The Grand Wazoo

[centralscrutinizer]

Hi Everyone!
I wanted to report that I made my purchase of "The Grand Wazoo" and Frankie certainly did not steer me wrong. What a wonderful album!
The Grand Wazoo (opening song) starts out with a feel I find
reminiscent of the Jazz Crusaders (anyone remember those guys?), or later Steely Dan. Once the main theme is introduced, the song remains firmly entrenched in a late 60's/early 70's type of fusion - especially in the chorus, which reminds me of the very first Blood, Sweat, & Tears album (before they sold out), or even more like the band Chase (anyone remember THOSE guys?). I actually listened to quite a bit of that style of music some 30 odd years ago; listening to the Grand Wazoo was a little trip down memory lane for me.
For Calvin took me by suprise... Mr. Zappa's use of chromatics
throughout this song lent a dissonance to the harmonics that I found unsettling. The instrumantation was unique and I found the percussion neat, but after several listens I can honestly say that this song will have to grow on me; right now, it's my least favorite track.
Cleetus Awreetus Awrightus sucked me back in quickly. The themes that run through it are quite humorus - as is the 'story' that accompanies the album. I think Mr. Zappa was being very 'cartoonish' in his approach to this piece (the honky-tonk piano made me laugh out loud!). The vocalizations provide a nifty feel of arrogance, that really makes it happen for me.
Eat that Question is undoubtedly my favorite track. The fanfare is breathtaking - especially during the reprise. I found this track to be reminiscent of Weather Report in their heyday...
The final cut on the album, Blessed Relief, had this odd hint of
familiarity that I couldn't (and still can't) shake. I'm reminded
of "The Odd Couple" television program with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. There was another TV show that came to mind - Taxi, with Judd Hersch. In all, the tune sounds like a television theme composed by Bob James in the late 70's - run amok, of course.
Next up, "Waka Jawaka" - unless Frankie suggests otherwise.
cs

[frenchmen]

Have to agree on that one.
I just listened to Waka/Jawaka and Grand Wazoo today.
Grang Wazoo is a Grand album.
About the opening song, sorry I don't know any one you named...but I love this song.
For Calvin...I feel it's kind of an exemple of the Mediocrates Of Pedestrium.
As for the rest...really a great job for me.
And if you like the Grand Wazoo, go for Waka...this 2 albums GO TOGETHER (for me at least)!!!!!
Waka is a exellent album, almost better as Grand Wazoo.
GO ALL THE WAY!!!

[SOFA]

Very nice, cs. I look forward to your thoughts on Waka Jawaka.
SOFA