Poolside

Posted on Tuesday, 08/14/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

File under ephemera: candid pictures of Frank & Gail enjoying a splash in the pool — one, two, three.

Via Gilles.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Zappa Imagery | 9 Comments

The Voice Of Cheese: Mölli & Laoudis

Posted on Tuesday, 08/14/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

It took a brief interlude, but the VOC is back. Mölli & Laoudis is one of Jari Karjalainen’s pet projects (myspace link). The track — or rather: one of the tracks — he sent in is called “¿Es Rojo?”. Jari says:

I have no idea what I want KUR readers to hear,because it’s all too diverse what’s been coming up on the Voice of Cheese. Mölli & Laoudis might do the trick (both words meaning “jerk, idiot, hillbilly, stupid motherfucker, douchebag” etc., the former in Finnish, the latter in Swedish). “¿Es Rojo?”, with its horrible sound scheme and all, should be played as-is, and everything about it is intentional – even the (arguably) bad quality mp3.

Intriguing eh? Oh, and the mp3 is tagged as Genre: Swing. Thanks for the chuckle, Jari. Have a listen:

[audio:026_Molli_Laoudis_Es_Rojo.mp3]

Like it? Download it.

Incidently: I have exactly two submissions left in store after this, so unless any of you guys ‘n girls send in new tracks, the end of the VOC is imminent.

It’s been a wonderful musical trip so far: 26 quirky tunes you’ll never hear on the radio. Want to keep it going? Send a note with a bit of info and your mp3 attached to killuglyradio [at] gmail [dot] com — don’t forget to put “KUR Reader Music Submission” as the subject line.

Any and all contributions will be posted here — they need not, I repeat need not, carry any Zappaesque influence. Why, I myself have lined up what could be construed as a pretty cheesy track for this series’ Grand Finale. Critics be damned. Anything goes.

Posted in Music, The Voice Of Cheese | 5 Comments

Strange News From Mars

Posted on Monday, 08/13/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

Put away your tinfoil helmets, the above title is an album written, arranged and produced by Jon Larsen. Recorded in Los Angeles in March, it features Zappa alumni Tommy Mars, Bruce Fowler, Jimmy Carl Black and Arthur Barrow.

Surrealism is a key word for Larsen, as it was for Zappa himself, and even if the compositions are all Larsen’s, there is no doubt that the spirit of Zappa infuses the album. This is evident in the air of the compositions, but most of all it is the presence of The Mothers of Invention which Larsen eventually gave key roles in the conceptual make up of the record.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music, Zappa Misc | 1 Comment

Nuggets

Posted on Monday, 08/13/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

Clearing out the inbox a bit…

Posted in Frank Zappa, Randamonium | 6 Comments

Thank You

Posted on Friday, 08/10/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

To all who have commented here, emailed us, or made a phonecall: it warms our heart to know you’re out there caring. It is often said that Music Is The Best — and it probably is. But right now, you guys are the best. Have a great weekend.

My apologies if this comes across as melodramatic, but I just wanted to post it. Bite me!

Posted in Personal | 6 Comments

New York City ’78

Posted on Friday, 08/10/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

Part of the 1978 NYC Halloween gigs, this week’s Friday Boot takes us back to October 29 — just two days before “The Big One“. Definitely worth checking out, if only for the opening solo that is Watermelon In Easter Hay and a splendid rendition of Yo Mama.
Updated August 12 to include Packard Goose.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Friday Boots | 6 Comments

Now There’s An Auction

Posted on Wednesday, 08/08/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

“An Incredible Two-Hour Zappa Audio Snack!”

The winning bidder will be allowed an exclusive visit to The Vault at Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (UMRK) in Los Angeles, famously, the home of all Frank Zappa Masters. An opportunity to be one of the few insiders in history, but more importantly, you will be the personal guest of Gail Zappa and Joe Travers (…) to tour The Vault and listen to selections of Zappa music that have not been previously released.

Opening Bid: $250.00.
Time Left: 12 days 3 hours 25 minutes.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Zappa Misc | 18 Comments

Kill Ugly Radio, The Beer

Posted on Wednesday, 08/08/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

Until I get a sample taste, I will not be able to give you an expert review — but here it is: Kill Ugly Radio Beer.

kur-beer.jpg

Via Crush All Boxes. Check Lagunitas Brewing Company for more info.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Zappa Misc | 15 Comments

Frank, Gail & Ravel’s Gardener, Sitting In A Tree

Posted on Wednesday, 08/08/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

At zappa.com’s forums, Wiki Jawaka contributor Maroual asked a question with regard to the omission of Ravel’s Bolero on TBBYNHIYL, and got an answer — from Gail, no less.

Maroual:

I don’t actually know from an official source why the Bolero had to be removed from TBBYNIYL, do you ? Maybe the ZFT did not want to pay royalties and prefered to remove the track.

Gail:

Interestingly you have used Ravel as an example. Ravel’s Bolero was removed from FZ’s Master in the countries where it was not public domain. We (yeah, I know you trustbusters hate this when I mean me and FRANK) had to ‘post’ a public apology in the newspaper for “perverting” the intent of the composer by FZ’s arrangement and make sure that that the number of copies sold over the course of the following 2 years was limited – when it then went into public domain in the rest of the world. Since Ravel had no progeny his heirs as I recall were related to his gardener and or housekeeper. You live and you learn. — gz

For those who hadn’t heard it yet, here’s FZ’s magnificent version of Ravel’s Bolero. If memory serves, this bit is taken from the Barcelona ’88 gig, as broadcast on Spanish TV.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music, Zappa Misc | 13 Comments

Dub Room Special: The CD Version

Posted on Wednesday, 08/08/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

Apparently, a CD version of The Dub Room Special DVD is being sold at ZPZ concerts. Tracklist:

  1. A Token of My Extreme (Vamp): 2:29
  2. Stevie’s Spanking: 5:54
  3. The Dog Breath Variations: 1.42
  4. Uncle Meat: 2:16
  5. Stink-Foot: 3:58
  6. Easy Meat: 6:51
  7. Montana: 4:24
  8. Inca Roads: 9:46
  9. Room Service: 9:15
  10. Cosmik Debris: 7:44
  11. Florentine Pogen: 10:13

Zappa-List member Chris Foreman writes:

Not included from the video: Approximate (from the ’74 band) and Flakes, Cocaine Decisions & Nig Biz (from the ’81 band). A Token of My Extreme wasn’t on the video, but is on the CD. And, of course, the track order is completely different.

Continue reading →

Posted in Frank Zappa, Zappa Audio/Video, Zappa Plays Zappa | 15 Comments

Rahsaan Roland Kirk

Posted on Wednesday, 08/08/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

There’s a topic over at MetaFilter about legendary saxplayer Rahsaan Roland Kirk. According to TRFZB, he appears to have joined the Mothers at the 1968 Boston Globe Jazz Festival, and was on the same bill as the MOI for a ’69 jazz tour of the East Coast. Questions:

  • Does anyone know of any footage of these gigs?
  • Does anyone know of any written accounts of them?

Madamjujujive says thanks.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Music, Zappa Misc | 8 Comments

In Memoriam: David Walley

Posted on Monday, 08/06/07 by Magic Fingers

A reminder to one and all that it was one year ago today that we at KUR said a final goodbye to one of our regular contributors, a man who gave us some rare insights into the early years of the Mothers. I am, of course, referring to the late lamented David Walley.

He was a good friend to all of those fortunate enough to get to know him. I always remember, a few years back when he was invited to become a member of those reprobates over at The Big Note, he kept saying how honoured he was to be invited, and that he wondered whether he would be able to contribute anything useful to the discussions! I had to reassure him that the honour was entirely ours and that I was quite sure that his posts would find an interested audience, but it took a while to convince him.

He was a thinker; he had his opinions, and enjoyed expressing them , but in my experience he was always willing to listen to others’ viewpoints, always willing to offer encouragement and support. He was that kind of guy, and he is sorely missed.

Posted in Personal, Zappa Misc | 2 Comments

Back. Sort Of.

Posted on Sunday, 08/05/07 by Barry's Imaginary Publisher

So why the hiatus, you ask. Well it wasn’t a trip to Hawaï, nor was it a relaxing ten days of soaking up the sun in my back yard. It was in fact something entirely different. It’s been a rough ride — but we’ll be back in the loop soon. It’ll take some time, as I’m sure you’ll understand.

In the mean time: how ’bout that Gail, huh? Oh and hey, Bálint, my dear friend: thanks for keeping this place alive while we were off.

Posted in Personal | 27 Comments

October, Budapest: 100% Zappa

Posted on Sunday, 08/05/07 by Balint

The Autumn Festival is evoking one of the most versatile figures in music history, the legendary daredevil of 20th century music, with leading Hungarian and foreign performers.

And the next day: the works of Varese.

Posted in Frank Zappa, Zappa News | Comments Off on October, Budapest: 100% Zappa

Saturday Boot: 1977, Copenhagen

Posted on Saturday, 08/04/07 by Balint

The “page that was previously called frankzappa.at” is now presenting a show from 1977: Copenhagen, Falkoner Theatret. Die neue name ist, by the way: aaafnraa.de.
(Surprise: they’re playing ‘Montana’! Yes, this is the last time until that strange week in December of ‘84, that Frank solos in this song. Oddly enough, Frank decides not to play the “I ride a little tiny horse” section that follows the solo, and thus manages to sabotage this version nonetheless.)

Posted in Frank Zappa, Zappa Audio/Video | Comments Off on Saturday Boot: 1977, Copenhagen