The Petitioner Returns

[Debrakadabra]

I am so sorry, Frankie.  I hope you will forgive me, but you are one sexy man dead or alive!

But that's done and over.  I will do what I can to make things right in the otherworld.  Maybe I can talk to your superiors.  If they know that I take full responsibility they may show some leniency, get you off the PA, for Gods sake!  And I will be sure to send some extra energy your way, so you can recover faster.

Anyway, I do have a legitimate question on my mind.  I have just learned that you did not wish anyone to play the song Zoot Allures after you left this plane.  Was there some special reason for this?  It is a wonderful piece and I enjoy it very much.  But why can't others enjoy playing it?

Please take your time answering this, I know you are exhausted!  I'm not feeling all that well, myself!  Ooogh...

DebK

[Frankie]

I am so sorry, Frankie.  I hope you will forgive me...
Hey Dk!
What's done is done; we're cool.
Anyway, I do have a legitimate question on my mind.  I have just learned that you did not wish anyone to play the song Zoot Allures after you left this plane.  Was there some special reason for this?  It is a wonderful piece and I enjoy it very much.  But why can't others enjoy playing it?
Maybe it is time to clear that up; there's sure been plenty of specualtion over the years.
I've never forbade anyone from playing any of my music - ever! With that said, let's consider the "forbidden three" (yeah, the legend includes not only Zoot Allures, but Watermelon in Easter Hay and Black Napkins).
I trust you're aware of my propensity to fuck with my music - I never really considered any piece "finished", or written/performed perfectly. Those 3 pieces in their original release (ZA & JG) came about as close to pleasing me completely as any work I'd ever done over the years...
So what I meant (in private converstaion, by the way, never publicly) was that I wasn't interested in having those tunes recorded and released in any form other than they are. That's not a prohibition on performing those tunes, that's a respect for the recordings that exist.
Here's a better example for ya: the Texas Motel Medley from the 88 tour has not seen official release. The legal hassle involved wouldn't have been worth the value of seeing them issued. I didn't write the music - only the lyrics. The entity holding the rights to that music would need to grant permission (and be paid royalty) for the release.
See where I'm going here?
I said long ago, that I couldn't see those 3 tunes being done any better than they had been and so I was not interested in licensing their reproduction by anyone else. As far as being played by anyone else, hey, what the fuck? If some performer thinks he/she can do justice to those songs in a live setting, they can be my guest. Actually preventing their performance by anyone would be folly - and a monumental waste of time.
But, were anyone to approach the ZFT for permission to record those numbers for commercial release - well, I wish them luck. If you ever see them on a new album you can bet that it's a motherfucker performance, because I truly believe they're the best they can be in their present state.
The guys who worked with me in the past play those tunes today. I know this, Gail knows it, the ZFT knows it. They've not asked to release them and I'd be quite surprised if any of them did ask. Those guys know how I felt about 'em.
I hope this answers your question - and helps clear up a prominent FZUL (Frank Zappa Urban Legend).
Thanks for writing,
Frankie

[Debrakadabra]

Hiya Frankie!

Actually someone has released a version of Zoot Allures, which is what made me ask the question.  It is not one of the guys from your former bands, however, so they are indeed honoring your thoughts about those pieces.  To quote from Idiot Bastard Son of T'mershi Duween:

"Ensemble Ambrosius, a Finnish group that concentrates on contemporary music using mostly Baroque instruments, released its ZFT approved The Zappa Album in 2001......Tracks include The Idiot Bastard Son and T'Mershi Duween......The Planet Zappa guys interviewed the ensemble’s leader, Olli Virtaperko, who (among other things) says: “At the time we recorded The Zappa Album we weren't aware of Frank's wish that Zoot Allures should not be performed after his death. As I spoke with Gail she didn't mention anything about the matter, so we figured out that we might as well release the CD with Zoot Allures in it. Luckily we did, since I think it is one of the best pieces in the record. One of the first things Gail asked us was if we would like to do another record of Zappa in the near future."

Still, it must be a very different version, since this ensemble plays all baroque instruments.  Put that on my list of CD's I want to buy.......

DebK

[Frankie]

Actually someone has released a version of Zoot Allures, which is what made me ask the question. Ensemble Ambrosius, a Finnish group that concentrates on contemporary music using mostly Baroque instruments, released its ZFT approved The Zappa Album in 2001.
I'm sure that they did a nice job of it. And I'm sure the rights to release that were arrived with a bit of my sentiments attached.
My thinking at the time was more along the lines of some name act, or corporate swill-benders, making money off of those releases, and really fucking 'em up in the process.
Really, no more, no less.
Frankie