Record Reviews

MIKE STERN ~ STANDARDS (AND OTHER SONGS) WOUNDED BIRD 2419 (Barcode: 664140241923) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1992 Released: 2007 6th album (5th on Atlantic) by American guitarist / composer Mike SternFind albums by this artist, who has been one of the most prominent figures in the Jazz and Fusion fields for the last three decades. His virtuoso performances and excellent writing are a source of musical joy and his consistently superb standards serve as a model, followed by generations of young guitarist around the world. On this album Stern tackles (for the first time) Jazz compositions by other composers (Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and others), adding three compositions of his own. Accompanied by a superb group of musicians, which includes trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, bassist Jay AndersonFind albums by this artist and drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist, this session clearly shows Stern´s deep ties with Jazz and profound understanding of the Jazz tradition. This is classic Fusion and Stern´s guitar playing is simply overwhelmingly excellent, with great flow, emotion and technical virtuosity. A must for any Fusion enthusiast!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ THE MAN FROM UTOPIA ZAPPA 3866 (Barcode: 824302386620) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock Recorded: 1980 - 1982 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 36th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1983. The music was recorded between 1980 and 1982 and combines Zappa’s advanced instrumental explorations and his social satire. The album presents eleven tracks, all composed by Zappa, except for the title track, which is a 1950s Pop song. The lineup that Zappa put together in the studio to record this music includes, in addition to him playing guitar and keyboards, guitarists Steve VaiFind albums by this artist and Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, vocalists Roy EstradaFind albums by this artist, Bob HarrisFind albums by this artist and Ike WillisFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Bobby MartinFind albums by this artist, Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist and Arthur BarrowFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, bassists Scott ThunesFind albums by this artist and Jay AndersonFind albums by this artist, drummers Chad WackermanFind albums by this artist and Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist and a few others. The music is completely eclectic and moves between Pop, Rock, Jazz and anything in between, and features some extravagant musical experiments like Vai copying Zappa’s recitation / singing note for note in a virtuosic guitar extravaganza and other tricks which can only be found on Zappa’s albums. Although not one of the most popular or revered Zappa’s albums, it is, surely in retrospect, still a masterpiece of comedy / satire / social parody and musical genius all mixed together, including a hilarious parody of Beach Boys surf music and dozens of other gems. Overall, although this music is now almost forty years old, it sounds as fresh as it did when first heard and lost absolutely nothing of its power and everlasting beauty. 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. 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: 16/01/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ THING-FISH ZAPPA 3871 (Barcode: 824302387122) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock Recorded: 1976 - 1983 Released: 2012 This is the reissue / remaster of the 41st album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally as a triple LP Box Set in 1984. The album was a proposed musical intended for Broadway, which never materialized. The material was recorded between 1980 and 1983, but also utilizes older material going back as far as 1976, including reworking of material that appeared on other albums but also new Synclavier parts. All the music was written by Zappa. “Thing-FishFind albums with this title” was actually the third attempt by Zappa to produce a Broadway musical, all of which intended to bring public awareness to highly controversial issues within American society, like AIDS, feminism, gay culture, conspiracy theories, greed, race and class distinction, which were all considered as taboo at the time. Zappa’s interest in theatre and musical illustrates his multidimensional approach to Art and his understanding that all Art Forms were a platforms able to influence public awareness. As expected, the album was poorly received by the critics, who failed to see Zappa’s genius at the time. The musicians participating on this album include, in addition to Zappa who played guitar and sung, also guitarists Steve VaiFind albums by this artist and Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist, and Chuck WildFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, bassists Scott ThunesFind albums by this artist, Arthur BarrowFind albums by this artist and Jay AndersonFind albums by this artist and drummer Chad WackermanFind albums by this artist. By the late 1970s and early 1980s Zappa concentrated on producing some of his finest Pop / Rock material, which was heavily spiced with hysteric and often outrageous satire and ridicule of American politics, religious radicals, sex, drugs, corruption and many other issues, which in Zappa’s opinion were eating the American society from within. As accurate as his view of the situation was, it did not have any impact on the state of matters, which obviously continuously worsened, effectively disintegrating the so called “American Way of Life”. Framed within brilliant music and some of his greatest guitar playing, this album is sadly one of the last studio albums by Zappa, followed mostly by compilations of archival studio and live recordings and Classical Music recordings up to the time of his death in 1993. Overall, although 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: 23/10/2022Posted: 23/10/2022

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend