Record Reviews

FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPA MAGNOLIA 876964017114 (Barcode: 876964017114) ~ USA ~ Special Products Recorded: 2015 - 2020 Released: 2020 Exactly a year ago to the day, on the eve of my 70th Birthday, I made a decision to dedicate the first year of my eighth decade to writing, as much as possible, about the musician, who influenced my music appreciation more than any other over the years. Of course I love and appreciate a great amount of sublime musicians, who crossed my path over the years in so many ways, but the Genius of Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist remains to be a consistent source of inspiration, not only in music but perhaps even more importantly in my attitude towards the world that surrounds us all. I am often being accused of being highly sarcastic and judgmental and I simply can’t stand ignorance and stupidity in any form or shape. Of course Zappa was a Master of the Trade in pointing out stupidity, folly, bigotry, narrow-mindedness and so many other nasty qualities of our race, and I have learned much from him. The saddest lesson of all was, that human stupidity is similar to the scientific concept of entropy, and any attempt to fight it is utterly futile. Zappa tried to fight it, not because he believed he can win, but because he was convinced it has to be pointed out, and I admired him for that, painfully comprehending the price he had to pay for his convictions. But on the way Zappa did manage to create some of the greatest music ever heard on this tiny planet, which covered virtually a complete cross-genre pollination, and remains unparalleled to this very day, now almost three decades since his untimely passing. So, here we go, now one year later, I managed to write reviews of well over 100 albums of Zappa’s music, almost completely covering his entire official recorded output, something I neglected for too long and hopefully now remedied, both for myself and my many faithful readers the world over. 2020 saw the release of a film, simply entitled “ZappaFind albums with this title”, a documentary, six years in making, directed by Alex WinterFind albums by this artist, who had an unlimited access to the enormous vaults of the Zappa Family Trust. It tells a chronological story of Zappa’s life and music in a coherent, well-organized way and discloses fascinating footage from many sources and even features, in addition to the music composed by Zappa, also an original soundtrack composed by John FrizzellFind albums by this artist (see the review of “Zappa (Soundtrack)Find albums with this title”. The running time is 127 minutes. The film is an important document, oriented mainly towards people less familiar with his biography. Several in depth books published over the years offer a much more profound analysis of his personality, musical outlook, life philosophy and so on, but of course the limited scope of a documentary is able to offer but a glimpse at such complex subjects. Nevertheless, in comparison to the plethora of music “documentaries” produced in the last few years, which are mostly shallow and trivial, this film offers a genuine effort to paint a picture of a multifaceted human being and Artist, notwithstanding its limitations. Personally, I found the interviews with Zappa’s wife Gail ZappaFind albums by this artist, who was already gravely ill with cancer at the time, and several of the musicians who were members of his bands over the years, most revealing. The most touching is the interview with Ruth UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, who explains how Zappa’s music changed her musical perspective and influenced her life. Overall, although offering just a peephole into Zappa’s life and music, the film is absolutely worth watching, and even perhaps revisited more than once. Zappa’s life deserves a much broader documentation, but realistically we won’t probably see that happening before the lights on this planet go out. Thank God and the Zappa Family Trust for reissuing his recorded music legacy for those of us who still care.

Updated: 16/12/2022Posted: 16/12/2022

DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPA (SOUNDTRACK) ZAPPA 20035 (Barcode: 600753933527) ~ USA ~ Soundtracks Recorded: 1963 - 1993 Released: 2021 This is the 118th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2021. As the title suggests, this is the soundtrack of the documentary feature film “Zappa”, directed by Alex WinterFind albums by this artist, six years in making, one of the most vivid and comprehensive overviews of Zappa’s career, life and the person, who was Frank Zappa. The 3CD album consists of two parts: The first two CDs present a chronological collection of Zappa’s recordings, covering his entire career, as well as some of his work with other artists. Some short monologues by Zappa, as well as works by Classical composers he admired (Igor StravinskyFind albums by this artist, Edgar VareseFind albums by this artist), are also present. Several of the tracks are previously unreleased. The third CD presents the original score for the film composed by John FrizzellFind albums by this artist and a few more Zappa tracks. Of course the mammoth and unprecedented career and the life of Zappa cannot be encapsulated by any book or movie. He was bigger than life and provided us with enough material for a lifetime of study of his work, philosophy and music. But any attempt, like this documentary, as long as it is honest and unbiased, is an important contribution to preserve Zappa’s legacy. Overall, although some of this music is available on other Zappa albums, the unique sequencing and career-spanning scope makes this album definitely worth having, as a memento of the greatest American musician of all time. It is, after all, a “soundtrack of his life”.

Updated: 03/10/2022Posted: 03/10/2022

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

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

FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPA `80: MUDD CLUB / MUNICH ZAPPA 20042 (Barcode: 602448746405) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1980 Released: 2023 This is the 125th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2023. The album presents two complete concerts recorded during the 1980 spring / summer tour. The album includes 3 CDs. The music was recorded by the following lineup: Zappa on guitar and vocals, guitarists / vocalists Ike WillisFind albums by this artist and Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist, bassist Arthur BarrowFind albums by this artist and drummer David LogemanFind albums by this artist. CD1 presents fifteen tracks recorded on May 8, 1980 at the Mudd Clun in NY. CD2 and CD3 present eleven tracks each, recorded on July 3, 1980 at the Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany. The music is a selection of tracks spanning many Zappa albums, as always perfectly performed by Zappa and his team and featuring some blood-curdling Zappa guitar solos. The quality of the recording and sound are perfect and absolutely nothing stands between the music and the listener to enjoy a fury and orgy of the Zappa phenomenon. As usual, every note played by Zappa and his ensemble is perfectly unique and are an integral part of his heritage. Overall, this is an absolutely essential piece of the Frank Zappa legacy and a fitting tribute to his brilliance. The intricacy and multi-layered arrangements, brilliantly executed by his ensembles, are amongst the most interesting American recordings ever and considering that all this happened over forty years ago clearly proves that Zappa was a visionary / prophetic Genius.

Updated: 19/03/2023Posted: 19/03/2023

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPA `88: THE LAST U.S. SHOW ZAPPA 20036 (Barcode: 602435688244) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1988 Released: 2021 This is an archival album by the iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, which presents his last concerts ever in the US, which were followed by his last concert tour in Europe. Until his untimely death in 1993, Zappa never toured again, although he continued to create music until the last moment. The 2CD album presents thirty-one tracks. The music was recorded by a twelve-piece band, which included a five-piece brass section, three guitarists, vibraphone, keyboards, bass and drums. The material includes mostly original material by Zappa, but also interpretations of songs by The BeatlesFind albums by this artist / Led ZeppelinFind albums by this artist / Allman Brothers BandFind albums by this artist, as well as classical compositions. This last band Zappa put together for his tour was also probably his best band ever, as far as musical range, technical proficiency and ensemble performances were concerned, although over the years all Zappa’s groups were brilliant one way of another. In retrospect, Zappa’s unparalleled genius is omnipresent in these recordings, far beyond the brilliant music, superb guitar playing and his humoristic / sarcastic / critical delivery. His concerts always included an aspect of stand-up comedy / burlesque / circus madness, with every split second precisely planned and meticulously executed. There is no need to restate the fact that Frank Zappa was the most important Rock musician of all times, with a brilliant multi-layered intellect and blessed with unprecedented talent and vision. Every little moment of his recorded legacy remains an essential part of the Human Culture Hall of Fame, even in not recognized as such by the gray masses. The contest of these two CDs is so dense, that it required numerous listening sessions to get down to the bottom of it, listening carefully to each and every detail herein. Obviously the music is completely beyond being described by words, and every person on earth might interpret it differently. If anybody reading this was not exposed to Zappa’s music so far, make sure you try it before you die – if you don’t you won’t really know what music is… Although Zappa was obviously an alien, as his music proves, he was tragically trapped in a frail human body, which eventually failed him. What a fucked-up Universe we live in.

Updated: 10/07/2021Posted: 10/07/2021

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPA IN NEW YORK ZAPPA 3856 (Barcode: 824302385623) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 23rd album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, recorded live during a series of concerts at the NYC Palladium in December 1976 and originally released as a 2LP album in 1978. A much expanded 5CD edition, including the original release and hours of bonus material, all previously unreleased, was released in 2019 as the 112th album, called “Zappa In New York (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)Find albums with this title”. All the music was composed by Zappa. The group / orchestra accompanying Zappa, who plays guitar and sings, includes an incredible assemblage of musicians: rhythm guitarist / vocalist Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, keyboardist / violinist Eddie JobsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick O`HearnFind albums by this artist, drummer Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ruth UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist David SamuelsFind albums by this artist and a brilliant brass section comprising of saxophonists Lou MariniFind albums by this artist, Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist and Ronnie CuberFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist and trombonist Tom MaloneFind albums by this artist. The material includes some compositions, which appeared on earlier Zappa’s releases, but most of the material was completely new at the time. The music, as I have already stated repeatedly, is beyond categorization, being first and foremost the idiosyncratic creation of Zappa’s musical Genius. Obviously at the time Zappa was emphasizing the Jazz elements in his music, as the Jazzy brass section certifies, creating his very own Jazz-Rock Fusion, but these terms are highly inappropriate to describe the full scope of this incredible music. Every new piece of reissued vault material by Zappa expands the portrait of one of the paramount musical Geniuses of the 20th Century. As far as live albums are concerned, this gem certainly finds its place in the Pantheon of the finest live recordings of all time. Listening to these 5 CDs in a row is definitely a life changing Zappaorgy. Overall, this is an absolute must have album for all Zappaoids, but in truth every true music lover should find this music outstanding in every possible and impossible way… beyond recommendation… 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: 01/04/2022

CD 2 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPA IN NEW YORK (40TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION) ZAPPA 20029 (Barcode: 824302002926) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2019 This is the 112th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, recorded during a series of concerts at the NYC Palladium in December 1976 and originally released as a 2LP album in 1978. This expanded / remastered edition includes 5 CDs worth of music, including the original release and hours of bonus material, all previously unreleased. All the music was composed by Zappa. The group / orchestra accompanying Zappa on this album includes an incredible assemblage of musicians: rhythm guitarist / vocalist Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, keyboardist / violinist Eddie JobsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick O`HearnFind albums by this artist, drummer Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ruth UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist David SamuelsFind albums by this artist and a brilliant brass section comprising of saxophonists Lou MariniFind albums by this artist, Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist and Ronnie CuberFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist and trombonist Tom MaloneFind albums by this artist. The material includes some compositions, which appeared on earlier Zappa’s releases, but most of the material was completely new at the time. The music, as I have already stated repeatedly, is beyond categorization, being first and foremost the idiosyncratic creation of Zappa’s musical Genius. Obviously at the time Zappa was emphasizing the Jazz elements in his music, as the Jazzy brass section certifies, creating his very own Jazz-Rock Fusion, but these terms are highly inappropriate to describe the full scope of this incredible music. Every new piece of reissued vault material by Zappa expands the portrait of one of the paramount musical Geniuses of the 20th Century. As far as live albums are concerned, this gem certainly finds its place in the Pantheon of the finest live recordings of all time. Listening to these 5 CDs in a row is definitely a life changing Zappaorgy. Overall, this is an absolute must have album for all Zappaoids, but in truth every true music lover should find this music outstanding in every possible and impossible way… beyond recommendation…

Updated: 01/04/2022Posted: 22/09/2021

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPATITE ZAPPA 20023 (Barcode: 824302002322) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock Recorded: 1966 - 1992 Released: 2016 This is the 106th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2016. It is a compilation album / “best of” / “Greatest Hits” of Zappa’s recordings over time, which includes tracks spanning his entire career. The album presents eighteen tracks, all composed by Zappa. Zappa was always utterly opposed to releasing that kind of albums, and the only authorized release of that kind was the early “MothermaniaFind albums with this title” album, which was in fact a compromise of sorts, which allowed him to release different versions of songs from the first three albums. In 1995 RykodiscFind albums on this label released an authorized “best of” compilation called “Strictly CommercialFind albums with this title”, which was later replaced by this album in the Zappa official catalogue. Although this album offers no new material (and only one single version of a tune, rather than the original album version), it is a fabulous opportunity to get all this sublime music on one CD, without the need to swap between fourteen different albums the tracks originate from. And for listeners wishing to discover the wondrous world of Zappa, this is the superb entry point. Overall, although this music is now decades 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: 24/10/2022Posted: 24/10/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend