Search - Frank Zappa :: Wazoo

Zappa's jazz big band live

Andreas C G | Huntington Beach, CA United States | 02/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's about time this CD became available on Amazon! Not all of the posthumous Zappa releases have necessarily been all that great, but this one is both excellent and crucial. Like Imaginary Diseases, this one fills in a gap in Zappa's discography. In 1972 FZ did a limited 12 concert tour with the big band, comprised of some of the top LA area jazz musicians, that recorded "Waka Jawaka" and "Grand Wazoo". This is as close as Zappa got to jazz.



2006's "Imaginary Diseases" (also highly recommended!) was a recording of the "Petit Wazoo" tour, which had a smaller brass & wind section. The full "Grand Wazoo" band only did 12 shows. This is a recording of the final concert in Boston.



Disc 1 inlcudes "Grand Wazoo" and "Big Swifty", the long songs from each of the two albums, plus "Aproximate", another long-format tune, which is more in the avant-guarde style. The band sections and solos are all excellent, and really give the peces a very different character than the originals. I consider the version of "Big Swifty" superior to the studio version.



Disc 2 includes a lengthy instrumental version of "Greggery Peccary", minus the narration. Though I love the narration on the studio version, it does overpower the music. This version allows you to focus on the instrumental music in a new light. It is stretched out to 32 minutes and, though there is a slow spot or two, is generally excellent. A very interesting cello solo is a highlight. It also includes an instrumental version of "Penis Dimension" from "200 Motels (!).



This is a very enjoyable album. I think this is the best new release since "Lather". Any fan of Zappa's instrumental music will want to get this one. If you like The Grand Wazoo" and Roxy & Elsewhere, you need this!

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If you're a jazz fan, you need this CD

brucedickinson | Los Angeles, CA USA | 01/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own virtually every Zappa release, and I have to say that this one ranks right up near the top. I'm also a fan of jazz from John Coltrane to Ornette Coleman. Again, this album rates right up near the top of great jazz albums.



Zappa was touring with a huge jazz band for just a few dates. This 2-CD set captures the final night of this tour. It's all instrumental, with plenty of room for improvisation from some of the best studio musicians available at the time.



If you are a jazz fan, you need this CD -- even if you're not familiar with Zappa's work. This album will change the average jazz fan's opinion of Zappa in much the same way that The Yellow Shark got classical fans to take Zappa seriously. Get it, listen, be amazed."

A Grand "Wazoo"

Shade | 03/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Truly an outstanding product in every way. The packaging (photos, liner notes, enclosed booklet, disc sleeves) is superb. The music, spread over 2 discs, will blow your mind. It boogies, it rocks, it veers off into avant weirdness, it lapses into mournful woodwinds, then explodes with 20 piece big band precision. FZ's orchestration and arrangements reenforce his genius status. If you like Zappa, especially the instrumental, non-vocal Zappa, you'll absolutely love this set. If you're a Zappaphile, may I suggest that you load your CD player with these 2 discs along with "Imaginary Diseases" (the 10 piece "petite Wazoo" band which toured in the months after this band) and the original "The Grand Wazoo" and play them on shuffle. The extraordinary depth, breadth, and beauty of Zappa's genius will pour out of your speakers for hours; themes and motifs appearing, modifying, and reemerging; the full magnificence of Zappa's extended jazz/rock vision brilliantly displayed."