FZ4
The Complete Works of Frank Zappa -- an American Composer (1940-1993) (Part 4) [by Lewis Saul]
1975-1981
21. Bongo Fury (LP, DiscReet DS 2234, October 2, 1975)
Mostly live from Austin, Texas, this audio documents the short-lived reunion of FZ and Captain Beefheart in a somewhat uneven release.
The drummer Terry Bozzio makes his first appearance. He'll stick around for awhile, making important contributions to FZ's music.
200 Years Old (4:32)
The drummer Terry Bozzio makes his first appearance. He'll stick around for awhile, making important contributions to FZ's music.
200 Years Old (4:32)
I was sitting in a breakfast room in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Six o'clock in the morning
Got up too early
It was a terrible mistake
Sittin' there face-to-face with a
75¢ glass of orange juice
About as big as my finger
And a bowl of horribly fore-shortened corn flakes
And I said to myself
This is the life ...
Six o'clock in the morning
Got up too early
It was a terrible mistake
Sittin' there face-to-face with a
75¢ glass of orange juice
About as big as my finger
And a bowl of horribly fore-shortened corn flakes
And I said to myself
This is the life ...
Cucamonga (2:24) is a studio track, and the intro to the soon-to-be demanded encore Muffin Man (5:33) is a hybrid studio/live track.
22. Zoot Allures (LP, Warner Bros. BS 2970, October 29, 1976)
Bassist Patrick O'Hearn (far left) and keyboardist Eddie Jobson (far right) don't play a note on the album -- It is almost completely just FZ on everything and Bozzio.
A distressing period for FZ; he sued and was countersued by both his manager and the record company. The legal proceedings strangled Zappa's ability to record for nearly three years.
There's some good stuff here -- Wind Up Workin' in a Gas Station (2:30); Black Napkins (4:15); The Torture Never Stops (9:45); Zoot Allures (4:12); and Disco Boy (5:10).
A distressing period for FZ; he sued and was countersued by both his manager and the record company. The legal proceedings strangled Zappa's ability to record for nearly three years.
There's some good stuff here -- Wind Up Workin' in a Gas Station (2:30); Black Napkins (4:15); The Torture Never Stops (9:45); Zoot Allures (4:12); and Disco Boy (5:10).
23. Zappa in New York (2LP DiscReet 2D 2290, March 13, 1978)
When Zappa saw Bozzio drooling over a publicity photo of Punky Meadows from the band Angel, he naturally composed Punky's Whips (10:51) -- an ever-changing suite of shifting tempi and lyrics. A hard-charging tune from start to finish.
Of course, Warner Bros. was worried that Meadows might sue, and deleted the track shortly after the release -- and the few original LP copies that contain the track are worth a fortune today!
Titties & Beer (7:36) is Zappa's take on Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat, with some unique alterations.
Cruisin' for Burgers (9:12) [see #7] gets a rousing treatment here, whipped together by a very tight band.
The Black Page Drum Solo/Black Page #1 (3:50) and Black Page #2 (5:36) show Zappa's Boulez/Stockhausen-inspired writing morphing from simply complex to disco complex ...
Purple Lagoon/Approximate (16:40) is edited from three different performances, with some studio overdubs.
Of course, Warner Bros. was worried that Meadows might sue, and deleted the track shortly after the release -- and the few original LP copies that contain the track are worth a fortune today!
Titties & Beer (7:36) is Zappa's take on Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat, with some unique alterations.
Cruisin' for Burgers (9:12) [see #7] gets a rousing treatment here, whipped together by a very tight band.
The Black Page Drum Solo/Black Page #1 (3:50) and Black Page #2 (5:36) show Zappa's Boulez/Stockhausen-inspired writing morphing from simply complex to disco complex ...
Purple Lagoon/Approximate (16:40) is edited from three different performances, with some studio overdubs.
24. Studio Tan (LP, DiscReet DSK 2291, September 15, 1978)
Warners demanded product; Frank gave them a 4-LP set entitled Läther (released 18 years later as #68). Without any input or approval from FZ, Warners released three albums (this one, #25 and #27). Luckily, they didn't screw up his work too badly -- although the mixes are entirely different from those we will hear 18 years in the future ...
The gem here is the suite, The Adventures of Greggery Peccary (20:34).
The gem here is the suite, The Adventures of Greggery Peccary (20:34).
25. Sleep Dirt (LP, DiscReet DSK 2292, January 12, 1979)
Ah, so many versions!
The original 1979 LP is entirely instrumental.
In 1991, FZ asked Thana Harris to add vocals to three tracks [Flambay (4:54), Spider of Destiny (2:33) and Time is Money (2:49)], which Zappa had envisioned as part of his abandoned 1972 musical, Hunchentoot. (These links revert to the original version ... for Harris's vocals see here.)
Chad Wackerman overdubbed drums on Flambay, Spider of Destiny and Regyptian Strut (4:13), replacing the original drum parts. This was changed and then retained in several subsequent releases.
The 2012 UMe reissue reverts to the original vinyl version of the album.
The original 1979 LP is entirely instrumental.
In 1991, FZ asked Thana Harris to add vocals to three tracks [Flambay (4:54), Spider of Destiny (2:33) and Time is Money (2:49)], which Zappa had envisioned as part of his abandoned 1972 musical, Hunchentoot. (These links revert to the original version ... for Harris's vocals see here.)
Chad Wackerman overdubbed drums on Flambay, Spider of Destiny and Regyptian Strut (4:13), replacing the original drum parts. This was changed and then retained in several subsequent releases.
The 2012 UMe reissue reverts to the original vinyl version of the album.
26. Sheik Yerbouti (2LP Zappa SRZ-2-1501, March 3, 1979)
Free at last! This Zappa Records debut is a raw, extremely loud, punky kind of rock & roll, polished to gleaming perfection. It remains the biggest-selling record in the entire catalogue.
Zappa sings about love songs and the cute English boys who sing them [I Have Been in You (3:34)]; LA plumbers [Flakes (6:41)]; Assholes [Broken Hearts Are for Assholes (3:42)]); and Cuteness [I'm So Cute (3:09)].
Zappa sings about love songs and the cute English boys who sing them [I Have Been in You (3:34)]; LA plumbers [Flakes (6:41)]; Assholes [Broken Hearts Are for Assholes (3:42)]); and Cuteness [I'm So Cute (3:09)].
The salacious Bobby Brown Goes Down (2:49) was a big hit in Germany and Scandinavia.
Jewish Princess (3:16) caused connipshits, as people in high places tried to pretend that there was really no such as a Jewish Princess.
Wild Love (4:09) and Yo' Mama (12:35) close things out.
Poor Tommy Mars (keyboards), who confessed about the origins of Yo' Mama:
Jewish Princess (3:16) caused connipshits, as people in high places tried to pretend that there was really no such as a Jewish Princess.
Wild Love (4:09) and Yo' Mama (12:35) close things out.
Poor Tommy Mars (keyboards), who confessed about the origins of Yo' Mama:
Frank wrote that song at the very beginning of the '77 European tour, and it has a personal relevance to me. We were doing this rehearsal in London and Frank was getting very tense. He expected certain things to be there when we got to rehearsal, and certain things were not there. We were gonna do the song Zoot Allures, and he started playing this 11th chord and got very angry at everybody because nothing was happening right. I got fined because I hadn't memorized this little piece called Little House I Used to Live In. I hadn't realized he wanted it totally memorized. So this rehearsal ending in a total fiasco. The next day, he came in with these lyrics:
Maybe you should stay with yo' mama
(Mama!)
She could do your laundry 'n cook for you
Maybe you should stay with yo' mama
(Mama!)
You're really kind of stupid 'n ugly too
Maybe you should stay with yo' mama
(Mama!)
She could do your laundry 'n cook for you
Maybe you should stay with yo' mama
(Mama!)
You're really kind of stupid 'n ugly too
On Rubber Shirt (2:43), Zappa uses xenochrony -- mixing a drum track and bass track, both recorded independently. Taking the Inca Roads guitar-solo-graft one step further, Zappa would continually advance his work with this technique.
Finally, notice the "musical grout" which cements the various tracks together. Strange sped-up music and bizarre conversation. Some of these transitions can be observed in the film Baby Snakes. This chart shows there they appear on four separate albums and the film.
Finally, notice the "musical grout" which cements the various tracks together. Strange sped-up music and bizarre conversation. Some of these transitions can be observed in the film Baby Snakes. This chart shows there they appear on four separate albums and the film.
27. Orchestral Favorites (LP DiscReet DSK 2294, May 4, 1979)
Yep, Zappa definitely wasn't interested in getting radio play.
Joe's Garage (6:10) surprises with its undisguised sentimentality:
The final "lawsuits" release. Performed by a large group of classically-trained LA studio musicians, this music was recorded on September 18-19, 1975 at Royce Hall, UCLA.
Most of these tracks will reappear on Läther (#68) in the exact same mixes -- except FZ reversed the stereo image.
While not as challenging as future releases #39 and #40, this release showcases Zappa's first and true love: modern orchestral and chamber music.
Most of these tracks will reappear on Läther (#68) in the exact same mixes -- except FZ reversed the stereo image.
While not as challenging as future releases #39 and #40, this release showcases Zappa's first and true love: modern orchestral and chamber music.
28. Joe's Garage Act I (LP, Zappa SRZ-1-1603, September 3, 1979)
29. Joe's Garage Acts II & III (2LP, Zappa SRZ-2-1502, November 19, 1979)
29. Joe's Garage Acts II & III (2LP, Zappa SRZ-2-1502, November 19, 1979)
Narrated by the Central Scrutinizer (FZ), this three-act rock-opera is about Joe, a guitar player in a garage band, who has the usual adolescent problems with the opposite sex, gives all his money to a government-run cult, explores sex with appliances (oh, yeah!) and is imprisoned for breaking his vacuum cleaner. After he is released, music has been made illegal and he becomes insane.
Yep, Zappa definitely wasn't interested in getting radio play.
Joe's Garage (6:10) surprises with its undisguised sentimentality:
Down in Joe's Garage
We didn't have no dope or LSD
But a coupla quartsa beer
Would fix it so the intonation
Would not offend yer ear
And the same old chords goin' over 'n over
Became a symphony
We could play it again 'n again 'n again
Cause it sound good to me
ONE MORE TIME!
We didn't have no dope or LSD
But a coupla quartsa beer
Would fix it so the intonation
Would not offend yer ear
And the same old chords goin' over 'n over
Became a symphony
We could play it again 'n again 'n again
Cause it sound good to me
ONE MORE TIME!
Catholic Girls (4:19) is not only as hilarious as Jewish Princess, but it contains some remarkable passage work.
Crew Slut (6:38) has a dirty Chicago-blues feel to it which just keeps on grinding.
Wet T-Shirt Nite (4:44) features a motif that became incorporated into one of Frank's greatest classical compositions -- Mo 'N Herb's Vacation (#39).
Crew Slut (6:38) has a dirty Chicago-blues feel to it which just keeps on grinding.
Wet T-Shirt Nite (4:44) features a motif that became incorporated into one of Frank's greatest classical compositions -- Mo 'N Herb's Vacation (#39).
Looks to me like something funny is goin' on around here
There are people laughin' and dancing an' payin' entirely too much for their beer
There are people laughin' and dancing an' payin' entirely too much for their beer
Zappa continued to enjoy working with xenochrony, splicing guitar solos on top of unrelated backing tracks. His playing is exciting, and you can hear the band trying to keep up with him.
Keep it Greasey (8:21) features a section in 19/16 (5/4 with one 16th-note chopped off at the end of the bar!).
Watermelon in Easter Hay (9:05; original title: Playing a Guitar Solo With This Band is Like Trying to Grow a Watermelon in Easter Hay) is a classic, magical 9/4 ride into one of Zappa's most intimate guitar solos ever.
Packard Goose (11:31) is Zappa's eternal statement about music -- channeled through The Voice of Mary's Vision:
Watermelon in Easter Hay (9:05; original title: Playing a Guitar Solo With This Band is Like Trying to Grow a Watermelon in Easter Hay) is a classic, magical 9/4 ride into one of Zappa's most intimate guitar solos ever.
Packard Goose (11:31) is Zappa's eternal statement about music -- channeled through The Voice of Mary's Vision:
Hi! It's me ... the girl from the bus ...
Remember?
The last tour?
Well ...
Information is not knowledge
Knowledge is not wisdom
Wisdom is not truth
Truth is not beauty
Beauty is not love
Love is not music
Music is THE BEST ...
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct)
Beauty is a French phonetic corruption
Of a short cloth neck ornament
Currently in resurgence ...
Remember?
The last tour?
Well ...
Information is not knowledge
Knowledge is not wisdom
Wisdom is not truth
Truth is not beauty
Beauty is not love
Love is not music
Music is THE BEST ...
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct)
Beauty is a French phonetic corruption
Of a short cloth neck ornament
Currently in resurgence ...
30. Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar (LP, Barking Pumpkin BPR 1111, May 11, 1981)
The first of three separate LPs which would later be combined into a triple box-set (#34), and eventually into a 2CD set.
The title tells it all. These are guitar solos stripped from their original context. Here's the deets:
five-five-FIVE (2:35) is from Conehead (#35)/London/2-19-79
Hog Heaven (2:49) is from Easy Meat (#33)/Tulsa/10-18-80
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar (5:38) is from Inca Roads/London/2-18-79
While You Were Out (6:00) is xenochronic: drum track recorded Spring '79/overdubs at UMRK Autumn '79
Treacherous Cretins (5:34) is from London/2-17-79/overdubs 5-79
Heavy Duty Judy (4:42) is from Berkeley/2-5-80
Soup 'N Old Clothes (7:53) is from The Illinois Enema Bandit/Santa Monica/2-11-80
FZ5
The title tells it all. These are guitar solos stripped from their original context. Here's the deets:
five-five-FIVE (2:35) is from Conehead (#35)/London/2-19-79
Hog Heaven (2:49) is from Easy Meat (#33)/Tulsa/10-18-80
Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar (5:38) is from Inca Roads/London/2-18-79
While You Were Out (6:00) is xenochronic: drum track recorded Spring '79/overdubs at UMRK Autumn '79
Treacherous Cretins (5:34) is from London/2-17-79/overdubs 5-79
Heavy Duty Judy (4:42) is from Berkeley/2-5-80
Soup 'N Old Clothes (7:53) is from The Illinois Enema Bandit/Santa Monica/2-11-80
FZ5
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