tracks: Songs Of Love And Parting: Verses In Stewart Street / For Mr. Thomas / Fare Thee Well Sweet Mally / Return No More / Tarry Wool / For Three Of Us / Sigil / Flower Of The Briar / The Forming Of Blodeuwedd / Gwydion’s Dream / Verses At Balwearie Tower / A Night At Ardpatrick / The Parting Glass / Selected Writings 1980-83: Song Of Mabon / The Fair / The Fair Dance / Edinburgh / Lammas
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This record is virtually flawless and quite a few Incredible String Band fans rate it as highly as, or even above, the ISB masterpieces of the 60's.
It is a very different proposition , however, with little of the avant-garde about it (other than the 'mixed-media' feel of 'The Forming of Blodeuwedd' from The Mabinogion). Instead there is a consistent and integrated maturity throughout, and every song leaves the impression that it has been honed to perfection : idea, words, musical material, arrangement, singing - all in superb poised balance, nothing excessive, everything articulated and in proportion. Oh, and I almost missed out the most important point : it's achingly beautiful.
It is a very different proposition , however, with little of the avant-garde about it (other than the 'mixed-media' feel of 'The Forming of Blodeuwedd' from The Mabinogion). Instead there is a consistent and integrated maturity throughout, and every song leaves the impression that it has been honed to perfection : idea, words, musical material, arrangement, singing - all in superb poised balance, nothing excessive, everything articulated and in proportion. Oh, and I almost missed out the most important point : it's achingly beautiful.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Robin is practically the only archetypal Celtic bard left on the planet, so lap it up before he's gone. It doesn't come more authentic or original or stunningly magical than this. This man is a living legend of incomparable virtuosity.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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4 reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Williamson's best work on a single CD
5 Oct 2005
Format:Audio CD
Is there anything more frustrating than being a Robin Williamson fan?
At his best he is a lyrical, magical poet seeming to overflow with creativity. At his worst he is a screeching, howling madman producing music that is truly unlistenable.
For the newcomer, this collection contains some of his best work and many of my favorites. The "Songs of Love and Parting" LP was worn out on my turntable when it first came out. From the nostalgic romance of "Verses in Stewart Street" to the truly magical Celtic mystery of "Flower of the Briar" and the unusually slow and pensive "Parting Glass."
If you have never heard of Williamson, this is where to start. If you are an old friend, it's great to have this music back on CD.
The special bonus here is his poetry set to music that was originally available only on cassette at his concerts and was later available as part of a different CD compliation.
This includes one of the most haunting bits of Celticism ever produced, the "Song of Mabon," which always sounded to me like an ancient Druidic rite that had been captured thousands of years ago and somehow channeled by Robin.
Robin has many personnas and is full of contradictions. He is a Celtic bard, but also a Scientologist! He has a stunningly lyrical voice that he can suddenly shatter into passionate dissonance. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. He is a wonderful poet who isn't above writing a bit of doggeral now and then.
My wife hates his voice and runs from the room when I put him on, as do many of my friends. So I put on the headphones or enjoy this music alone in my car. If you have any love of Celticism, poetry or folk music, this is the CD to try. If you hate it, you can always sell it on Ebay.
At his best he is a lyrical, magical poet seeming to overflow with creativity. At his worst he is a screeching, howling madman producing music that is truly unlistenable.
For the newcomer, this collection contains some of his best work and many of my favorites. The "Songs of Love and Parting" LP was worn out on my turntable when it first came out. From the nostalgic romance of "Verses in Stewart Street" to the truly magical Celtic mystery of "Flower of the Briar" and the unusually slow and pensive "Parting Glass."
If you have never heard of Williamson, this is where to start. If you are an old friend, it's great to have this music back on CD.
The special bonus here is his poetry set to music that was originally available only on cassette at his concerts and was later available as part of a different CD compliation.
This includes one of the most haunting bits of Celticism ever produced, the "Song of Mabon," which always sounded to me like an ancient Druidic rite that had been captured thousands of years ago and somehow channeled by Robin.
Robin has many personnas and is full of contradictions. He is a Celtic bard, but also a Scientologist! He has a stunningly lyrical voice that he can suddenly shatter into passionate dissonance. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. He is a wonderful poet who isn't above writing a bit of doggeral now and then.
My wife hates his voice and runs from the room when I put him on, as do many of my friends. So I put on the headphones or enjoy this music alone in my car. If you have any love of Celticism, poetry or folk music, this is the CD to try. If you hate it, you can always sell it on Ebay.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Songs of Love and Parting
12 Feb 2001
Format:Audio Cassette
This collection, "Songs of Love and Parting", together with "A Glint at the Kindling", represent the best outpouring of a remarkable artist, who is also unfortunately remarkably inconsistent.
When Robin hits his mark as he does in these two albums, he pulls forth from guts and sinew a richness of imagery and transendence that inspires awe at the very bone.
This album,"Songs of Love and Parting", is the tree in leaf, as "Glint" is the tree in flame. Together they reveal a man who is more than artist, whose connection to the past and his reverence of the miracle of our lives seem to scream from him perhaps unbidden from some wellspring or resource, "a burden and a turn", horrible and compelling, that will not be denied.
"Where wild geese cry accross the sky like voices on the air; and the midnight dark is in her eyes and the night is on her hair."
If you have perhaps happened upon some of his less remarkable works, I suggest you visit Robin again with these two works.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Timeless
14 July 2006
Format:Audio CD
This album has been a favorite since I found it in my university's library on LP. The sounds are very touching to the soul. It reminds me of the feeling you get after a long journey through the mountains, or the feeling of losing a dear friend and the being reunited again in the future. The songs have great lyrics and composure. I also own Myrrh by Robin but to me this album is much better.
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