THE ROYAL SCAM

Great production and great use of guest musicians (a veritable feast of session players, including guitarists Larry Carlton, Elliot Randall, and Dean Park, Rick Marotta and Victor Feldman on drums and percussion, as well as various sax, horns, and backing vocalists). Larry Carlton's killer guitar solos on 'Kid Charlemagne' and 'Don't Take Me Alive' are legendary. A much more diverse, energetic, and edgy assortment of cool songs than on Katy Lied (also a bit more rockin') boosts this one up another notch to put it among their best albums. Best songs- 'Kid Charlemagne', 'The Caves of Altamira', 'Don't Take Me Alive', 'Sign In Stranger'. Rating: 4.5