Record Reviews

FRANK ZAPPA ~ TINSEL TOWN REBELLION ZAPPA 3862 (Barcode: 824302386224) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Rock Recorded: 1978 - 1980 Released: 2012 This is the reissue / remaster of the 30th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally as a double LP in 1981. The album presents fifteen tracks recorded (all but one) live between 1978 and 1980 at various locations, all composed by Zappa. Since Zappa’s band was changing frequently, the musicians participating on this album include, in addition to Zappa who played guitar and sung, also guitarists Ike WillisFind albums by this artist, Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, Steve VaiFind albums by this artist, Warren CuccurulloFind albums by this artist and Denny WalleyFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist, Peter WolfFind albums by this artist and Bob HarrisFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, bassists Arthur BarrowFind albums by this artist and Patrick O`HearnFind albums by this artist, and drummers Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist and David LogemanFind 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: 03/08/2022Posted: 03/08/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS ZAPPA 3864 (Barcode: 824302386422) ~ USA ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1980 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 34th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1981 as a 2LP album. The album presents twenty original songs, all by Zappa. The album was recorded by an extensive lineup of musicians, which included, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals, also guitarists Ike WillisFind albums by this artist, Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, Denny WalleyFind albums by this artist and Steve VaiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist, bassist Arthur BarrowFind albums by this artist, drummer David LogemanFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ed MannFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Bob HarrisFind albums by this artist, clarinetist David OckerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jim SherwoodFind albums by this artist and harmonica player Craig StewartFind albums by this artist. Jimmy Carl BlackFind albums by this artist of the original Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist is a guest vocalist with additional vocals performed by Willis, White, Harris, Sherwood, Walley and Zappa´s children Moon and Ahmet. This album marks again a new approach in Zappa’s convoluted musical path and presents relatively short and concise songs, with only one of which crosses the six minutes timing and most being around three minutes long. The instrumental parts, including Zappa’s guitar solos, are relatively scarce. Some of the songs are conceptually connected into “medleys” and the entire album offers a concept analysis of human stupidity, which Zappa always tried to expose and ridicule. The album offers a coherent continuity, which demands in-depth effort from the listener to comprehend in full, but, as usual, proves to be absolutely brilliant, in spite of the deceiving seemingly Pop oriented external. 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: 24/11/2021

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ ZAPPA `80: MUDD CLUB / MUNICH ZAPPA 20042 (Barcode: 602448746405) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1980 Released: 2023 This is the 125th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2023. The album presents two complete concerts recorded during the 1980 spring / summer tour. The album includes 3 CDs. The music was recorded by the following lineup: Zappa on guitar and vocals, guitarists / vocalists Ike WillisFind albums by this artist and Ray WhiteFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tommy MarsFind albums by this artist, bassist Arthur BarrowFind albums by this artist and drummer David LogemanFind albums by this artist. CD1 presents fifteen tracks recorded on May 8, 1980 at the Mudd Clun in NY. CD2 and CD3 present eleven tracks each, recorded on July 3, 1980 at the Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany. The music is a selection of tracks spanning many Zappa albums, as always perfectly performed by Zappa and his team and featuring some blood-curdling Zappa guitar solos. The quality of the recording and sound are perfect and absolutely nothing stands between the music and the listener to enjoy a fury and orgy of the Zappa phenomenon. As usual, every note played by Zappa and his ensemble is perfectly unique and are an integral part of his heritage. Overall, this is an absolutely essential piece of the Frank Zappa legacy and a fitting tribute to his brilliance. The intricacy and multi-layered arrangements, brilliantly executed by his ensembles, are amongst the most interesting American recordings ever and considering that all this happened over forty years ago clearly proves that Zappa was a visionary / prophetic Genius.

Updated: 19/03/2023Posted: 19/03/2023

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend