Applied Zappigraphy

[Karl Henning]

[Karl Henning]

Listening to Civilization Phaze III for the first time since my stroke. Still don't know quite how I feel about it. I like all the musical component. I'm not averse to the notion of continuing the "piano people" saga. Maybe I just need to let it roll.

[Karl Henning]

Listening to Civilization Phaze III for the first time since my stroke. Still don't know quite how I feel about it. I like all the musical component. I'm not averse to the notion of continuing the "piano people" saga. Maybe I just need to let it roll.

Perhaps my problem (insofar as there may be one) is scale? The fact that the album is teo generously apportioned CDs, which is much broader than Lumpy Gravy. Yes, that may be it.

[San Antone]

The more I think about it, the more I tend to believe that Frank Zappa was a serious composer working in long forms utilizing several native musical styles invented in the United States and peppered with dashes of Stravinsky and Varésé.



Uncle Meat, 200 Motels, and as the expanded editions of his records that have been coming out display, these are serious works, granted with an element of absurdism. 

[Karl Henning]

Just landed

[Crudblud]

I attended a concert by the UK-based Zappa tribute band Treacherous Cretins last night. They played with Zappa veteran Bobby Martin, who, in addition to playing keyboard and saxophone, was essentially the lead vocalist—to say that he's still got it is an understatement. The other musicians were excellent too, although I think the guitar player, who was very technically able, took too many solos for what he was capable of as an improviser. It's true that Frank would often take multiple guitar solos in succession, but he was also Frank, and I think the guitar player here should have given more solo spots to the other players. The trombone player and occasional vocalist was especially good and should have had more time in the spotlight.

One of the really great things about the show was the diversity of the setlist, from straightforward stuff like Fine Girl through to really difficult, obscure cuts like The Radio Is Broken. Most of the songs were delivered as medleys of anywhere from three to seven songs, and covered a range of stuff from Freak Out! right up to the 1988 tour. Highlights for me* included The Radio Is Broken, Andy, Montana, Zomby Woof, Dupree's Paradise, What's New In Baltimore, Who Needs The Peace Corps, and the encore: Bobby's signature song Whipping Post.**

An excellent way to spend two hours!

*they played so many songs that I can't remember the full setlist
**Bobby changed the ending line "I truly do believe there ain't no such thing as dying" to "as long as we keep playing this music, I truly do believe Frank Zappa will never die"