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.
Hi,
How do you play these ‘tapes/mixes’? I click on them and nothing happens – no matter what web browser I use, and I’ve got five of ’em!
By the way, somehow, Immaculate Voodoo Butter Mix – Part one completely passed me by. Any chance you can re-upload it, or make it available in some other form?
Thanks,
DANNY
[quote comment=”10259″]How do you play these ‘tapes/mixes’? I click on them and nothing happens – no matter what web browser I use, and I’ve got five of ’em!
[/quote]
Odd. It should work provided you have Flash and Javascript enabled (and a pair of speakers would be nice too!).
[quote comment=”10259″]
By the way, somehow, Immaculate Voodoo Butter Mix – Part one completely passed me by. Any chance you can re-upload it, or make it available in some other form?[/quote]
Nope – sorry…
Yes, I have Flash and Javascript enabled – but nothing!
[quote comment=”10273″]Yes, I have Flash and Javascript enabled – but nothing![/quote]
What’s your OS? Windows, Mac, Linux, …? What browser are you using?
Amazing stuff again, urbangraffito. I never would have suspected that Packard Goose started its life as lyrics for Black Napkins… Mindblowing! And the jamming from 1975 is clearly in a different league than the other gentlemen’s plodding fusion. So far into the mix, the sound quality is below par, but listenable when the music’s so good.
[quote comment=”10274″][quote comment=”10273″]Yes, I have Flash and Javascript enabled – but nothing![/quote]
What’s your OS? Windows, Mac, Linux, …? What browser are you using?[/quote]
I’m not the OP, but i’m also unable to play mixtapes since …well… ever. I’m on Linux (when i’m at home, which i am not currently) and using either Firefox or Konqueror. I’m not too surprised that it doesn’t work with Konq, but Firefox?
[quote comment=”10283″]Amazing stuff again, urbangraffito. I never would have suspected that Packard Goose started its life as lyrics for Black Napkins… Mindblowing! And the jamming from 1975 is clearly in a different league than the other gentlemen’s plodding fusion. So far into the mix, the sound quality is below par, but listenable when the music’s so good.[/quote]
Thanks, Dark Clothes. These audience recordings are, indeed, a different animal from the soundboard recordings in Part One. In a lot of cases these concerts were recorded on small portable recorders (and the first Sony Walkmans) that got past the eye of John Smothers. While putting this mix together I kept thinking to myself, if only a small percentage of these recordings existed in the vault, the ZFT would have an exceptional anthology on it’s hands. Some of these versions are really outstanding – even as audience recordings.
[quote comment=”10286″]… While putting this mix together I kept thinking to myself, if only a small percentage of these recordings existed in the vault, the ZFT would have an exceptional anthology on it’s hands.…[/quote]
Either that Frank recorded (in a releasable format) everything from a certain point in time is a myth or the ZFT keeps releasing the wrong material. Or both.
BTW, this tape has a few selections from the Hannover ’79 show where I was present. I have a special fondness for the 79 tour.
And once again I notice that the fall ’75 tour is much, much better than the ’76 rest from the same lineup.
Th.
Seems to be myth to me…
I would like to see one day a complete list of the contents of the vault, and a good, systematic plan for the releases from that source.
We know that the ZFT don’t have good quality recordings of every fart cut by every band, so that’s not even a myth to believe in.
Unfortunately, they have the Eighties much better covered than the Sixties and the Seventies, so there’s probably less releasable material from some of Uncle Frank’s more adventurous outfits than the later “bionic” rock bands…
[quote comment=”10324″]…complete list of the contents of the vault…[/quote]
flies, all green and buzzin’
[quote comment=”10331″]flies, all green and buzzin'[/quote]
State your case more clearly, Bob – it’s enough with the cryptic and irrational posting over at zappa.com…
I’m sure the vault has a good many treasures, I just want a more systematic and transparent management of the goods.
Gail could get involved with a cool professor, or the kids could put their sense into the business. You never know what the future has in store…
[quote comment=”10341″]what the future has in store…[/quote]
…blank, empty space. Hey, let’s land on an asteroid!
King Kong from Hannover, March 1979 is a favourite here – with a rooted and propulsive conclusion. You gotta love that rock’n’roll spirit.
Watermelon in Easter Hay is good here. I have never heard a live performance of this tune that was working before.
Th.
[quote comment=”10402″]King Kong from Hannover, March 1979 is a favourite here – with a rooted and propulsive conclusion. You gotta love that rock’n’roll spirit.[/quote]
[quote comment=”10408″]Watermelon in Easter Hay is good here. I have never heard a live performance of this tune that was working before.
Th.[/quote]
There are those that would disregard these audience recordings because of their poor audio quality, yet in doing so overlook many unique and rare performances like the very one’s mentioned.
There will always be compromises – Black Napkins from Springfield 1976 may be musically even more exciting than the Philadelphia 1976 take, but the latter is released, because it’s the one that is decently recorded. I like most of the ZFT releases, and even more than many of FZ’s own projects. I still don’t own YCDTOSA 3 and 6, and the ZFT will probably release more full shows for me to buy before I get around to acquiring those two. Lumpy Money is fantastic, and I look forward to hearing Greasy Love Songs. The main problem I have with the Family, is their policy on alumni, and the lack of transparency and system in their release schedule. And hopefully the full shows series will expand its scope soon – a release from another year than 1976 would be welcome… 1967, 196
…1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981 or 82 – and even 1988 – will hopefully be covered by good quality Vaulternative full show releases before the last fan’s demise…. (Add your own wishes.)
[quote comment=”10324″]I would like to see one day a complete list of the contents of the vault, and a good, systematic plan for the releases from that source.[/quote]
Waaay back in the pre-MoFo days, I sent a letter to Sloatman requesting just that. I received a polite reply that she wont do that because it would tip off the bootleggers who would then take the steam out of the project.
So that’s the mentality we’re doing with: paranoid gymnastics breeds randomonium…