Record Reviews
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  | FLO & EDDIE ~ ILLEGAL, IMMORAL AND FATTENING / MOVING TARGETS
ACADIA 8157 (Barcode: 805772815728) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2007
3rd and 4th albums by US duo Flo & EddieFind albums by this artist, who were of course vocalist Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist and Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist who had come to fame as members of the splendid US 1960s band the TurtlesFind albums by this artist, which produced a long streak of excellent singles and albums, based on the incredible vocal harmonizing abilities of the pair. Following the Turtles implosion, Kaylan and Volman became a much sought after studio vocalists, supporting many of the Rock stars (T. RexFind albums by this artist for example) in their recording sessions and eventually were drafted by no other than Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist to join his Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist troupe, where they supplied some of the most brilliant vocal parts ever created in Rock music. Zappa´s zany sense of humor suited the pair like a glove and they excelled in incorporating satire, impersonations and standup comedy trickery into their act, which was absolutely hilarious. Zappa encouraged the pair to pursue their own career and even gave them the trade moniker Flo & Eddie. The duos albums turned out to be all brilliant pieces of musical comedy and just plain music, unfortunately they were largely overshadowed by their Zappa stint and in time neglected and forgotten. Listening to these two albums is a real ear opener to their music, with the first presenting their madcap on-stage brilliance and the second focusing on their vocal and songwriting abilities, which were always superb. They used some of the best musicians around in their backing band, including many Mothers members and the result is a stunning example of sophisticated 1970s Rock, which mixes Pop, Rock and Jazz elements with finesse and deeply rooted musicality. Definitely worth re-discovery and careful listening, this music stands the test of time with flying colors and is a great document of the era. With the humor as an added value, this is a package you don´t want to miss!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ 200 MOTELS (50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
ZAPPA 20037 (Barcode: 602438384136) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2021
This Box Set is the 120th official release by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2021. It presents an expanded reissue / remaster of the material recorded originally in 1971 with his group The Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist and The Royal Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist, conducted by Elgar HowarthFind albums by this artist. The Box Set contains the soundtrack of the film “200 Motels” (thirty-four tracks) originally released as a 2LP album in 1971, as well as over 4 CDs worth of additional material: demos, outtakes, dialogues and a plethora of bonus tracks, all worth their value in gold. All the material was composed by Zappa. The Box Set is a lavishly packaged Super Deluxe (LP sized) edition, which is up to the usual ZappaFind albums on this label Records standard.
The Mothers, who recorded this music included, in addition to Zappa who played guitar and sung, vocalists Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist, Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist, Jimmy Carl BlackFind albums by this artist and Jim PonsFind albums by this artist, keyboardists George DukeFind albums by this artist and Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist (who also plays woodwinds), bassist Martin LickertFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ruth UnderwoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist.
The music is an incredibly complex amalgam of Classical Music, Pop, Rock, comedy and satire. Although not the very first album to feature Rock and Symphony Orchestra, it is by far the most advanced, revolutionary and complex of all such attempts to this very day. Zappa included in this music his modern 20th Century Classical Music influences from Edgar VareseFind albums by this artist, Igor StravinskyFind albums by this artist and others.
Zappa shows on this album that he is able to write music, which amalgamates anything between Avant-Garde Pop and Rock, Jazz, including Free Jazz and Jazz-Rock Fusion and contemporary orchestral Classical Music. He appears as the first “total musician” on the Pop / Rock scene, a status he was able to hold till the day he died. From day one his extravagant personality and brilliant intelligence marked him as an outsider, a fate shared by most geniuses.
This album is often regarded as “peripheral” in his overall output, which is of course completely nonsensical and absurd. The whole concept of Zappa’s music was the complete disregard of genres and a firm belief that “music is one”, regardless how someone might wish to categorize it. In retrospect, this album is definitely one of his absolute Artistic apogees, although he never recorded anything which could be considered less important than anything else.
Overall, although over fifty 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.
| | Updated: 18/06/2022Posted: 18/06/2022 | CD 6 Digibook Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ 200 MOTELS (SOUNDTRACK)
ZAPPA 3846 (Barcode: 602438287055) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2021
This is a reissue / remaster of the 13th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, his group The Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist and The Royal Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist, conducted by Elgar HowarthFind albums by this artist, originally released as a 2LP album in 1971. The album contains the soundtrack of the film “200 MotelsFind albums with this title” and presents thirty-four tracks, all composed by Zappa. This is the only album by Zappa, which was not reissued / remastered as part of the 2012 reissue program, and was eventually released as part of the 50th Anniversary reissue in 2021, finally closing the gap.
The Mothers, who recorded this music included, in addition to Zappa who played guitar and sung, vocalists Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist, Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist, Jimmy Carl BlackFind albums by this artist and Jim PonsFind albums by this artist, keyboardists George DukeFind albums by this artist and Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist (who also plays woodwinds), bassist Martin LickertFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ruth UnderwoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist.
The music is an incredibly complex amalgam of Classical Music, Pop, Rock, comedy and satire. Although not the very first album to feature Rock and Symphony Orchestra, it is by far the most advanced, revolutionary and complex of all such attempts to this very day. Zappa included in this music his modern 20th Century Classical Music influences from Edgar VareseFind albums by this artist, Igor StravinskyFind albums by this artist and others.
Zappa shows on this album that he is able to write music, which amalgamates anything between Avant-Garde Pop and Rock, Jazz, including Free Jazz and Jazz-Rock Fusion and contemporary orchestral Classical Music. He appears as the first “total musician” on the Pop / Rock scene, a status he was able to hold till the day he died. From day one his extravagant personality and brilliant intelligence marked him as an outsider, a fate shared by most geniuses.
This album is often regarded as “peripheral” in his overall output, which is of course completely nonsensical and absurd. The whole concept of Zappa’s music was the complete disregard of genres and a firm belief that “music is one”, regardless how someone might wish to categorize it. In retrospect, this album is definitely one of his absolute Artistic apogees, although he never recorded anything which could be considered less important than anything else.
Overall, although over fifty 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: 15/05/2022Posted: 15/05/2022 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ CARNEGIE HALL
VAULTERNATIVE 20111B (Barcode: 824302010181) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2020
This is an archival album of live recordings by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, recorded on October 11, 1971 at NY Carnegie Hall, the only concert played by Zappa and his Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist at this prestigious venue. The 3CD album includes all the music played during the two shows that night, lasting together for over three hours, all of which was previously unreleased. The album was released in 2011 as one of the series of complete live concerts, which also includes “FZ:OZFind albums with this title”, “BuffaloFind albums with this title”, “WazooFind albums with this title”, “Philly `76Find albums with this title” and “Hammersmith OdeonFind albums with this title”. This is the 2020 version of the album, which omits the support act (The PersuasionsFind albums by this artist) CD from the original 4CD 2011 version. All the music (except for two tracks which were co-composed) was composed by Zappa.
The lineup of the musicians playing in the band, which played these concerts consists, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals of course, of vocalist / percussionist Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist, vocalist Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist (both ex-TurtlesFind albums by this artist collectively known as Flo & EddieFind albums by this artist), keyboardist / saxophonist Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Don PrestonFind albums by this artist, bassist Jim PonsFind albums by this artist and British drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist. The repertoire covers past favorites going as far back as the debut album “Freak Out!Find albums with this title” and up to “King KongFind albums with this title” (which gets an improvised 30 minutes long treatment), “Hot RatsFind albums with this title”, “Chunga`s RevengeFind albums with this title” and “200 MotelsFind albums with this title”.
The music, as I have already stated repeatedly, is beyond categorization, being first and foremost the idiosyncratic creation of Zappa’s musical Genius. Of course every new piece of reissued vault material by Zappa expands the portrait of one of the paramount musical Geniuses of the 20th Century. I still label it as Jazz-Rock Fusion, as it embraces the wide perspective of these two genres. After all it is no less than three hours of the best music money can buy, brilliantly recorded and carefully put together for you listening pleasure.
Overall, this a superb and highly detailed document of the way Zappa created his masterpieces, and of course a testimony to his musical out of the box thinking and creativity. As far as concert recordings, this is an extraordinary example of Zappa’s ability to run a tight ship, perhaps tighter than any other. Despite the complexity of the material, Swiss watchmakers are using this music to synchronize their watches by.
| | Updated: 11/08/2022Posted: 29/10/2021 | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ CHUNGA`S REVENGE
ZAPPA 3844 (Barcode: 824302384428) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2012
This is a reissue / remaster of the 11th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally in 1970. The music was recorded in the studio and live in 1969 and 1970. The album presents ten tracks, four of which are instrumentals, all composed by Zappa.
The lineup, in addition to Zappa on guitar, vocals and other instruments including even drums, includes for the first time the two ex-TurtlesFind albums by this artist vocalists Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist and Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Flo & EddieFind albums by this artist), multi-instrumentalist Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, keyboardist George DukeFind albums by this artist, bassists Jeff SimmonsFind albums by this artist and Max BennettFind albums by this artist, drummers Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist and John GuerinFind albums by this artist and violinist Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist playing organ on one track.
The album presents an eclectic amalgam of Jazz improvisations, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Blues, Rock and Pop songs, with sarcastic lyrics dealing with subject matter about Rock Culture, sex and other social issues. It is one of the most seemingly incoherent Zappa’s musical constructs, but of course it does make perfect sense as far as showing the diversity of his musical interests and his ability as a composer.
Overall, although this music is now over fifty 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: 23/02/2022 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ FILLMORE EAST - JUNE 1971
ZAPPA 3845 (Barcode: 824302384527) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2012
This is a reissue / remaster of the 12th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally in 1971. The music was recorded live at the legendary NYC Fillmore East venue in 1971. The album presents twelve tracks, all (except one) composed by Zappa.
The lineup, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals, includes members of the then current version of Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist, which comprises of lead vocalists Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist and Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Flo & EddieFind albums by this artist), multi-instrumentalist Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Bob HarrisFind albums by this artist, bassist Jim PonsFind albums by this artist and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist. Keyboardist Don PrestonFind albums by this artist appears on one track, which was probably recorded at other live concert.
The album presents a comic / bitterly satirical concept “story”, which depicts the “behind the scenes” of the music business and Rock groups touring / concerts, with all its absurdity and deviation, which sadly was for many years a part of the scene, before it spread into the general public and created the insane “celeb” scene omnipresent in today’s non-culture.
Musically the album is somewhat less Jazz-Rock Fusion oriented, but still offers lengthy instrumental improvisations and some of the best-ever guitar soloing by Zappa. The only track not composed by Zappa is a parody of the song “Happy Together”, which was a mega hit for the TurtlesFind albums by this artist, the group Volman and Kaylan originate from.
Overall, although this music is now over fifty 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: 12/02/2022 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ FREAKS & MOTHERFU*#@%!
ESSENTIAL / FOO-EEE 958 (Barcode: 5017615515824) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 Released: 1991
This is a bootleg album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released officially by Zappa in 1991 as part of the "Beat The Boots!Find albums with this title" Box Set, which included eight bootlegs. The LPs in this Box Set (edition of 600 copies) were not available individually, but the CD versions were made available individually on the Rhino / Foo-eeeFind albums on this label label as catalog numbers 70537 to 70544. In the UK these CDs were released on the Essential / Foo-eeeFind albums on this label label as catalog numbers 956 to 963. This is the third album of the set.
The music was recorded at the Fillmore East on November 13, 1970 and presents ten tracks. The lineup of the Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist includes Zappa on guitar and vocals, vocalists Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist and Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist, keyboardists George DukeFind albums by this artist and Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff SimmonsFind albums by this artist and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist.
The sound quality is quite reasonable in view of the illegal circumstances surrounding the recording process, often done on inferior equipment. It is of course an invaluable historic document of Zappa’s Genius. It is also valuable not only for its musical content, but also as an authentic document of the Music Industry bootlegging phenomenon and the attempts to fight it. Zappa pioneered (as he did in many areas) the idea of releasing the bootlegs on his own label, following the “if you can’t beat them, use them” formula, which later on became known as “The Official Bootleg” phenomenon still popular today.
| | Updated: 13/03/2023Posted: 18/02/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ JUST ANOTHER BAND FROM L.A.
ZAPPA 3847 (Barcode: 824302384725) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2012
This is the reissue / remaster of the 14th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally in 1972. The album was recorded live on August 7, 1971 and includes a rare live recording of “Billy The Mountain”, lasting over twenty-four minutes. All the music, except for one track, was composed by Zappa.
The musicians participating on this album include, in addition to Zappa who played guitar and sung, also vocalists Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist and Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist, woodwinds and keyboards player Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Don PrestonFind albums by this artist, bassist Jim PonsFind albums by this artist and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist.
By the time this album was recorded Zappa and his Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist were a perfectly synchronized music machine able to play just about anything. Zappa’s sense of humor knew already no limits, as the “Billy The Mountain” track shows, being a hilarious pastiche of the Rock Opera genre, which thrived at the time. They produced some of the finest Pop / Rock oriented 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 often considered as a great summary of the early Zappa period. Obviously, they were anything but just another band from LA.
Overall, although over fifty 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: 15/09/2022 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ PLAYGROUND PSYCHOTICS
ZAPPA 3886 (Barcode: 824302388624) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock
Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2012
This is the reissue / remaster of the 60th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally as a 2CD album in 1992, less than a year before Zappa’s demise. The album was recorded between late 1970 and late 1971 and includes another rare live recording of “Billy The Mountain”, lasting over thirty minutes. It includes numerous dialog fragments capturing the members of The Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist on tour and during the recording of the “200 MotelsFind albums with this title” soundtrack. It also offers alternative mixes of the live encounter between the Mothers and John LennonFind albums by this artist and Yoko OnoFind albums by this artist on the Fillmore East stage. The staggering fifty-seven tracks are and incredible testimony of the greatest Rock band ever, carefully assembled by Zappa, in a form he wanted the band to be remembered. Almost all the music was composed by Zappa.
The musicians participating on this album include, in addition to Zappa who played guitar and sung, also vocalists Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist and Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist, woodwinds and keyboards player Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Don PrestonFind albums by this artist, George DukeFind albums by this artist and Bob HarrisFind albums by this artist, bassists Jim PonsFind albums by this artist, Jeff SimmonsFind albums by this artist and Martin LickertFind albums by this artist and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist.
By the time this album was recorded Zappa and his Mothers Of Invention were a perfectly synchronized music machine able to play just about anything. Zappa’s sense of humor knew already no limits, as the “Billy The Mountain” track shows, being a hilarious pastiche of the Rock Opera genre, which thrived at the time. They produced some of the finest Pop / Rock oriented 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 often considered as a great summary of the early Zappa period.
Overall, although over fifty 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: 24/09/2022Posted: 24/09/2022 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ ROAD TAPES VENUE #3
VAULTERNATIVE 20161 (Barcode: 824302016121) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2016
This is the 103rd album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2016. This 2CD album was released on the VaulternativeFind albums on this label label and is the last of three “Road Tapes” releases, which document entire live performances by Zappa and The Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist. This performance was captured at Tyrone Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, MN, USA on July 5, 1970. The album presents twenty-six tracks, all composed by Zappa, except one track by Igor StravinskyFind albums by this artist.
The lineup includes, in addition to Zappa, who plays guitar and sings, vocalists Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist and Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist and George DukeFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff SimmonsFind albums by this artist and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist. This recordings capture one of the first of the (then) new lineup of the Mothers. None of the material included here is included on the “The Mothers 1970Find albums with this title” Box Set released in 2020.
The live material reflects the highly experimental / improvisational character of the music, as well as the Avant-Garde approach to composition and Free Form improvisation, which characterized Jazz, but was unheard of in Rock music at the time.
Comparison between the live versions on this album, which are up to twenty minutes in duration, with the studio albums, prove how unique every concert by Zappa and his groups was and how important it is for all that material to be available on records, which of course is possible only due to Zappa’s passion and dedication to document his performances.
Overall, although over fifty 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.
| | Updated: 03/10/2022Posted: 30/09/2022 | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ THE MOTHERS 1970
ZAPPA 20033 (Barcode: 824302003329) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2020
This is a wonderful archival Box Set, which collects the recordings by the short lived lineup of the MothersFind albums by this artist, led by Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist between May and December of 1970 and celebrates its 50th Anniversary. The material includes studio and concert recordings from the Zappa vault and most of the material is previously unreleased.
This particular lineup of the Mothers included the two ex-TurtlesFind albums by this artist vocalists Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist and Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Flo & EddieFind albums by this artist), Jazz keyboardist George DukeFind albums by this artist, who arrived via Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist and the brilliant “King KongFind albums with this title” album from 1969, multi-instrumentalist Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist (the only original Mother), bassist Jeff SimmonsFind albums by this artist and British drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist. Shortly before Zappa disbanded the original Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist, he released the seminal solo album “Hot RatsFind albums with this title”, was involved in cross-genre meeting with Zubin MehtaFind albums by this artist and in parallel started to produce the “Uncle MeatFind albums with this title” movie, a typical Zappa mayhem, emphasizing his feverish creativity.
The music is, as always, completely Zappaesque, with brilliant melodic contents, weird polyrhythmic approach, which was always his forte, a Rock oriented rhythm section and Jazz oriented instrumental layers, topped with superb vocal harmonies and Zappa’s angelic / devilish guitar work, which remains unparalleled.
As the time moves on and Zappa’s music is now well into its sixth decade, it becomes more and more apparent that he was an absolute singularity on the 20th Century music scene. No other musician managed to create such a vast body of music so diverse and aesthetically perfect as Zappa. He was also one of the very few musicians with an outlook on the world politics and the sickness of American society, and surely the only one that was not afraid to publicly mock it. His sharp sense of humor cut deeply like a surgeon’s scalpel, but the political establishment managed to present him to the public as a weirdo rather than a sage.
One of the few things that I regret in the course of my musical adventures is the fact that I met Frank only a couple of times over the years, as I’d love to have talked with him in depth. It was not to be and his premature death closed the window of opportunity forever.
For the many Zappa fans this Box Set is of course a must, as everything else that emerges from his vault. It is absolutely blissful that his vault is so well looked after and new material emerges from it periodically and continuously, especially in times were new music is hardly worth any attention. Pass the word and enjoy!
| | Updated: 19/01/2022Posted: 30/05/2021 | CD 4 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ THE MOTHERS 1971
ZAPPA 20038 (Barcode: 602438403455) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2022
This Box Set is the 121st official release by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2022. It presents an expanded reissue / remaster of the live material recorded originally in 1971 with his group The Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist, including the complete Fillmore East concerts on June 5, 1971 and June 6, 1971 (two full shows each day), including the encore which features John LennonFind albums by this artist and Yoko OnoFind albums by this artist on the last show, which of course were partially released as the “Fillmore East - June 1971Find albums with this title” album in 1971. Also included are two partially recorded shows recorded a few days before the Fillmore East shows, as well as the December 10, 1971 concert recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London; altogether 8 CDs full of brilliant music The Box Set is a lavishly packaged Super Deluxe (CD sized) edition, which is up to the usual ZappaFind albums on this label Records standard.
The Mothers, who recorded this music included, in addition to Zappa who played guitar and sung, vocalists Howard KaylanFind albums by this artist and Mark VolmanFind albums by this artist, bassist Jim PonsFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist (who also plays woodwinds), Don PrestonFind albums by this artist and Bob HarrisFind albums by this artist (who does not play on the London show) and drummer Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist.
This Box Set offers a great opportunity to compare four full live shows and see how flexible and varied these performances were, how much improvisation was involved and how brilliant the members of the Mothers were. The rapport and interplay are absolutely amazing and easily equal that displayed by Jazz musicians.
Musically the album is somewhat less Jazz-Rock Fusion oriented, but still offers lengthy instrumental improvisations and some of the best-ever guitar soloing by Zappa. The parody of the song “Happy Together”, which was a mega hit for the TurtlesFind albums by this artist, the group Volman and Kaylan originate from, is a great example of the sense of humor that underlines the proceedings at all times.
Overall, although over fifty 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.
| | Updated: 18/06/2022Posted: 18/06/2022 | CD 8 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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