This has to be a record for the smallest amount of albums that I listened to in a week. I even listened to more than this the week my hip was replaced. They are good records, and all four received more than one listen. I am slowly making progress on the King Crimson stack of wax.

King Crimson – Lizard

Lizard is the third album by King Crimson, and much like their previous album, In The Wake Of Poseidon, we have a band in transition and turmoil.  It was the second consecutive King Crimson album recorded by transitional lineups of the group that did not perform live, following In the Wake of Poseidon. This is the last of two albums by the band to feature Gordon Haskell (and the only one where he was both the lead singer and the bass guitarist, as he only sang one song on the previous album) and the band’s only album to feature drummer Andy McCulloch.

Please read more about the lineup on the Wikipedia site. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizard_(album)

When released, the album received mixed reviews, and listeners still have inconsistent responses. Robert Fripp has been very critical of the album, calling it “unlistenable” and lovers of it as “very strange.” However, he revised his opinion upon listening to Steven Wilson’s surround-sound mix of the album for the 40th anniversary reissue, proclaiming, “For the first time I have heard the Music in the music.”

I regret that my quad music system was stolen, but I will set up a 5.1 system using a DVD to hopefully recreate some of the magic Mr. Fripp is alluding to. Listening to the original recording on either CD or LP, I enjoyed the record. I must admit that I am a lifelong King Crimson fan, and I can’t say that I don’t like any of their material. I also enjoy listening to jazz, and Lizard has plenty of jazz influence. I rate Lizard with a 4-star rating.

Magilla Funk Conduit – Just Dance

Recorded by the omnipresent Nik Kozub, aided and abetted by bassist Thom Golub, trumpet player Bob Tildesley, rapper Cadence Weapon, and singer/songwriter/saxophonist Brett Miles. Brett Miles is the son of legendary football player “Rollie” Miles.” This is a local band; I live in Edmonton and had trouble finding anything about Magilla Funk Conduit online. I know they were active in the early 00s playing live at the Sidetrack Cafe; I miss that venue. They released two albums besides Just Dance, which I found on Discogs. Just Dance isn’t in Discogs. I may have to do an entry for it.

This record was fun to listen to. I will have to keep my eyes peeled for the two albums that I do not have. It is funky and quality, and I enjoyed listening to it.

Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks – Where’s The Money?

Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks are a band that I have been listening to for a very long time. Their albums are not all top-shelf quality, but this one is perfect. Where’s The Money? has all of the traits that make Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks one of my long-time listeners. Last Train To Hicksville is probably the album I like the most, but Where’s The Money? is a close second.

Leslie Phillips – The Turning

The Turning is a pivotal point in Leslie Phillips’s career. Although this is considered a contemporary Christian album, The Turning moves her away from that image and into the career of Sam Phillips.

Courtesy of Wikipedia:

“This album marks the first time Phillips worked with producer T Bone Burnett. The two married soon after the release of this album, and Burnett would go on to produce more albums for the singer. The Turning stands out as a turning point in Phillips’ career as a singer and songwriter; on one side, the cheerful, upbeat pop-rock albums that she recorded in the early 1980s, and, on the other, the quirky 60’s music influenced rock and folk albums, with a much darker and more poetic tone lyrically.”

I like this album. Its rhythm and “feel” run through it, setting the stage for each song and making the cohesive album an enjoyable half hour. Plus, I love the music of T Bone Burnett.

That, all folks. A grand total of four albums this week. Four enjoyable albums that all received more than one listen. Next week, we will feature more King Crimson and some music from the fine people who send me new music to listen to. Who those fine people are will be revealed next Monday; until then, happy listening to my friends.