I have several posthumous FZ releases but not all. I am rather picky on which ones I get. What's the opinion on these two? Are they must haves or just solid FZ releases.
Bill
I have several posthumous FZ releases but not all. I am rather picky on which ones I get. What's the opinion on these two? Are they must haves or just solid FZ releases.
Bill
She'll be standing on the bar soon
With a fish head and a harpoon
and a fake beard plastered on her brow.
Before answering the question we should know your perspective, i.e. which of the earlier ones you consider must-haves.
Last edited by Jay.Dee; 02-16-2017 at 08:35 AM.
I think they're both fantastic. But I have no idea what you're picky about.
Little dots is the fellow released to Imaginary Diseases and presents live recordings by the famous Petit Wazoo group recorded live in November and December 1972. The musicians have been part of the short lived Grand Wazoo orchestra, that did only a couple of shows in September 1972, The only newcomer being Gary Barone who replaced Sal Marquez on trumpet. Contrary to the Grand Wazoo this 10 piece band had never recorded any studio material and a bigger part of the tracks are extended jams with various solos, the major exception is the complete 3 part version of Rollo, which Zappa never played live again, an interesting composition that would partly reappear later in Greggery Peccary.
The early version of Cosmic Debris is interesting for historical reasons but there are a couple of far more interesting versions. The Kansas City Shuffle appeared in another form already on Imaginary Diseases and is quite funny with Zappa asking the audience in the middle of the song in which style they wanted the track to end , the audience choosing a boogie. The major part of the CD is taken by the last track recorded in Columbia SC and the story of the concert is told by Malcom Mc Nabb in the liner notes: drummer Jim Gordon and trumpet player Gary Barone were arrested backstage by the police shortly before the concert for drug possession leaving the band to play without these two musicians.
The support act having been Tim Buckley, Zappa asked his drummer Maury Baker to sit in with the band, which for obvious reasons reduced the material to non written impros. Zappa announced the situation to, the audience (not mentioning drugs so) in the beginning and I must say the result is rather good , surely linked to the drumming skills of Maury Baker. Especially the second longer part, an extended jam does not get boring and contains a good solo by Zappa and some dynamic riffing by the brass section.
I haven't got yet Chicago 78 , but from all releases after Zappas death I prefer the complete concert recordings. Philly 76 is one of my favorite.
Dieter Moebius : "Art people like things they don’t understand!"
I have not heard Chicago '78 either yet, but out of the official live archival releases this would be my top ten of the 60s/70s so far:
1. Road Tapes #2 '73
2. Wazoo '72
3. Carnegie Hall '71
4. Token of His Extreme '74
5. Little Dots '72
6. Hammersmith Odeon '78
7. Imaginary Diseases '72
8. FZ: OZ '76
9. Road Tapes #1 '68
10. Philly '76
Dieter Moebius : "Art people like things they don’t understand!"
My pick is Chicago '78. Great sound, great FZ guitar, and an enjoyable show. Little Dots has it moments, but too much so so jamming and noodling for my taste. The first installment entitled Imaginary Diseases has more to offer compositionally. But you might want to consider the excellent Hammersmith Odeon 1978 3 disc set if it gets a general release, and I've heard that's the word for March of this year.
Both Chicago '78, and Crux Of The Biscuit feature the Yellow Snow Suite, and the one to hear is the Sidney '73 performance on Crux w/ JL Ponty and company.
Must buy Carnegie Hall and Wazoo
Death inspires me like a dog inspires a rabbit
Buffalo '80 is becoming a fav
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Out of his Posthumous releases, this is what I have:
Civilization Phaze III
The Lost Episodes
Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute
Mystery Disc
Everything Is Healing Nicely
FZ : OZ
Halloween
QuAUDIOPHILIAc
Imaginary Diseases
Trance-Fusion
The Dub Room Special!
Wazoo
Feeding the Monkies at Ma Maison
Finer Moments
Dance Me This
Roxy The Soundtrack
Beat the Boots Vol. 3
I have tended to avoid the Joe's releases. I don't particularly need every live show he has put out but the ones of superior quality are of interest.
Bill
She'll be standing on the bar soon
With a fish head and a harpoon
and a fake beard plastered on her brow.
While I like the songs and performance on the Carnegie release, the sound quality really seems like crap to me. Wazoo is great for the most part but I like Imaginary Diseases even more. Haven't picked up Little Dots or Chicago 78 yet but they both sound like worthwhile purchases from the comments here.
Little Dots is essential if you like Zappa is jazz/rock mode.
78 isn't my favorite period for FZ, but it's recorded and played very well throughout and I'm glad I own it (even though I probably won't play it all that often).
Please don't ask questions, just use google.
Never let good music get in the way of making a profit.
I'm only here to reglaze my bathtub.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend Little Dots. It's exhibit "A" for Uncle Frank's worst instincts toward endless noodling; he simply doesn't have the ideas to sustain his extended solos.
Hell, they ain't even old-timey ! - Homer Stokes
... or in other words: if you are a fan of Uncle Frank's guitar noodling (or happy brass-rock live jamming in general), Little Dots is your best pick. I'm lovin' it!
OK, so I finally purchased and gave a serious listening to the Chicago '78 release.
The first disc is Zappa in his late 70s soul/funk mode, playing at a rather leisurely pace. Nothing groundbreaking, just a professional rock performance, as mainstream as Zappa could get.
The second set has some of Zappa at his proggiest, well crafted with intricate ensemble arrangements, thin on instrumental improvs/noodling, stately executed, even duly pompous at times (except for lyrics and banter of course).
All in all, not my favourite side of Frank, but enjoyable overall. It may be of interest for those who dig classic rock of the late 70s, and classic prog of that period in particular. You won't get your meat&potatoes rock/prog served more professionally elsewhere.
Last edited by Jay.Dee; 03-13-2017 at 10:15 AM.
Plus Frank's guitar tone/playing on Chicago '78 is off the charts fantastic. I dig it a lot!
One Shot Deal
What do you guys think of this one?
Thanks
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