Review by Steve McGowan from Zub RecordsThis is the third review I’ve written of Robyn and Emma streaming a show from home. The first is at (tinyurl.com/zubregem). These first two shows, through the StageIt streaming platform, were fundraisers for the East Nashville TN community where Robyn and Emma live. Tonight’s show was called ‘Live from Sweet Home Quarantine’ and tonight’s money went to Robyn and Emma directly.
Tonight, on the couch at their house, they launched into ‘Ride’ from Perspex Island. Robyn played his small body Gibson mahogany guitar and his and Emma’s voices were strong together. They seem to improve with each show. Then straight into The Soft Boys ‘Only The Stones Remain,’ with some spoken asides: Robyn - “Tubby is behind the rooter,” Emma - “It’s called a router!” Then later in the song, “He’s gone back into the kitchen.” Em asked Robyn what he wanted to play next, and he replied “something dismal.”
They did ‘No, I Don’t Remember Guildford,‘ a Dylan like tale of a relationship dissolution from his Jewels For Sophia LP. The breaking of the songs into just three elements (acoustic guitar, two vocals) seemed to split this beautiful melody into solitary, glittering gems. At the end, Emma commented “Oh yeah, that was dismal.” There was talk of this song being one of her favorites, then Perry the stuffed lobster appeared. Robyn was drinking his tea from a mug celebrating the marriage of British Royals Anne and Mark in 1973. Emma remarked that they have “terrible taste in crockery” but like to collect “shitty royal crockery.” Reg pointed out that “The Royals collect our stuff.” He said something about Prince Charles having an EYE T-shirt. These two are nothing but charming.
They then rolled out another magnificent Hitchcock tune, ‘Heaven’ from Fegmania! His guitar wasn’t quite loud enough but it was not a real issue. Afterwards Reg said that was “Just Like Janis Joplin and Rick Danko,” which somehow led to a discussion of Bryan Ferry and his hair quiff gel, his sharp pyjamas, and his Earl Grey tea. Robyn switched guitars and they did Joni Mitchell’s ‘Amelia,’ where Emma sang lead and just knocked it out. Robyn played solo next while Em got tea, and did a new (unrecorded) song called ‘Spangle Rock’ that mentioned Buddy Holly, Jim (Roger) McGuinn (when his name was still Jim), and Tom Petty among others.
It was already encore time, Robyn dedicated the next song to Matthew Seligman, the Soft Boys bassist, who apparently has the virus. He then did an exquisite version of ‘Chinese Bones’ from Globe Of Frogs, with a sweet melody tied to a Dyan-esque lyric:
Watching Romeo dissolve I was tempted to join him
By the mirror of the lake where the statues unfurled
I had never seen a man so abuse his reflection
As the light shines through your Chinese bones
Watching Juliet unrobe I would hasten toward her
But around her feet I sat that her serpent was curled
And her eyeballs had rolled up so her pupils had vanished
And the light shines through your Chinese bones
There was also a new verse added about Peter Sellers(!). Em brought their one eyed Scottish Fold cat, Tubby, into frame. Robyn mentioned that he (Tubby) “hasn’t been flying his missions” in his Tubby biplane, and the duo mentioned they’ve been doing some home recording. The next two songs were a bit more upbeat, ‘Saturday Groovers’ and ‘Ole! Tarantula!’ during which Reg flubbed a line, and hilariously played harmonica (as Emma held it) the wrong way around. Perry made a final appearance, and they mentioned an upcoming show would be “All Bob Dylan.” They closed out with Roxy Music’s ‘Oh Yeah (On The Radio)’ from their Flesh And Blood record.
Another magical evening with Robyn and Emma. They cheer me up, and the music is exceptional. Thanks, you two!