Record Reviews

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

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