Record Reviews

FRANK ZAPPA ~ FRANCESCO ZAPPA ZAPPA 3872 (Barcode: 824302387221) ~ USA ~ Classical Recorded: 1984 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 42nd album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1984. It continues Zappa’s interest in Classical Music, which started with the “London Symphony OrchestraFind albums with this title” albums recorded a year earlier and “Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect StrangerFind albums with this title” recorded the same year. The album presents ten compositions by 18th Century Italian cellist / composer Francesco ZappaFind albums by this artist, whose works were introduced to Zappa by clarinetist / copyist / Synclavier programmer David OckerFind albums by this artist, who worked with Zappa on his Classical Music projects. Since the music of Francesco Zappa (unrelated to Zappa himself) was barely known, Zappa decided not only to record it and release this album, but also published the music. The album is performed entirely using the Synclavier, making this the first Zappa album recorded entirely using this instrument, although Zappa did use it earlier on several albums. In Ocker’s liner notes, he describes the entire project in typical Zappaesque zany and highly humorous prose. This album remains amongst the least known of his works and perhaps also the most misunderstood. Zappa was obviously first interested in this music because of the composer’s family name, but he also felt a close affinity to his composing skills and talents. Not less importantly, he wanted to show the possibilities of the Synclavier, which represented the advancement in musical technology, of which Zappa was a great enthusiast and avid pioneer. Asked why he made this album, he answered that Francesco Zappa’s music, contemporary to Wolfgang Amadeus MozartFind albums by this artist, was “interesting and does a few strange things harmonically, which seem to be ahead of their time”, which of course best describes Zappa’s music as well. Overall, this album is another document of Zappa’s wide range of interest in all types of music and his dedication to unconventional projects. His Sisyphean workload during his lifetime produced an amazing variety of musical accomplishments, which scaled everything known about music as well as discovered new and uncharted territories, which at the end of the day made him the greatest musical Genius of the 20th Century and one of its most profound observers of the human nature. Side Note Frank Zappa created a vast recorded legacy during his lifetime, which is continuously being expanded using music recorded and stored in his extensive vault. The albums officially released and approved by Zappa are numbered sequentially in the "Official Release" series, from #001 to the last release so far #126. The albums between #001 to #062 were released during Zappa's lifetime and all the others were released posthumously. There are countless unofficial / bootleg releases on the market as well. Zappa's catalogue was remastered for CD release twice: in 1995 for the RykodiscFind albums on this label releases and again in 2012 for the ZappaFind albums on this label Records / UniversalFind albums on this label releases. The Zappa / Universal program includes 60 releases, which cover the entire catalog released during his lifetime (62 releases, except #013 "200 Motels" and the three Box Sets #043, #046 and #049 called "The Old Masters vol.I / II / III"), and 6 posthumous releases (#064, #065, #067, #068, #093 and #094), which were also included.

Updated: 22/09/2022Posted: 10/04/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA VOL. I & II ZAPPA 3868 (Barcode: 824302386828) ~ USA ~ Classical Recorded: 1983 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 38th and 48th albums by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1983 and 1987, both recorded at the same sessions in January of 1983 with the London Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Kent NaganoFind albums by this artist and expanded with Zappaesque spicing represented by percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, drummer Chad WackermanFind albums by this artist and clarinetist David OckerFind albums by this artist. The first CD presents two two-parts and one three-parts suites and the second CD presents four individual pieces. All the music was composed by Zappa. Other earlier albums by Zappa, which were recorded by orchestras include “Lumpy GravyFind albums with this title”, “200 MotelsFind albums with this title” and “Orchestral FavoritesFind albums with this title”. Zappa’s obsession with orchestral music comes to its climax with this album, especially since his status as a “serious” musician is finally recognized by his Classical peers and one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world agreed to record his music. Despite his complete contempt and sheer hatred of musical business and establishment, he could not resist the temptation to “show” them who is really better, which reflects the omnipresent, but often deeply hidden inferiority complex of all non-Classical musicians / composers in relation to the Classical ones. Zappa’s music was always, from day one, as complex, ambitious, innovative, pioneering and Genius, and in most cases more so, than that of his Classical contemporaries, even when performed in the Pop / Rock / Fusion / Jazz environments, but this album is an opportunity to make an “equal ground” comparison, which of course easily proves his authority. For the avid listener, it is recommended to compare those parts of the material, which were previously recorded in different settings. Listeners not familiar with Zappa’s legacy (an unthinkable sin) might think that he is a bona fide Classical composer, as this music sounds as “Classical” as they come, which is again a proof of his Genius. This music is conceived and in fact realized to sound as modern Classical music, which for a person of no academic Classical music education is truly astounding in every respect. Overall, although almost forty years passed since this music was recorded, this album remains an absolute Classic in every respect, which stands proudly as an icon of superb music, which still shines brighter than almost anything else recorded since. Zappa’s genius, not only as a musician, but also as a visionary and a brilliant observer of the human condition and American folly and deceit, remain completely relevant and are even more actual today than ever. Side Note Frank Zappa created a vast recorded legacy during his lifetime, which is continuously being expanded using music recorded and stored in his extensive vault. The albums officially released and approved by Zappa are numbered sequentially in the "Official Release" series, from #001 to the last release so far #126. The albums between #001 to #062 were released during Zappa's lifetime and all the others were released posthumously. There are countless unofficial / bootleg releases on the market as well. Zappa's catalogue was remastered for CD release twice: in 1995 for the RykodiscFind albums on this label releases and again in 2012 for the ZappaFind albums on this label Records / UniversalFind albums on this label releases. The Zappa / Universal program includes 60 releases, which cover the entire catalog released during his lifetime (62 releases, except #013 "200 Motels" and the three Box Sets #043, #046 and #049 called "The Old Masters vol.I / II / III"), and 6 posthumous releases (#064, #065, #067, #068, #093 and #094), which were also included.

Updated: 22/09/2022Posted: 06/04/2022

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS ZAPPA 3864 (Barcode: 824302386422) ~ USA ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1980 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 34th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1981 as a 2LP album. The album presents twenty original songs, all by Zappa. The album was recorded by an extensive lineup of musicians, which included, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals, also guitarists Ike WillisFind albums by this artist, Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, Denny WalleyFind albums by this artist and Steve VaiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist, bassist Arthur BarrowFind albums by this artist, drummer David LogemanFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Bob HarrisFind albums by this artist, clarinetist David OckerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jim SherwoodFind albums by this artist and harmonica player Craig StewartFind albums by this artist. Jimmy Carl BlackFind albums by this artist of the original Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist is a guest vocalist with additional vocals performed by Willis, White, Harris, Sherwood, Walley and Zappa´s children Moon and Ahmet. This album marks again a new approach in Zappa’s convoluted musical path and presents relatively short and concise songs, with only one of which crosses the six minutes timing and most being around three minutes long. The instrumental parts, including Zappa’s guitar solos, are relatively scarce. Some of the songs are conceptually connected into “medleys” and the entire album offers a concept analysis of human stupidity, which Zappa always tried to expose and ridicule. The album offers a coherent continuity, which demands in-depth effort from the listener to comprehend in full, but, as usual, proves to be absolutely brilliant, in spite of the deceiving seemingly Pop oriented external. Overall, although almost forty years passed since this music was recorded, this album remains an absolute Classic in every respect, which stands proudly as an icon of superb music, which still shines brighter than almost anything else recorded since. Zappa’s genius, not only as a musician, but also as a visionary and a brilliant observer of the human condition and American folly and deceit, remain completely relevant and are even more actual today than ever. Side Note Frank Zappa created a vast recorded legacy during his lifetime, which is continuously being expanded using music recorded and stored in his extensive vault. The albums officially released and approved by Zappa are numbered sequentially in the "Official Release" series, from #001 to the last release so far #126. The albums between #001 to #062 were released during Zappa's lifetime and all the others were released posthumously. There are countless unofficial / bootleg releases on the market as well. Zappa's catalogue was remastered for CD release twice: in 1995 for the RykodiscFind albums on this label releases and again in 2012 for the ZappaFind albums on this label Records / UniversalFind albums on this label releases. The Zappa / Universal program includes 60 releases, which cover the entire catalog released during his lifetime (62 releases, except #013 "200 Motels" and the three Box Sets #043, #046 and #049 called "The Old Masters vol.I / II / III"), and 6 posthumous releases (#064, #065, #067, #068, #093 and #094), which were also included.

Updated: 22/09/2022Posted: 24/11/2021

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend