Search - Frank Zappa :: Anyway the Wind Blows

Amazing Concert

Antonio Teixeira | Portugal | 01/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although a bootleg (later recognized by FZ) is one of the best samples of the late 70's Zappa Shows. Recorded in Paris early 1979 (just a week before Odeon Hammersmith Concert, with some releases on Tinsell Town Rebellion 'n' YCTOSA Vols.1 & 6). The sound quality is acceptable (8/10) 'n' the tunes are AWESOME. From "Watermelon" overture to "Peaches (should i call it IV?)the band plays from MOI old tunes (Brown Shoes...) to new material to be released in future records 'n' shows (as any FZ ensemble) all their musical talents. This is an essential record to any Zappa freak!"

One of the best officlal bootlegs

coca-ebola | United Kingdom | 04/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's the most extensive and historically accurate document of the 1978-79 Zappa band - which was one of the most spectacular-sounding of what I refer to as Frank's "rock big bands" (as opposed to nearly-jazz big bands like the Petit Wazoo or the '88 band). A couple of highlights from this era found their way onto Tinseltown Rebellion, many guitar solos from this era appear in the Shut Up box..but this is where you find out what the 1979 shows were really like.

They played pretty much the same set at every show, but then it WAS a great set. A fine balance of pop Zappa (including rare chances to hear "Dead Girls of London", "For The Young Sophisticate" [mistitled on sleeve], the Denny Whalley arrangement of "...Chin" and the `slow version' of "Easy Meat"), complex Zappa (the three One Size Fits All tunes) and inbetweens ("Wet T-Shirt Nite" and a terrific "Brown Shoes Don't Make It", which you may find preferable to the original version).

In my opinion, Frank never played better than he did with the Arthur & Vinnie rhythm section - he himself credited Mr Colauita as his most polyrhythmically simpatico accompanist (but not in those words!) - and there's plenty of evidence here. Even if it never doesn't reach the insane heights of the Shut Up... solos, it's one of the best "guitar discs" in the Zappa catalogue.

What's not to like - the sound quality doesn't flatter the keyboards and rhythm guitar at times, but nonetheless it is very good for a bootleg (this may not be the edited radio transcript of this show, but it IS a soundboard tape). The editing is a bigger problem - a large chunk of Jumbo Go Away (in the middle!) is missing. Also the peculiarly slow Watermelon fades in during the performance - nine- or ten-minute guitar/drum jousts were not uncommon on this tour. Was this one of them - we'll never know."

Great live Zappa from the late '70s period

coca-ebola | 12/15/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This two disc set is a great addition to the Zappahiles collection and not a bad primer to Zappa music in general. A good selection of cuts from the late '70s touring band while they were in Europe. The band is outstanding (even for a Zappa band)and you get plenty of the Zappa guitar fire on cuts like "Andy", "Inca Roads", and "Watermelon In Easter Hay." While not the best of live Zappa, the arrangements are great on the tunes and it covers a very under-documented period of live Zappa. I would recommend this because even at its worst it is great live music and many of Zappa's best tunes are available here in arrangements unique to the period."