Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    I'm a real Zappa fan,and the two albums mentioned are worth owning.
    As frank has a fairly eclectic output it should be noted that the
    two c.ds have distinctive styles unique to each of them...
    1)Jazz from hell-this music was composed on the synclavier.It is
    all instrumental.I find it challenging and alot of fun.Some folks
    find it to be a bit distancing and robotic.
    2)Them or Us-A real diverse album,this may be a better choice between
    the two if you are unfamiliar with franks output.It contains everything
    from do-wop to backward vocals/guitar.great guest vocals and some
    of franks finest soloing.Inspired performances and a wild rendition
    of believe it or not "whipping post".

    
    
      you gotta get joe's garage act one  AND
                           you are what you is (double lp set)
    
       Some of ZAPPA'S best stuff you'll die laughing Oh yea you also
    gotta get Shiek-yer-bootie (double lp set)
    
                                      great stuff ta own 
    
                                          Charlie
    

    I'd recommend APOSTROPHE/OVERNIGHT SENSATION (two albums on one
    CD). Some great stuff here.
    
    --- jerry

    Will  "HOT Rats" ever be available???
    
    ct

    Good news for F.Z fans. Rykodisc in conjunction with frank is releasing
    the following titles on 10/28
    1) Hot Rats
    2) Cruisin' with reuben and the jets
    3) Freak Out
    4) Uncle Meat 
    They have already released
    1) Apostrophe/overnite sensation
    2) Thing-fish
    3) We're only in it for the money/Lumpy gravy
    4) Jazz from Hell
    5) Shut up and play your guitar
    6) London symphony orchestra plays F.Z
    7) The perfest stranger
    8) The grand wazoo
    More titles to be released in the future....
    call 818-pumpkin for recorded frank zappa hotline info...

    Anyone heard the song Sharleena on THEM OR US?
    I heard one version on a guitar player sound sheet
    also Steve Via is on a song called STEVE'S SPANKING and
    I think it would be great to hear this virtuoso stretch out.
    ---------------------------------------------------------
    Also I'v heard of a legendary guitar solo by FRANK ZAPPA on a
    tune called PACKARD GOOSE[SP?]
    ANY NOTERS OUT THERE WILLING TO TAPE ME THIS SOLO?
             THANKS in advance JT

    I picked up Joe's Garage (I, II, & III) at BCD yesterday.  Two disc
    set in a double jewel box.

    re. .6
    Sharleena on the THEM OR US album is different from the GP sound
    sheet. Vai does over dubs on the album where Dweezil does the solo.
    On the sound sheet Dweezil does the whole solo (when he was 14 yrs.
    old!)
         
    Jeff

    Rolling Stone rated "We're Only In It for the Money" as one of the
    best albums recorded in the last twenty years.  I am thinking of
    getting it but I am new to Frank Zappa.  Also, another artist in
    the same vain, Captain Beefheart, (specifically the Trout Mask Replica
    album) is something else I've considered picking up.  What are these
    albums like and is it worth it to have them?
    
    Ken
    

    I have "We're Only In It For The Money", it was bought when it first
    came out.
    It doesn't have any hiss,or snap,crackle,pop AT ALL...
    I never play it anymore to keep it that way,I have it taped,and
    just read along with the librato.
    It's a great album...     

    Re "Rolling Stone's rating" in .9, I recall a disclaimer in that
    issue of RS that said something about some of the albums were chosen
    based on things other than musical quality. So be careful.
    
    I like Zappa, I have 4 or 5 of the disks including Only in It, and
    8 or 9 very old very, worn out albums. I strongly recommend that
    you listen to them *before* you buy them. Maybe 1 out of 10 people
    that has listened to my Zappa stuff has claimed to like them. Maybe
    3 out of 10 has ever been able to listen to both sides of an album.
    Maybe 5 out of ten have made it all the way to the end of the first
    cut.
    
    I don't regret buying any of his music, but I do think he takes
    some getting used to.
    
    tom

    
     Re: .9
    
    Both of these albums you mentioned are a little off the wall.
    
    Of the two, the Zappa/Mothers is more dated because a lot of the
    lyrical content is satire of the then-burgeonoing hippie movement.
    "Mom and Dad" is downright eerie considering it predates Kent State.
    
    Most of the music is also satirical, making fun of surf, three-chord
    rock, the Cream, etc.  I have not heard the CD but much of it has
    new overdubs (Zappa claims the original masters were in too poor
    shape to be used) so it's not quite the 1967 artifact.
    
    *********************************************************************
    
    As for the Beefheart, it will probably continue to sound strange
    100 years from now.  It is a great album if you can learn to listen
    to it.  I found that I had to play it over and over for a few weeks
    before I could get accustomed to it.  Once that happened, I could
    listen to the music.  Fifteen years after I bought it I still find
    new stuff in the grooves.  
    
    Beefheart's music sounds nothing like Zappa.  Its' only reference
    points are country blues and free jazz.  And it's pretty far removed
    from both.  At first listen it's a bunch of noise.  But remember,
    these guys went to a lot of trouble to get that sound.  If they
    just wanted to get rich, there are easier ways.
    
    If you don't like adventurous music, skip the Captain.  If you're
    ready for some *real* progressive rock music, look no further.
    
    Now, if only WB would put it out on CD!!!!

    	
    	Does anybody have SDhut Up and PLay Yer Guitar? could you
    review it. I've read about it, and seen it, but not heard it. 
    At over $30.00 I'd like at least an opinion before I gamble on
    it.
    
    	Thanks,
    
    	Jim
    
    

    If you are a fan of F.Z quitar work then I would consider the album/c.d
    to be a valuable addition to your collection.It is all instrumental
    and contains varied styles and band configurations from various
    points in his career. 90% is from live performances. Great stuff
    and if I understand correctly more of this material is on the way
    in the form of another box set sometime next year.I would also
    in response to an earlier note highly reccomend the Beefheart/Zappa
    albums mentioned. They are both classics.The Beefheart album is
    truly amazing! I would love to see some of his early material released
    on c.d.

	Re: .0
	
	If I  had  to  make  a choice between Jazz.. and Them.. I'd take
	Them  or  Us any day. I like the music better, plus you get very
	much more for your money with Them or Us (double LP on one CD as
	compared  to  Jazz  from  Hell  which is of ordinary short Zappa
	length).

	Re: .7
	
	What company  released  Joe's Garage? Is it Rykodisc? Didn't see
	it listed with all the other CD releases.
	
	A disc  that hasn't been mentioned earlier in this note is "Does
	Humor   Belong   in   Music?".  Good,  very  good  indeed!  Live
	performance  from various concerts all over the US. Long on time
	to top things off!
	
	Anyone know  when  Roxy  &  Elsewhere will show up as (hopefully
	one) CD?
	
	- GL -	

	Joe's Garage was released on Rykodisc.

    According to the Zappa hotline(818-pumpkin) the cd versions of Hot
    Rats and Uncle Meat(in the stores within 2 weeks) will contain some
    additional material.

    
    Has anyone gotten the "Uncle Meat" CD yet?
                   
    My vinyl is worn out but I am so used to the sound of the music
    I am concerned about the "remixing" Frank has been doing.  I did
    see the disc yesterday and it is a two-disc set, the first has the
    first three LP sides, the second has the "King Kong" side plus three
    additional pieces, no timing.
    
    "Uncle Meat" was originally intended to be three records including
    tapes of the band being busted in a recording studio!!!  Maybe this
    is what this extra material is?  
    
    OK, any reviews out there from folks who have both vinyl and CD??
    
    

Rykodisc has also released "Peaches in Regalia" as a "CD-single."  This is a
mini-CD format where the disc is just a bit bigger than a silver dollar.
The format holds about 20 minutes of music--"Peaches" runs 15+ minutes.

--PSW

    Re .19:

    A few years ago, Mark Parenteau (dj with wbcn in Boston) suggested
    that Peaches replace Pomp and Circumstances as the processional
    for graduations. This extra-long version might be enough to push
    the Peaches movement over the top.

    Re: .19 & .20
    
    Has either of you seen this small CD?  "All Things Considered"
    mentioned it in one of their spots.  My first thought upon hearing
    about it was "Good grief, just what we need."  Then they revealed
    the title and artist.  Changed my tune real quicklike.  I'm not
    not in the Northeast, so I'm not really interested in specific dealers,
    just whether or not it's widely available.
    
    Gary

    I bought it in Manchester, N.H. last night for 3.99 (an addtional
    .99 for the holder).  Someone else I know here got it in Derry the
    other day.  It seems to be easily available, being the first rock
    oriented mini-disc, it might sell to collectors as well as Zappa
    fans.  (Delos has had one out for a couple of months with mini
    classical works on it).
    The disc has the original 4+ minutes of Peaches En Regalia, plus
    two other songs.  I played it twice last night, but I don't remember
    the titles that well; I think one was "I'm Not Satisfied" from the
    Reuben & the Jets album.  PEACHES sounds incredible.  Tonight I
    want to A/B it with my old HOT RATS album and see if he re-recorded
    the bass and drum tracks.
    The only thing I don't like is the tiny cardboard jacket.  I left
    the disc in the 99 cent adapter and stored it in a spare jewel case.
    The disc is just a little over 13 minutes long.
    
          Marty
    

    The third song on the mini-disc is "Lucille Messed My Mind Up" (or
    something along those lines) from the JOE'S GARAGE album.
    All 3 songs taken together comprise some reasonably mellow listening.
    These tunes use traditional formats and even non-Zappa fans would
    have no problem with them.
    
      Marty

    Re: Zappa and Beefheart.
    
    Bongo Fury is a live Zappa single album which contains a few Captain
    Beefheart "tunes".  They aren't for everybody, but mixed in with
    some fine (and funny) Zappa tracks helps make them more accessable
    to the masses.  And you wouldn't want to miss "The Muffin Man".
     I guess we're still waiting for this on CD.
    
    Peaches and Regalia was also included at the end of the Live Mothers
    at the FIllmore album, the one Frank made to look like a typical
    bootleg, a problem he was experiencing all too often at the time.
    It's (the regular album) a classic which should see CD format as
    well.  Its filled with lots of great tasteless material, maybe the
    high (or low) in FZ's great career.
    
    Dan

Drat.  I thought that the PEACHES mini-CD had an extra-long version of
Peaches en Regalia on it.  I guess it doesn't.  I already have the HOT RATS
CD, which has the "canonical" version of Peaches on it.

--PSW

    For those in the Greater Maynard area, Rockit Records in Nashua
    had the Zappa mini-CD as of the end of last week.
    
    --- jerry

    This is in response to the questions in regards to the "Uncle Meat"
    disc.The extra material included in the c.d release refers to aprox.
    40 minutes of dialoque and behind the scene conversations from and
    concerning the movie "Uncle Meat". It includes Frank giving
    characterization instruction to Don Preston,who plays the rock star/
    monster in the film. Also Frank is heard trying to convince the
    female lead to appear naked in the shower during the "hamburger
    seduction scene". Interesting historical stuff and pretty amusing.
    All of the movie material and "King Kong" from the original album
    appear on disc 2.
      This is one of my favorite Zappa albums and it's great to have
    it all (with the exception of "King Kong") on one disc. I don't
    believe there are any bass or drum overdubs as the original tapes
    were of acceptable quality. I have all of the the Zappa stuff on
    c.d and I really don't mind the alterations found on "Reuben and
    the Jets" and "were only...". I think for the most part it was
    the only way to salvage the reproduction of the existing tapes.
    Having all of "Freak out" on one disc is a pleasure. When I heard
    that Frank added material to "Hot Rats" I was a llittle worried,
    as I believe this to be a classic, but I was pleased to find out
    that they are pretty unobtrusive and actually improve on the original.
    
    
                                    sb

    
    
    I received Joe's Garage for Christmas and found an interesting flyer
    inside saying that a disc called "You Can't do that on stage anymore"
    listed as being released in 1987 ..... Has anyone seen this ??
    Is it going to be released on Dec - 31 - 1987 or what ??
    
    
    

   The release of this set has been postponed until early '88. according
    to various reports by Frank and the hotline it will consist of live
    material recorded over at least a ten year period. The vinyl version
    will be a 10 record set, while the  c.d release will be around 3
    or 4 discs.Call 818-pumpkin for further info.
     Frank will be appearing at the Orpheum in Boston on Feb. 19-20.
    He will be playing with a 10 piece band, complete with, yes thats
    right, you quessed right, the triumphant return of the Fowler brothers
    on horns. Yow

    Does anyone know of any plans to release 'One Size Fits All' on CD?
    This is my personal favorite Zappa album, and one which I think
    would benefit greatly from the move to CD (at least I'd benefit - my
    vinyl copy is wearing pretty thin !).

    So far the only Zappa I've seen here in the UK was a solitary copy
    of 'Does Humour Belong in Music'. This was on a shelf next to a
    Dweezil Zappa CD - has anyone heard this (is musicianship a 
    genetic trait ?)?

    

    Derek Kay  (SWAS, Warrington, UK)

    Re .30
    
    Unfortunately I haven't seen any notice of the release of `One Size
    Fits All'.  It's on the top of my FZ list, too.
    
    Regarding Dweezil:  Digital Audio magazine reviewed his CD.  They
    were not kind to him.  The reviewer decided that Dweez is an "okay"
    guitarist who should spend less time listening to Eddie Van Halen.
    So, I suppose if you like listening to Eddie, you might like DZ.
    
    Gary

    Here is some news regarding the release of the long awaited "You
    cant do that on stage anymore" set. This info was provided by Rykodisc
    and written up by The Herald newspaper in Boston Ma. (this is a
    real tabloid rag, so please consider the filters that the news passed
    through on the way to you, the F.Z consumer).
    Starting in April of 88 Rykodisc will release 2 c.ds a month for
    6 months. These 12 c.ds will constitute the c.d version of the
    live retrospective of Frank and his various Mothers from the early
    60's right up to and including the tour he is about to commence
    this Feb. Real ambitious and real wonderful. This stuff should keep
    us Zappa fans occupied until next fall, at which time Rykodisc will
    release the latest batch of archive material from the F.Z cataloque.
    Hopefully this batch will include "Freak Out" among other favorites.

    Re .32:
    
    Freak Out is already on CD - but there are lots of other albums
    to be released yet.

    Sorry, and I own the damn thing too.....
    What I meant was "Absolutely Free"
    

I picked up the "Peaches en Regalia" mini-CD yesterday and gave it a 
listen.  Nice sound!!!  These little CD "singles" are pretty cute, and 13 
minutes of CD sound for $3.99 is a good deal, especially for Frank.

Anyway, I recommend those long-standing Zappaphiles who are curious about 
the "remixing" Frank is doing to his old albums buy this CD first, to get a 
taste before buying all the full size ones. 

"Peaches" sounds similar to the original, of course, but the remix is a tad 
longer in the fade and brings up some odd sounds (keys or electronic sax, 
maybe) that were more buried in the original mix.  Drums and bass are very 
crisp, but have that "modern" transparent sound.  I liked this one.

"I Can't Be Satisfied" is considerably changed.  Another extended fade 
here, but the original bass and drums are gone.  A-Bing with the vinyl, I 
found the CD to have weak low end and the "ambience" of the drums on the 
record are far superior to my ears, they are echoey and have a "trash-can" 
cymbal sound.  This is not high-tech, of course, but it fits the "period" 
sound of the LP.  A more glaring omission is that after the intro lick, the 
guitar fills are all but gone!!!  The song is carried by bass, drums and 
vocals only.  The singing is so clear that you gain a new appreciation for 
Roy Estrada's falsetto bits.  But overall, I prefer the LP sound, although 
I will probably eventually get the CD anyway.  I suppose after 20 years of 
hearing it, the "new" mix is going to take some time to sink in.

I can't comment on "Lucille" as I never heard "Joe's Garage" but I prefer 
the raved-up Jeff Simmons version of 1969; the sound of course is great.

So, I would have to say that I am not 100% for the remixes, though due to 
the unavailability of these records on vinyl, fans who have been seeking 
this stuff out are getting a good deal. 

    In the latest issue of Musician magazine there is a ad placed by
    Rykodisc concerning the release of the latest batch of F.Z
    they are...
    1) You can't do that on stage anymore- A 2 disc set /live stuff
    spanning 20 years ( there will be 5 more sets of 2 in the next 6
    months!)
    
    2) Guitar- 2 disc set of solos/instrumental work 79-84
    
     Both releases contain over 2 hours of music. Please post a note
    here when you see these in the stores and maybe some reviews upon
    listening. Yahoooo.

    
    
        I didn't see anyone mention the release of "sheik yerbouti"
    but I picked up a copy about a month ago .. they got it all on 
    one disk .. I was a little suprised to see that it wasn't on the
    Ryko label though ... I can't remember what label it is on though
    
    The main reason I was reading through the old Zappa notes was that
    I am still waiting for the release of Y.C.D.T.O.S.A.M. part II ..
    and was wondering if anyone has heard anything as to when the big
    release date is .. When part I was released it took me 4 stores
    to find my copy and want to make sure I get one of these as well..
    
    
    Another little bit of info .. When they are all done with this 
    series they are supposed to put out a disk recorded on his latest
    tour "Broadway the Hardway" (that some of us where lucky enough
    to see him on) 
    
    
    Jammie

    Sheik Yerbouti on CD?  Where did you get it?  Was it an import CD?

	Has anyone seen "Just Another Band from L.A." by the Mothers on CD?

    I called 818-pumpkin concerning vol. 2 of y.c.d.t.o.s.a. Now that
    FZ is back from Europe he will be finishing up and releasing part
    two in july. I believe the c.d of Shiek Yerbouti is an import and
    unauthorized. The next batch of cataloque releases by Rykodisc will
    most likely occur in the fall. Newbury Comics is having a sale this
    week on Vol.1 for 19.99. A great price but who could wait that long.
    Has anyone seen the video "Dub Room Special", I'm thinking of buying
    it and would welcome some reviews. I picked up a copy of 200 Motels
    at Tower for 19.99. Yow.

    
    
    
    We must have called at different times .... I called "pumpkin"
    yesterday after I entered my note and they said that Frank was
    finishing up the liner notes for vol.2 and it would be out late
    August early September and then the rest should come out on schedule
    which I believe is one volume a month .. I also asked about "just
    another band from L.A. and she said there is no release date scheduled
    and didn't think it would be out this year .... I forgot to look
    at my "Sheik Yerbouti " disc last night but I'm sure it was an import..
    I believe it says that the disc was manufactured in England .. So
    maybe if you know someone from across the pond they could get you
    one .. Like I said yesterday that I bought it over a month ago at
    Plaza Music in Derry N.H. and haven't seen any more of them anyplace
    because I've had a few people ask me to pick them one up if I saw
    one .. I also had to pay $25.00 for it ...
    
    
    Jammie

    
    	So how about a review of Volume I?
    
    	Thanks,
    
    	Jim
    
    

    I'm sure there are those who would find the whole enterprise a bit
    obsessive, but to a true Zappa fan these discs will help provide
    a detailed and comprehensive overview of his live work with the
    Mothers and others spanning the last twenty years. The liner notes
    are informative and funny, the rational given for the inclusion
    of the various renditions are priceless. Some highlights include...
    a blistering version of "Big Swifty", an early instrumental rendition
    of "Oh No" featuring a superb solo and the german version of "Sofa"
    from the Flo and Eddie years. The editing is seamless, making it
    difficult to isolate cuts, and the sound quality, for the most part,
    is superb, many of the later tracks from '84 are DDD.

    Attention all F.Z enthusiasts. According to a reliable source, Frank
    will appear on the Tonight show 6/29 with Jay Leno. Maybe he will
    perform "King Kong" with Doc and the boys :-)

Available on British import (EMI):

	TINSELTOWN REBELLION
	
	THE MAN FROM UTOPIA and SHIP ARRIVING TOO LATE TO SAVE A DROWNING WITCH
		(both albums on one CD)

--PSW

    The Zappa hotline says You can't do that on stage anymore 2 will
    be released Oct 10.Waka Jawaka,Absolutly Free and one other album
    will be on cd soon.One will have two albums(I think A.F.but cant
    remember the other)on one disk.                                
                                    Mike

    The other album will be "One size fits all", one of the highlights
    from that disc will most certainly be "Inca Roads", a brilliant
    studio cut featuring vocals by George Duke and a guitar solo
    taken from a live setting. This mixing of live and studio portions
    is old hat for F.Z now, but I believe this was the initial experiment.

    Yippieee!  "One Size..." is easily my favorite.  Thanks for the
    info.
    
    Gary

    Finally,Oct 10 and the release of You Can't do That On Stage Anymore
    II:the Helsinki Shows is here.I'll be calling around this afternoon
    trying to find a copy and I'll post it here if I score.Also,we are
    promised the release of "Broadway the Hard Way"on album by election
    time and on CD in '89.Having seen this tour,I'm looking forward
    to this one.Hopefully,FZ will include the songs about Jim and Tammy
    Baker and Mr.Swaggart.Great stuff.                             
                                        Mike
    

    I think you might find it takes a while before the disc hits the
    retail outfits. The last volume took aprox. 10 days to two weeks
    to find it's way to the Boston area after being released. Then
    again I hope I'm wrong. 
    
    

    I hope you're wrong,two weeks seems like a long time for a new release
    to hit the shelves.I know someone who picked up part one a couple
    of days after release.RYKO is releasing this set also,and they are
    out of Mass.(I think Salem,I'm not sure).Monday was a holiday in
    Mass.This may have delayed the disk from showing up in stores that
    early.I'm going to call around today and try to find it(didnt call
    monday,no money.Didnt want to know if it was available).I'll post
    it if I find it.                                               
                        Mike

    I called Rokit records in Nashua Wednesday and was told Volume II
    would be in Thursday A.M.When I called yesterday,they told me next
    week.So I went to Manchester C D and picked up MAN FROM UTOPIA/SHIP
    ARRIVING TO LATE TO SAVE A DROWNING WITCH and a new release(so I
    was told)'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JELLY.This is some live Mothers of
    Invention from '63 and '65.It starts off with You Didnt Try To Call
    Me,and also contains King Kong,Blue Suede Shoes,Igors Boogie and
    about ten others.On the back of the liner,there is an apology for
    the non-excellence of the recording due to the equipment used.They
    arent kidding.Up to King Kong,(about halfway through the disk,)theres
    lots of distortion and noise.The rest of the disk is not as bad,but
    not up to Franks usual high standards.If you like the Mothers,its
    o.k.Man.C.D. also has DOES HUMOR BELONG IN MUSIC?,UNCLE MEAT,SHUT
    UP AND PLAY,JAZZ FROM HELL,APOSTROPHE/OVERNIGHT SENSATION,TINSELTOWN
    REBELLION and a couple of others.                              
                                     Mike

    "Tis the Season to be Jelly" is a bootleg. It has no connection
    to Frank Zappa other than than the fact that some guy snuck a
    cassette recorder into an early Mothers gig. If the clerks told
    you this was a new release they were either badly informed or lying.
    This boot has been around for a few years and is decidedly low-fidelity.

       The clerk said they had just gotten "Jelly" in that day,and having
    never even heard of this album,I assumed it was new.I thought it
    was an import or something,and the only reason I considered buying
    it was for another version of "You Didnt Try to Call Me."I was a
    little disapointed with the quality,but what the hey,its still the
    Mothers!                                                       
             Mike

    Any sightings?

    Rokit Records in Nashua has Vol.II in stock.(they had some Thursday
    anyhow.)Baby Snakes will be on CD in November.Frank is going to
    be on a segment of 60 Minutes sometime between now and the end of
    November.Does anyone know if this has already been aired?818-PUMPKIN
    doesnt have a date.                                            
                         Mike

    I picked up vol. 2 @ Newbury Comics in Framingham. It consists of
    an entire 1974 concert from Helsinki, Finland. This was the band
    that had George Duke, Ruth Underwood and Napoleon Murphy Brock among
    others. Basically the same line-up as the "Roxy and Elsewhere" album.
    It features a great version of "Inca Roads" among the highlights.
    This is a good way to sample the work of this fine ensemble and
    also to listen to what a full concert from this era consisted of.