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• Navdeep Jhaj wrote on January 17, 2010 report

  Finally got my copy in the mail--count me in as long time fan of this record. I have very fond memories of Lizard-as a child of the 80s, when everyone else was listening to Front 242, Ministry, Clan of Xyox, et al. Despite all these contemporary obstacles, I somehow managed to stumble on this very strange sounding record.
  
  It served as my gateway to, ahem, "weird music", specifically beginning with Keith Tippett but also the entire world of avant-guard/freer/experimental jazz. It all started with *Prince Rupert Awakes* and *Bolero*. What beautiful pieces of music they are! I haven't heard the thankfully "anything but macho front man" Anderson give such a laid back beautiful vocal delivery as this (ok, maybe intro to *Heart of the Sunrise*). But the piece de-resistance was definitely *Bolero*--some beautiful blowing there by guests/non-band members.
  
  I love the development and subtle changes in the music, how the utter beauty of Prince Rupert/Bolero gives way, and the music becomes increasingly abstract/dissociative, as driven on by Jarrett's piano. Truthfully, I must say: the guests really shine on this number and make the record for me. And, honestly, I could take or leave side one (Lady of the Dancing Water is very nice ballad, although this sort of pastoral sheen was pretty much par for course, done by many English progressive rock bands at the time ---perhaps a key, defining ingredient/staple of the music---witness the countless couplings of Mellotron and steel string acoustic guitar on a countless numbers of songs back then).
  
  It was side 2 of this record that truly was magical for me. From Lizard, I went to *Septober Energy* and Carla Bely's *Escalator Over the Hill*. An entire new world of music opened up for me after I heard side 2 of this record.
  
  I look forward for the rest of the DGM releases, especially Larks Tongues and Starless and Bible Black.

• 
  John Kelman wrote on January 18, 2010 report

  Hey Navdeep,
  Thanks for writing. It's great to hear how an album like Lizard could be the gateway to something like Escalator Over the Hill].
  
  While I was listening to jazz at the same time as prog back in the day, thanks to a tremendous guitar teacher who I was luckier than most to have, I've always felt that progressive rock was and remains a strong gateway to so much of the music that it assimilates - jazz, classical and more. It's great to read a direct example of someone for whom it truly worked that way.
  
  Thanks a lot for sharing your story, man, and I'm just as excited as you are in anticipation of the next round of Crimson 40ths!
  
  Best!
  John

• Ron Myhr wrote on March 08, 2010 report

  I've just been listening to the new Lizard, preparing to rip to my audio archive, trying to figure out which of the DVD audio chapters correspond to which mix (a non-trivial task).
  
  Was listening to Bolero for the first time in many years, and was struck by how much some of it reminded me of Escalator Over The Hill. They shared a musical space at the time. Glad I'm not the only one who hears that.
  
  Espcially looking forward to the new LTIA.
  
  Ron

• 
  John Kelman wrote on March 09, 2010 report

  Thanks for writing Ron. If you figure out how to rip the audio from the DVD..let me know! :)
  
  Re: bolero, interesting! Will have to dig out EOtH!
  
  And you ain't the only one looking forward to LTIA..that, along with Discipline are my two most anticipated titles.
  
  Best!
  John