Lounge Lizards – Lounge Lizards

Ultra-Lounge is a series of compilation CDs released by Capitol Records, featuring music predominantly from the 1950s and 1960s in genres such as exotica, space age pop, mambo, television theme songs, and lounge. Many of the volumes have since been made available for purchase via digital download. Each CD featured detailed liner notes along with two related drink recipes, tips on how to serve drinks to guests, and often photographs of sculptures made out of bartender items and other objects.

The Lounge Lizards - Lounge Lizards (1981) {EG Records EEGCD 8 rel 1990}
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© 1981, 1990 EG Records | EEGCD 8
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Creative / Avant-Garde Jazz

One might be forgiven for mistaking the Lounge Lizards' debut album for a traditional jazz release at a glance, what with the two Thelonious Monk covers and the participation of producer Teo Macero (who had previously worked with such heavyweights as Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck and Ella Fitzgerald, to name just a few). No, while there's definitely great respect shown here for the jazz tradition, the members are obviously coming at it from different backgrounds – most especially guitarist Arto Lindsay, whose occasional atonal string scraping owes far more to his experience in New York City's no wave scene than to quote unquote traditional jazz.

The Lounge Lizards - Live In Berlin 1991 Vol. II (1992) {veraBra records - vBr 2055 2}
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© 1992 veraBra records | vBr 2055 2
Jazz / Modern Jazz / Non-Jazz

When saxophonist John Lurie originally formed the Lounge Lizards in 1978, it was a type of joke band, a satirical group that made fun of the idea of a jazz combo. However, after a short time he began taking the music much more seriously without losing his wit. The 1991 version of the Lounge Lizards was potentially one of his strongest, featuring such notables as saxophonist Michael Blake, trumpeter Steven Bernstein and vibraphonist Bryan Carrott.

The Lounge Lizards - Live In Berlin 1991 Vol. I (1992) {veraBra records - vBr 2044 2}
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© 1992 veraBra records | vBr 2044 2
Jazz / Modern Jazz / Non-Jazz

When saxophonist John Lurie originally formed the Lounge Lizards in 1978, it was a type of joke band, a satirical group that made fun of the idea of a jazz combo. However, after a short time he began taking the music much more seriously without losing his wit. The 1991 version of the Lounge Lizards was potentially one of his strongest, featuring such notables as saxophonist Michael Blake, trumpeter Steven Bernstein and vibraphonist Bryan Carrott.

The Lounge Lizards - No Pain For Cakes (1987) {Island-Antilles 314-510 090-2}
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© 1987 Island Records / Antilles | 314-510 090-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Creative / Avant-Garde Jazz

In the record "Big Heart, Live in Tokyo" a new Lizard breed was in the mist of formation, less noir, more accessible but by no means "commercial.." In "No Pain for Cakes" the Lizards are out and anew, teeming with beautiful and boisterus sounds; some tunes are even quite sensual check out The Magic of Palermo and No Pain for Cakes. No space for muddy tunes, no time for boredom. "No Pain for Cakes" and "Voice of Chunk" represent the Lounge Lizards climax…for now!! The great guys are all there: Evan, Erik, E.J., Marc, Curtis, Dougie, Roy and John. It seems that instinctive forces worked among this line-up so the could effortlessly create this inspired and powerful music. I will end my review with this: I have two vinyl copies of this record…one is kept closed as a sacred jewel!! Unsatisfied, I bought a CD to play and abuse on a daily basis. I will not say more…

The Lounge Lizards - Voice Of Chunk (1988) {Strange & Beautiful Music SBM-0012 rel 1998}
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© 1988, 1998 Strange & Beautiful Music | SBM-0012
Jazz / Modern Jazz

The Lizards, led by neo-saxman John Lurie, were best known for their outsider approach to bop. This is perhaps their best work, filled with humor and a solid melodic sensibility. Marc Ribot's angular guitar and the complement of Evan Lurie's piano make the disc a particular delight. Madhouse jazz for the unhinged.

The Lounge Lizards - Live in Tokyo - Big Heart (1986) {Island-Antilles 314-510 089-2}
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© 1986 Island Records / Antilles | 314-510 089-2
Jazz / Modern Jazz

Bandleader John Lurie really hit his stride with this live set, recorded in Tokyo with perhaps the strongest incarnation of the Lounge Lizards. The passionate, furious vibe is set from the outset on the title track, featuring the slashing guitar of Marc Ribot and the funky bass of Erik Sanko. But Lurie's more sentimental side comes through his sax on the doleful "It Could Have Been Very, Very Beautiful." In all, the disc represents what is great about the Lounge Lizards: a serious band that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The Lounge Lizards - Live 79-81 (1990) {DanceTeria DANCD046}
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© 1979-81, 1990 ROIR / DanceTeria | DANCD046
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Creative / Avant-Garde Jazz

The Live 79/81 cassette (later issued on CD as well) features sharp performances from New York (including their first gig), Cleveland, London and Berlin. The core of the debut lineup (the Luries, Fier and bassist Steve Piccolo) remains intact, but two other guitarists besides Lindsay divvy up the tracks. Nine originals, plus covers of Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy" and Earle Hagen's classic "Harlem Nocturne."

The Lounge Lizards - Queen of All Ears (1998) {Strange & Beautiful Music SB 0015}
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© 1998 Strange & Beautiful Music | SBM 0015
Jazz / Modern Jazz / Non-Jazz

John Lurie's so-called "non-jazz" approach is in full flower on this fascinating record. The ever-growing (nine-piece at this point) band builds layers of rhythm and melody with unique effect throughout. On "The Birds Near Her House," a serpentine melodic line weaves through a steady rhythmic bed, building to a frenetic climax. "Scary Children" is a foreboding dirge that still manages to exude true humor. Perhaps that is the most significant aspect of this music: it has real character and life. It doesn't just groove – it starts a conversation.