Record Reviews

FRANK ZAPPA ~ CIVILIZATION PHAZE III ZAPPA UMRK 01 (Barcode: 824302000021) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Electronic Recorded: 1967 - 1992 Released: 1994 This is the 63rd album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, which was his first posthumous album released in 1994. The 2CD album presents forty-one Zappa’s compositions of varying length. All of the pieces on this album were recorded in 1991 and 1992 by Zappa, using the Synclavier synthesizer, but the album includes also spoken word passages, which go back as far as 1967 from the “We`re Only In It For The MoneyFind albums with this title” recording sessions and additional spoken word passages recorded in 1991, as well as sampled orchestral pieces recorded by the Ensemble ModernFind albums by this artist orchestra. This album demonstrates the innovative and revolutionary approach in Zappa’s convoluted musical path and marks a phase when his compositions become almost too complicated to be performed live. Zappa started to use the Synclavier to write his music as early as 1982, and scored several albums with it, starting with “Jazz From HellFind albums with this title” album from 1986, with was the first to be performed entirely on the Synclavier, and culminated with this album. It is only symbolic that this was the last piece of music Zappa managed to work on before his death, symbolizing his complete and utter individuality. Musically, this album portrays Zappa’s visionary amalgam of contemporary Classical Music, Avant-Garde Electronic / Ambient music, and above all his personal, highly individual concept of the Art of Sound, way beyond the boundaries set to music by its tradition and history. Zappa undoubtedly lived in his own Universe, which only partly coexisted and interacted in ours, but when it did, we have been blessed by the exposure to his Genius. As the years progressed, Zappa became even more detached and his music, including his Classical adventures, took him away from the Rock and Fusion fans, who refused to move forward with his creativity. In retrospect, the last period of his life proved to be the most fascinating of course. Overall, although thirty 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: 27/09/2022Posted: 09/08/2022

CD 2 Digibook Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ EVERYTHING IS HEALING NICELY ZAPPA UMRK 03 (Barcode: 824302999127) ~ USA ~ Classical Recorded: 1991 Released: 1999 This is the 69th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 1999. It was recorded during the rehearsals for the “The Yellow SharkFind albums with this title” album, which was to be the last album released during Zappa’s lifetime, about a month before his death. The music was recorded in California in 1991, during the first encounter between Zappa and the Frankfurt based international orchestra Ensemble ModernFind albums by this artist, which is dedicated to promote and popularize music of modern composers. The album presents thirteen original compositions by Zappa, some composed especially for this project and other older compositions, which were newly arranged. The Indian violinist L. ShankarFind albums by this artist performs on two tracks, but does not appear on the final version of “The Yellow Shark” album Zappa’s obsession with orchestral music comes to its tragic climax with this album, especially since his status as a “serious” musician is finally recognized by his Classical peers and some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world agreed to record his music. Despite his complete contempt and sheer hatred of musical business and establishment, he could not resist the temptation to “show” them who is really better, which reflects the omnipresent, but often deeply hidden inferiority complex of all non-Classical musicians / composers in relation to the Classical ones. Zappa’s music was always, from day one, as complex, ambitious, innovative, pioneering and Genius, and in most cases more so, than that of his Classical contemporaries, even when performed in the Pop / Rock / Fusion / Jazz environments, but this album is an opportunity to make an “equal ground” comparison, which of course easily proves his authority. For the avid listener, it is recommended to compare those parts of the material, which were previously recorded in different settings. Listeners not familiar with Zappa’s legacy (an unthinkable sin) might think that he is a bona fide Classical composer, as this music sounds as “Classical” as they come, which is again a proof of his Genius. This music is conceived and in fact realized to sound as modern Classical music, which for a person of no academic Classical music education is truly astounding in every respect. Overall, although over thirty 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: 01/12/2022Posted: 01/12/2022

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ THE YELLOW SHARK ZAPPA 3888 (Barcode: 824302388822) ~ USA ~ Classical Recorded: 1992 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 62nd album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, originally released in 1993. It was the last album released during Zappa’s lifetime, about a month before his death. The album was recorded live in late 1992 by the Frankfurt based international orchestra Ensemble ModernFind albums by this artist, which is dedicated to promote and popularize music of modern composers. The ensemble was conducted by Zappa and Peter RundelFind albums by this artist. This was the last public appearance of Zappa before his death. The album presents nineteen original compositions by Zappa, some composed especially for this project and other older compositions, which were newly arranged. Zappa’s obsession with orchestral music comes to its tragic climax with this album, especially since his status as a “serious” musician is finally recognized by his Classical peers and some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world agreed to record his music. Despite his complete contempt and sheer hatred of musical business and establishment, he could not resist the temptation to “show” them who is really better, which reflects the omnipresent, but often deeply hidden inferiority complex of all non-Classical musicians / composers in relation to the Classical ones. The posthumous 69th album “Everything Is Healing NicelyFind albums with this title” released in 1999 presents some of the music present here, recorded during the preparation for the Frankfurt appearance. Zappa’s music was always, from day one, as complex, ambitious, innovative, pioneering and Genius, and in most cases more so, than that of his Classical contemporaries, even when performed in the Pop / Rock / Fusion / Jazz environments, but this album is an opportunity to make an “equal ground” comparison, which of course easily proves his authority. For the avid listener, it is recommended to compare those parts of the material, which were previously recorded in different settings. Listeners not familiar with Zappa’s legacy (an unthinkable sin) might think that he is a bona fide Classical composer, as this music sounds as “Classical” as they come, which is again a proof of his Genius. This music is conceived and in fact realized to sound as modern Classical music, which for a person of no academic Classical music education is truly astounding in every respect. Overall, although thirty 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: 19/05/2022Posted: 19/05/2022

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend