Record Reviews

ADRIAN BELEW ~ LONE RHINO / TWANG BAR KING GOTT DISCS 012 ~ USA ~ Classic Rock 1st and 2nd albums from 1982 & 1983 by one of the most underrated and overlooked guitarists of recent times. Although a member of legendary groups such as the Frank Zappa band and King Crimson, Belew somehow always remains overshadowed by other band members and therefore his solo albums are a great opportunity to inject some pure Belew genius. A brilliant player, with distinct and unique sound and style, Belew delivers some superb music on those 2 albums, with enough interest and variety to keep the listener messmerized. His compositional skills are not to be taken lightly as well - ergo this is really hot stuff and something that gives a pleasure to return to every time.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ COME TOGETHER-GUITAR TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES VOL.1 NYC 6004 ~ USA ~ Jazz The music of the Beatles is often an ispiration for Jazz artists, and this tribute album features some of the best guitar players ever, just read the names and drool: Mark WhitfieldFind albums by this artist, Toninho HortaFind albums by this artist, Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, Steve KhanFind albums by this artist, Zachary BreauxFind albums by this artist, Adrian BelewFind albums by this artist, John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist, Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, Leni SternFind albums by this artist & Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist.

Updated: 09/11/2024Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ BABY SNAKES EAGLE VISION 5034504937178 (Barcode: 5034504937178) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2003 This is a film produced by Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist and originally premiered in NY in 1979. It presents footage filmed during the Halloween 77 shows at the NY Palladium in October 1977. It also includes some clay animation, interviews, rehearsals and other footage. The film was released on video in 1987 and reissued on DVD in 2003 with a 5.1 Dolby Surround sound in addition to the stereo sound. The running time is 164 minutes. The music was recorded by the following lineup: Zappa on guitar and vocals, Roy EstradaFind albums by this artist on vocals, Adrian BelewFind albums by this artist on guitar and vocals, Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist and Peter WolfFind albums by this artist on keyboards, Ed MannFind albums by this artist on percussion, Patrick O`HearnFind albums by this artist on bass and Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist on drums and vocals. The music is, as always, absolutely stunning, almost entirely dedicated to Zappa’s special brand of Jazz-Rock Fusion, with brilliant instrumental performances. As usual, the music also includes Zappa’s zany humor and bitter criticism of human stupidity. The band was a perfectly oiled music machine by the time these tracks were recorded, the result is absolutely astounding in its complexity. Zappa delivers some superb guitar parts herein, which are a signature of his unique style. Overall, although over forty years passed since this music was recorded, 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. Zappa’s genius, not only as a musician, but also as a visionary and a brilliant observer of the human condition and American folly and deceit, remain completely relevant and are even more actual today than ever.

Updated: 04/12/2022Posted: 04/12/2022

DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ BABY SNAKES (SOUNDTRACK) ZAPPA 3867 (Barcode: 824302386729) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock Recorded: 1977 Released: 2012 This is the reissue / remaster of the 37th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally in 1983. The album is a partial soundtrack to the movie of the same title and presents tracks recorded live during Zappa’s 1977 Halloween concerts at NYC Palladium Theater, except the opening track which is a studio recording. All the music was composed by Zappa. The musicians participating on this album include, in addition to Zappa who played guitar and sung, also guitarist Adrian BelewFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist and Peter WolfFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick O`HearnFind albums by this artist, and drummer Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist. By the late 1970s Zappa concentrated on producing some of his finest Pop / Rock oriented material, which was heavily spiced with hysteric and often outrageous satire and ridicule of American politics, religious radicals, sex, drugs, corruption and many other issues, which in his opinion were eating the American society from within. As accurate as his view of the situation was, it did not have any impact on the state of matters, which obviously continuously worsened, effectively disintegrating the so called “American Way of Life”. Framed within brilliant music and some of his greatest guitar playing, this album is often considered as a great summary of the period. Overall, although almost forty years passed since this music was recorded, 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. Zappa’s genius, not only as a musician, but also as a visionary and a brilliant observer of the human condition and American folly and deceit, remain completely relevant and are even more actual today than ever. 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: 05/08/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ HALLOWEEN 77 ZAPPA 20027K (Barcode: 824302002759) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2017 This is the 110th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2017. The live album was recorded during the six Zappa Halloween shows at The Palladium in NYC on October 28 (two shows), October 29 (two shows), October 30 (one show) and October 31, 1977 (one show). There are two versions of this album, a Box Set version with all 6 shows (total of 158 tracks) on USB stick in 24 bit WAV format and various paraphernalia and this, 3CD version with the entire last show and four tracks form the show played a day earlier (total of 32 tracks), called the K version. The lineup that recorded this music includes, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals, vocalist Roy EstradaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Adrian BelewFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist and Peter WolfFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick O`HearnFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist. The music offers some of the absolutely finest instrumental work by the entire ensemble, including signature Zappa’s guitar virtuosic performances. The album presents an eclectic amalgam of Jazz-Rock Fusion and Rock and Pop songs, with sarcastic / satirical lyrics dealing with subject matter about many social issues. It is somehow absurd that Zappa’s music became so popular at the time, despite the fact that his bitter criticism of the American society and politics became more and more intense in time, and was never really shared by wide circles of American audiences. One can assume that his lyrics were simply too clever for most people to be understood. Overall, although this music is now over forty-five 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: 07/05/2023Posted: 07/05/2023

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ HAMMERSMITH ODEON VAULTERNATIVE 20101 (Barcode: 824302010129) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1978 Released: 2010 This is an archival album of the live recordings by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, recorded in January and February of 1978 at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, one of which yours truly had the pleasure to attend. The 3CD album includes a selection of tracks played during these concerts, all of which were previously unreleased. The album was released in 2010, to celebrate Zappa’s 70th Birthday. All the music was composed by Zappa. The lineup of the musicians playing in the band, which played these concerts consists, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals of course, of drummer Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick O`HearnFind albums by this artist, guitarist Adrian BelewFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist and Peter WolfFind albums by this artist and percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist (who played mallet percussion, i.e. vibraphone and similar instruments); a relatively concise septet without a brass section, which represented Zappa’s approach at the time. The repertoire covers past favorites going as far back as “Hot RatsFind albums with this title”, but also new material, which will materialize in the form of the brilliant 1979 “Sheik YerboutiFind albums with this title” album. The music, as I have already stated repeatedly, is beyond categorization, being first and foremost the idiosyncratic creation of Zappa’s musical Genius. Of course every new piece of reissued vault material by Zappa expands the portrait of one of the paramount musical Geniuses of the 20th Century. I still label it as Jazz-Rock Fusion, as it embraces the wide perspective of these two genres. After all it is no less than three hours of the best music money can buy, brilliantly recorded and carefully put together for you listening pleasure. Overall, this a superb and highly detailed document of the way Zappa created his masterpieces, and of course a testimony to his musical out of the box thinking and creativity. As far as concert recordings, this is an extraordinary example of Zappa’s ability to run a tight ship, perhaps tighter than any other. Despite the complexity of the material, Swiss watchmakers are using this music to synchronize their watches by.

Updated: 23/03/2022Posted: 24/10/2021

CD 3 Digipak Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ SHEIK YERBOUTI ZAPPA 3859 (Barcode: 824302385920) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock Recorded: 1977 - 1978 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 26th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally as a double LP in 1979. The music was recorded live in 1977 and 1978 and later extensively overdubbed in the studio. The album presents eighteen tracks, all composed by Zappa except one co-credited to two members of the band. The lineup that recorded most of the of tracks includes, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals, guitarist Adrian BelewFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist and Peter WolfFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick O`HearnFind albums by this artist, drummer Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist and several others on backing vocals. Stylistically the album continues the path that started with “Zoot AlluresFind albums with this title”, which presents more Pop and Rock oriented compositions, concentrating on the sarcastic, satirical lyrics, which are sharp and cynical as usual, with a tendency towards absurd and ridicule. The album includes some of the most controversial Zappa’s social statements, which were than often twisted and distorted by the media. The instrumental work is of course as brilliant as always, dominated by guitar and keyboards, as opposed to the brass sound on the earlier recordings, which brought Zappa a strong concert following and even chart success, which he found hilarious and incomprehensible. Overall, although this music is now over forty 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. 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: 06/03/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend