Search - Frank Zappa :: Imaginary Diseases

Petit Wazoo Tour Finally!

Gregg M. Gaylord | Sheboygan, WI USA | 02/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a superb album. The band from Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo, with it's heavy jazz emphasis, plays superbly arranged pieces from the Petit Wazoo tour of the early 70's. My personal favorite is Been To Kansas City In A Minor (be careful how you read this double entendre). I believe this is an essential CD for the Zappa lover. For those that admire the jazz of Miles Davis/John Coltrane, this is a chance to hear Zappa's version of "jazz-rock" at its finest from a live performance. Coming as it did at the time of Bitches Brew, I am left to wonder - after years of believing Miles Davis as the superior musician/composer/arranger - if Zappa did not in fact come close to being his equal or even his better. Such points are not worth quibbling over. This is a 5 star performance from a band playing the music of one of the musical geniuses of the 20th century. Zappa plays some wicked guitar as well, but the greatness is in the compositions and arrangements."

Jewel from the Vaults

applewood | everywhere and nowhere | 03/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What is amazing is that this was recorded live in 1972 during Zappa's creative zenith, edited, mixed and mastered by FZ then stored away instead of being released. And like the other reviews say, this instrumental recording IS one of the best!



In the liner notes, sometimes band member and supporting guitarist, Steve Vai does a great job putting this all into context. He gives a reverant stage-side view of the prolific always varied creative genius of Frank. I'm happy to see the transition of FZ the pop-iconoclast to FZ the acknowledged genius composer. Ah, if only he were here to see it...(more importantly, to continue it!)



This recording starts off with a couple of short typically abstract pieces, the kind of Zappa music I can't handle when I'm tired and stressed, and I worried for a moment... But like a thicket of brambles at the edge of a lovely magical forest these ditties serve to protect and discourage the unadventurous. The long improvisational jams and FZ solos within are amazing, varied and delightful. Been to Kansas City is a straight ahead blues number with great guitar work and horn arrangements (at first I thought FZ must be covering a blues standard). Farther O'blivion, in typical FZ form, is all over the place giving the jazzy Petite Wazoo band room to show their chops. D.C. Boogie is quickly becoming one of my favorite tunes (Zappa or otherwise), with FZ starting off in a spacey languid jam sounding at times like he's incorporating riffs from the Allman Brothers or Marshall Tucker Band, then ending it in an (audience voted) "Boogie" which sounds alot like a San Francisco Grateful Dead/Quicksivler Messanger Service kind of affair (except with killer horns) - a decidely unZappa-like sensiblity. Imaginary Diseases and Montreal continue the variety with encore performances jamming on an extended Apostrophe-like theme. I can't imagine anyone staying in their seats for these tunes.



Overall I'm pleased and a bit surprised by this release, and the hint of more to come. Vai opines that Zappa was perhaps the most prolific composer in history, and that we'll not likely see in our life times the release of it all. Meanwhile we have Dweezil promoting his father's works with authentic and respectful renditions, and various Big Bands starting to cover FZ's complex repertoire with suitable skill. This is all good news, to old and new fans."

Frank Fans This is the ONE!

4tunes500 | Barneveld, NY United States | 03/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After years of having friends who were devout Zappa fans I finally "gave in" and went along with them to a show during the "Broadway the Hardway Tour." I have seen roughly 100 concerts in my day. Zappa was the best. I recently opened up my copy of Relix Magazine with it's cd sampler and was hooked on the song "Imaginary Diseases." I couldn't stop listening to the one song. It took me quite awhile but I tracked down the cd and it has barely left my CD player. This is 5+ quality Zappa. It is almost like listening to a great classical performance only w/ Frank's Guitar at the lead. No exaggeration this is not a CD it is an EXPERIENCE! The Petit Wazoo must be heard to be believed. It also motivated me to go back and listen to my old Zappa with a fresh ear. This is an outstanding recording and performance; no self-respecting Zappa fan should be without it. Go on, indulge yourself; afterall it's for Frank."