Well it's that time again. The annual celebration of Frank's life and artistry from Dec. 4 to Dec 21. There are plenty of previous entries at this blog, just click Frank Zappa. There are also others that celebrate around the net. Break out in song or just play some percussion. And vote.
I have been both overwhelmed by the sheer volume, and underwhelmed by the excitement provided by the archival releases of Frank's work from the vault. There have been great ones of course, but not unlike the Grateful Dead, we really don't need every live gig Zappa ever performed released to the music buying public.
But this is Zappa's best band during his period of greatest musical treasure. Some may argue that the original Mothers of Invention were his best band, and I certainly must respect that as an equally valid opinion.
Cheaper Than Cheep was a two hour video Frank produced for television in 1974. Technical difficulties that apparently could not be corrected without modern technology left the video and it's audio in the can until now. This is the same six piece band (plus Jeff Simmons) that made One Size Fits All later in 1974. The only previously available live recording by this group is You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Volume 2 (The Helsinki Concert).
Highlights are many. Inca Roads is great, as is Let's Make The Water Turn Black, Dupree's Paradise and More Trouble Every Day. Ruth Underwood shines on everything, but especially RDNZL. The video is currently available on YouTube for your entertainment.
They really opened the flood gates for the 1974 band this year, as they also released One Size Fits All 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe. The original record is one of Zappa's best, and the Deluxe version includes over a CDs worth of outtakes, basic tracks, and alternates that are at least as good as most of those things. But wait, you also get two CDs of a live performance recorded in Rotterdam in September of 1974. Great performances of Florentine Pogen, Montana and Cosmic Debris shine, and the entire show is special. (OK, the drum solo is too long, but aren't they all?)
So if you aren't sick of new/old Zappa live recordings, they've delivered two this year that are as good as any of them. Happy Zappadan!
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