THE VEGETARIANS - LET'S HAVE A GOOD TIME

• the vegetarians: let's have a good time
      (2016, download, usa, cdbaby)

Hans Annéllson's project, The Vegetarians, has just released "Let's Have A Good Time".

Short but oh so sweet.

Four tracks. Hans plays most of the instruments, but there are some remarkable guests as well !!

'Let's Have A Good Time", has Napoleon Murphy Brock on vocals;
'Old Sam', has Napoleon Murphy Brock on vocals, and Jimmy Agren on superb slide guitar;
'Titles' of which the lyrics are made up of the titles of various Zappa compositions. Hilarious.
and, last but not least,
'Amnerika', the vocal version. Written by Frank Zappa and recently released (with vocals) on "Frank Zappa For President". Sung by Napoleon Murphy Brock and featuring Mats Öberg on grand piano and harmonica.

Essential stuff.

You can listen to snippets over at CDBaby.
You can also order the (download-only) album at CDBaby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thevegetarians9

PHISH PERFORMED ZAPPA'S PEACHES EN REGALIA

Every year, American jam band Phish performs a number of shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Two nights ago, they performed Frank Zappa's 'Peaches En Regalia'. In the past, they used to have it on their set list every once in a while but last time they performed the piece in concert was August 2012 so it had been a while...
The concert is for sale through their Live Phish website.
Also on CD. (check the drop-down options next to the "buy" button)
http://www.livephish.com/browse/music/0,1080/Phish-mp3-flac-download-12-29-2016-Madison-Square-Garden-New-York-NY

Phish December 29, 2016 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

SET ONE

Sweet Adeline (3:12)
Peaches En Regalia (3:23)
Mike's Song (8:54)
Secret Smile (5:05)
Weekapaug Groove (8:46)
Roses Are Free (5:29)
Poor Heart (2:26)
46 Days (9:35)
Brian and Robert (3:56)
Beauty Of A Broken Heart (5:46)
Theme from the Bottom (10:24)
Split Open and Melt (11:55)

SET TWO

Down with Disease (15:53)
What's the Use (5:04)
Fuego (11:34)
Meatstick (8:36)
Twenty Years Later (10:07)
Makisupa Policeman (10:05)
Harry Hood (13:35)

ENCORE

Julius (8:13)


Here's Phish performing 'Peaches' in 2009 !

THE MIRACLES OF ONLY ONE THING

"The Miracles Of Only One Thing", the brand-new album by Teun Verbruggen, Jozef Dumoulin and Keiji Haino should be out on January 20 !

AL DI MEOLA, JACO PASTORIUS AND ALPHONSE MOUZON

DWALMACAT 671

This week's Dwalmacat radio show

https://www.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-671/

• MILES DAVIS – He loved him madly (excerpt)
• LOTHAR & THE HAND PEOPLE – Comes on anyhow
• BIG HARE – Treehouse
• VIRGIN PRUNES – Baby turns blue
• GENERAL STRIKE – Danger in paradise
• HEINER GOEBBELS & ALFRED HARTH – Apfelböck oder die Lillie auf dem Felde
• EINSTÜRZENDE NEUBAUTEN – Seele brennt
• PETER PRINCIPLE – Le maka theme
• PIERO UMILIANI – Danza galattica
• DEAD HEAT – Damnée petite Sophie
• JOSEPH T. JACOBS – Reign of terror
• SARAH VAUGHAN – Fascinating rhythm
• MARC MOULIN – Balek
• WENDY GONDELN – Betty
• KEBAB – Life is a joke

KNOEL SCOTT - LIVE IN ALASKA

• knoel scott: live in alaska
      (2007, cd, usa, bmp records) 

Alto sax player Noel Scott has been part of the Sun Ra Arkestra since the 1980's. He has also performed and recorded with the NRBQ.
He recorded "Live In Alaska" in 2007.
Old-fashioned jazz.

Released the same year on the BMP Records label, this album has been out-of-print for a while now.
For those who want to check out this jazz album, Noel is selling CDR-copies at Sun Ra Arkestra shows.
It's excellent.

Here's Knoel in concert, at the '100 club' in London, 2015.
Give it a listen.

SNAKEFINGER - GREENER POSTURES

• snakefinger: greener postures
      (2016, cd, austria, klanggalerie gg225)

Re-release of Snakefinger and The Residents' collaboration from 1980.
Has been issued on CD around 1999, but this edition offers a bunch of live bonus tracks.

THE RESIDENTS - DISFIGURED NIGHT

• the residents: disfigured night
•     (2016, cd, austria, klanggalerie gg235) 

In 2009, The Residents released four download-only albums that took a closer look at the "Disfigured Night" project from 1997.
This brand-new "Disfigured Night" album presents a selection of these tracks.

Comes in a beautiful package with very informative liner notes.

WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY

Frank Zappa's / The Mothers Of Invention's "We're Only In It For The Money" has been re-issued on vinyl, with the album cover as FZ originally intended it.

THE LEAVES - HEY JOE

The Leaves, featuring Jim Pons, who later worked with The Turtles (Flo & Eddie) and with Frank Zappa.

This single is taken from their one and only album, "Hey Joe", from 1966.

For more info :
http://surfingtheodyssey.blogspot.be/2016/12/the-leaves-1966-hey-joe.html


-- link : Jan van Kemenade

AN UPDATE FROM THE ZAPPA VAULT

Good news from the vault.
Assuming that some of this stuff will be put on DVD, blu-ray, audio CD or whatever...

THE RESIDENTS - SCULPT

• the residents: sculpt
      (2016, cd, usa, private release)

The Residents wrote the soundtrack to Sculpt, a film by Loris Greaud.
The soundtrack got released on CD.
The album was pressed in a limited edition of 100 copies. All numbered.
50 of these were sold as part of the crowdfunding project for this movie.


Data was added to The Residents discography over at the United Mutations Archives.

SUN RA AND HIS SOLAR ARKESTRA - I ROAM THE COSMOS

• sun ra and his solar arkestra: i roam the cosmos
      (2016, lp, uk, art yard stereo lp 2021)

Adding data to the immense Sun Ra discogarphy, here's the brand-new "I Roam The Cosmos".
Recorded at Slug's Saloon in New York in 1972.
Presenting Sun Ra and the Arkestra featuring vocalist June Tyson.
Vinyl only.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - SONS OF MR. GREEN GENES

• various artists: sons of mr. green genes
      (2016, cd, uk, cordelia records cd071) 

Andrew Greenaway and Cordelia Records teamed up for another marvelous project: 15 bands / ensembles / artists, all performing one of Frank Zappa's most beautiful tunes: 'Son Of Mr. Green Genes'.
Besides the fact that I love the concept and that the album has incredible artwork, this is an amazing release.
Let me walk you through it.

1. the kettering vampires
   Don't know much about The Kettering Vampires, except that they have an album out doing the music of The Velvet Underground in surf style, and that they most likely feature Alan Jenkins on the guitar. Great !
2. acton zappa
   Also from the UK.
   This is Mike Fox's project if I'm not mistaken. Love the sound of Ollie Hill's trombone. Recorded live. Nice one.
   They have a couple of their live-shows up at Soundcloud.
3. inventionis mater
   The illustious Italian duo Inventionis Mater (Andrea Pennati (electric! guitar) and Pierpaolo Romani (bass clarinet)) are assisted by Nazreno Caputo on vibraphone and percussion.
   Excellent!
4. caballero reynaldo and the grand kazoo
   Caballero Reynaldo gives 'Son Of Mr. Green Genes' the 'How The West Was Won' treatment.
   Incredible. One of my favourite tracks of the album.
   It shows what an amazing artist Caballero Reynaldo is.
   Check out Caballero Reynaldo (and the Zappa Tribute Album Series) on www.halloffame.es.
5. fred händl
   Next up is Fred Händl. From Holland. Known for his collaboration with Zappatika, Fred surprised everyone with a very fine solo album in 2015 ("Fred Händl Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa"). On this "Sons Of Mr. Green Genes" album, he brings a fine piano solo rendition of Zappa's classic tune. Nice intro by Mark Watson.
   In memory of Prince. Beautiful.
6. hrh and the cm ensemble
   Helen 'HRH' Tate (of Spanner Jazz Punks fame) teamed up with the CM Ensemble. I don't know if this is a one-off, but it works. I'd love to hear more.
   This version starts a capella. Love it.
7. zappa early renaissance orchestra
   The great thing about this collection of tunes is that each and everyone of them sounds completely different. It gets even more impressive when one is able to recognize the band behind the tune. Z.E.R.O. is such a band. Within a few seconds you don't just know that it's a Zappa song, but you also know that it's being performed by Z.E.R.O.
   Wow !
8. hans annéllsson
   The most impressive piece on "Sons Of Mr. Green Genes" is delivered by Hans Annéllsson.
   Hans goes all the way and starts the piece with some great classical, orchestral sounds. Towards the end, the piece evolves into something that is played on a barrel organ. Superb.
9. the muffin men
   Last year, The Muffin Men celebrated their 25th anniversary of performing the music of Frank Zappa.
   Their version of 'Son Of Mr. Green Genese' takes us back to 1991 when the band performed at the Gentse Feesten festival. At the St.Baafs square, next to the cathedral.  Roddie still on the guitar and Mike Kidson on sax !
   I was there ! Oh, how time flies. Great memories !
   I still  have the tape that they released from this concert "Gent Festival", as well as its predecessor with the unforgettable title, "Stinky Finger City".
10. tante tofu
    German duo Tante Tofu is Andreas 'Stoni' Steinhardt and Christian Seebach. They do a short but oh so sweet version.
11. the spanner big band
    And what's a collection of Zappa coverversions without a big band?
    So here's Dan Spanner's Big Band.
    Recorded live in concert, with a beautiful arrangement by Dan Spanner.
12. evil dick
    Another highlight. Evil Dick goes Zappa.
    Dispite having seen Evil Dick in concert at Zappanale a number of years ago, I only recently discovered the man's astonishing output. And so should you.
    Superb.
13. fuchsprellen
    Fuchsprellen is Pete Brunelli with the help of Geoff Brown and Nate Trier. Hilarious. "This goes out to the Green Man. In London Town." Sly and Robbie !!  Reggae Dub !!
    Fuzz bass rules !!
14. string trash
    String Trash with Peter Görs (guitar), Mick Zeuner (bass) and Siglinde Koch-Sembdner (concert harp !!) plus special guest Andreas Steinhardt (acoustic guitar !!).
15. the todd grubbs group
    And last but not least, The Todd Grubbs Group adds a powerful version to the lot.
    Another favourite.
    Great.

Don't let this one slip !
Do yourself and dive into the "Sons Of Mr. Green Genes".

Available from Cordelia Records.
http://www.cordeliarecords.co.uk/

SUN RA - SINGLES

• sun ra: singles
      (2016, 3cd, ger, strut / art yard strut148cd)

According to the Strut Records label, Sun Ra's "Singles" collection is the definitive 45s collection. I can't tell, but I do know that this is a massive collection.
This 3CD-set includes material from 1952 to 1991 and has also been released as a package of 7" singles.
A beautiful collection.

Here's "It's Christmas Time", by The Qualities.
Probably recorded in 1956 but released circa 1961.
Co-composed by Sun Ra.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA'S OTHERS OF INTENTION

Check this out: Dweezil Zappa's running a Pledge Music project :

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/othersofintention

SUN RA - THE SPACE AGE IS HERE TO STAY

• sun ra and his interplanetary vocal arkestra: the space age is here to stay
      (2016, cd, usa, modern harmonic mhcd-011)

Modern Harmonic recently released this sampler of Sun Ra / Arkestra vocal tracks.
As one might imagine, it includes a number of previously unissued tracks.

75 minutes in all. Available on CD, but also on vinyl (2LP).

SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA - AT INTER-MEDIA ARTS, APRIL 1991

• sun ra & his arkestra: at inter-media arts, april 1991
      (2016, 2cd, usa, modern harmonic)

"Sun Ra & His Arkestra at Inter-Media Arts, April 1991" is an amazing album.
Sun Ra and his Arkestra featuring John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, June Tyson, Knoel Scott and Michal Ray to name just a few.
Classic Sun Ra (vocal) tunes with out-of-this-world (Saturnian) improvisations.

Essential listening.

Available on vinyl and on CD.
Beautiful artwork. Supber liner notes. Great music.

TERRY BOZZIO'S COMPOSER SERIES

Drum Legend Terry Bozzio's “Composer Series” The Music & Art of Terry Bozzio Now Available in North America & Europe

Los Angeles - Legendary & award winning melodic drummer Terry Bozzio released worldwide what he calls a “Life's Work” project of Art & Music on the Japanese label Ward Records in September 2015. The set is now available in the US, Canada and Europe! Bozzio embarked on a world tour to promote it starting in Japan and Europe in the fall of 2015 & continuing throughout the US & other territories in 2016.

Terry has worked with Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Korn, UK, Missing Persons, Mick Jagger, Robbie Robertson, Alan Holdsworth, Tony Levin, Steve Vai, Quincy Jones, Ken Scott, Metropole Orkest, SMAP, Loudness' Munetaka Higuchi & “X” Japan's Hide - as well as Film score composers Basil Poledouris, Mark Isham & Patrick O'Hearn - see more at www.terrybozzio.com - Grammy winner, RockWalk Honoree, Modern Drummer magazine's Hall of Fame Award, Rolling Stone's Top 5 Drummers of All Time!

Bozzio said, “I've been composing, (not just song writing, like for Missing Persons & Jeff Beck) since the '70s. I compose in all styles (as one might classify them), from classical to ambient, electronic, film-like to fusion/rock or jazz. I have my own character or personality, it's unique. I work with many different processes from writing notes on paper, to recording live, to several different computer software applications that are suited to the particular result I am trying to achieve. Both Zappa & famed musicologist Nicolas Slonimsky encouraged me to compose & I have had my Chamberworks performed at the Vienna Jazz Festival & in Holland w/Metropol Orkest.”

He continued, “I first got interested in Art & Sketching at the encouragement of renowned artist Don Van Vliet (aka: Captain Beefheart) who I played with on my first Zappa/Mothers of Invention tour in 1975. Don was always carrying markers & paper & it looked like fun, so I bought some myself & started. He was very encouraging. Last year, I released my first project called Rhythm & Sketch in collaboration with the art group Scene Four. It's been successful & inspired me to do more.” (available at www.terrybozzioart.com)

Bozzio fulfilled major two and a half month US solo tours in 2014 and 2016 in which he displayed his artwork as the stage set while performing melodic, tuned melodies on his strikingly large drum set, to sold out crowds.

“I thought it would be great to share this music which I've been working on & keeping to myself for so long. I hope to show a different side of my expression from what people are used to seeing from my solo drumming. And, I wanted to have an abstract painting to represent & be paired with each title to create this hybrid project of music & art,” Bozzio explained.

It is over 70 individual pieces or movements of compositions with a painting in a booklet for each title, along with detailed liner notes for each piece, explaining his concepts, feelings, processes and approach for each. It will be available in a large vinyl-sized box set which includes the book of Artworks, 3 audio CDs & a solo drum performance DVD shot in Japan in 2015. (w/bonus footage, interviews, audio tracks and more). The material will also be made available in a smaller CD size package for record stores, as well as in many or individual downloadable formats online.

HOWARD PEACH - S/T

• howard peach: s/t
      (2015, cd, bel, werf129 / enro28)

Howard Peach is :

• Chris Speed: tenor saxophone,
• Simon Jermyn: electric bass,
• Lander Gyselinck: drums.

The trio met in New York City while Lander Gyselinck (Stuff., Sinister Sister) was studying over there. This eponymous album is a registration of the first time that they played together.

A bit over a year ago, Lander invited Chris and Simon to come over to do a little tour. And now they're back. I saw them in action at jazz club 'De Singer', the other day.
Improvised jazz.

Keep an eye out for Howard Peach.
Recommended.

LUK VAN SOOM

Belgian sculptor Luk Van Soom recently released his "Monografie", a stunning 300-plus-page catalogue / overview of the works that he made from 1978 up to 2016.

Luk has a link with the music of Frank Zappa. Not only did he give a couple of his pieces titles of a Frank Zappa composition, he also made a sarcophagus depicting Zappa a couple of years ago.

'Monografie", a piece of art on it's own.

The 'Monografie" catalogue :
(available from http://www.lukvansoom.com/nl/)

The Frank Zappa sarcophagus :
(picture taken from http://www.thewhitehousegallery.be/)

FREAK OUT PARTY IN BRUSSELS ON DECEMBER 21, 2016

Wednesday, December 21 at 21h00 at Bonnefooi in Brussels, BE
(Rue de Pierres / Steenstraat 8, Brussels)

Zut Alors! + Freak Out party feat. dj [z]
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Three members of acclaimed prog rock band The Wrong Object join forces to celebrate the music of Frank Zappa on the day he was born. Expect a mixture of familiar and not so familiar tunes!

SюR BAND AT ZAPPANALE 2016

Finally !!
I'm so glad that a recording of this fabulous show turned up!!

MANNGOLD

New MannGold album to be released later this week.

NEW ON KLANGGALERIE

So much fine music being released these day. Or re-released.

Here's some interesting titles from KlangGalerie :
http://www.klanggalerie.com/

Charles Bobuck : Missing Soldiers
CD-release of a download-only title.
Limited to 300 copies !!

The Residents: Disfigured Night
Re-release of the out-of-print CD

Snakefinger: Greener Postures
Re-release of the out-of-print LP / CD

THE ARF-DOSSIER VOL.90

German Frank Zappa fanzine The Arf-Dossier has hit number 90.
And I guess that it's of a celebration because it has been a while since such an amount of new material saw the light of day.
Issue number 90 has reviews of "The Crux Of The Biscuit", "Eat That Question", "Light Meat", "Chicago '78" and "Little Dots".
There was a seperate letter enclosed about Dweezil Zappa's upcoming appearance at Zappanale.

the arf-dossier no.90 - 2016/12
incl.

• leserpost
• the hot platters heaven from the arf office
• the rare pictures gallery
• lisa popeil audition
• frank zappa: "zappatite"
• frank zappa: "meat light"
• frank zappa: "zappa: chicago '78"
• frank zappa: "little dots"
• news from belgium - live from United Mutations
• back in time, vol. VII : the mothers, eric clapton and sandy hurvitz
• ullis ecke

HERMAN SELLESLAGS

In about an hour on Belgian TV: "Alleen Elvis Blijft Bestaan".
Canvas TV - 11 Dec 2016 - 17h55
(rebroadcast, also available on-line through the canvas website)
Interview with and focus on Belgian photographer Herman Selleslags.

Herman will discuss his pictures and more.

(Upcoming) expos:

"Selleslags Pakt Uit" at the Fotomuseum  in Antwerp, from 11 October 2016 until 22 June 2017.

"Herman Selleslags : Frank Zappa" at Tune Up record store in Antwerp from 18 December 2016 until 12 February 2017

SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC RESEARCH ARKESTRA - PLANETS OF LIVE OR DEATH

• sun ra and his intergalactic research arkestra: planets of life or death
      (2015, cd, ger, strut/art yard strut123cd)

Sun Ra passed away in 1993 but his legacy is kept alive by releases by various record labels.
Last year's Record Story Day saw the release of the concert that Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Research Arkestra did in Amiens, France, in 1973. On vinyl. In a limited edition of 1000 copies. But Strut also made the recordings available on CD.

The recording is a fine example of what The Arkestra sounded like a couple of years after their return to Chicago (in 1968): original Sun Ra compositions but with long percussive excursions and wild / free jazz improvisations.

KURT OSTBAHN UND DIE MUSIKER SEINES VERTRAUENS - 2014 LIVE

• kurt ostbahn und die musiker seindes vertrauens: 2014 live
      (2016, 2cd, austria, e&a records)

In 1992, Ostbahn-Kurti released a Austrian version of Frank Zappa's 'Bobby Brown', entitled 'Bertl Braun' on his "A Blede Geschicht" album.
Earlier this year Kurt / Kurti released a live version of his rendition of the FZ composition.
It's on his "2014 Live" album, subtitled "Vol. 3 + 4".
The set presents live renditions of various rock classics that got performed by Kurt Ostbahn and his friends. It's the sequal to "Vol. 1 + 2", a release with all original material.

Next to the Zappa composition, there's compositions by Bruce Springsteen, Steve Miller, Townes Van Zandt, ZZ Top and more.

Also available as a 2LP set.

Here's the 1992 original :

FUSE - STUDIO

• fuse: studio
      (2016, cd, nl, fusemusic fm1601)

Yesterday, I went to see Fuse in concert in Mol, BE.
I don't know if I mentioned them before, but Fuse is a Dutch ensemble that has been getting a bit of exposure on Dutch national TV as they have contributed (are contributing?) to journalist and tv-host Paul Witteman's shows.
The Fuse sextet (string quartet + double bass + drums/percussion) has a brand-new album out on which they recorded Frank Zappa's 'Echidna's Arf (Of You) as well as a composition especially written for them by Tom Trapp. Tom Trapp, as you might recall, is a composer and arranger who has worked with Co de Kloet and with The Metropole Orkest (with Steve Vai and with Napoleon Murhphy Brock) and who has lots of other links to the Zappa Universe.
Reason enough to catch them in concert and to get their album.

Fuse at 't Getouw in Mol, BE (picture by Inge Swannet)

Yesterday, Fuse performed at ' 't Getouw' for about forty people. An impressive show. Two sets. They performed pieces by Ravel, Bartók, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck and others, plus Frank Zappa's 'Echidna's Arf (Of You)'.
Too bad that didn't do Tom Trapp's piece.

The album, "Studio", contains both Frank Zappa's 'Echidna's Arf (Of You)' and Tom Trapp's 'Mister Black'.  Beautiful.

adriaan breunis: alto violin
daniel van dalen: percussion, drums
emma van der schalie: violin
julia philippens: violin
mascha van nieuwkerk: cello
tobias nijboer: double bass

1. hammers (nils frahm, arr. marijn van prooijen)
2. matthew's piano book (andré previn, arr. fuse)
3. blue rondo à la turk (dave brubeck, arr. rob horsting)
4. echidna's arf (of you) (frank zappa, arr. thomas beijer)
5. prelude 10 (op. 34) (dmitri shostakovich, arr. fuse)
6. attaboy (stuart duncan, chris thile, edgar meyer, arr. fuse)
7. microkosmos (béla bartók, arr. fuse)
8. vector (jacobtv)
9. mister black (tom trapp)
10. recitative à la baroque (claude chalhoub)

Check out Fuse's touring schedule and buy their album !
http://fusemusic.nl/

---

EDGAR (ANIMO) - PANDIDE

• edgar (animo): pandide
      (2016, cd, bel, dear deer records)

Although "Pandide" is the fourth release by Edgar (Animo), I wasn't familiar with their previous output. And that's something that I have to correct as soon as possible as "Pandide" is a pleasant introduction.

Parts in French, parts in Dutch, and other parts completely instrumental. It seems that Edgar (Animo) is a perfect example of Belgian culture. Guitar-oriented with a bit of jazz flavour.

Out on the Dear.Deer.Records label.

In concert at Magasin 4 in Brussels tonight (Dec 9).

CD available from Mandaï.

www.mandai.be

THEO HOLDT

http://www.theoholdt.com/

Theo Holdt's work got used as artwork for the recent Zappa / Mothers album "Meat Light".

ZAPPA / MOTHERS - MEAT LIGHT

• zappa / mothers: meat light
      (2016, 3cd, usa, zappa records zr20024)

One of my favourite Zappa albums recently received the "FZ Audio Documentary" treatment.
"Meat Light" presents the original 1969 vinyl mix of "Uncle Meat", an "Original Sequence" mix as prepaired by Frank Zappa and Dick Kunc, plus a bunch of material from the Zappa Vault.

And it sounds superb.
Great artwork as well. Fragments of paintings by Theo Holdt.

DWALMACAT 668

This week's Dwalmacat radio show :

https://beta.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-668/

BUSH TETRAS – Cowboys in Africa
KAMAGURKA & DE VLAAMSE PRIMITIEVEN – Ik ben twee Amerikanen
RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON – Deconstruction
EDWARD KA-SPEL – And the Lord said „Rise”
CAMBERWELL NOW – Wheat futures
FELIX KUBIN UND DAS MINERALORCHESTER – Fischrevue
FRANCIS BEBEY – Fleur tropicale
S.P.K. - Invocation
BEAK& - I know
SOFT MACHINE – Save yourself
TED MILTON - Mini–bar
PJ HARVEY – A place called home
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND – Afterhours
JOHN LENNON – How do you sleep?
BOBVAN – Memory

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA

Swiss band Fido Plays Zappa will tour Germany next February / March.
Plus one concert in The Netherlands.
These guys are good, so check your calendar !

DOOMSDAY STUDENT - A SELF-HELP TRAGEDY

• doomsday student: a self-help tragedy
     (2016, cd, usa, skin graft records)

From the Doomsday Student website (www.doomsdaystudent.com):

Doomsday Student stand unabashedly center stage and present as if in the throes of an exorcism, or perhaps a nervous breakdown. Blazoning music pregnant with anxiety-inducing guitar wails, curiously plucked patterns and rhythms, and lyrics that read as personal anecdotes and/or confessions, Doomsday Student is Eric Paul, Stephen Mattos, Craig Kureck, and Paul Vieira.

Experimental rock band Doomsday Student has just released "A Self-Help Tragedy". It's Doomsday Student's third release.  The vinyl version is out on Three One G Records, the CD on Skin Graft Records.
http://threeoneg.com/  -  http://www.skingraftrecords.com/

I like it.

Available from Mandaï:
www.mandai.be

Here's 'Angry Christmas' from the brand-new "A Self-Help Tragedy".
Just in time for the holidays.

ZAPPATIKA IN CONCERT

January 13, 2017, Zappatika will be performing the music of Frank Zappa at the 'QBus Club' in Leiden, NL.

 Here's the new line-up,
in concert last November.

TOON TELLEGEN & CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN - WIJ WETEN WIE WIJ ZIJN...

• toon tellegen & corrie van binsbergen: wij weten wie wij zijn...
      (2016, 4cd, nl, rubinstein) 

Toon Tellegen writes children's books. Short stories about the wonderful world of humanlike animals: about a grasshopper who runs a shop, or about an ant that goes on a journey.
His work is also appreciated a lot by adults (like me!) as most of his stories have bizarre twists and a moral or even philosophical depht.

About 10 years ago, Corrie van Binsbergen started her "Writers In Concert" series. Writers would read from their work while Corrie (and her band) provided the lecture with a soundtrack. The series kicked off with Toon Tellegen.

"Wij Weten Wie Wij Zijn..." collects four "Writer In Concert" albums that Corrie van Binsbergen did with Toon Tellegen. Three of them have been previously released (in 2004, 2007 and 2013). Number four, "Het Vertrek Van De Mier" is new.

MICHEL HATZIGEORGIOU

DAZZLING KILLMEN - FACE OF COLLAPSE

• dazzling killmen: face of collapse
      (2016, 2lp, usa, skin graft records)

Here's something special !
The Dazzling Killmen were formed in 1990 by Nick Sakes, Darin Gray and Blake Fleming. At the time the trio (or quartet as they were joined by Tim Garrigan around the same time) released a 7" and an LP on the Skin Graft Records label.
The album was the band's second (and last) LP and was entitled "Face Of Collapse". It displayed some sort of progressive rock with screamy punk vocals.

Skin Graft is re-releasing "Face Of Collapse" and added a second disc with bonus material on one side and special picture disc artwork on the other side. The package comes with a 16-page book and some more extras.

Out on:
http://www.skingraftrecords.com/

Available from Mandaï
www.mandai.be

THE CONFORMISTS - DIVORCE

• the conformists: divorce
      (2016, lp, usa, aagoo records)

Experimental punk rock band The Conformists hail from St.Louis, Missouri. "Divorce" is the band's fourth album. Released last July. All previous albums have been released on different labels. This latest one, "Divorce", is out on Agoo Records.
If you're into energetic punk rock, you should give The Conformists a listen.
Recorded by Steve Albini, masteded by Matthew Barnhart.
The album is available on LP and on K7 (cassette).

Out on Aagoo Records.
http://aagoo.com/the-conformists-divorce-lptapemp3/

Available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

MORGAN AGREN - THROUGH THE EYES OF A MORGCHESTRA

• morgan ågren: through the eyes of a morgchestra
      (2016, cd, sweden, morgan records m.rec 002) 

Morgan says :

It is very rare to have a full symphony orchestra perform your own original music. So I feel very fortunate that NorrlandOperan’s symphony orchestra will perform this, my music, live with Mats/Morgan Band in October 2016.

While waiting for that, I decided to release this Morgchestra CD, which is partly a MIDI-programmed version of the music that will be performed by the real orchestra in October. I began composing for this project late 2015.

As I reached the end of the composing phase, I realized that I had a version of the music mixed and ready that can stand on its own for a release! Few things beat the sound of a real orchestra, but the options that you get when working with MIDI can be interesting, too. Programmed music even has its own special benefits! I added some of my favorite musicians to this Morgchestra as well, real violins and woodwinds etc, so now I am even more happy with the result!

We will record the big symphony orchestra too, of course, and I hope I can release that during 2017.
Hope you like the Morgchestra version in the meantime!

Do I like this? I love it!!
This is so beautiful.
I'm famililiar with Morgan's compositions as recorded and performed by the Mats/Morgan band and I also know and like his "Batterie Deluxe" album, but this "Through The Eyes Of A Morgchestra"music made my jaws drop.
Stripped of the rock sound and of Morgan's fierce drumming, the focus completely shifts towards the compositions itself.
"Through The Eyes Of A Morgchestra" presents 10 astonishing pieces of music: zappa-esque melodies and rhythms, contemporary classical sounds, experimental and electronical tones,... It's all there. Gorgeous.

Essential listening !!

LITTLE FEAT RADIO SHOW LIVE BOX

"Don't Need No Alibis (The Lowell George Years" is a 10 CD box set that is up for release next March.
All radio broadcasts and interviews.

DWALMACAT 667

This week's Dwalmacat radio special focusses on Blutch !!

https://beta.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-667-blutch-special/

• BLUTCH – Airco in Cuba (-melted)
• BLUTCH – Stratospheria
• BLUTCH – Pond of beer
• BLUTCH – Scratch me
• BLUTCH – A husband
• BLUTCH – Zoeftong
• BLUTCH – Fish coming in from the cold
• BLUTCH – My baby left me for a building
• BLUTCH – Out of ear
• BLUTCH – Galaxy or Carpetland
• BLUTCH – Heart full of dirt
• BLUTCH – You I remember
• BLUTCH – Esmeralda
• BLUTCH – Free love (for everybody)
• BLUTCH – Cockroach them babies
• BLUTCH – Fervet Opus I, act 3
• BLUTCH – A head between buildings
• BLUTCH – Towards the end
• BLUTCH – Teasing the keys
• BLUTCH – Dat mag dus niet
• BLUTCH – Klang
• BLUTCH – No lonely guy

NEW ZAPPA TRIBUTE SAMPLER ON CORDELIA RECORDS

Andrew (from http://www.idiotbastard.com/) compiled another Zappa tribute.
Looks good. Ordered my copy earlier today.
Maybe next time Andrew should ask Dweezil Zappa to collaborate ?

Here's more info
http://www.idiotbastard.com/IBSOMGG.htm

And here's a link to the Cordelia shop:
http://www.cordeliarecords.co.uk/Pages/Buy%20Records.html

MATS / MORGAN - 35TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION

• mats/morgan: 35th anniversary collection
      (2016, 2cd, sweden, morgan records .rec 001) 

Mats and Morgan are celebrating their 35th anniversary with the release of a 2CD set.
The duo released their first album in 1996, a couple of years after their performance at Zappa's Universe. How time flies.
This bundle collects their favourite tracks.
Remastered.
And on Morgan's new record label.

Now that I think of it, I discovered Frank Zappa's music a bit over 35 years ago.
In the meantime, Mats and Morgan have been responsible for some of the best music that I have enjoyed in these 35 plus years of listening.

Here are Morgan's liner notes :

When I was 14 years old I received a telephone call from a lady that was organizing a concert in a little village outside Umeå, Sweden. She asked me if I could join this blind pianist named Mats Öberg. She knew about me and believed that I might be the right one for Mats. Same musical taste maybe, and same age. Mats had problems to find people in his own age with any interest whatsoever in playing the type of music that he liked. Mats was in fact listening to Miles Davis and Mahavishnu almost before he could walk, but at the same time music for children as well. I did have similar taste in music so I was very happy to get this request.

A few days later me and Mats met for the first time at the venue and started to discuss what songs we could possible do together. It had to be covers since we met only a few hours before showtime. Mats asked me ”do you know Beatles”?

- I guess I can play ”Help” without any rehearsal I replied. ”How about Frank Zappa"? - I can do 'Bobby Brown I think’.. ”Do you know Stevie Wonder”? Hm, do you know the first track on side two of ”Hotter Than July?”, yes, Master Blaster, ok lets do that one! We now had three songs which was enough for the 20 minutes that we were supposed to play. As soon as we started to play I simultaneously watched Mats in complete disbelief. He was only ten years old but played unbelievable and sang with the lyrics in good pronunciation (except for the dirty words in Bobby Brown that his mother wanted him to leave out!) After we finished I noticed that my dad was almost in tears and Mats daddy was very excited too and started to propose things to me 'maybe you should...you could... I mean... meet and play together some more, we have a drum set in our basement..’ This was in 1981, and now 35 years later I realize that we have been exploring music together more or less on a weekly/monthly basis all since then.

One thing that I particularly remember from the first years was the record collection in Mats parents basement. I used to scroll through these vinyls, grab one and ask ”Mothers Of Invention - are they good”? Yes! ”Gino Vannelli, is he good”? Yes! Can I borrow these? Yes! All this music opened up a new beatiful world and a spiritual state where I wanted to be. I also ran into Allan Holdsworth, Steely Dan and Return To Forever etc. which I was able to introduce for Mats as well. It was such an exciting time finding yourself through all this music. It happened so early for both of us too. There is many funny stories from Mats childhood that shows his passion for music, like that time when he forced his parents to buy the latest Earth Wind and Fire album, otherwise he would jump down the stairs....Or like when he was visiting his uncle Berndt Egerbladh and got to try his grand piano. Mats could not stop play this piano but after a while his father and uncle really had to make him to quit. Mats then replied ”if you force me to stop now I will pee my pants” - and so he did! - His father then replied ”Stevie Wonder would never do a thing like that”. I had a special moment in my youth as well while I had to defend my playing. My parents had some friends and their kids over for a dinner, so I played my toy drums for them. But they kept saying that what I did wasn’t especially good, so I tried harder but they kept saying ”not so good”. I then grabbed my cymbal and trowed it in the face of one of the guys who crashed down to the ground with blood coming our from his face. I got so scared so I thought I would die, but all came out good in the end (and we are still friends!) I actually told Mats about this incident early on which made him laugh a lot, but he got a bit worried for a moment also, saying ”but you don’t do these things nowadays, do you"? No. No I don’t. So all is good! Playing this music doesn’t make you rich though. But 35 years, including touring all over the world, releasing albums, meeting great people, playing with many of our teenage idols, receiving grammys on both sides of the Atlantic, seeing amazing places etc. This is something you can’t buy for money. 
Thank you all!!
Morgan Ågren 27/8, 2016.

Essential listening !!

JOE SATRIANI'S G4 EXPERIENCE 2017

MIKE KENEALLY CONTINUES HIS TOUR WITH JOE SATRIANI

From Mike Keneally's newsletter :
(There's also the possibility to win some original MK drawing. Check out Mike's website for more info.)

Hello dear friends – I hope you're finding a great deal of happiness this holiday season.
I'll be in South America for two-thirds of this here month of December, playing with Joe Satriani, Bryan Beller and Marco Minnemann starting tonight in Mexico City.

Now it's a few hours later - I'm in the dressing room after soundcheck/rehearsal, and I got to say it's a pleasure to be back in Satch world – soundcheck was super fun and I'm really looking forward to these gigs!

Here are the tour dates of destiny:

MIKE KENEALLY
playing in JOE SATRIANI’S BAND
also totally featuring BRYAN BELLER and MARCO MINNEMANN:

• December 1
  Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City, MX
• December 4
  Teatro Coliseo, Santiago, CL
• December 7
  EDA (Espaco das Americas), Sao Paulo, BR
• December 9
  Net Live Curitiba, Curitiba, BR
• December 11
  Teatro Araujo Vianna, Porto Allegre, BR
• December 13
  Teatro de Verano, Montevideo, UY
• December 15
  Plaza de la Musica, Cordoba, AR
• December 16
  Luna Park, Buenos Aires, AR
• December 17
  Teatro El Circulo, Rosario, AR

Mike Keneally plays "Pigtronix Boogie" with Infinity Looper and Pigtronix effects

Mike Keneally plays "Roll" live on EMGtv

JAZZ CLUB DE SINGER

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of jazz club "De Singer" in Rijkevorsel, BE, Flemisch comic book artist Wegé made this illustation for the cover of a local newspaper, 'De Nieuwe Brug'.
It shows various artists and bands that have performed at 'De Singer'. In the upper right corner, a reference to The Banned From Utopia.

PETER WOLF, JOEL TAYLOR

Former Zappa keyboard player Peter Wolf can be heard on Jeff Richman's "Last Arrival" album from 1996. And you might also recognize Joel Taylor (on drums), who recently toured with The Banned From Utopia.

http://ketmokin7audio.blogspot.be/2016/11/jeff-richman-last-arrival-1996.html

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

ZAPPADAN STARTS TODAY

from Danny, on FB :

Happy Zappadan to one and all! Although this festive season starts on the saddest day of the year, the anniversary of FZ's death, it is a time of joyous celebration. Celebration of the best music ever created, celebration of the wit, humor, and pure genius, of a one-of-a-kind composer who uncompromisingly did his own thing - and thought it was cool if we dug it too. Celebration of the many many friendships we have forged through our mutual love and admiration for this man and his incredible talent. Joy in our shared experiences, and comfort in our shared sorrows. Frank, and his music, means something different and unique to each and every one of us, but there's one thing we all know: Music is the best!!!
Thanks to Frank!
Zappacheers!

ZAPPA TRIBUTE CONCERT BY THE UH HILO JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Frank Zappa's music seems more alive than ever.

Zappa tribute concert at the UH Hilo Perfoming Arts Center in Hawaii.

http://hilo.hawaii.edu/news/view/12057

CLASSE MANNEQUIN - CLASSE MANNEQUIN

• classe mannequin: classe mannequin
      (2016, lp, ??, head records)

A bit too tense and too nervous to be considered pop, but that's fine with me.
Classe Mannequin recently presented their first album. It's out on the Head Records label.

I like it.
It reminds me a bit of David Thomas / Pere Ubu.

Out on Head Records.
www.head-records.com

Vinyl available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

ULTRAPHALLUS

When I mentioned the latest Ultraphallus album about a week ago, I had only listened to the download of the album. Earlier today, I picked up the physical copy of the album.

It still sounds great, but it looks beautiful as well.
The CD is a nice digipack, and the vinyl edition is on blue-ish marbled vinyl !!

Includes 'Sinister Exaggerator' (The Residents)

• ultraphallus: the art of spectres
      (2016, cd, bel, sub rosa)

THE HEIMATDAMISCH

This clip is all over facebook, but it's so funny that I had to post it as well.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ROMANTIC WARRIORS III SPECIAL FEATURES DVD

• various artists: romantic warriors III special features dvd
      (2016, dvd, usa, zeitgeist media)

I already told you that my weekend was great. It kicked off with a fabulous concert by the Sun Ra Arkestra, and it continued with another excellent edition of the Mosae Zappa festival (thanks again, Tim. Thanks again, Chantal).

It was at this very festival, right after the amazing concert of The Wrong Object, that I bought this DVD : "Romantic Warriors III Special Features DVD". It features Soft Machine Legacy, Dave Sinclair, Forgas Bandphenomena, The Muffins, Glass, and last but not least, the inimitable Wrong Object.
The DVD presents three tracks by The Wrong Object and if I'm not mistaken, all three (or at least two) were performed during the Mosea Festival concert as well. Great stuff, and there's a  lot of bands and music that I'm not familiar with on this DVD. Always worth investigating.

R.I.P. ALLAN ZAVOD

Allan Zavod toured and recorded with Frank Zappa in 1984.
He passed away on November 28, 2016.

Allan on working with Frank :
http://www.allanzavod.com/interviews_zappa_rolling_stone_mag.asp

MOSEA ZAPPA 045

Landgraaf, NL, was the place to be on Saturday night as the main part of third edition of the Mosae Zappa festival settled at 'De Oefenbunker'.

I was told that the pre-parties (sing-along + DJ on Friday night, and the Saturday afternoon concert by Antoine Putz) had been enjoyed by all, so I was quite curious for the sequel.

Saturday night started with John's Got A Sausage, a project by a bunch of local musicians. The warm-up. Charming.

Next up was The Wrong Object. They played original material and lots of Zappa stuff. They had practiced some new Zappa material as well. This was great. A stunning performance, beautiful arrangements and loads of energy. One word: Wow !

Third in line was Bits From Hell, an exercise with midi files and Zappa music. Nice, but way too close to the original versions. The set could probably have been more powerful if it would only have lasted for 10 or 15 minutes.

And last but not least : The Foolz. Relaxed as always, the guys played a fine selection of Zappa songs. A bit sloppy at start maybe, but I really liked them. The audience loved them too.
Too bad that it got a bit too late and that people started to leave during the show. I did as well.

It was great to see my fellow Zappateers again (from Ireland, England, Sweden, Norway, Germany, NL and BE) and I did attend one superb and half of a fine concert.
Worth the trip !

SUN RA ARKESTRA

Saw the Arkestra, under the direction of (92-year old) Marshal Allen at De Singer in Rijkevorsel, BE, last Friday.

This was and will be an absolute highlight of my musical year. I had seen the band in Tilburg, way back, where they performed for one week in a row, so expectations were high but they delivered.
An amazing concert.

Check out their tourdates and try to catch them.

Next year, they should be playing at the Jazz Festival in Leuven. Not confirmed as of yet, but do keep an eye out for this.

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT ZAPPANALE 2017 !!

* * * breaking news * * *

Dweezil Zappa will be performing at Zappanale 2017.

Zappanale
14 - 16.07.2017

More info soon.

SUN RA

How Sun Ra’s Definitive Singles Catalog Finally Saw The Light of Day

https://daily.bandcamp.com/2016/11/21/sun-ra-feature/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_content=Sun+Ra

IDRIS ACKAMOOR AND THE PYRAMIDS

Idris Ackamoor and The Pyramids have a new album out on the Strut Records label.

Here's 'Rhapsody in Berlin', from 2015.

NEW OSTRICH VON NIPPLE EP OUT TODAY

https://www.psychofonrecords.com/ostrich-von-nipple-qualifies-absurdity-out-today/

DWALMACAT 666

Beat The Devil with this week's Dwalmacat Radio Show :

https://beta.mixcloud.com/Dwalmacat/dwalmacat-666-beat-the-devil/

400 BLOWS – Beat the devil
RIP, RIG & PANIC – Beat the beast
ORBITAL – Satan
THE RESIDENTS – Something devilish
EVIL SUPERSTARS – Satan is in my ass
TOM WAITS – Way down in the hole
BARRY ADAMSON – Jazz devil
MONTE CAZAZZA – Stairway to hell
TUXEDOMOON – Tritone (musica diablo)
LUSTMORD – Ixaxaar
ENNIO MORRICONE – Night flight
THE BONZO DOG BAND – 11 moustachioed daughters
JACK MALMSTEEN – Satan takes a holiday
PRIMAL SCREAM – Miss Lucifer
PINK FLOYD – Lucifer Sam
COZY POWELL – Dance with the devil
KING CRIMSON – The devil’s triangle (finale)
LEGENDARY PINK DOTS – Hellsville
ROLLING STONES – Sympathy for the devil
BOYD RICE – There was never a moment that evil was real

CHARLES BOBUCK DIGITAL RELEASE

Previously available on CD, and now as digital download on Bobuck's Bandcamp page :

"The Swords Of Slidell"


"Later Tonight"

WHERE THE SHARK BUBBLES BLOW

"Where The Shark Bubbles Blow" is a new 7CD box set that collects the following radio show recordings :

Providence College, Rhode Island, April 26th 1975
Vancouver, 1st October 1975
Palladium Theater,NYC 31st October 1977
The Ritz, New York City November 17th 1981

It's my guess that this is repackaging of CDs that were previously made available as (fill in title).

Artwork might look like this :

BRUNO VANSINA

Bruno Vansina is performing "Het Serpent", a shadow play that tells the story of Maité, the bird and the snake.
Music by Martin Denny, reworked and rearranged by Pierre Vervloesem.

I saw the performance at Flat Earth Day at De Singel in Antwerp a while ago and it was great.

December 10, 2016, at jazz club De Rataplan in Antwerp, BE
Afternoon show
at 15h00 !!
http://www.rataplanvzw.be/Detail/tabid/193/ArticleId/2146/HET-SERPENT.aspx

Announced as a show for kids (or for families), but that shouldn't stop you.
Get out those shorts and act like you're twelve again. Exotica rules !!

Pierre Vervloesem (guitar), Frank Van Eycken (vibes, marimba, percussion), Bruno Vansina (flute, melodica, synth, concept, ...), Katrien Vandergrooten and Isabelle Dekeyeser (shadow play), Bram Goots (video), Roel Snellebrand and Bart Celis (sound)

NORDIC - COLLAGE

• nordic: collage
      (2016, cd, sweden, dimma sweden dimma dis034)

Swedish folk trio Nordic consists of Anders Löfberg (cello), Magnus Zetterlund (mandolin) and Erik Rydvall (nyckelharpa). To be quite honest, I had never heard of a nyckelharp before. It's a typical Swedish instrument that looks a bit and sounds a lot like a violin.

On this brand-new and beautiful album, "Collage", the ensemble also delivers an astonishing version of Frank Zappa's 'Blessed Relief'.

My search for bands that perform the music of Frank Zappa not only brought me an excellent coverversion, but also a beautiful album.

ED PALERMO IN CONCERT

performing the music of Frank Zappa and more...

Nov 28, 2016 concert at The Iridium, NYC

Dec 17, 2016 concert at The Falcon, Marlboro, NY
               with special guest Napoleon Murphy Brock

Dec 28, 2016 concert at The Iridium, NYC

RICHARD PINHAS, TATSUYA YOSHIDA AND MASAMI AKITA - PROCESS AND REALITY

• richard pinhas, tatsuya yoshida and masami akita: process and reality
      (2016, cd, usa, cuneiform)

Imagine Richard Pinhas (who just released "Mu" with Barry Cleveland) making an album with Tatsuya Yoshida (of Ruins, Korekyojinn and Koenjihyakkei fame) and Masami Akita (Merzbow).
Well, it just happened and the result got released on Cuneiform.
French electronic rock meets Japanese avant-garde and noise.

Richard Pinhas: guitar, electronics
Tatsuya Yoshida: drums
Masami Akita: electronics

The album includes four tracks of which the second one lasts over thirty minutes.
Experimental.
Dark and heavy.

The info sheet adds :
Process and Reality marks the first recorded convergence of these three avant-rock giants, though Pinhas has recorded with both Yoshida and Merzbow in the past and all three have toured extensively together in Japan . The album, recorded in Tokyo during a recent high-profile tour, captures the fevered intensity and violently textured depth of the trio's collaborative improvisations. The music made by Pinhas, Yoshida and Akita seethes and roils in a constant state of both turbulent flux and visceral realization.

The guitarist says of his collaborators, 'They explore 100% of their possibility. We have the same kind of spirit.' That spirit seems to blanch in the face of the modern age. Though he doesn't regard Process and Reality as the still-to-come third part of his 'Devolution Trilogy,' the album arrives in the midst of an unprecedentedly ugly American presidential election and in the shadow of a series of tragic terrorist attacks in the guitarist's native France. If that's all too downbeat for an evening's listening, Pinhas also sees the album as a celebration of his cherished friendship with these Japanese artists. 'Japan is the best scene in the world,' he asserts, and while he foresees a radical change in his sound approaching in 2017, he continues that, 'Always I will work with my forever friends.'

Out on Cuneiform
http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/

Available from Mandaï
www.mandai.be