Category: Friday Boots

Genoa ’82

Back in July 1982, Frank and the boys played a series of shows down in Italy that to my mind are as good a bunch of gigs as any you will find down the years. This week we feature the fourth of these shows, a dirty distorted evening in Genoa if ever I heard one. Yes, the sound isn’t perfect, but, as Pat Buzby once put it, “the somewhat distorted sound fits the music, as the Night of the Deadly Pizza is one aggressive show”. And so it is.

It starts with what is probably my personal favourite opening tune for any FZ band, the magnificent Mammy Anthem. The opening few bars still send shivers down my spine. From there on in, great FZ solos abound… yeah, I know, I always say that… but it just happens to always be true. Frank is at his most threatening and malevolent tonight, ripping his way through Easy Meat, RDNZL, Advance Romance, Drowning Witch, Tiny Lites, the Black Page (oh, that King Kong vamp) and the Enema Bandit. The band are, quite simply, top-notch throughout. 

This is one of those shows that may well necessitate a brief lie down afterwards. Following which, I suggest you go straight out and beg, steal or borrow the rest of the shows from Frank’s 1982 Italian adventure. Alternatively, you could simply holler, preferably from a nearby rooftop, a huge happy birthday to the President of the Chad Wackerman Liberation Front… the one, the only, the inimitable, (the very scary when she wants to be)… Dr. Sharleena!

Helsinki ’88

Time for another lush 1988 show (if only to please The Chad Wackerman Liberation Front.) This week and the next: Helsinki, Finland, 29 April 1988. From The Planet Of My Dreams:

A very good show, but I must say that I expected more when I looked at the setlist, which indeed is great. It shows that FZ didn’t think highly of the Finns’ English comprehension – much instrumental stuff, and not less than 11 guitar solos.

Edinburgh ’77

Requests? REQUESTS? I suppose you’ll be telling me that we do requests next as well, Barry? Yes, well, once is too much as far as I’m concerned mumble mumble floodgates grumble hrrrrmph… ok, I’m heading back down to the dungeons… yes, I know, bread and gruel for a week… pah humbug…

Seriously though folks…

Pretty standard show this. Which is not to be disparaging in any way. I can happily listen to Eddie Jobson’s Black Napkins violin solos from this tour all day long. All night too. I always think it’s a shame that those Zappafans out there who only know the official catalogue will never have heard the real Black Napkins, whether it features Napoleon’s sax, Eddie’s violin, or whatever.

Anyway, as the Bozzio/O’Hearn rhythm section happens to be my favourite from all of Frank’s touring bands, there’s plenty for the likes of me to enjoy here. And if you are still amused by the occasional Titties ‘n Beer after all these years (of course you are), then this particular version is a hoot (you know you’ve always wondered what Ruth Underwood really thinks about Frank’s penis). The show ends with Frank’s anti-British journo Chris Welch diatribe.

Copenhagen ’79

“This week I is being mostly arbitrary.” There is no historical reason why you should own this show: Falkoner Theatre, Copenhagen, March 5th 1979. No premiers, no special guests, and pretty much the usual 1979 set list. So why offer you this show at all?

One reason, and one reason only. That guy with the moustache who occasionally plays a bit of guitar. Tonight Frank is clearly in the mood. Long guitar solos litter this show, and each and every one is a worthy effort. From the opening Deathless Horsie, through to a great Treacherous Cretins at the end, Frank is on tonight.

And that’s all you really need to know…

Albuquerque ’81

It’s been a while since we featured a Zappa show from the ’81 tour — come to think of it, we haven’t had many of those around here altogether since the Friday Boots saw the light of day some four years ago! To make up for that, here’s Albuquerque, October 11 ’81: sound quality B+ and a whopping 22 tunes for your downloading pleasure, no less. Go eat some bandwidth. Enjoy! With thanks to Gilles, as always.

Kent Ohio ’73

Someone somewhere must have been extra nice to Barry this week; not only did I get bread with my gruel, but he also insisted that this week’s show should be May 1st 1973. And, as Barry always gets what he wants, May 1st it is.

Now, I don’t know many people who dislike the 1973 tour (actually, I don’t know anybody), and as this is one of the best shows from that year, it becomes essential listening in my book. This happens to be the final night of Kin Vassey’s short stint with the band. Interestingly, it’s also the one and only FZ show I know of that begins with the complete Yellow Snow Suite.

Highlights? Dupree’s Paradise, Big Swifty, and the Son of Mr Green Genes/King Kong/Chunga’s Revenge encore. Oh yes, and the rest of the show.

You’ll enjoy this one.