Search - Frank Zappa :: Threesome No. 2

Frank Zappa
Threesome No. 2
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Rock

Track Listings (6) - Disc #1
1. Peaches En Regalia
2. Willie the Pimp
3. Son of Mr. Green Genes
4. Little Umbrellas
5. The Gumbo Variations
6. It Must Be a Camel
Track Listings (4) - Disc #2
1. Big Swifty
2. Your Mouth
3. It Just Might Be a One-Shot Deal
4. Waka/Jawaka
Track Listings (5) - Disc #3
1. The Grand Wazoo
2. For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)
3. Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus
4. Eat That Question
5. Blessed Relief

CD Details

All Artists: Frank Zappa
Title: Threesome No. 2
Members Wishing: 7
Total Copies: 0
Label: Zappa Records
Release Date: 4/23/2002
Album Type: Box set, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Rock
Styles: Jazz Fusion, Swing Jazz, Progressive, Progressive Rock
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaCD Credits: 3
UPC: 014431058325

Synopsis

Amazon.com

The three CDs collected here, from his stunning 1969-1972 period, find Zappa toning down the wild experimentalism of his late-'60s work with the Mothers of Invention, veering away from psychedelic-rock surrealism and careening toward jazz-rock fusion jamming. The focus of these mostly instrumental affairs is on his powers as a composer and an instrumentalist. Billed as a Zappa solo album, 1969's Hot Rats, the most accessible of the three, supports Zappa's guitar work with soaring electric violins (often by Jean Luc Ponty), some blistering sax work, and a variety of keyboard textures (the latter two elements courtesy of Ian Underwood), not to mention Captain Beefheart's vocal cameo on the gritty "Willie the Pimp." Waka/Jawaka, also a "solo" effort from 1972, added country and blues shadings to the diverse musical mix. The Grand Wazoo, a grand pseudo-concept album released later in 1972, was credited to Frank Zappa and the Mothers and featured the work of nearly two dozen musicians, including jazz heavyweights such as George Duke and Ernie Watts. --Marc Greilsamer

CD Reviews

DEFINITELY some of Frank's best work

Bruce E Bowman | Clayton, IN USA | 04/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you don't own this music, you should. This is some of the best work of one of the most original artists of our time. At the same time, it should be understood that these are re-releases, and there is no original material here. The Zappa Family Trust are simply finding new ways to market old Zappa. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm all in favor of anything that will help keep Frank's material shaking up the air molecules. But I already own Hot Rats, Waka-Jawaka, and The Grand Wazoo. If you do too, there's no reason to buy this box set. That's the only thing keeping me from giving this 5 stars."

3 of Zappa's best work

John C. Ross | US | 04/24/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some of his best work. His first foray into jazz brings new definitions to the genre (as always). Originally released as 'Hot Rats', 'Waka/Jawaka' and 'The Grand Wazoo', these 3 albums represent a distinct period of departure from the otherwise lyrical offerings of the '60s. John Luc Ponty and Sugar Cane Harris deliver some great electric violin solos here. And, their presence here (on Hot Rats) underscores the new band line-up. Recently, I searching my Zappa collection to find some examples of his music for my somewhat conservative boss and ended up with 2 of these 3. I would have given 5 stars but I could not speak for the quality of this particular release although The music - composition, performance and production - is top notch."

Zappa at His Best and Most Creative

Chris Ward | Costa Rica | 09/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an easy-to-afford way to pick up Frank Zappa's best work. Those who bought the albums as they came out (as I did, away back in the 60s and 70s) know that each of the Zappas, from "Freak Out" in 1966 to the early to mid-70s, were stuffed full of creamy goodness. But it can't be denied (by me, anyway) that his work fell from that peak afterwards, and that his best work was represented by those 10 (more or less) albums: Freak Out, Absolutely Free, We're Only In It For The Money, Uncle Meat, Hot Rats, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Weasels Ripped My Flesh, Chunga's Revenge, The Grand Wazoo, and Waka Jawaka. (I leave out a few live and one-off albums which I consider inferior, though fun.) Others will say his more popular mid-seventies works belong as well, but I differ. I'll stick with those named above. So: if you want a quick course in Zappa's more instrumental jazz-rock fusion and big-band sound, "Threesome No. 2" is your one-stop-shopping solution. (I'd also recommend "Burnt Weeny Sandwich," my favorite of all his albums.) If you like these, get "Threesome No. 1" and work your way up from there-- lots to chew on from one of the 20th century's most unique and talented composer/performers."