Anthology 1977 - 1979

I was lucky enough to have discovered the Tom Robinson Band way back in the late 1970s when the double album "Power in the Darkness" was released. Truly a classic album, and one that has stood the test of time. The single "Glad To Be Gay" was the somewhat controversial "hit" at that time, but the entire album was packed with powerful, melodic and truly great tunes. Plus, it wasn't only Tom doing the work, this truly was a band effort. Listen to the interplay of the guitar and the organ, propelled by a crack rhythm section. Powerful stuff.I remember not being as impressed with the Todd Rundgren-produced TRB 2 album when it was released, but listening to it again all these years later, I'm pretty darn impressed. The rest of this 3-CD package has Peel Sessions and live material, and yes (as others have pointed out) you get duplication of a few tracks, but the versions are different enough, and in the case of the live material, lively enough, that such repetition is not annoying in the least. If anything, it only further shows that Tom Robinson and his band should have been more widely acclaimed and hailed as the top-flight artists they are.If you haven't heard this band's material before, I would wholeheartedly recommend this package. Absolutely first-rate stuff!

TRB's Power In The Darkness is IMHO in the same league as the very best late 70s UK punk records - Pistols "Bollocks", Clash "Rope", Vibrators "Pure Mania", Wire "Pink Flag", Jam "The Modern World". TRB's "Power In The Darkness" is right there. But this package dilutes its impact so much with frankly lousy live recordings that you might not notice the gem in the middle of all of this.It's funny, there was a Live At The Bottom Line radio show of TRB in the late 70s, and another radio broadcast on KSAN that were both better than any of the live material here. Dunno if this package was the choice of the record company or of TR, but it's a shame they didn't mine those other sources.I prefer the repackaged CDs of the original albums from 5 or 6 years back (actually I prefer the original vinyl - not because it sounds better, but it has the best karma). Given that the vinyl is in used bins all over, you have no excuse not to own Power In The Darkness - it's a classic. But unless you are a diehard fan as I am, I'd skip this.

The TOM ROBINSON BAND, one of many UK groups formed after seeing the early SEX PISTOLS perform, could be sited as THE example of a group who had a DYNAMITE first album but crashed and burned after suffering the dreaded "second album curse." The original group, featuring Tom Robinson (lead vocals, bass), Danny Kustow (guitar, vocals), Mark Ambler (keyboards) and Brian "Dolphin" Taylor (drums) formed during 1976's heady "anyone can do it" UK punk revolution and burst onto scene in 1977 as punk began to be swallowed by the major record companies, eventually spitting out the "new wave." 'THE ANTHOLOGY 1977-1979 is another great release in the spate of 3-6 disc sets that EMI Records have been releasing over the past few years, it contains all of their studio work, live concert material and a DVD featuring a BBC documentary on the band, a few live TV performances and music videos, and a thicker more detailed booklet than found in most of the EMI "complete output" releases.Robinson first realized he was gay as a young teenager but was racked by guilt due to the mores of the day, homosexuality was considered a criminal offense in England until 1967, and the age of consent was 21 until 1994 and 18 until 1997. Suffering a nervous breakdown after attempting suicide at 16 he was sent to Finchden Manor a therapeutic community for disturbed teenagers where he first met Kustow. A avid listener of influential disc-jockey  John Peel 's seminal pirate radio program "The Perfumed Garden," Robinson later witnessed an inspiring school performance by Alexis Korner a founding father of the British blues scene cementing his desire inspiring to pursue a musical career. In 1973 he became a member of Café Society, a London acoustic trio eventually signed to the short-lived Konk label,  THE KINKS ' boutique imprint. Their one album, produced by head KINK Ray Davies, went nowhere, and to add insult to injury Robinson infuriated Davies when the habitually late producer came to another session tardy, prompting Robinson to serenade Davies with his own "Tired Of Waiting For You!" Davies retaliated by refusing to free him from his contract, and later released the scathing put-down "Prince Of The Punks," which only succeed in giving the public a troubling glimpse of Davies' dark psyche. During the long legal and personal battle with Davies Robinson became more involved in the emerging gay scene and embraced the politics of gay liberation, which linked gay rights to the wider issues of social justices, such as feminine inequality and racism. In 1976 Robinson attended an early  SEX PISTOLS  gig and found the inspiration for his next musical foray. He reconnected with Kustow, and the TOM ROBINSON BAND were off and running.....Disc One chronologically documents their most fertile period beginning with the debut single "2-4-6-8 Motorway/I Shall Be Released" which primed the pump by rocketing into the Top Five. A tale about a lorry driver's life cruising the UK's roadways, Robinson, who became an outspoken proponent of gay and individual rights, later stated that it covertly meant the he was cruising for sex. The B-side is an impressive heartfelt take of Dylan's " I Shall Be Released ." Robinson got to meet a hero when the band did a "Peel Session" in Nov. 1977. The band performs three songs from their upcoming album; "Up Against The Wall," "Long Hot Summer" and "Ain't Gonna Take It." The fourth, "Don't Take No For An Answer" is the lead track on their next release, the four track EP 'RISING FREE.' Another strong release, the EP reached #18 in the charts, and included one of the bands most memorable tunes "Sing If You're Glad To Be Gay." A serious plea for gay tolerance ironically couched in a catchy sing-along. The popular release also featured the humorous music hall tale of "Martin," and "Right On Sister" a nod to the feminist cause. A few months later they released their debut album, 'POWER IN THE DARKNESS.' The UK album contained studio versions of the three BBC recordings and seven new tunes, in the US the 10 track UK album was joined by another 12" platter containing both sides of the debut single and all four of the EP tracks, all for a single disc price. Both were released on EMI's Harvest imprint. Continuing the high bar set by the previous releases, 'POWER IN THE DARKNESS' was one of the most impressive album debuts from the new wave, and it's power and heart hold up today. Robinson's sincere working-class vocals and rudimentary but steady bass were surrounded by Kurstow's surprisingly accomplished tasty guitar, Ambler's soul and jazz informed keyboards and Taylor's driving funky beat. While many of the songs lyrics chronicle the ills of 1978 Britain; "Ain't Gonna Take It," surviving during the "Long Hot Summer" while "Up Against The Wall," fighting against facism and intolerance in "The Winter Of '79" because "You've Got To Survive," Robinson pulled no punches. He called out the fence-sitters in "Better Decide What Side You're On," admitted his own doubts in "Too Good To Be True" and warns everyone to watch their backs in "Man You Never Saw." The fact that Robinson pulls off all these heavy topics without being pedantic can be attributed to music so great you never notice the medicine going down. All is not heavy though, "Grey Cortina" celebrates the simple pleasures of the working man, and band's confidence peaks by ending with the anthemic title track, one of their strongest......'POWER IN THE DARKNESS' went Gold in the UK and topped off at #4 in the charts. The also won two Capital Radio listener awards for "Best New Band" and "Best London Band." Unfortunately, as the saying goes, it was downhill from there. Disc Two begins with a demo and live track, the last two to feature original keyboardist with Mark Ambler until the next disc. Ambler left mysteriously after 'POWER,' and to quote Robinson "You could date the band's decline from exactly that point. Bowing to pressure for Mark to leave was definitely my first fatal mistake." Temporarily replaced by ex-ROOGALATOR Nick Plytas they performed at a major Anti Nazi League rally in early 1979. Bringing keyboardist Ian Parker permanently on board they began sessions for what would be 'TRB2' with Producer Chris Thomas manning the boards once again. Thomas, whose early experience included subbing for a vacationing George Martin in the midst of the sessions for THE BEATLES ' White Album ,' built quite a resume over the years working with PINK FLOYD, PROCOL HARUM, ROXY MUSIC, SEX PISTOLS, INXS, THE PRETENDERS and Elton John. Although prepared with a stack of new material, the overwhelming pressures of their new found fame caused friction within the band and between Thomas, causing the frustrated producer to quit the project. Dolphin Taylor suggested Todd Rundgren as a replacement, but after becoming disenchanted with the tracks Runtgren wanted to included on the album, Taylor was the next to leave. He later offered to return, but Robinson refused and drummer Preston Heyman finished the sessions. Although pictured on the finished product, Charlie Morgan later became the permanent replacement.'TRB TWO' reached #18 in the charts, but the damage was irreversible. The British music press, notorious for savaging bands they once championed when the chips were down, smelled blood. Having two years to hone their initial effort, they now had four months. They hype had died down and the group now had to deal simultaneously with managers, EMI, publicists, and publishers, and now with a crew depending on them for their next paycheck. In the lyrics to the first single from the new album, "Bully For You," a co-write with Peter Gabriel, you get the feeling that he knew what was coming. Only placing at #68, the next two singles, the album's lead track "All Night, All Right" and "Never Gonna Fall In Love (Again)," a co-write with Elton John, didn't even make a dent. The latter is NOT included on this set, but is available on Elton John's  21 at 33 . In hindsight 'TRB TWO' contains some decent tunes, but is let down by Runtgren's overly slick production, losing the ragged edges of the debut. Parker and Morgan are talented musicians but lack the raw energy of their predecessors and even Kustow's dependable guitar seems flattened in the mix. The album's highlights are two funk-rockers; "Black Angel" a soulful burner replete with female backing and "Crossing Over The Road" a melodic body mover that has hit written all over it. Another Peel Session was laid done around the time of the record's release, with the band taking it on the road soon after. A eleven track sample awaits on Disc Three. When guitarist Kustow decided to quit afterward, Robinson decided to hang up the band for good......Disc Three documents both line-ups in concert recorded by the BBC. The original band is heard performing material from their singles and album on March 4, 1978 at the Golders Green Hippodrome for the BBC's Sight & Sound program. The second line-up perform an eleven track mixture from both albums for BBC's In Concert on January 1, 1979 at Wycombe Town Hall. The 1978 concert benefits from the bands hunger, sometimes teetering on the edge, which makes the excitement even more palpable. The second line-up prove they're no slouches either, and their concert material is a revelation. Compared to the somewhat sedate performances on 'TRB TWO' you'd swear it was different musicians. The songs from 'TRB TWO' benefit from the live setting, from the first bars of opener "All Right, All Night" the band revs like a finely tuned racer with a rollicking guitar and synth duel. They really hit their stride on Track 3, the funky rockin' "Black Angel." Ian Parker's electric piano solo is brilliant and drives the song to even funkier heights. Parker and drummer Morgan's strong backing vocals rival the original's session singers' and make a strong contribution on other cuts. When Robinson mentions that the concert is being recorded the already energetic audience takes it up a few notches, and becomes a defacto choir on "Blue Murder." Parker gives another strong performance piano and swirling Hammond organ, along with a great  Gilmour -ish solo from Danny Kustow. The guitarist is on fire throughout the show, on the next track, an unreleased burner titled "Getting Together" his dynamic solo is reminiscent of  STEELY DAN 's Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. The excitement doesn't let up until an intense "Right On Sister" ends the night. Right on indeed!The DVD is a nice addition, with video that evidences what a dynamic live act they could be. It begins with the Granada TV documentary "Too Good To Be True?" a mixture of interviews, live performances and vignettes of the band in different settings, including a meeting of their fan club and Robinson's volunteer gig on a gay info hotline. Wisely, the six live performances of material from the debut album and singles are uninterrupted. Robinson and Kustow have any easy camaraderie and the whole group seem like guys you'd meet in the pub that just happen to be dynamite musicians. From their first TV appearances we get versions of "2-4-6-8 Motorway" and "Glad To Be Gay" on The London Weekend Show. A live EMI demo film of "Winter Of '79" and three music videos, the last two featuring the final line-up round out the program......Co-produced and remastered by Robinson the set sounds great and the full-color booklet contains a forward by him as well. There are many photos of the group, various releases and promotional items. If your a fan of the album you really get value for your money, and video footage of any great group live in action is a definite plus. The only problem with the set is the sadness you feel knowing they had so much potential, but burned out so quickly......CORRECTED TRACK LISTING:CD#1: 1. 2-4-6-8 Motorway - A-Side/2013 Remaster 2. I Shall Be Released - B-Side/2013 Remaster 3. Don't Take No For An Answer - Radio One John Peel Session 1977 4. Up Against The Wall - Radio One John Peel Session 1977 5. Long Hot Summer - Radio One John Peel Session 1977 6. Ain't Gonna Take It - Radio One John Peel Session 1977 7. Don't Take No For An Answer - Live at Sussex University 1977 8. Sing If You're Glad To Be Gay- Live at the London Lyceum 1977 9. Martin - Live at the London Lyceum 1977 10. Right On Sister - Live at the Town Hall, High Wycombe 1977 11. I'm Alright Jack - 2013 Remaster 12. Up Against The Wall - 2013 Remaster 13. Grey Cortina - 2013 Remaster 14. Too Good To Be True - 2013 Remaster 16. Long Hot Summer - 2013 Remaster 17. Winter of '79 - 2013 Remaster 19. Better Decide Which Side You're On - 2013 Remaster 20. You Gotta Survive - 2013 - Remaster 21. Power In The Darkness - 2013 RemasterCD#2: 1. Suits Me, Suits You - Demo 2. Elgin Avenue - Live at the Old Waldorf San Francisco 1978 3. All Right All Night - 2013 - Remaster 4. Why Should I Mind - 2013 Remaster 5. Black Angel - 2013 Remaster 6. Let My People Be - 2013 Remaster 7. Blue Murder - 2013 Remaster 8. Bully For You - 2013 Remaster 9. Crossing Over The Road - 2013 Remaster 10. Sorry Mr. Harris - 2013 Remaster 11. Law And Order - 2013 Remaster 12. Days of Rage - 2013 Remaster 13. Hold Out - 2013 - Remaster 14. Black Angel - Radio One John Peel Session 1979 15. Blue Murder - Radio One John Peel Session 1979 16. All Right All Night - Radio One John Peel Session 1979 17. Crossing Over the Road - Radio One John Peel Session 1979 18. Getting Tighter - B-Side/2013 RemasterCD#3: 1. 2-4-6-8 Motorway - BBC Sight & Sound/Live 1978 2. Grey Cortina - BBC Sight & Sound/Live 1978 3. (Sing If You're) Glad To Be Gay - BBC Sight & Sound/Live 1978 4. Ain't Gonna Take It - BBC Sight & Sound/Live 1978 5. Martin - BBC Sight & Sound/Live 1978 6. Up Against The Wall - BBC Sight & Sound/Live 1978 7. Don't Take No For An Answer - BBC Sight & Sound/Live 1978 8. All Right All Night - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 9. Winter of '79 - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 10. Black Angel - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 11. Blue Murder - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 12. Getting Tighter - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 13. Too Good To Be True - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 14. Sorry Mr Harris - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 15. Bully For You - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 16. Ain't Gonna Take It - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 17. 2-4-6-8 Motorway - BBC Radio in Concert 1979 18. Right On Sister - Encore BBC Radio In Concert 1979DVD: 1. Too Good to Be True? - Granada TV Documentary, Featuringa) Up Against The Wallb) Martinc) Glad To Be Gayd) Power In The Darknesse) You Turn Me Onf) 2-4-6-8 MotorwayBONUS CLIPS: The London Weekend Show, July 1977 2. 2-4-6-8 Motorway - Live 3. (Sing If You're) Glad to Be Gay- Live EMI International Live Promotional Film, 1977 4. Winter of '79 Single Promotional Films, 1977 - 1979 5. Don't Take No For An Answer 6. Black Angel 7. Bully For You

Okay, it's an Anthology, so there was always going to be SOME duplication of tracks. I accepted that. This collection, though, goes a little too far in that direction containing, as it does, several (mostly live) versions of the same two or three tracks. However, do not let that deter you from experiencing this collection. It contains - in full - both albums 'Power in the Darkness' and TRB 2' and is bolstered by b-sides and live sessions recorded for the BBC: John Peel Sessions and Sight & Sound in Concert. All this is spread across three CDs; there is an additional bonus all-region DVD of around 72 minutes duration which shows the band in concert, TV appearances and other clips. All-in-all, there is much to please fans of TRB in this collection. For me the only downside is the number of repeated tracks. I would have preferred demo or early takes of tracks to put the finished versions in some sort of context. I would not, though, hesitate to recommend this collection to anyone remotely interested in an exciting but short-lived band.

News of the recent death of Danny Kustow resulted in my searching for music featuring his guitar playing. This anthology turned up and the extremely reasonable pricing encouraged me to make a purchase. What a gem this is! A comprehensive collection of studio and live tracks tracing the trajectory of the band, including many great songs and their connected memories. As a 16 year old I watched TRB at the Marquee and in High Wycombe's Nags Head and Town Hall. Wonderful memories of emotional and exciting gigs captured in the cds and dvd of this attractively packaged box set. Highly recommended.

Like others buying this set I was a teenage fan of TRB. Little did I know as a pimply 13 year old watching the band's 1977 Top of The Pops appearance that I would soon gain an education on political and social issues of the time. Even my Dad, who could exhibit various isms thought Tom was a top chap when he personally replied to my fan letter, enclosing a signed Café Society single and other paraphernalia. Although numerous bands of the time paid lip service to being on the same level as the fans, folk like Tom and Paul Weller made efforts to practice what they preached. This set includes practically everything TRB released and more besides, all compiled with care and attention. The booklet contains plenty of pictures and memorabilia and is well annotated. The audio re-mastering is sprightly and fresh, making it hard to believe this material is over 30 years old. There's an excellent Peel session, featuring a version of "Don't take no for an answer" which trumps the `Rising Free' EP take. There's also 2 vintage BBC concerts for radio: one from March '78 when the original group was at the height of its powers and another 13 months later with the less cohesive 2nd incarnation of the band (still good live though). The "Power In The Darkness" LP is of course the central document of this set and it still stands out as one of the best LPs of its era: well crafted songs, performances and production. The political message is sadly just as relevant now as it was then - the title track could've been written yesterday. And with the "2-4-6-8" b-side - Tom's slight re-write of "I Shall Be Released" - we have one of the best Dylan covers ever.The added DVD makes this a must-have purchase. Peeling back the years with a fascinating Granada TV documentary which is as much a great piece of social history as it is a TRB one. Lovely to see individual interviews with the band and made even better that the documentary includes some fabulous live performances - Danny Kustow's stage antics during "2-4-6-8 Motorway" are priceless. During his guitar solo he struts, gyrates and gurneys hilariously, both mocking and celebrating the role of `Guitar God'. That duality was at the heart of his playing and now older I appreciate the debt his bluesy, soulful playing owed to Paul Kossoff (Danny's Les Paul was once owed by Kossoff). If Danny's recent appearance in a video-link interview on Tom's website is anything to go by, he's become another sad casualty.This set is a great trip down memory lane for old gits like myself but there is much to enjoy and marvel at for those of a younger age coming to this music for the first time.

Can there be a more underrated musician than Tom Robinson and TRB? And has any band been more erroneously forgotten? This 3CD and 1DVD set is all you need to recapture the spirit of late seventies grass-roots rock that not only delivered brilliant music but also head-on addressed the political and social problems the UK faced at the time... wait, listening to it in 2013 there's not much updating needed for many of these tracks to sound relevant right now. Never really understood why TRB were aligned with punk... all they shared was 1977. This set has a great booklet that charts the rise and fall from today's perspective.

Had most of this on vinyl many moons ago. Though it was worth getting at this price. It was. Covers everything done for emi. So no need to buy anything else from this period. Not having heard this stuff for years. So pleasantly suprised how excellent trb were. Recommended