Monthly Archives: August 2009

Ed Palermo Big Band @ Southpaw (feat. Napoleon Murphy Brock)

If you are a fan of Ed Palermo‘s arrangements of Frank Zappa‘s compositions, and if you are in the New York area on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009, join Ed Palermo and his special guest, Napoleon Murphy Brock (on vocals and … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Frank Zappa, Music, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Zappa & Beefheart, Radio KWST, 1975

To promote the only album they ever made together – Bongo Fury – Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa put together a promotional documentary of their musical lives and times. It contained some obscure material, early collaborations, demos, proto and live … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, Interview, Music, Official Releases, Pop Cult, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Case Of The Zappa Family Trust

Paul Carr has written an excellent paper on the clash between the ZFT and tribute bands. Looking at both conflicting points of view in depth, he comes to this conclusion: How would Zappa himself have learnt his trade if his … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Frank Zappa, Music, Zappa Family Trust | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Napoleon: This Is What Frank Zappa Heard – Just In Case You Were Wondering

News from the Idiot Bastard, that might bring some tiny smile on your face: …in December, Napoleon Murphy Brock will release This Is What Frank Zappa Heard – Just In Case You Were Wondering. Recorded live at The Red Noodle … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Music | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Get Yer Persuasions!

Got an email yesterday from Julie Lawson, whose husband is Jerry Lawson, former lead singer, arranger & producer of The Persuasions. She writes: We wanted to let your readers know that the Persuasions tribute to Zappa is out of print … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Thing-Fish Live: Highlights

In 2003 Stagecraft Entertainment managed to stage an authorized (!) adaptation of Thing-Fish. Here’s, quote: “a very roughly edited selection of scenes of the unforthcoming DVD release”: Takes me back to the weekend of my 35th birthday, when Tommi presented … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Movies, Music, YouTubery | Tagged , | 19 Comments

Musicians Play FZ – Part II

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Frank Zappa, Mike Keneally, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Tom Fowler Interview, Los Angeles, 1996

Interviewed by Juha Rompannen, in Los Angeles on April 24th, 1996, Tom Fowler — who played bass guitar in Frank Zappa’s touring and recording band between 1973 and 1975 — talks about his background, time with Frank, other collaborations, and … Continue reading

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The Circle Of Fifths

There is a reason why Barber Shop / Doowop singers shy away from instrumental accompaniment: A little thought will show why no sequence of Perfect Fifths can ever exactly equal a sequence of Octaves, no matter how far you carry … Continue reading

Posted in Music, Pop Cult | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Philly Cheez

This just in by way of Andrew: In a very recent interview, Dweezil said a live FZ concert circa 1976 will be released soon featuring Terry Bozzio and “a female singer”. Word is, Vaulternative will issue a CD of the … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, In The News, Official Releases | Tagged , , | 51 Comments