Comments on: Bongo Fury

By: exile

exile — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:25:35 +0000

“Thinman says: This album marks the endpoint…
… The next album (Zoot Allures) was transitional because then the days of the MOI were finally over and Frank changed his image and attitude (for the worse IMO).”

I agree with you Thinman… things were not a solidly good – of course there were very fine moments scattered throughout. I think the next watershed was synclavier-land and Ensemble Modern. But the 80′s rock stuff (technically faultless) mostly leaves me cold.

Anyhoo, the matter at hand: Bongo Fury – a wonderful album. The Beefheart tracks and Cucamonga are the high points for me.

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:10:33 +0000

I’m not sure what to say about this album. I was searching out the original piece that Muffin Man was debuted upon and stumbled across Bongo Fury. What a name eh? I’m a youngster compared to most Zappa fans as I’m only 27 and was barely alive before Frank’s unfortunate death. Born in ’82 I was forced upon music’s worst era but my step dad had me listening to Overnight Sensation when I was about ten years old. He had tons of Zappa tapes and I’m pretty sure Overnight Sensation was Zappa’s best but somewhere along the way I stumbled upon Strictly Commercial and heard Muffin Man. This is the absolute greatest song of all time period.
I don’t know what sludge rock is but I will say that the sound of this album is a bit muddy and a bit chaotic but it definitely features some of the greatest tunes that will ever be heard by man’s ears

By: KenFromJersey

KenFromJersey — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:54:42 +0000

So this is a drive in restaurant in Hollywood….So this is a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood….So this is a drive-in restaurant in Hollywood

As an aging rocker with too many years of a “frame of reference” to count, I must say that this is one of the best albums I ever purchased (while attending Ohio U in 1976). Still listen to it to this day, and my 3 kids love it as well, though it does cause them to question the type of “entertainment” I endulged in while in college (we use the “Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell” policy). Incredible guitar solos – I read several mentions of that in this blog about Advance Romance and Muffin Man, but I also think the short one in Carolina Hard Core Ecstasy is outstanding too.

Roll streak! Roll streak! Sam was a basket case!

By: Thinman

Thinman — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:03:16 +0000

This album marks the endpoint of what had begun with Overnite Sensation and stylistically it clearly belongs to that era. It is somehow the little brother of Roxy & Elsewhere but not ‘little’ in terms of quality and intensity. I remember that those two releases had even been advertised together.

The next album (Zoot Allures) was transitional because then the days of the MOI were finally over and Frank changed his image and attitude (for the worse IMO).

Th.

By: epistrophy

epistrophy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:26:20 +0000

For some, this album represents a transitional phase for Frank; for others it is evidence of Frank’s love of the blues; for other folks it is “sludge-rock” or maybe the music is “thud-like”.

What this album really is, is another example among many of Frank’s unique ability to write compositions perfectly suited for the members of his band at that moment. There is no college-educated jazz funk combo here: what we get is a wonderful set of songs that showcase the particular talents of the Mothers in May 1975.

The most obvious example of this has to be the crucial element to this new sound: Captain Beefheart’s inimitable vocals, blues harp playing and wonderful way with wayward words. Once you’ve heard the opening song, Debra Kadabra, just try to imagine anybody else singing it! As far as I’m aware, Frank never played this song on any other tour – and I’m not surprised, as it is a custom built piece for the good Captain. (Boy, do I ever hope that ZPZ never try this one!) It sounds like it could’ve been written by Van Vliet himself, there’s just enough blues, just enough way out jazz and all topped off with …those surreal lyrics!

Other songs contained herein also benefit greatly from Van Vliet’s involvement: Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead would be far less deserving of our attention if it were not for his almost violent harp playing, and 200 Years Old would be somewhat boring for the same reason. And of course he gets to perform two of his own compositions too; these seem to fit in perfectly with the rest of the album due to the spot-on precedent set by Debra Kadabra.

This album has its fair share of classics too. Carolina Hard Core Ecstasy, Advance Romance and of course Muffin Man all make their debuts here. Frank’s guitar playing is wonderful throughout and is heavily influenced by his immediate company, namely Terry Bozzio’s drumming (which has no precedent on any Zappa album before this one), Captain Beefheart’s abilities, George Duke’s funk keyboards and Denny Walley’s slide guitar playing.

So, yes – this album does sound unlike any other in Zappa’s oeuvre, but the same concepts are at work. For me it’s just further evidence of the guy’s genius. He dons this sound for just one tour/album, and then moves on to whatever piques his interest next…

By: Greg Cameron

Greg Cameron — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:47:19 +0000

To be sure, this is not the place to begin with Frank Zappa, but it is good fun. “Debra Kadabra” seems like a surreal, mad dance; “200 Years Old” is great snarling blues that burns wood and draws blood; “Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead” is a great cynical observation about the American bicentennial; the good Captain Beefheart’s contributions “Sam with the Showing Scalp Flat-Top” and “Man with the Woman Head” are pure Beefheart pop surrealism; “Cucamonga” is an unalloyed delight(and,no doubt, a bit of autobiography); and “Muffin Man” features one of Zappa’s greatest guitar workouts. I have considerable mixed feelings about “Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy”, yet another one of Frank’s explorations of sadomasochism. It seems to me an essentially unpleasant song married to a truly great guitar solo and a deceptively pleasant tune. I suppose it works in its jaw-dropping way, but I suggest some proceed with caution on this one. “Advance Romance” is a bit of a mixed bag to me. I love the lyrics and Zappa’s guitar work is uneven here – but becomes glorious in the latter parts of the song. Walley’s slide work seems to my ear murkily mixed – this is no slam on his playing. Unfortunately, this song simply descends a bit too often into sonic mud, justifying (and only here, I think) the accusation of sludge rock. I enjoy this, but I think both Zappa and Beefheart did better elsewhere. And other Zappa releases have a much more ‘wide open’ sound. Still, I wouldn’t write this one off. Zappaphiles must attend for the curious pleasures it sometimes offers. My thoughts, anyhow…Greg Cameron, Surrey, B.c., Canada

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:22:20 +0000

Now I am talking to imaginary people. Meant to write Pamela. Whose Debra? LOL.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:21:10 +0000

Hi Debra,
I was at the Zappa concert. Just thinking about it makes me queasy. I do recall vaguely the baton twirler (WTF). Mr. Zappa performed the entire set sitting on a chair stool. I don’t think he ever got up.

Hot Rats figured in, as I recall singing along. Help me here. This is a lot like deep memory therapy. :)

http://www.myspace.com/kalliopescope

By: urbangraffito

urbangraffito — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:17:59 +0000

I swear by this record. Not a bad cut on it. Some of the most memorable guitar work Zappa had done is on this disc. Add the madness of Don Van Vliet to the mix and you’ve got an album pulsing on full thrusters. Not for everyone, certainly. But if you’re a bonafide Zappa/Mothers/Beefheart freak, this album will keep you revving all day long…

By: Jamez

Jamez — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 11:26:18 +0000

Pamela from Dallas says:

January 13th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I was at the crazy concert in El Paso, 1975 or was it 76? Several strange things happened the evening before and the day of the show. We had quite the entourage..anyone out there?

Did anyone film it or take pix?