Son of Tweezer Glint – Part 3B Finale
Before I send my own personal, private pair of Zircon Encrusted Tweezers into the shop for some serious re-encrusting — I have one last installment of the Son of Tweezer Glint series, the finale, to present. Among the alternative edits, proto versions, and various live versions are particular titles of note (in my opinion):
“Easy Meat” performed at the Fillmore West in 1970.
“Wonderful Wino” performed at Picnic Piknik, in Uddel, Netherlands in 1970 includes a rare vocal performance by Jeff Simmons.
A rare performance of “Magdalena” in Montreux, Switzerland in 1971 at the Montreux Casino. The Montreux performance (and this mixtape) also includes the complete “Sofa Suite” which includes proto versions of “Sofa #2″ and “Stick It Out” in German.
A pre-200 Motels version of “Penis Dimension” performed at the University of Maine at Gorham in 1970. “King Kong Medley” at the same concert, complete with extended solos.
Click here to listen to the mixtape.
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November 3rd, 2009 at 8:33 pm » Quote
As the former “Uncle Meat” in Frank’s The Mothers of Invention, here’s the latest YT posting of Essra Mohawk.
Song is called “I Have Been Here Before” and was a fave of David Crosby’s who’d ask her to play it for him all the time. Thing is, it sounds remarkably similar to his “Deja Vu” that he next released. That’s nto fair…but judge for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1YkmhQytPQ
“I Have Been Here Before” is from Essra’s PRIMORDIAL LOVERS that that received a 5 star review in DwonBeat.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:12 am » Quote
The Magdalena version is fantastic! And now, having listened to this “Shut Up…” version I discover that Barrow’s bass sound actually has much more body and texture than the official release reveals.
Thanks!
November 4th, 2009 at 5:53 am » Quote
Barrow’s probably my favorite Zappa bassist.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:14 am » Quote
I like the roughness of the ‘88 rehearsal recordings and performance vs. the official concert recordings. FZ seems to be absent here.
The ‘88 tour over the years has suffered in my perception because of:
- overperfection (the perfection should serve the music, but here the music serves for showcasing the perfection)
- 80s sample gimmicks
- Ike’s vocal abilities on this tour (and his constant laughing when the boss makes a joke)
- Chad’s drum sound
- Scott’s flanged/phased/chorused bass sound (though the playing seems to be his most inventive)
- FZ’s guitar sound and style on this tour (plinky-planky)
- the circus-style arrangements
The ‘88 tour once used to be the best possible setting one could imagine but now it has become one of my least favourite tours that I rarely listen to.
Th.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:25 pm » Quote
I’m partly with Thinman on this – my problem with the ‘88 band is mostly the tracklist and order of the CDs. I’d TRULY enjoy a full show.
(BTW Thinman: I’d be really curious about your opinion on the sound of the Halloween DVD. You can read my comment there in the discography section – I’d welcome yours!)
November 4th, 2009 at 5:11 pm » Quote
I feel basically the same as Thinman and Balint here – the ‘88 stuff just doesn’t do it for me. I know Frank loved it, and Barry and others do too, but it just always sounded kind of bloodless to me. There are individual tunes I like, but overall, I have a hard time getting into this band (except for the new material, ie ‘Broadway’). Oh well, everybody has their own tastes.
BTW, I really like Arthur Barrow too – great sound and great notes. I like Thunes’ ideas, but also don’t like that flanged sound so much – it sounds hollow.
November 4th, 2009 at 5:17 pm » Quote
Where did the horn part for Bacon Fat come from? I had only heard the Zappa version’s so I checked out some samples (Taj Mahal & the Band) and they don’t play it. Did Zappa write it? It sure is a cool line, I just printed it out for my 10 year old alto player. Time for some blue notes!
I love the I am the Walrus but it makes my voice hurt. I wonder why they didn’t let Bobby sing that night? I like how he tries to cover on the high notes.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:59 pm » Quote
FZ-produced/mastered releases really do not capture the bass well – any bass. I also didn’t care for Thunes bass sound – until I heard Trance-Fusion.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:02 pm » Quote
Sorry, the message got fucked up. This is what I actually meant to say:
FZ-produced/mastered releases really do not capture the bass well – any bass. I also didn’t care for Thunes bass sound – until I heard Trance-Fusion.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm » Quote
That is a lot of capturing, none of them are up to your standards D.D.?
November 4th, 2009 at 7:36 pm » Quote
BTW, Wendl is a great name for a dog.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:51 pm » Quote
Anyone know what Flo and Eddie sounded like with Frank in 88? This 71 stuff is amazing!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:36 pm » Quote
A quote from Plooker:
Besides being one of my all time favorite field recordings, Plooker, my guess is that the horn section of “Bacon Fat” as well as “The Mother’s Blow – Behind The Sun” are largely blues improvisations. I believe this is the last time that Bunk Gardner, Motorhead Sherwood, Buzz Gardner and Ian Underwood would be recorded together live.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:08 am » Quote
These unofficial recordings (and all of them, in general) are extremely valuable. Not only that they might show unknown or rare versions of this and that tune, but sometimes these are REALLY powerful, really strong in sound, in spite of the not-exactly-hifi recording quality. The power of the Shut Up… solos: just amazing. Yes: the bass of Arthur Barrow. I simply adore the official version but these ones give some bonus value to it – who would dream of it after hearing and loving the CD?
(BTW, where are these solos from? Cut-outs from the shows or part of some not-really-official solo collection, or?…)
November 5th, 2009 at 12:09 am » Quote
(one more thing: is this series over? Hm, whole shows next time, maybe?…)
November 5th, 2009 at 10:02 am » Quote
no idea where to post this but i thought anyone who liked star wars and comics would dig this article about frank and jack kirby.
who knew FZ turned down the offer to write the soundtrack to Star Wars?
http://royalflushmagazine.com/2009/10/13/zappa_meets_kirby/
November 5th, 2009 at 5:04 pm » Quote
Very cool, Hipbone!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:20 am » Quote
A quote from KnirpsForMoisture:
Star Wars Won’t Work…Star Wars Won’t Work…!!!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 3:20 am » Quote
It’s a fuckin piece of shit.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:53 am » Quote
so who wants to synch up the opening credits to “Peaches en Regalia”? “Sinister Footwear” as Darth Vader’s theme?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm » Quote
A quote from hipbone:
This article contains probably the best and concised elevator-pitch-style version of “Who is Frank Zappa?”. Thanks a lot, Hipbone!
November 7th, 2009 at 10:57 pm » Quote
A quote from Bálint:
I completely agree, Balint. Although not always uniformly equal in sound quality, these tracks do offer the fan education and insight into the development of each of Frank’s bands, their individual talents at a given period, and the development of songs over time. As a compiler of these mixtapes, I am constantly surprised by what I hear.
BTW, “Shut Up & Play Yer Guitar [longer edit]” and “Shut Up & Play Yer Guitar Some More [longer edit]” are both from 20 Years of Frank Zappa: Warts & All I (1979) and Warts & All II (1979).
A quote from Bálint:
Is the Tweezer Glint series over?
Nope.
I am presently researching the third (and last) in the Tweezer Glint series (all good things come in three’s, don’t they?).
Until then, I’ve got another surprise in store.
November 10th, 2009 at 7:20 pm » Quote
A quote from hipbone:
Just imagine Star Wars a la FZ… Darth Vader’s Such An Asshole (with the facial features of Richard Nixon).
November 10th, 2009 at 9:58 pm » Quote
Luke wrestles with the Jedi sword: “I’m holding it, I’m holding it!” The possibilities are endless really
November 11th, 2009 at 8:38 am » Quote
Son of Tweezer Glint – Part 3B Finale was yet another excellent installment. Thank you, UrbanG! I felt very much part of this Tweezer, since I attended three of the shows you included! Good Times.
MAY THE FROMAGE BE WITH YOU! . . . NA-NU! NA-NU!