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  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPA `75: ZAGREB / LJUBLJANA
ZAPPA 20040 (Barcode: 602448169624) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2020
This is the 123rd album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2022. The album was recorded live on November 21 & 22, 1975 in ex-Yugoslavia during Zappa’s only visit behind the Iron Curtain. The 2CD album presents twenty-seven tracks, all composed by Zappa.
The lineup of the musicians that recorded the album includes Zappa on guitar and vocals, saxophonists Napoleon Murphy BrockFind albums by this artist and Norma BellFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Andre LewisFind albums by this artist, bassist Roy EstradaFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist. This was the last tour on which Zappa used the Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist moniker and this is the only (so far) release which features the short-lived lineup featuring Norma Bell, except for one track included on this album, which was previously released on “Plays The Music Of Frank ZappaFind albums with this title” from 1996.
The electrified atmosphere and reception by the East European audience influenced the musicians to give some amazing performances and especially so by Zappa himself, who offers some of his most impressive guitar playing here. There is also the usual portion of Zappa’s zany humor and critique, which obviously is somewhat limited by the language barrier, with Zappa trying his outmost to explain his ideas to the natives, which is brilliantly hilarious.
Despite the minimal lineup and obvious equipment limitations present behind the Iron Curtain at the time, the music is fabulous. The sound is somewhat murky, but considering the fact that we can listen to this material at all is a miracle.
Overall, although this music is now almost 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.
| | Updated: 03/11/2022Posted: 03/11/2022 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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