this can be heard on his latest album, Lucille Talks Back. A slick, lifeless affair, which clocks in at a meager 27 minutes, Lucille has all the earmarks of a hurried, carelessly thought out effort. The production is burdened with needless doodling (the introduction to "When I'm Wrong") and a ubiquitously hovering organ which would have been more at home on a soap opera or skating rink. With the exception of Lowell Fulson's "Reconsider Baby," the material (half of which King wrote) simply lacks distinction. The larger problem, though, is King himself: his vocals lack conviction and his guitar work is as languid as it is mannered.

Not even an interesting failure, Lucille Talks Back is a low point in a distinguished career. (RS 206)

KIT RACHLIS