Author Archives: urbangraffito

About urbangraffito

I am a writer, editor, publisher, philosopher, and foole (not necessarily in that order). Cultural activist and self-described anarchist.

The Sonic Beauty of Igor Stravinsky

Posted on May 28, 2010 by urbangraffito

After a long week beset from all sides with city sounds and industrial rhythms, there is nothing more soothing to my ears and mind than the sonic beauty of Igor Stravinsky‘s compositions. Listening to the following three clips, one can … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany, Music, Personal, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Best FZ Covers: Battle of the YouTube Muffins, Or, Some People Like Cupcakes Better…

Posted on May 26, 2010 by urbangraffito

I’m really not certain which of these groups belongs in a compilation of best FZ covers – each has something different and unique in their version of Frank Zappa‘s Muffin Man that the other two groups do not. Give them … Continue reading →

Posted in Bizarre, Frank Zappa, Heh Heh, Miscellany, Music, YouTubery, Zappa Plays Zappa | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Best FZ Covers – Panzerballett

Posted on May 23, 2010 by urbangraffito

Panzerballett is one of the most interesting and totally eclectic bands that I have had the joy of coming across in recent memory. Music critics call their sound “an innovative mixture of jazz, funk and metal, crossing complex polyrhythms with … Continue reading →

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

Best FZ Covers – Delicious Band Research Kitchen

Posted on May 21, 2010 by urbangraffito

If I were to compile an awesome compilation of Frank Zappa covers, I would begin with this band, Delicious Band Research Kitchen, and these three Zappa covers – “Uncle Remus” (above), “Wonderful Wino” and “Find Her Finer” (both below) – … Continue reading →

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

OJAI Music Festival 2010

Posted on May 19, 2010 by urbangraffito

OJAI Music Festival artistic director Tom Morris and Doug McLennan of ArtsJournal.com discuss the programming for the 2010 Festival including works by Frank Zappa, Messiaen, Boulez, Stravinsky, and Indian Ragas presented over four days from Thursday, June 10th to Sunday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Frank Zappa, In The News, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Immaculate Voodoo Butter Mix – Part III

Posted on May 17, 2010 by urbangraffito

In the prior two installments of the Immaculate Voodoo Butter Mix, tracks focused on the improvisational abilities of Frank Zappa and those of the individual members of his various bands (through solos). In part three, though, I’ve focused primarily on … Continue reading →

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Zappa at Montreux Prog Nights, 2009

Posted on May 12, 2010 by urbangraffito

Since 2006, the goal of Montreux Prog Nights has been to to promote progressive music in Switzerland, especially in Montreux, by organizing three or four events each year in various venues. In 2009, the band FiDOplaysZAPPA performed a Zappa Night … Continue reading →

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BluBlu a la Zappa

Posted on May 10, 2010 by urbangraffito

While surfing YouTube recently I came across this wonder piece of stop motion animation, entitled MUTO, from the walls of Buenos Aires by graffiti and animation artist BluBlu which someone has added Frank Zappa‘s “The Torture Never Stops” from Hordern … Continue reading →

Posted in Bizarre, Frank Zappa, Miscellany, Music, YouTubery | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Selected Idiot Bastard Sons

Posted on May 8, 2010 by urbangraffito

As a big fan of all Zappa and Zappa-related recordings, I’ve accumulated an immense number of live concerts, shows, and radio broadcasts via Zappateers and purchased elsewhere (far, far too many to name in this post). Among them, certain shows … Continue reading →

Posted in Alumni, Mike Keneally, Miscellany, Music | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Selected Idiot Bastard Sons

Frank Zappa – WBCN Interview, 1978

Posted on May 1, 2010 by urbangraffito

Frank Zappa stops by for an after gig radio interview at WBCN-FM, Boston, MA, on October 26th, 1978. Zappa apologizes for his lateness by producing a tape from the mixing board of the start of the prior night’s show of … Continue reading →

Posted in Frank Zappa, Interview, Miscellany, Music, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments