FZ7
The Complete Works of Frank Zappa -- an American Composer (1940-1993) (Part 7) [by Lewis Saul]
1987-1992
51. The Old Masters Box Three (9LP, Barking Pumpkin BPR-9999, December 30, 1987)
#15-22.
52. Guitar (2LP, Barking Pumpkin D1 74212, April 26, 1988)
Like #34, an album of guitar solos stripped from performances of The Black Page; Let's Move to Cleveland; Drowning Witch; Zoot Allures; City of Tiny Lites; Inca Roads; King Kong; Pound for a Brown; Sharleena; Whipping Post; Ride My Face to Chicago; East Meat; Hot-Plate Hotel; and Advance Romance.
53. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Vol. 1 (2CD, Rykodisc RCD 10081/82, May 9, 1988)
Zappa's long-cherished dream of releasing one massive set of carefully edited live performances from his gigantic vault was finally realized as the CD format became widespread.
The six volumes (12 CDs) of the Stage series were all introduced with the following text:
The six volumes (12 CDs) of the Stage series were all introduced with the following text:
THIS COLLECTION IS NOT CHRONOLOGICAL
The performance of any band from any year can be (and often is) edited to the performance of any other band from any other year, sometimes in the middle of a song.
The performance of any band from any year can be (and often is) edited to the performance of any other band from any other year, sometimes in the middle of a song.
The selections were chosen as answers to these theoretical questions:
- Is this the best available version of THIS SONG by THIS BAND?
- Is there some "folkloric" significance to the performance?
- Is it a premiere recording?
- Is it a "one-time-only" performance of an improvised event?
- Is there a good solo in it?
- Will it give "Conceptual Continuity Clues" the the hard-core maniacs with a complete record collection?
- Does the inclusion of this song help the stylistic flow of the album sequence by providing contrast or relief?
- Is there film or video tape of the performance?
Here's a terrific guide through the series.
Disc One of Vol. 1 opens with The Florida Airport Tape (1:03), spoken-word silliness from the members of the Comedy Band (1970); Once Upon a Time (4:37) and Sofa #1 (2:53) are from the disastrous Rainbow show (1971); The Mammy Anthem (5:41) is from the #38 show, and features a rip-roaring FZ solo; You Didn't Try to Call Me (3:39) from 1980 -- a great example of an updated oldie; Diseases of the Band (2:22) is brilliantly placed as a preview of what this 1979 could do*; Tryin' to Grow a Chin (3:44), another updated performance from #26, with Denny Walley taking over the vocals from Bozzio's original; the Let's Make the Water Turn Black/Harry You're a Beast/The Orange County Lumber Truck medley (3:27) is from 1969 -- the original Mothers; The Groupie Routine (5:41) is an outtake from #14; Ruthie-Ruthie (2:57) is Louie Louie with updated lyrics about poor Ruth at a gig in Pittsburgh -- from 1974; Babbette (3:35) is a slow-groovin' 6/8 tune that meets Criteria #3; I'm the Slime (3:13) and Big Swifty (8:46) are both from the Roxy (#19); Don't Eat the Yellow Snow (20:16) -- * a diseased band playing their asses off.
Disc Two begins with Plastic People (4:38) -- another Louie Louie take by the original Mothers; The Torture Never Stops (15:48) from '78 definitely fulfills Criteria #5 -- a stunning eight-minute guitar solo; Fine Girl (2:55) and Zomby Woof (5:39) are also from the #38 riot-marred show; Sweet Leilani (2:39) -- a premiere -- and Oh No (4:34; instrumental, cookin' solo) are both original Mothers tracks; Be In My Video (3:29), The Deathless Horsie (5:29) and The Dangerous Kitchen (1:49) are from The Pier, NYC, 8/26/84 [on video]; Dumb All Over (4:20), Heavenly Bank Account (4:05) and Suicide Chump (4:55) are all from Halloween '81, and mostly broadcast by MTV; Tell Me You Love Me (2:09) and Sofa #2 (3:00) ends the set from the Italian #38 shows.
Disc One of Vol. 1 opens with The Florida Airport Tape (1:03), spoken-word silliness from the members of the Comedy Band (1970); Once Upon a Time (4:37) and Sofa #1 (2:53) are from the disastrous Rainbow show (1971); The Mammy Anthem (5:41) is from the #38 show, and features a rip-roaring FZ solo; You Didn't Try to Call Me (3:39) from 1980 -- a great example of an updated oldie; Diseases of the Band (2:22) is brilliantly placed as a preview of what this 1979 could do*; Tryin' to Grow a Chin (3:44), another updated performance from #26, with Denny Walley taking over the vocals from Bozzio's original; the Let's Make the Water Turn Black/Harry You're a Beast/The Orange County Lumber Truck medley (3:27) is from 1969 -- the original Mothers; The Groupie Routine (5:41) is an outtake from #14; Ruthie-Ruthie (2:57) is Louie Louie with updated lyrics about poor Ruth at a gig in Pittsburgh -- from 1974; Babbette (3:35) is a slow-groovin' 6/8 tune that meets Criteria #3; I'm the Slime (3:13) and Big Swifty (8:46) are both from the Roxy (#19); Don't Eat the Yellow Snow (20:16) -- * a diseased band playing their asses off.
Disc Two begins with Plastic People (4:38) -- another Louie Louie take by the original Mothers; The Torture Never Stops (15:48) from '78 definitely fulfills Criteria #5 -- a stunning eight-minute guitar solo; Fine Girl (2:55) and Zomby Woof (5:39) are also from the #38 riot-marred show; Sweet Leilani (2:39) -- a premiere -- and Oh No (4:34; instrumental, cookin' solo) are both original Mothers tracks; Be In My Video (3:29), The Deathless Horsie (5:29) and The Dangerous Kitchen (1:49) are from The Pier, NYC, 8/26/84 [on video]; Dumb All Over (4:20), Heavenly Bank Account (4:05) and Suicide Chump (4:55) are all from Halloween '81, and mostly broadcast by MTV; Tell Me You Love Me (2:09) and Sofa #2 (3:00) ends the set from the Italian #38 shows.
54. Broadway the Hard Way (LP, Barking Pumpkin D1 74218, October 25, 1988)
The LP contains only nine tracks, released on 10/25/88. The CD contains 17 tracks, and wasn't released until November, 1989.
This '88 band was Zappa's final touring ensemble and the title of #57 reflects the fact that the tour was cut short because of infighting between band members.
This '88 band was Zappa's final touring ensemble and the title of #57 reflects the fact that the tour was cut short because of infighting between band members.
Most of the songs are new:
55. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Vol. 2 (2CD, Rykodisc RCD 10083/84, October 25, 1988)- Elvis Has Just Left the Building (2:24)
He gave away Cadillacs once in a while
Had sex in his underpants
Yes, he had style!
Bell-bottom jump-suits?
That's them in a pile
But he don't need 'em now
'Cause he's makin' Jesus smile! - Planet of the Baritone Women (2:48)
Junior executives
All in a row
Watch the Baritone Women
Do the Baritone show - Any Kind of Pain (5:42)
You are the girl
Somebody invented
In a grim little office
On Madison Ave. - Dickie's Such an Asshole (5:45)
One 'n one is eleven!
Two 'n two is twenty-two!
Won't somebody kindly tell me
What the government's tryin' t' do - When the Lie's So Big (3:38)
They got lies so big
They don't make a noise
They tell 'em so well
Like a secret disease
That makes you go numb - Rhymin' Man (3:50)
Rhymin' Man
Tall and tan
Rhyme or reason
Play your hand
Rhyme on this -- rhyme on that
Oh, you naughty Democrat - Promiscuous (2:02)
The Surgeon General, Doctor Koop
S'posed to give you all the poop
But when he's with P.M.R.C.
The poop he's scoopin'
Amazes me - The Untouchables (2:26)
Rico! Youngblood! Wake up!
Prohibition is over, but the country's still a mess - Why Don't You Like Me? (2:57) [based on Tell Me You Love Me, from #11]
You take the monkey, I'll take the llama
We'll have a party: get me a Pepsi
Michael is Janet, Janet is Michael
I'm so confused now
Who is Diana? - Bacon Fat (1:29)
When I was down in W.D.C.
Certain folks were not glad to see me
I just tried to get out the vote
But some little weasel must 'a dropped 'em a note
It said:
"Check out the politics
Practiced by this oaf
And if they ain't just right
Feed him Confinement Loaf - Stolen Moments (2:57)/Murder by Numbers (5:37)
Guest appearance by Sting - Jezebel Boy (2:27)
The Jezebel Boy
On the corner by the Technicolor processing plant
He stands by the light
Waitin' through that night
Waitin', waitin' for that distinguished-looking
Wilshire District Gentleman
With snow-white hair
To drive up in his Linkum
And whisk away the Jezebel Boy - Outside Now (7:49) [from #29]
These executives have plooked the fuck out of me
And there's still a long time to go before I've
Paid my debt to society
And all I ever really wanted to do was
Play the guitar 'n bend the string like
Reent-toont-teenooneenoonee - Hot Plate Heaven at the Green Hotel (6:40) [from #46]
- What Kind of Girl? (3:17)
Well, I get off being spoo-ed upon
By hypocritical TV preachers
With close ties to the Republican Party
While Ed Meese wipes his ass
On the U.S. Constitution ... - Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk (9:15)
Over 22 edits. After contemplating a possible Pat Robertson presidency, Zappa wistfully concludes:
And if you don't know by now
The truth of what I'm tellin' you
Then surely I have failed somehow
And Jesus will think I'm a jerk -- just like you!
If you let those TV preachers
Make a monkey out of you
Setting the stage for future releases of entire concerts, here Zappa showcases a two-night extravaganza from Helsinki, September 23rd and 24th, 1974.
This was a tight band with a loose attitude, resulting in some of the best live material from this era.
A fabulous performance of Stinkfoot (4:18) leads to Inca Roads (10:54), RDNZL (8:43) and then into the Village of the Sun (4:33)/Echidna's Arf (of You) (3:30)/Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? (4:56) suite (as good as the original on #19)
Montana (Whipping Floss) (10:15) features Ruth complaining about the tempo, resulting in FZ turning it into a ballad. See here for the origins of Whipping Floss.
This was a tight band with a loose attitude, resulting in some of the best live material from this era.
A fabulous performance of Stinkfoot (4:18) leads to Inca Roads (10:54), RDNZL (8:43) and then into the Village of the Sun (4:33)/Echidna's Arf (of You) (3:30)/Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? (4:56) suite (as good as the original on #19)
Montana (Whipping Floss) (10:15) features Ruth complaining about the tempo, resulting in FZ turning it into a ballad. See here for the origins of Whipping Floss.
56. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Vol. 3 (2CD, Rykodisc RCD 10085/86, November 13, 1989)
Disc One features the underrated 1984 band. Sharleena [Dweezil] (8:54); Advance Romance (6:58); and an amazing Drowning Witch (9:22) are followed by two premieres: Carol, You Fool (4:06) and Chana in de Bushwop (4:52; lyrics by Diva Zappa!) ...
Disc Two features earlier bands (1971-1984) with Dickie's Such an Asshole (10:08; from #19 shows) leading to Bozzio's classic complaint, Hands with a Hammer (3:18), followed by an early Zoot Allures (6:09) from the same venue (Japan).
Then from the '81 Palladium Halloween show, the Beautiful Suite (11:00); a very long King Kong (24:32) and a three-edit Cosmik Debris (5:14) from '84 ...
Disc Two features earlier bands (1971-1984) with Dickie's Such an Asshole (10:08; from #19 shows) leading to Bozzio's classic complaint, Hands with a Hammer (3:18), followed by an early Zoot Allures (6:09) from the same venue (Japan).
Then from the '81 Palladium Halloween show, the Beautiful Suite (11:00); a very long King Kong (24:32) and a three-edit Cosmik Debris (5:14) from '84 ...
57. The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life (2CD, Barking Pumpkin D2 74233, April 16, 1991)
Zappa took a break from the Stage series to release two double CD sets from the ill-fated '88 band.
The title takes its meaning from the fact that very few Americans got to hear the band after it self-destructed due to personnel problems.
The original cover (top) featured a photo of the band inside that now-blank blue rectangle, but upon discovering that the photographer had never given his permission, the pic was removed, leaving that empty blank space.
When the album was reissued and remastered in '95, a new cover was created by Cal Schenkel.
Ring of Fire (2:00) was supposed to feature Johnny Cash, who failed to show up so FZ played it anyways. A rugged Zomby Woof (5:41) precedes Zappa's amazing arrangement of Maurice Ravel's Bolero (5:19) [removed from European releases due to rights issues]. Rip-roaring performances of Zoot Allures (7:07); Mr. Green Genes (3:40); Florentine Pogen (7:11); a kick-ass Andy (5:51) and Inca Roads (8:19), with Sofa No. 1 (2:49) concluding Disc One.
Some weird covers [I Left My Heart in San Francisco (0:36); Purple Haze (2:27); Sunshine of Your Love (2:30); When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (0:46); "Godfather Part II" Theme (0:30); Theme from "Bonanza" (0:28) and Stairway to Heaven (9:19)],
Disc Two features songs with Swaggart lyrics: Lonesome Cowboy Burt (4:54); More Trouble Every Day (5:28); and Penguin in Bondage (5:05). The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue (9:18) is a real treat (It's hot!/I mean that!).
The title takes its meaning from the fact that very few Americans got to hear the band after it self-destructed due to personnel problems.
The original cover (top) featured a photo of the band inside that now-blank blue rectangle, but upon discovering that the photographer had never given his permission, the pic was removed, leaving that empty blank space.
When the album was reissued and remastered in '95, a new cover was created by Cal Schenkel.
Ring of Fire (2:00) was supposed to feature Johnny Cash, who failed to show up so FZ played it anyways. A rugged Zomby Woof (5:41) precedes Zappa's amazing arrangement of Maurice Ravel's Bolero (5:19) [removed from European releases due to rights issues]. Rip-roaring performances of Zoot Allures (7:07); Mr. Green Genes (3:40); Florentine Pogen (7:11); a kick-ass Andy (5:51) and Inca Roads (8:19), with Sofa No. 1 (2:49) concluding Disc One.
Some weird covers [I Left My Heart in San Francisco (0:36); Purple Haze (2:27); Sunshine of Your Love (2:30); When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (0:46); "Godfather Part II" Theme (0:30); Theme from "Bonanza" (0:28) and Stairway to Heaven (9:19)],
Disc Two features songs with Swaggart lyrics: Lonesome Cowboy Burt (4:54); More Trouble Every Day (5:28); and Penguin in Bondage (5:05). The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue (9:18) is a real treat (It's hot!/I mean that!).
58. Make a Jazz Noise Here (2CD, Barking Pumpkin D2 74234, June 4, 1991)
Largely instrumental, this 2CD set features some new material related to the Porn Wars Senate hearings, like When Yuppies Go to Hell (13:28) and Fire and Chains (5:04). Disc One concludes with oldies: Let's Make the Water Turn Black (1:36); Harry, You're a Beast (0:47); The Orange County Lumber Truck (0:41); Oh No (4:43); and Theme from Lumpy Gravy (1:11) and goodies [Eat That Question (1:54); Black Napkins (6:56) and extended versions of Big Swifty (11:12) and King Kong (13:04).] A quick note on rocket technology Star Wars Won't Work (3:40)] wraps up Disc One.
Disc Two is almost entirely instrumental with The Black page (new age version) (6:45), a cookin' T'Mershi Duween (1:42); Dupree's Paradise (8:34) and City of Tiny Lights (8:01) starting things off, followed by Scott Thunes's mini-arrangements of the Royal March from Stravinsky's "L'Histoire du Soldat" (0:59) and the Theme from Bartok's Piano Concerto #3 (0:43).
Zappa then mixes it up with Sinister Footwear 2nd mvt. (6:39); Stevie's Spanking (4:25); Alien Orifice (4:15); Cruisin' for Burgers (8:27); Advance Romance (7:43); and Strictly Genteel (6:36).
Disc Two is almost entirely instrumental with The Black page (new age version) (6:45), a cookin' T'Mershi Duween (1:42); Dupree's Paradise (8:34) and City of Tiny Lights (8:01) starting things off, followed by Scott Thunes's mini-arrangements of the Royal March from Stravinsky's "L'Histoire du Soldat" (0:59) and the Theme from Bartok's Piano Concerto #3 (0:43).
Zappa then mixes it up with Sinister Footwear 2nd mvt. (6:39); Stevie's Spanking (4:25); Alien Orifice (4:15); Cruisin' for Burgers (8:27); Advance Romance (7:43); and Strictly Genteel (6:36).
59. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Vol. 4 (2CD, Rykodisc RCD 10087/88, June 14, 1991)
Thirty-six tracks; 11 premieres -- from 11 different bands:
1969
1973/84
1974
The Booger Man (2:46)
1974/79
Florentine Pogen (5:09)
1975
The Torture Never Stops -- Original Version (9:14; vocal by Captain Beefheart)
1978
Little Rubber Girl (2:56) (with an intro of You Didn't Try To Call Me from '84); Pound for a Brown -- Solos (6:29)
1980
Love of My Life (1:58)
1982
Approximate (1:49); Church Chat (1:59); Stevie's Spanking (10:50); Disco Boy (2:59); Teen-Age Wind (1:54); The Man from Utopia (1:15); Mary Lou (2:15)
1982-84
Truck-Driver Divorce (4:46)
1984
Stick Together (2:04); My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama (3:19); Willie the Pimp (2:06); Brown Moses (2:37); The Evil Prince (7:11) [a unique, exciting performance]; The Black Page (5:14); Outside Now (6:09); Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy (6:27); Little Girl of Mine (1:40); The Closer You Are (2:04); Johnny Darling (0:51); No, No Cherry (1:25)
1988
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (3:01); Filthy Habits (5:39)
60. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Vol. 5 (2CD, Rykodisc RCD 10089/90, July 10, 1992)
Zappa believed that much of his fan base was composed of "Original Mothers" freaks. It seems absurd, in retrospect, because most of those guys couldn't read music, and their efforts seem pale compared to later, more accomplished bands. My own opinion is that -- in later years -- he retained his own fondness for them and the original, exciting, spontaneous enthusiasm and zaniness that often resulted from their music-making.
Thus, it is safe to assume that Disc One -- which covers the years 1966-69 -- was put together to do more than assuage those so-called "OM" fans. I'm sure Frank had a laugh or two when he stitched this all together.
Disc One opens with The Downtown Talent Scout (4:01) about scary undercover narcs:
Thus, it is safe to assume that Disc One -- which covers the years 1966-69 -- was put together to do more than assuage those so-called "OM" fans. I'm sure Frank had a laugh or two when he stitched this all together.
Disc One opens with The Downtown Talent Scout (4:01) about scary undercover narcs:
You kids are smoking dandelions
You're sniffing paper bags, baby
You're dropping Good 'N Plenties
We can tell; your posture sags
Now line up here against the wall
Your bodies frail and thin
And open up your pockets
While we dump the evidence in
You're sniffing paper bags, baby
You're dropping Good 'N Plenties
We can tell; your posture sags
Now line up here against the wall
Your bodies frail and thin
And open up your pockets
While we dump the evidence in
Zappa used Charles Ives (4:37) as a backing track for part of The Blimp from the Zappa-produced Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart. Here Lies Love (2:44) is a cover; Piano/Drum Duet (1:57) -- Ian Underwood on RMI electric piano, Art Tripp on drums -- was cleverly inserted into Redneck Eats from 200 Motels; Mozart Ballet (4:05) is from the Royal Albert Hall concert on June 6, 1969 -- Underwood plays Mozart's Piano Sonata in B-Flat, K. 333. FZ narrates as the other Mothers dance around; Chocolate Halvah (3:25) from February '69; JCB & Kansas on the Bus #1 (1:03) is a snatch of conversation from a tour bus; Run Home Slow: Main Title Theme (1:16) from the film Zappa scored in '65; The Little March (1:20), also from the Run Home Slow soundtrack; Right There (5:07) features a Bunk Gardner sex tape; Where is Johnny Velvet? (0:51) -- stage banter; Return of the Hunch-Back Duke (1:44), another recorded morsel that Zappa snuck into a larger composition -- The Little House I Used to Live In (from #9); Trouble Every Day (4:06) from '69; Proto-Minimalism (1:40)
The subtext to minimalism is that it's cheap to produce, cheap to rehearse, cheap to mount, and it doesn't really offer any great intellectual challenge other than the stamina of the listener to tolerate an infinite number of repeats of a small thing ... what's the message? -- FZ
JCB & Kansas on the Bus #2 (1:09) from the tour bus; My Head? (1:23) Artie's birthday; Meow (1:24) Whiskey à Go-Go, '68; Baked-Bean Boogie (3:27) The Ark in Boston, thus the title; Where's Our Equipment? (2:29)
"I don't know why the man decided to drive north from Stockholm."
FZ/JCB Drum Duet (4:27) Poor Artie gets no credit. FZ plays the first solo, and Tripp the second, with JCB accompanying; No Waiting for the Peanuts to Dissolve (4:45) the solo section from Trouble Every Day followed by some conversation at a supermarket checkout; A Game of Cards (0:46) dressing-room convo; Underground Freak-Out Music (3:52), probably from King Kong; FZ solos, followed by Estrada on bass; German Lunch (6:43). Lowell George plays a German customs inspector. Pretty funny. My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama (2:11), different than the #10 version; studio recording with overdubs.
Disc Two is from the 1982 European tour. Easy Meat (7:39) from Geneva; Dead Girls of London (2:29), first released on L. Shankar's Touch Me There (1979). Shall We Take Ourselves Seriously? (1:45), a funny song about asparagus in Germany (Spargel); What's New in Baltimore? (5:04) edited, Geneva to Genoa; Mōggio (2:29) -- this tricky tune is originally from #38; Dancin' Fool (3:13), a reliable concert favorite; RDNZL (7:59) -- Geneva/Palermo/Rome; Advance Romance (7:01) from Bordeaux; City of Tiny Lites (10:38) London to Cap d'Agde (guitar solo) to Essen; A Pound for a Brown (on the Bus) (8:39) Bolzano -- Mars scats along with the head; White scats along with own guitar solo; Mann solos on whistles, vibes, etc., and FZ solos; Doreen (1:59), originally from #35; The Black Page #2 (9:57) Munich --- FZ solos over a loop; this solo appears on #52 as Which One Is It?; Geneva Farewell (1:26):
Disc Two is from the 1982 European tour. Easy Meat (7:39) from Geneva; Dead Girls of London (2:29), first released on L. Shankar's Touch Me There (1979). Shall We Take Ourselves Seriously? (1:45), a funny song about asparagus in Germany (Spargel); What's New in Baltimore? (5:04) edited, Geneva to Genoa; Mōggio (2:29) -- this tricky tune is originally from #38; Dancin' Fool (3:13), a reliable concert favorite; RDNZL (7:59) -- Geneva/Palermo/Rome; Advance Romance (7:01) from Bordeaux; City of Tiny Lites (10:38) London to Cap d'Agde (guitar solo) to Essen; A Pound for a Brown (on the Bus) (8:39) Bolzano -- Mars scats along with the head; White scats along with own guitar solo; Mann solos on whistles, vibes, etc., and FZ solos; Doreen (1:59), originally from #35; The Black Page #2 (9:57) Munich --- FZ solos over a loop; this solo appears on #52 as Which One Is It?; Geneva Farewell (1:26):
FZ: Okay, if you throw anything else on the stage, the concert is over.
Bobby Martin: Cherchez les personnes qui jettaient les cigarettes sur l'étage, s'il vous plait. Et ne jettez pas les objets sur l'étage. Ne jettez pas les objets. Cherchez les personnes qui jettaient les cigarettes sur l'étage, s'il vous plait.
FZ: Houselights, the concert's over.
Bobby Martin: Cherchez les personnes qui jettaient les cigarettes sur l'étage, s'il vous plait. Et ne jettez pas les objets sur l'étage. Ne jettez pas les objets. Cherchez les personnes qui jettaient les cigarettes sur l'étage, s'il vous plait.
FZ: Houselights, the concert's over.
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