Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift: Sweet Home Quarantine Week 11: Element of Light

The cover of Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians 1986 LP Element of Light.

Last night’s “Sweet Home Quarantine” Stageit show with Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift focused on Robyn’s excellent 1986 album Element of Light. The intent was to play the whole album straight through, which almost happened, but of course Stageit cuts all the concerts off at exactly 50 minutes, and so Robyn had about one more verse left of “Lady Waters and the Hooded One” to get through when the show ended. Oh, well. The concert was a reminder of what a strong album Element of Light is, and how many fantastic songs are on it. Robyn’s guitar work was also front and center, and it was a great showcase for his talents as a guitarist. There are numerous songs on Element of Light that you don’t really think of as “guitar songs,” but they sure translated well to the guitar. 

Robyn opened the show with “Ghost Ship,” a song that didn’t actually make the album, but eventually surfaced as a B-side. I don’t think I’d ever heard it before. Then Emma joined Robyn for great versions of “If You Were a Priest,” “Winchester,” and “Somewhere Apart.” Robyn said that “Somewhere Apart” was influenced by John Lennon’s song “Remember.” I’ve always though that “Somewhere Apart” was one of Robyn’s most Lennonesque songs—you could probably fool someone into thinking it was a John Lennon outtake. Emma added gorgeous harmonies to “Winchester,” and after the song ended Robyn asked her, “How do you harmonize with this?” Emma laughed and responded, “I don’t know sweetheart!” It was a cute moment.

Robyn sang “Ted, Woody, and Junior” solo, and then Emma returned for “The President,” a song that Robyn reminded us was about Ronald Reagan back when we all thought that Ronald Reagan was as bad as it could get. “Raymond Chandler Evening” was a highlight, with some great harmonies from Emma, and then we were on the humorous “Bass,” and the lovely “Airscape,” probably one of Robyn’s best songs. Robyn’s guitar playing was outstanding, and Emma’s harmonies added a lovely touch. Robyn was solo on “Never Stop Bleeding,” and the evening ended with the haunting “Lady Waters and the Hooded One,” a song that fits our pandemic quite well.