Compositions by Michael Mantler and lyrics from "Amphigorey" by the fur-swathed Edward Gorey, who writes and draws the "miseries of childhood", comprise "the most bizarre album of Gorey Stories" as the Washington Post wrote. "The Hapless Child" unites Carla Bley on keyboards with Jack de Johnette on drums and Steve Swallow on electric bass with Robert Wyatt’s lisping vocals and Terje Rypdal’s soaring guitar. "The Hapless Child emerges as an extremely impressive album" – Melody Maker.
13 3/4
Michael Mantler, Carla Bley
