Record Reviews

FRANK ZAPPA ~ APOSTROPHE (`) ZAPPA 3851 (Barcode: 824302385128) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1969 - 1974 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of the 18th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally in 1974. The music was recorded in the studio, mostly in 1973 during the sessions that produced the “Over-Nite SensationFind albums with this title” album and in early 1974, but some back material is taken from the 1969 “The Hot Rats SessionsFind albums with this title”. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Zappa, except the instrumental title track, where Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and Jim GordonFind albums by this artist are co-credited and another track, where George DukeFind albums by this artist is co-credited. This was Zappa’s most commercially successful album in the US. The lineup, in addition to Zappa on guitar, bass and vocals, includes violinists Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist and Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist, keyboardist George Duke, percussionist Ruth UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist and Napoleon Murphy BrockFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Sal MarquezFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bruce FowlerFind albums by this artist, bassists Jack Bruce, Alex DmochowskiFind albums by this artist and Tom FowlerFind albums by this artist and drummers Jim Gordon, John GuerinFind albums by this artist, Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist and Ralph HumphreyFind albums by this artist. 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 almost fifty 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: 08/12/2024Posted: 25/02/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRANK ZAPPA ~ APOSTROPHE (`) (50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) ZAPPA 20046 (Barcode: 602465639902) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1969 - 1974 Released: 2024 This is the 129th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released posthumously in 2024. As the title suggests, it compiles all the material connected with the iconic “Apostrophe (`)Find albums with this title” album, originally released in 1974, as well as concert recordings from that period. The 5CD Box Set offers a total of sixty-six tracks, with over five hours of music. The bonus BD disc offers the original album in various alternate audio formats. The music of the original album was recorded in the studio, mostly in 1973 during the sessions that produced the “Over-Nite SensationFind albums with this title” album and in early 1974, but some back material is taken from the 1969 “The Hot Rats SessionsFind albums with this title”. The original album presents nine tracks, all composed by Zappa, except the instrumental title track, where Jack Bruce and Jim Gordon are co-credited and another track, where George Duke is co-credited. This was Zappa’s most commercially successful album in the US. The lineup, in addition to Zappa on guitar, bass and vocals, includes violinists Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist and Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist, keyboardist George DukeFind albums by this artist, percussionist Ruth UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist and Napoleon Murphy BrockFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Sal MarquezFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bruce FowlerFind albums by this artist, bassists Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, Alex DmochowskiFind albums by this artist and Tom FowlerFind albums by this artist and drummers Jim GordonFind albums by this artist, John GuerinFind albums by this artist, Aynsley DunbarFind albums by this artist and Ralph HumphreyFind albums by this artist, as well as various backup vocalists. CD1 presents the newly remastered original album (9 tracks) and album session bonus tracks (9 tracks), seven of which were previously released on “The Crux Of The BiscuitFind albums with this title” album in 2016. CD2 presents first part of the Colorado Springs, Colorado concert captured on March 21, 1974 (12 tracks). CD3 presents the rest of the Colorado Springs, Colorado concert (10 tracks). CD4 presents a live version of “Inca Roads” captured on March 18, 1974 (1 track) and the first part of the Dayton, Ohio concert captured on November 20, 1974 (11 tracks). CD5 presents the rest of the Dayton, Ohio concert (9 tracks) and various bonus ditties (5 tracks). 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 almost fifty 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: 08/12/2024Posted: 08/12/2024

5CD+BD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend