What would happen if. . . James Taylor were to record a remake of Paul Simon’s Graceland, with lyrics by XTC? Well that’s the kind of eclectic patchwork gumbo you’ll hear on Life’s a Mess, Let’s Dance, the second CD from King Platypus, Philadelphia’s premier Zen, Latin-Hawaiian, surf-folk fusion band.

Apple iTunes (Downloadable program for Mac and Windows.)
Liquid Digital Media (Liquid exclusively provides music for Wal-Mart's digital download store.)
Loudeye (Provides music for Cingular's mMode service, BurnLounge, and OD2.)
Sony Connect (Sony's new digital download store.)

HERE'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

Views & Reviews by Mike Miller in Tune Up: The Newsletter of the Philadelphia Folksong Society "I just loved the initial CD from a group called King Platypus. It defies the limits of classification. It has validity as folk Jazz, honky tonk and a bluesy kind of contemporary.

Among my favorite cuts are the title tune, their Mummers Day version of Woody's "This Land" and "America Linda." King Platypus has a website, from which you could and should order this recording. " - 6/07.

Mark Tucker, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange "I've always had a small soft spot for talented goofball / goodtime bands and this is definitely one of them. The New Duncan Imperials, Ham Sandwich, Root Boy Slim, anyone who knows their way around an instrument and can provide a wry break from normalcy is an ensemble I'm interested in. King Platypus is a combo determined to put a smile on your face and swing in your step, and, with the loose prowess displayed here, that's a foregone conclusion." - 1/07

C. Lizaire, TheCelebrityCafe.com "Patches of peace in the midst of war, the juxtaposition of easy laughter and agonizing tears. With the irresistible steel drum and calypso rhythm of their carefree manifesto and title track, “Life’s a Mess, Let’s Dance” this eclectic assembly of musicians will have you tapping your toes." - 8/14/06

Charleston Okafor, World Music Director, WCSB, 89.3 FM, Cleveland State University "Your music is sharp and crisp. I love it. People need to hear it. Unfortunately the industry is focused more on image and instant profit and not on talent. Keep it up. Respect!" - 4/30/06.

Lynn Shurr of ABC News 20/20 (and author of the book America the Beautiful) "It's a great, finger-snapping listen. (And for an ex-Philadelphian like me, a chance to prance like the Mummers). I gave a speech recently to the New York Historical Society about "A the B" (as Miss Bates always referred to her little poem/song) and talked about the real meaning of patriotism in our country and I said at the end that it sounded great in Spanish. You're the proof." - 6/16/06.

Spin the Globe World Music Reviews "Like the oddball critter from which their name is derived, King Platypus is an odd but somewhat compelling collection of parts. It's a little jazz, some rock, a touch of country-folk, and some ethnic instrumentation. Kind of like Brave Combo without the polkas." - 10/06.

Life's a Mess, Let's Dance has been played on these mostly public and college stations:
WDIY 88.1 FM, Unlimited Possibilities with Audrey, Lehigh Valley Public Radio, Bethlehem, PA
KUNM 89.9 FM, Freeform with Mary Bokuniewicz, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
WWUH 91.3 FM, The Culture Cafe with Brian Grosjean, University of Hartford, Hartford, CT
WVKR 91.3 FM, International Pulse! with Michel Joseph, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
WCUR 91.7 FM, West Chester University Radio, West Chester, PA

Is the CD is for sale online? Yup. You can buy it from the wonderful people at "www.cdbaby.com/kingplatypus". You can sample all 12 songs there. This CD is also available at Todaro's Music in Lansdowne, PA. For directions go to "www.worldfrets.com". If you like guitars, ukuleles and other exotic instruments, go there; you'll be in heaven.

So if you like our music, you dig underdogs, or you just want to tell us what you think, drop us a line at jakesings@yahoo.com.And if you got deep pockets, consider donating to the rebuilding of New Orleans at "www.commoncauses.org". We've put together a few benefit concerts for them, and they still need your help to once again make the Crescent City a haven for the people who love it.