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.

Sleep Dirt Variations

We are all quite familiar with the acoustical duet version of “Sleep Dirt” between Frank Zappa (acoustic lead guitar) and James “Bird Legs” Youmans (acoustic rhythm guitar) on the album of the same name, recorded at the Caribou Studios in … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Mike Keneally, Music, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Boston Music Hall, 1976 (Early Show)

If you are still teetering on the fence wondering whether or not to pre-order Philly ’76 (Spectrum Theater, Philadelphia, PA, 29 October 1976) featuring Frank Zappa, Terry Bozzio, Ray White, Patrick O’Hearn, Eddie Jobson and Bianca Thornton, here are five … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Miscellany, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Wild Love — New York & Elsewhere, 77/78

Over 18 minutes worth of solos in the above audience recording of the October 29th, 1977, New York City performance of “Wild Love” followed by a February 15th, 1978, audio of the same from Berlin, Germany. To me, these clips … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music, Pop Cult | 3 Comments

Captain Beefheart – Hoodoo Hoedown

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Captain Beefheart, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Radio Is Broken – Rehearsals, UMRK, 1980

A unique glimpse into Zappa‘s creative process as Frank Zappa and members of his Rockin’ Teenage Combo rehearse “The Radio Is Broken” from ‘The Man From Utopia’ on September 27th, 1980 at the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Heh Heh, Music, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Billy the Mountain, Martyrs’ 2009

Just prior to an unauthorized performance of “Joe’s Garage” at Martyrs’ in Chicago on July 27th, 2009, The Chicago Zappa Collective performed an exceptional version of “Billy the Mountain” as an opening set: Billy the Mountain – The Chicago Zappa … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Miscellany, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Dick Barber Interview, 1990

Dick Barber was the Mothers‘ road manager in the late 60’s and early 70’s. He also played with great emotion the role of the industrial strength Gypsy Mutant Vacuum Cleaner that Motorhead falls in love with in “200 Motels“. He … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Bizarre, Frank Zappa, Heh Heh, Interview, Miscellany | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Son of Tweezer Glint – Part 3B Finale

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, … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Zappa In Barcelona, 1988

While I have yet to find a mint copy of Frank Zappa’s Best Band’s May 17th, 1988 concert in Barcelona, Spain, that truly does justice to their overall performance, there are still clips on YouTube which are worth watching – … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Westwood One: The Real Frank Zappa

Recorded in Frank Zappa‘s Living Room (the Den) on June 8th, 1989 and interviewed by Mike Reynolds for the Westwood One Radio Network on the occasion of the release of The Real Frank Zappa Book – I’ve edited the interview … Continue reading

Posted in Frank Zappa, Interview | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments