#Robin Williamson

[jt1674]

[music-crush]

Robin Williamson

Happy birthday Robin Duncan Harry Williamson, founder of The Incredible String Band!

[dustedmagazine]

Listed: Tomten

Photo: Tony Kay

Tomten are a baroque pop quartet based out of Seattle, Washington. Brian Noyes (vocals, keys, guitar) and Lena Simon (bass, vocals) (Kairos Creature Club, formerly of La Luz) met in 2008 and began demoing each other's songs at Cornish College of The Arts. Their latest album, Artichoke, is less prickly than the name suggests, drawing influence from the acid folk of the Incredible String Band, Bridget St. John and John Martyn, the lushly arranged soul of the Delfonics and the country pop of Gene Clark. Jennifer Kelly wrote about the disc in the last Dust, noting that “Tomten’s songs billow and swell in that frictionless, effortless way that often indicates great care and craft.”

Here Brian Noyes digs deep into the archives via two compilation series. He writes, “There are two compilation labels that have meant a lot to me over the past few years, Grapefruit Records is a subsidiary of Cherry Red and issue primarily British Psych and Folk, and Cairo releases incredible 1960s-1970s soul comps. I decided to pick five of my favorite tracks that Grapefruit and Cairo turned me onto.”

Jackie McAuley — “Turning Green”

I was familiar with Jackie McAuley being the former keyboard player of Them and the other half of the amazing and underappreciated folk pop duo Trader Horne with Judy Dyble (Fairport Convention.) But I wasn’t familiar with any solo work he had done. This song instantly stuck with me. I love the string arrangements and stately piano. In an alternate universe it could’ve been at the end of a 1970s Hal Ashby or Robert Altman movie.

Carolanne Pegg — “Open The Door”

I could listen to this song over and over, it’s so fun. I love Carolanne’s vocals on it, kind of shrill and mystical, like proto-Kate Bush. I also love the cosmic banjo rush during the later chorus and the throaty guitars.

Matching Mole — “O Caroline”

I’ve always loved Robert Wyatt, but I’d missed out on his earlier group Matching Mole. This is such a sweet and touching song. I love the mellotron and wah guitar and the line — “if you call this sentimental crap, you’ll make me mad.” Gotta love Robert Wyatt’s wooly little voice.

Robin Williamson — Strings In The Earth and Air

This is the opening track off his 1972 solo record “Myrrh.” Strangely enough, I first heard Dr. Strangely Strange’s cover of it — I love both but prefer Robin’s. Such a haunting and beautiful song. I believe the first half is part of a James Joyce poem. I want it played at my funeral… I also love Mike Heron’s solo record from a year or so earlier, Smiling Men with Bad Reputations. Two over-looked solo efforts from the Incredible String Band.

Heron — “Take Me Back Home”

Tomten has loved Heron for a long time, so much so that we covered their tune “Yellow Roses.” They are all over Grapefruit Comps, so I wanted to include them for that reason. This song is off their second record Twice as Nice & Half the Price and it is my absolute favorite. It’s such a loose and lovely performance. Makes you wish you’d been hanging out in the house with them having some frothy ales.

Bettye Swann — “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye”

Bettye Swann has so many killer songs, this one really sticks with me. Great morning song. Love the production and backups too. John Holt has a cool version on A Love I Can Feel as well, but Bettye is best.

Diamonettes — “Don’t Be Surprised”

Great tune from a somewhat obscure Miami group. Classy strings. They also have another tune I love called “Rules Were Made to Be Broken.”

The Raelettes — “Many Rivers To Cross”

A fantastic song and so many good versions, Jimmy Cliff and Nilsson… But I hadn’t heard this version until semi-recently and I love the mood of it — somber smokey horns. The Raelettes were backup singers with Ray Charles for a time, and later changed their name to The Cookies.

Eddie & Ernie — “I’m A Young Man”

I LOVE EDDIE & ERNIE! Their voices together are fabulous, this is one of my favorites. There is an awesome comp called “Time Waits For No One” everyone should go out and buy now!

The Ordells — “Sippin’ a Cup of Coffee”

A good song for ruminating… Eerie, dreamy and gorgeous.

Various Artists — Strange World

On a final note, there is a compilation by a partner label of Cairo, Pyramid Records that did a release called Strange World described as “Cosmic and Earthly Doo Wop and R&B from America and Jamaica” that if you come across you should absolutely purchase. I probably play it at home once a week, hehe.

[biglisbonnews]

The Top 5 Longreads of the Week Today we are featuring stories about the decimation of a national park, the survival of Texas Monthly magazine, how a couple escaped slavery in Boston, choosing when to die, and the future of jelly. 1. In a Famed Kenyan Game Park, the Animals Are Giving Up Georgina Gustin | Undark | January 4, 2023 | […] https://longreads.com/2023/01/20/the-top-5-longreads-of-the-week-449/

[shyjusticewarrior]

Jason + calling his little brothers "kid"

[onlylonelylatino]

Blue Beetle and the new Justice League by Daniel Sampere

[welcometogrouchland]

It's mostly the fault of poor editorial practices that B&R is so heavily misaligned continuity-wise w/ the main batman book. But walk with me for a minute:

You are Damian Wayne. You are 14 years old and have had one of the worst years of your life last year. Which is saying a lot.

Your brother, one of the people you were closest to, got shot in the head and forgot who you were. Your best friend went to space for a week and came back 3/4 years older than you, taking away your previously established dynamic and leaving you to have to bond all over again w/ a new one. You may or may not have gone wayyy too far with your new superhero team, who now all hate you, because you fucked up big time*

And worst of all, when you do try to do the right thing, you end up forced to watch Alfred, a father figure to you, the only one at your birthday that year, the person who has been so patient, loving and trusting with you, even when you probably didnt deserve it...die. you watch him die, and feel it's all your fault.

And your dad never corrects you on that last point. So you run away.

First to your mom who can tell something's up with you, she knows you don't give up that easy, you decide not to stay with her because you remembered how actually, neither of your parents are good at communicating with you despite their best efforts, so now you're 14 and flying solo.

And you do fly solo. For a while. Make new friends, new enemies. You think you're better off for it. You've got your best friend and your brother back. They're not around as much. It's fine.

And eventually your dad tells you that it's not your fault that Alfred died. Bit late but it's appreciated. Really. There's a bit of a hiccup where you get possessed by a demon and wage war against your father but after that, all in all, you two are...together again.

You start to think maybe you want to give him another chance, for the two of you to be father and son.

And in a change of pace, it works out! It's going good, mostly. He insists you go to highschool, you resist, feel like he wants you to be something that you're not (wants you to be normal), but eventually you acquiesce for your own reasons. He cheers you on at soccer and nosies around at your fundraising events with the other parents and gives you a stern talking to about your choice of girlfriend. Because he cares.

Except all the while this is going on, your dad is currently having his brain slowly taken over by an evil version of himself that he created and every time you look away he's slowly tearing your family apart (your brothers are just barely keeping it together. The ones who didn't get lobotmized that is Jesus Christ). You keep taking his side in these conflicts, for whatever reason. Maybe because he promised it would be different this time, and it isn't** and you're going to stick with him until he keeps his word for once.

But at the end of the day?

It's like your brother says. You're not the one who saves him. Broadly speaking, you've made things worse and needed others to come save you. And what else is Robin really for? You thought it was about redemption and teamwork but guess you're wrong. It's about saving your self destructive, apparently two-faced and erratic father. And you can't even do that right.

* TT (2016) by Adam Glass is a racist ooc mess, but unfortunately it's still canon so I'm referencing here, though like a lot of works authors clearly wish weren't canon but are, it's been subsequently glossed over. Win? Maybe? Or not?

** again Zdarky's characterization of Damian is so outdated as to be ooc, and considering the way he constantly and explicitly uses it to illustrate Tim's strengths as robin, I'd argue there's. Also implications there. But the batshit insanity of the main batbook compared to B&R rn is crucial for this post, so I'm attempting to justify it. This time..

[fancyfade]

I need to see damian writing a letter to Bruce explaining why it's child abuse and super degrading to make someone with his education and skills go to regular middle/high school

[batbabydamian]

DC August 2024 Solicitations - Comics Featuring Damian! 🦇

THE BOY WONDER #4 of 5

8/7/24

Written by Juni Ba

Art and Cover by Juni Ba

Variant Cover: Valentina Napolitano

Damian Wayne may have been struggling to live up to his father’s legacy…but the last thing he ever wanted was to be returned to the clutches of his grandfather, the Demon King. But when his worst nightmare comes true, can he rely on his mother to defend him? Or has he lost her forever to the same horrific legacy he’s tried to escape?

BATMAN AND ROBIN #12

8/14/24

Written by Joshua Williamson

Art by Juan Ferreyra

Cover by Simone Di Meo

Variant covers: Juan Ferreyra, Vasco Georgiev (1:25), Simone Di Meo (Batman 85th Anniversary)

Years ago, Bane killed Alfred Pennyworth right in front of Damian. And now, on Dinosaur Island, there is nothing stopping Robin from getting his revenge! Except his father, Batman! And the giant dinosaurs, of course.

DC VS. VAMPIRES: WORLD WAR V #1

8/14/24

Written by Matthew Rosenburg

Art and cover by Otto Schmidt

Variant Covers: Jae Lee, Steve Beach, Homare, Riley Rossmo (1:25), Nikola Cizmesija (1:50)

The smash-hit series returns! It’s the dead of winter, and any hope for a fragile truce between the Green Arrow-led human heroes and vampire queen Barbara Gordon’s army has been dashed by Damian Wayne and his guerrilla fighters. He’s the only one fighting back against the bloodthirsty hordes, leaving Green Arrow with a choice: Does he stand and fight or sacrifice the boy in the name of peace?

WONDER WOMAN #12

8/21/24

Written by Tom King

Art by Tony S. Daniel and Belen Ortega

Cover by Daniel Sampere

Variant Covers: Tony S. Daniel, Jorge Fornes, Julian Totino Tedesco, Guillem March

Meet the new dynamic duo! Wonder Woman teams up with the unlikeliest of allies, Robin, on a top secret mission to save their fellow heroes. Will Damian and Diana’s quest to break into Waller’s Gamorra supermax prison be a successful one? Or is it all part of a more elaborate trap for Wonder Woman and her new sidekick?

SUPER-PETS SPECIAL: BITEDENTITY CRISIS*

*Damian mentioned in summary

7/30/24

Written by Tony Fleecs, Alexis Quasarano, Michael Conrad, Dan Watters, and Kyle Starks

Art by Mike Norton, PJ Holden, Sami Basri, Chris Mitten, and Kyle Starks

The Super-Pets are back—and this time, they’re all BITE! Haley, the beloved bark-out star of NIGHTWING, finds herself to be a fish out of water when she arrives on Kent Farm. As our big-city mutt tries to adjust to country living, she’s shocked to discover a kennel of courageous critters is already waiting for her! Bitewing, meet the SUPER-PETS—and you might want to hold on tight because things are about to get hairy! Also featuring—stories of misch-woof and mutt-hem! The dark side of the dog bed! The many pets of Damian Wayne! You’ll have to squeak it to believe it!

[byghostface]

Nika x 3 🩵💚🩷(but chibi)

Little art for the simple letter I wrote for Joshua Williamson(Flatline/Nika's creator)♥️ Printed out and delivered by a oomf (love you oomf🫶) on last Friday at a meet and greet

I'm just so happy that he saw my letter and now knows how much we love Nika😭💝♥️♥️ I wrote my appreciation of his works, how much Nika means to me, how I love Nika learn and grow with Damian, and wish to see more of her with Mila and their family

And it seems that Joshua probably will still get to write Nika after his last issue of Batman & Robin #13, and he has plans for her in 2025‼️

[xevishi]

MAYA AND GOLIATH ARE BACK!!!

[jt1674]

[bess3714]

Batman and Robin 2

I read this in a very disgusted and sarcastic voice, but if I were Damian then yeah, I'd be feeling some kind of way about going to school

[youngbounty]

Let’s do a comparison. Zdarsky, take notes!

In Batman and Robin, Damian is able to recognize his former trainer right off the bat, then Shush based on voice recognition. Even before, he recognized his former trainer and that one of her students was being trained by her based on his knowledge of Mistress Harsh and how she trained him. While he may’ve got it wrong on Principal Stone being Mistress Harsh and Shush, this comic shows where Damian shines and why he earned his place as Robin.

Meanwhile, you have Zdarsky, who decides to make Damian act so stupid that he would instantly fall for a robo Batman being his father because of… knowing about his nightmares? No testing any verbal recognition or speech patterns. He’s just taking this robot’s word for it without ever considering that any alter personality inside his father would know everything about him, including memories. This is set aside that this “proof” is something straight out of a fan fiction and not anything that happened in any comic book storyline. Imagine if Robo Bat mentioned a line he said that was only between him and Damian such as this one at the end of Bad Blood.

Not only would this have been a great nod to Bad Blood, but considering what time this took place in, it’d have been a great way to play with Damian’s emotional psyche. This line was said to Damian alone without anyone (not even Alfred) watching or hearing them when explaining to Damian why he doesn’t kill and how important it is for him to stick to that principle as Batman.

The reason fans, including me, theorized Damian was playing double agent at first was because the Damian from the other past comics would never be THIS stupid. This line “Batman and Robin. Father and son. We don’t need anyone else”? This conflicts with past comics of Damian wishing for his dad’s trust of independence to make his own decisions. He doesn’t need Daddy’s approval or to be with him. Damian is with his dad because it’s his job as Robin to care for Batman and will go to hell or high water to protect and care for him.

Whether you like Batman and Robin or not, it’s clear Williamson does like Damian and writes him in the best light. Just compare the beginning issues to later ones.

Fans complained about Damian looking too much like Tim. What does Joshua Williamson do? He hires a different artist to make Damian look more like Damian. Fans complained about Damian getting bullied. What does Joshua Williamson do? He builds up Damian to go all out and kick the bully’s ass. Williamson doesn’t beat around the bush or make any other Robin more superior, he listens to the fans and gives them what they want. Zdarsky, on the other hand, has yet to give us a proper Damian and if he is listening to fans, it’s only a section of them.

[shyjusticewarrior]

Tom King is so full of shit

[thecruellestmonth]

Jason Todd + literature

RHATO (2016) #20

Become What You Are by Alan Watts

Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #8

Hannah Arendt, author of Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil

Batman (1940) #395

Detective Comics #573 // Detective Comics #1042

The Gotham Gazette, local newspaper

We Are Robin #7

Alexandre Dumas, author of The Man in the Iron Mask, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Robin Hood: The Outlaw

Batman: Legends of Gotham

La Bête humaine by Émile Zola

Batman and Robin Eternal #3

1984 by George Orwell

Batman Incorporated (2012) #7

Richard III by William Shakespeare

RHATO (2011) #6, written by Joshua Williamson

Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Batman and Robin (2009) #5 // Batman: Three Jokers #2

Getting the Best Out of Your Brand

Chronic Pain Management

Detective Comics #569

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville

Batman and Robin (2009) #23 //Batman: Wayne Family Adventures #31

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Red Hood and the Outlaws: Rebirth

The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

The Art of War by Sūn Zǐ

Batman #648

Batman #409 // Batman: Arkham Knight—Genesis #2 // Batman: Wayne Family Adventures #23

See also: lit nerd Steph by @our-happygirl500-fan, Shakespeare nerd Dickie by @luanna255