Search - Arthur Barrow :: Eyebrow Razor

One Man Band

Robert Carlberg | Seattle | 12/12/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Arthur Barrow is the dude Frank Zappa turned to when he decided to re-record all of the bass and drum parts to some of his earlier albums. Whether or not you agree with that decision, you have to respect Zappa's judgment that Barrow knows his way around the studio.



Is he better than the original Mothers? More accurate maybe, which is what Frank wanted.



Arthur's solo albums (there are 3) are amazing tours de force where he plays almost everything -- guitar, bass, drums, tuned percussion, keyboards, synthesizers, etc. The Fowler brothers add woodwinds, and a few other late-Mothers refugees (like Ike Willis) also play small roles.



These solo albums are full of humor, eccentric rhythms and sounds, and a fabulous virtuosity. Barrow is perhaps the closest human equivalent of Zappa's Barking Pumpkin Digital Consort, which was Frank programming all sorts of unplayable things into his Synclavier.



Barrow is actually able to play those sounds inside of Frank's head. That's quite an accomplishment.





"