Record Reviews

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

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