Released May 11 2011 as a digital download.
Contains a previously unreleased live version of Penguin in Bondage, followed by an extended rap about Paul Buff and “The Muthers”, and ending with a blues jam.
Release Notes:
Written and Performed by Frank Zappa with the Mothers of Invention. Recorded at Auditorium Theater, Chicago, Illinois at the stroke of midnight on the Day of The Mothers, 10 May 1974
Duration: 26:02
The Band:
FZ: Guitar, Vocals
George Duke: Keys, Vocals
Jeff Simmons: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock: BG Vocals, Sax
Don Preston: Synthesizer
Bruce Fowler: Trombone
Walt Fowler: Trumpet
Tom Fowler: Bass
Ralph Humphrey: Drums
Chester Thompson: Drums
The vault a myth? Probably. But maybe Sloatman n’Co are just cheap.
What we have is a 9 min performance of Penguin in Bondage with exerpts from the opening hook of Willie the Pimp. It’s a lovely rendition and the band’s in great form.
Then you have a fascinating rehashing of the early Mothers days. Nothing new here to learn, just the same old over-simplistic, borderline revisionist Zappa-party line. From Paul Buff to dismissal of Absolutely Free. Pretty much as on The Real Zappa Book.
Then Frank gets bored of listening to himself (or the audience is getting visibly antsy) and he goes out on a 3 minute solo that ends before the fade out.
The sound’s clear but there appears to be some distortion on the tape. The organ and Zappa’s guitar kind of ‘crunch’ at times, but this could also be the amplifiers. I remember reading in the YCDTOSA vol 2 notes that Frank complained about the PA equipment on that tour, so it could be a testament to that. But to me it’s tape/amplifier distortion = accidental and not a casualty of Vaulternative, Zappa Records or whatever label this thing’s on. I think it’s the one with the vulture as the logo.
It sounds like a broken record but if Gail has really foreseen 200 releases, if there are really 200 releases worth of material in the vault, then why not give this concert snippet away to the fans?
For $7, I dont feel completely raped, but all things considered, as an official release, this leaves me feeling like it was a waste of time and that now we’ll have to wait another 4-9ish months before something else’s coughed up the drain.
In a sane world, this could have been used to get us in a fervor about an upcoming (ACTUAL) release. Instead it’s a squandered opportunity and makes you wonder if the Vault really is a myth and all there is now is blank, empty… tape… ala Gary Kellgren’s threat on We’re Only in it for the Money.
But enough negative bullshit. It’s summer, which for me, has always been the perfect time to dust off all that fusion-era 70’s Zappa. This’ll definitely fit in nicely with Roxy, Dub and YCDTOSA 2.
ps. Killuglyradio dead? Didnt even know it was sick. Countless hours of good times and heated speak. Gone. All good things, I guess… thank you Barry and co for providing a cherished place for those kicked and driven off Zappa.com forum.