Posts Tagged ‘mixtape’
Part Two will certainly be a treat for both new and old freaks alike. New freaks will get to hear some Zappa standards in entirely unique and often extended versions while old freaks are reminded just how much of a showcase these songs were – not only for Zappa’s virtuoso guitar ability, but for every musician that played in his various ensembles (in this case, 1975 to 1982). Albeit, some of these audience recordings are more raw and raunchy than others (sound drop-outs, cut-ins, cut-outs, tape flips — all of which I have left intact), I have chosen only those that showcase exceptional ability, technical and creative prowess, as well as historical and educational value.
That said, place your headphones to oblivion back on – raise the volume a notch or two – sit back, let Frank transport you into another place, another time…
Click here to listen to the mixtape.
Note: Part Three will be posted on or around May 15th, 2010.
You name it, this KUR mix has it all: keyboard solos, synth solos, drum solos, sax solos, bass solos, trumpet and trombone solos, and, of course, lots of guitar solos – those hypnotically esoteric air sculptures of Frank Zappa‘s which so often levitated his listener into altered states of audio consciousness (albeit all too briefly so) that only a handful of his contemporaries could accomplish to any degree.
Don’t dare skip a single track in Part One of what I call the ‘Immaculate Voodoo Butter Mix‘, 121 various soundboard recordings between the years of 1975 and 1984. Part One will remain posted until April 15, 2010.
Now, let’s put on our headphones-to-oblivion boys and girls and prepare to sniff…
Click here to listen to the mix.
Between February 1973 and December 1974 Frank Zappa and the Mothers – featuring George Duke, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ruth Underwood, Ian Underwood, Bruce Fowler, Tom Fowler, Walt Fowler, Jean-Luc Ponty, Don Preston, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson, Jeff Simmons, and Sal Marquez – were almost continuously on the road. During this time, they set the musical foundations for such classic Zappa albums as Overnite Sensation, Apostrophe, Roxy & Elsewhere, One Size Fits All, as well as many of the classic Zappa standards we’ve come to know.
In “Tweezer Glint: Finale — The Roxy Years 73/74 (Part I)“, we hear Zappa songs evolve as his band toured them, some growing from their early proto instrumentals into fully realized versions, while others became more refined with each successive performance; still others act as a showcase for the talents each and every band member. What should be obvious to anyone who listens to these tracks is that Frank and band are having a lot of fun. So are the many and varied audiences. So should you. I know I had a ball putting this one together. A fine way to end the series, methinks.
Click here to listen to the mixtape.
Note: Parts two and three will be posted in two and four weeks, respectively. I wish to thank Charles Ulrich’s analysis of the 1973-1974 bands at Planet of My Dreams for his useful research. This mixtape would be much, much less than it is if not for his efforts.
Happy Festivus, Xmas, Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, whatever, everybody!!!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been just as big a Captain Beefheart fan as a Mothers of Invention fan. True, his is not exactly the music for your everyday, run-of-the-mill music listener who relies on a steady diet of Top 40. Still, the very same can be said about much of the Mothers music. That’s exactly what drew me to Beefheart’s music – the very same eclectic playfulness and creative adventure seldom found elsewhere. That Beefheart (as well as the many musicians who made up the various incarnations of The Magic Band) was so overlooked for so long is, indeed, criminal. As the tracks in this mixtape certain attest, Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band were far, far ahead of their time.
Genius? Egoist? Madman?
Listen and decide for yourself.
Click here to listen to the mixtape, “Captain Beefheart – Hoodoo Hoedown“
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.
Just when you thought KUR mixtapes couldn’t get any better. Monster solos. Interviews. Alternate versions. Cover versions. Proto versions. Live versions. Unreleased material. I bring you “Son of Tweezer Glint – Part Two“.
Savour this one slowly, it’ll be up for a month.
Click here to listen to the mixtape.
Welcome fellow KUR-meisters to the second installment of the “Son of Tweezer Glint – Part 1B.” In this installment, we hear unique versions of Mothers of Invention songs, the singles, as well as early edits of songs which would see major changes in later remixes. For some, a pleasant trip back to original vinyl collections, while for others, especially new fans of FZ and the M.O.I., a real audio treat. Also in this installment, demo (acetate) versions from Uncle Meat and We’re Only In It For The Money. Finally, a smattering of extended versions, longer edits, and proto versions to give a taste of what is forthcoming in the final four parts of the series.
Click here to listen to the mixtape.
(Note: each part in the series will be up for a two week period. Next installment: September 17th.)
Much thanks to gundamcustom for supplying the much improved audio version of “Dead Girls of London (Van Morrison, vocals)”.
Alas, I’ve saved the best for last. “Musicians Play FZ – Part II“, a compilation of FZ songs performed by various musicians, from Sting to The Persuasions and many in between (plucked from my own collection). Enjoy this mix for the next two weeks, at which time the “Son of Tweezer Glint” series will resume.
Click here to listen to the mixtape.
Note: if we are infringing on anyone’s copyright, contact KUR and we’ll remove the offending material.
Beginning today and continuing every two weeks until the first week of November, I bring you the following six part KUR Mix: The Son of Tweezer Glint.
The Son of Tweezer Glint is made up of proto versions of FZ and MOI songs, notable versions, alternate versions, extended versions, original versions, unique live versions, cover versions, acetates, demos, and 45′s.
The first installment of the series, “Son of Tweezer Glint – Part 1-A“, will be up for the next two weeks for your listening pleasure.
Click here to listen to the mixtape.
Here it is my fellow KUR-Meisters — “Friday Mix: Tweezer Glint (Studio-ized Concert Versions) Part IV” — the last in the series. I have endeavoured to leave some of the best tracks for last. Fifty of them in their full unedited glory.
Go ahead. Dig in. Enjoy.
Click here to listen to the mixtape.
Warning/Guarantee: the first five tracks just might lift you into spheres of utter Zappa ecstasy.
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