I didn't acquire any new Zappa material this year, so lets take a look at a mostly neglected classic, Burnt Weeny Sandwich from 1970.
The album opens and closes with skewed doo-wop covers (WPLJ and Valerie), and those are the only vocal excursions. The rest is pure Zappa the modern day composer. Two short and delightfully skronky bits of Igor's Boogie (Phase One and Two) pay discordant tribute to Stravinsky, and Abye Sea features piano and harpsichord from Ian Underwood.
The big statements, Holiday In Berlin, Theme From Burnt Weenie Sandwich, and Little House I Used To Live In, are all fine Zappa works that stretch the boundaries of jazz-classical-avant-garde in ways Zappa explored earlier on Lumpy Gravy 1967 and Uncle Meat 1969, but here the compositions get to stand alone without interference from various vocal shenanigans, which gives the album a continuity those other two sometimes lack.
This one and the next (Weasels Ripped My Flesh, also 1970) were assembled from recordings made before Zappa disbanded the original Mothers, and they are both special collections in Zappa's discography. Weasels is a bit crazier, while Weeny serves up more of Frank's serious music. These two records are also the last of Frank's greatness before the rather dull era in 1970-1971 featuring the Flo and Eddie band, Frank's least successful period.
Time to break out the Zappa and celebrate a great American composer. You'll find my past entries for Zappadan right here. You can even take your clothes off when you dance!
