Having grown up on the Bible Belt of Western Canada where the only sources of musical entertainment for the longest time were the local Country & Western and adult easy listening radio stations, it’s hard to imagine such a place nurturing such a Zappa and Mothers freak as myself. That’s right, two stations on the AM dial. The rock music format did not even reach Northern Alberta until the mid-60s, and then, it was top 40 radio, and the usual repetitious one that so many are accustomed to with that particular format. FM radio wouldn’t even appear until the mid-70s. So, local record stores followed these top 40 stations as a guide on what to order, and likewise promoters on which touring acts to bring through town. (more…)
Matt Groening – who once stated “Zappa is my Elvis” – discusses the major influences in his life and work in this 3 part documentary (part 2 focuses on Zappa’s influence on his life and work).
Le Labostrophe is a fellowship between freelance audio/video freak technicians, whose goals are :
– To make available to present-day art makers an original & professional video and/or audio creation, in accordance with their own budget and complementary to their own creative universe;
– To combine on each project the most suitable human resources and work method;
– To contribute to display of artists offering an indispensable alternative to present culture;
– To cause an emulation among its members in order to create Labostrophe‘s own projects. (more…)
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.
Back before video rentals became big business with the opening of the first Blockbuster Video store in Dallas in 1985, people went out to theaters for much of their entertainment. (more…)
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.
Recorded at the Palladium in New York City on October 29th, 1977, Frank Zappa tells the story behind “Bobby Brown (Goes Down)“, one of his most famous songs which topped the charts in some European countries around 1979/80.
