SUN RA - MONORAILS & SATELLITES

• sun ra: monorails & satellites vols. 1, 2 and 3
      (2019, 2cd, usa, cosmic myth records)

This "Monorails & Satellites" set arrived earlier today.
2 CD's in a beautiful package. Includes a very informatieve 16-page booklet.
The Cosmic Myth record label is doing an excellent job.

Sun Ra. Solo piano.
from the booklet :
"I have always thought orchestra. I play that way, even when playing the piano."
- Sun Ra

SUN RA'S CRYSTAL SPEARS ALBUM

A bit of extra info on the "Crystal Spears" album that got mentioned earlier this month :

The album was previously released in 2000 on the Evidence label as the second part of THE GREAT LOST SUN RA ALBUMS - CYMBALS / CRYSTAL SPEARS.

-- info: Danny Mathys

OTTLA

Ottla is

• Bert Dockx guitar
• Frans Van Isacker alto sax
• Thomas Jillings tenor sax
• Nicolas Rombouts bass
• Louis Evrard drums, percussion
• Yannick Dupont drums, elektronica

31/01 - CC Casino Koksijde- 20u00
01/02 - Handelsbeurs, Gent - 20u15
02/02 - 30CC Wagehuys, Leuven - 20u00
06/02 - Muziekcentrum Track, Kortrijk - 20u15
09/02 - NONA, Mechelen - 20u30
13/02 - CC De Kimpel, Bilzen - 20u15
14/02 - Flagey, Elsene - 20u15
17/02 - KAAP/ Vrijstaat O., Oostende - 17u00
20/02 - Rataplan, Borgerhout - 20u00
21/02 - Stadsschouwburg, Ieper - 20u15
22/02 - CC De Werf, Aalst - 20u00
23/02 - N9, Eeklo - 20u30
28/02 - De Casino, Sint-Niklaas - 20u30

BESTIAPLANETE - ZOLTANGUERA Y LOS TRANSPORTADORES

• bestiaplanete: zoltanguera y los transportadores
      (2015, cd, argentina, private release)

Bestiaplanete released "Zoltanguera y los Transportadores" in 2015, displaying their energetic mixture of rock and funk, with a fine dose of Zappa and Steely Dan.
It's a great album and a lot of fun to listen to as it contains a lot of musical jokes and references.
The first track, for instance, sounds like something that you might sing "I'm The Slime' to. If you listen carefully, you might hear the singer shout out 'Hoy Hoy Hoy' or even 'Oh No, I Don't Believe It'.

Originally released on CD, but also made available on Bandcamp !

PETER VERMEERSCH - - - EGGS AND ASHES

Peter Vermeersch wrote a new piece for symphony orchestra.
It will be performed at 'De Bijloke' in Ghent on February 8, 2019.

Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen & Philippe Thuriot

• Claude Debussy : Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
• Peter Vermeersch: Eggs and Ashes  (world premiere)
• Pierre Boulez: Mémoriale
• Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird  (1945 version)

SHUMAUN

from Glass Onyon PR

Prog Ensemble Shumaun To Release Anticipated Second Album “One Day Closer to Yesterday” on February 22, 2019

Prog ensemble Shumaun will be releasing their highly anticipated sophomore album “One Day Closer to Yesterday” on February 22, 2019. The new release has an underlying concept of love gone wrong. The album begins with two souls in a state of preexistence bonded by love, and continues after they are both assigned bodies on Earth. All attempts at a blissful reunion are complicated, as only one of them can recall their state together prior to birth… and yet their connection is undeniable. “One Day Closer to Yesterday” touches on the many real struggles, conflicts, and experiences that romantic relationships might go through... the good, bad, spiritual, and terrestrial.

The Shumaun sound is shaped by the soaring vocals and lead guitar work of Farhad Hossain, the pounding melodic bass lines of Jose Mora, the subtle guitar nuances of Tyler Kim, and the technical and groove-oriented drumming of Tanvir Tomal.

Says vocalist/guitarist Farhad Hossain, “Stylistically, this album is a bit more raw and heavier than our last one. Guitar wise, there are surprisingly a lot of riffs throughout the album. I use the term 'surprisingly' because I never really considered myself to be a riff writer, but somehow that's the natural direction that this album took a turn to. Much of the lyrics were comprised from improved vocal sessions that were further refined in order to capture something real and unfiltered. Many of the vocal melodies were spontaneous. I incorporated more vocal harmonies and vocal textures this time around as well. Tanvir Tomal is playing his heart out on this one. Some of the drum rhythms are simplistic in approach and yet somehow technical in nature. As always, Jose Mora's bass playing is tasteful, melodic, and technical all at once, And of course, you can hear Tyler Kim's guitar textures throughout the album.”

SOUFIFEX

The latest Spinifex album, "SOUFIFEX" got released on January 18 on Trytone Records.




15/2 Neeritter, Jazzblazzt

on tour in March 2019, still booking … confirmed dates are:

7/3 München (DE), Glockenbachwerkstatt
9/3 Ottensheim (AU), KOMA
11/3 Prague (CZ), Punctum
12/3 Milano (IT), Corte dei Miracoli
14/3 Genève (CH), Festival de l’AMR
16/3 Saarbrücken (DE), INI-Art, Passage Kino
22/3 Bremen (DE) Güterbahnhof Tor 9
23/3 Zeulenroda (DE), Schieszhaus
24/3 Würzburg (DE), Immerhin

NEW FROM STRUT ON BANDCAMP

Strut Records added the following albums to Bandcamp :

Lloyd Miller and The Heliocentrics




The Souljazz Orchestra

THE BIZARRE WORLD OF FRANK ZAPPA * * * UPDATE * * *

THE BIZARRE WORLD OF FRANK ZAPPA - - - TOURDATES

The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa 2019 UK tour and more

May 09: Edinburgh (UK), Playhouse
May 11: Gateshead (UK), Sage
May 12: Manchester (UK), Bridgewater Hall
May 13: Birmingham (UK), Symphony Hall
May 14: London (UK), The Palladium

May 16: Oostende (BE), Kursaal

FRANK ZAPPA - THE RARE TAPES BROADCAST

• frank zappa: the rare tapes broadcast
      (2018, 2lp, europe, parachute recording company para181lp)

Subtitled "Garden City, New York, 31 December 1974" which might have been a broadcast date of a tape that Frank Zappa had compiled for radio stations.

from Zappateers :

1973 or 1974 - "UN-Concert"
Put together by FZ and broadcast on radio. First broadcast date is unclear. Circulating tape comes from WLIR-FM. Previously listed as WXRT, 8-Nov 1974. Appears on countless bootlegs.

65 min, FM, A-
Tango Chat (1973 11 11 Wayne, NJ, late show)
Pygmy Twylyte / Dummy Up (With Erma Coffee (?) on vocals, unknown date and location, NJ)
Be-Bop Tango excerpt 1 (1973 11 23, Toronto, Canada)
Story Of Dupree's Paradise (1973 11 22, New York, NY, late show)
Bebop Tango excerpt 2 (? 1973 11 18, Waterloo, Canada)
Penguin In Bondage / T'Mershi Duween / Dog Meat (1973 12, Roxy, Los Angeles, CA)
Yellow Snow Suite (edited from 1973 06 25, Sydney, Australia) [longer than Australian Yellow Snow, OSD, parts on Father O'Blivion, YCDTOSA6]
Guitar Event (1973 11 30, Lowell, MA)
Be-Bop Tango Dance Contest (1973 11 18, Waterloo, Canada)
Be-Bop Tango Variations (1973 06 25, Sydney, Australia)

FRANK ZAPPA - RARE VPRO BROADCAST LIVE AT THE PIKNIK SHOW IN UDDEL, JUNE 18, 1970

• frank zappa: rare vpro broadcast live at the piknik show in uddel, june 18, 1970
      (2018, lp, europe, lively youth records lvy518)

Sublime concert. Taken from the Piknik TV-show that was broadcast in The Netherlands in 1970. Unfortunately, only the audio material survived...

Another radio show album that got released last year.

FRANK ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION - VANCOUVER WORKOUT VOLUME 1 AND 2

• frank zappa & the mothers of invention: vancouver workout volume 1
      (2017, 2lp, europe, parachute recording company para120lp)

• frank zappa & the mothers of invention: vancouver workout volume 2
      (2017, 2lp, europe, parachute recording company para131lp)

These two volumes capture the 1975/10/01 Vancouver concert.
Two times two LP's, so that's 4 LP's in total.
Released in 2017.

Collectors only, I would guess, as the recording is available on Zappateers...

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART - LIVE AT THE AVALON BALLROOM 1966

• captain beefheart: live at the avalon ballroom 1966
      (2018, lp, europe, wax radio records)

Another release on the Wax Radio Records label.

FRANK ZAPPA - LIVE MONTREAL 1971

• frank zappa: live montreal 1971
      (2018, lp, uk, wax records)

Another 'radio broadcast' album.

Zappateers info :

1971 07 05 - CKGM-FM / CHOM-FM Montreal
40 min, B+, FM
The Mothers live in the studio.

Daddy's Home, Clarinet Polka, drum solo, Mudshark, Magdalena , jam, Pirate Jenny, Niki Hoi, Daddy Daddy Daddy, She Painted Up Her Face, What Will This Evening Bring Me This Morning?, Oh Baby Don't Drop It, Happy Together / Penis Dimension, Clarinet Polka

ELIO E LE STORIE TESE - DEI MEGLI DEI NOSTRI MEGLI

• elio e le storie tese: dei megli dei nostri megli
      (2014, 3cd+dvd, italy, hukapan)

Italian band Elio E Le Storie Tese is what one might call a pastiche or parody rock band.

Elio E Le Storie Tese has performed and recorded various Frank Zappa compositions and band leader and vocalist Stefano Belisari has performed the music of FZ with Ossi Duri as well.

The above pictured "Dei Megli Dei Nostri Megli" box set got released in 2014 and presents three CDs and one DVD. Disc three includes the band performing Zappa's 'Sofa n°2' and Ike Willis singing 'I Am The Walrus'.
My favourite part however, is found on the DVD and shows video material from the recording session of 'Pippero' with Les Mystères Des Voix Bulgares !!

Here's the 1992 video clip for 'Pippero' !

KONTRA

• kontra: kontran toinen puoli
      (1978, lp, sf, love records lrlp 291)

In 1978, Finnish band Kontra recorded Frank Zappa's 'Let's Make The Water Turn Black' (as 'Mökö Ja Luru' and released it on their "Kontran Toinen Puoli" album.
As the back-cover had a painting of naked man's butt, the album got withdrawn rather quickly and a new version with a plain blue back cover got released the same year.

In 2017, the album got re-released on 180 gram vinyl. The 'original' censored back cover is enclosed as an insert...

BESTIAPLANETE - LA DESTITUCIÓN DE PLUTÓN

• bestiaplanete: la destitución de plutón
      (2014, cd, argentina, private release)

The wonders of the internet had me discover Bestiaplanete, a band from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
As a result, I kicked off my Sunday morning with their 2014 album, "La Destitución De Plutón" (The Destitution Of Pluto).
Mixing rock and funk, "La Destitución" presents 11 energetic compositions.
Great stuff.
It should come as no surprise that vocalist Mariana Alvarez quotes Frank Zappa's 'Oh No' during 'Concepto De Juego'.

Check it out !!
Out on CD and available on Bandcamp.
If you can find it on CD, don't hesitate. The artwork by Ajabilow Leonelli runs over the entire (3 piece) backside !!

LOCUST FELLOW & FRIENDS - BY HOOK OR BY CROOK

• locust fellow & friends: by hook or by crook
      (2018, 7", ger, psychofon records)

This latest release by Locust Fellow & Friends comes in a superb package as both the front and back cover were designed by Steven Cerio !!

The single itself (available in black and in transparent yellow vinyl) has 6 tracks, the last one, 'Crickets' being a field recording (of crickets !!) with some music on top.
Beautiful !!

Ostrich Von Nipple on the guitar !

Available from Psychofon Records.
https://www.psychofonrecords.com/product/locust-fellow-friends-by-hook-or-by-crook/

RESIDENTS TOUR STARTS NEXT WEEK

Kicking off their latest tour in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and passing through Germany, Belgium, France, the UK and the Czech Republic.

https://www.residents.com/tourdates/

THE SPIKE ORCHESTRA

John Zorn's Book Beriah - Levushim performed by the Spike Orchestra

CARL KING TALKS TO TREY SPRUANCE

Carl King Podcast Episode 14 : Trey Spruance

JAMES TAYLOR'S BAND TO INCLUDE CHAD WACKERMAN

James Taylor's touring band will not only feature Lou Marini (who you can hear on Zappa In New York) and Walt Fowler ("Roxy" and the 1988 band !!), but also Chad Wackerman.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

LES EXTRAVAGANTES AVENTURES DE FRANK ZAPPA BY CHRISTOPHE DELBROUCK

This first part of Christophe Delbrouck's Zappa biography counts 475 pages and tells FZ's story until the end of 1971.
In French.
Well written, well documented and understandable, even when French isn't your mother's tongue.

JAY MIGLIORI, GEORGE DUKE AND JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON

Jay Migliori, George Duke and Johnny Guitar Watson recorded and performed with Frank Zappa.
All three contributed to David Axelrod's 1974 "Heavy Axe" album.

Data has been added to the United Mutations Archives.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

WENDY O. WILLIAMS AND DWEEZIL ZAPPA

from quite a while ago...

ZAPPA IN NYC

KING CRIMSON 2019 TOUR DATES

King Crimson Announces 2019 Tour Dates In Celebration of 50 Years

In celebration of 50 years, King Crimson announces 50 Concerts for 2019. The current eight musician line-up will perform 50 concerts across three continents as part of their 2019 Celebration tour.

Dates confirmed so far, are as follows:

King Crimson 2019 Tour Dates

JUN 10, 2019 - HAUS AUENSEE, Leipzig
JUN 12, 2019 - JAHRHUNDERTHALLE, Frankfurt
JUN 13, 2019 - JAHRHUNDERTHALLE, Frankfurt
JUN 15, 2019 - LIEDERHALLE, Stuttgart
JUN 16, 2019 - LIEDERHALLE, Stuttgart
JUN 18, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 19, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 20, 2019 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL, London
JUN 22, 2019 - DE VEREENIGING, Nijmegen
JUN 23, 2019 - DE VEREENIGING, Nijmegen
JUN 26, 2019 - TEATR ROMA, Warsaw
JUN 27, 2019 - TEATR ROMA, Warsaw
JUN 29, 2019 - ZITADELLE, Berlin
JUL 04, 2019 - ROMISCHES THEATER AUGUSTA RAURICA, Basel
JUL 08, 2019 - ARENA DI VERONA, Verona
JUL 10, 2019 - STUPINIGI SONIC PARK, Torino
JUL 12, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 13, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 14, 2019 - DOCTOR MUSIC FESTIVAL, Escalarre
JUL 18, 2019 - ARENA SANTA GIULIANA, Perugia
AUG 23, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City
AUG 24, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City
AUG 27, 2019 - TEATRO DIANA, Guadalajara
AUG 29, 2019 - TEATRO METROPOLITAN, Mexico City
SEP 03, 2019 - GREEK THEATRE, Los Angeles
SEP 05, 2019 - FOX THEATER, Oakland
SEP 06, 2019 - FOX THEATER, Oakland
SEP 08, 2019 - PARAMOUNT THEATER, Denver
SEP 10, 2019 - AUDITORIUM THEATRE OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY, Chicago
SEP 12, 2019 - WARNER THEATRE, Washington D.C.
SEP 14, 2019 - BUDWEISER STAGE, Toronto
SEP 17, 2019 - ST DENIS THEATRE, Montreal
SEP 19, 2019 - BOCH CENTER WANG THEATER, Boston
SEP 21, 2019 - RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, New York City
SEP 23, 2019 - THE MET, Philidelphia
SEP 25, 2019 - HARD ROCK ROCKSINO, Cleveland
SEP 27, 2019 - THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM, Nashville
SEP 29, 2019 - THE COBB CENTER, Atlanta
OCT 06, 2019 - SUNSET STAGE ROCK IN RIO - Rio de Janeiro

SUN RA'S "MONORAILS AND SATELLITES VOLS 1, 2 AND 3" ALBUM RELEASED TODAY

Bandcamp digital download has become available for purchase earlier today.
The 2CD and 3LP set should follow soon.

Sun Ra, solo piano.

"I have always thought orchestra. I play that way, even when playing the piano." — Sun Ra

Monorails and Satellites were two volumes of solo piano works recorded by Sun Ra in 1966. Volume 1 was issued on his Saturn label in 1968, volume 2 the following year. They were the first commercial LPs of the artist's solo keyboard excursions. Vol. 1 featured seven idiosyncratic Sun Ra originals and one standard delivered in Sunny's singular manner. Vol. 2 consists entirely of original compositions. A tape of a third, unreleased volume was discovered posthumously by Michael D. Anderson of the Sun Ra Music Archive. Released here for the first time, it consists of five originals and four standards, and was recorded in stereo.

BERKLEE FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE

Wow !!

THE BIZARRE WORLD OF FRANK ZAPPA - - - TOURDATES

The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa 2019 UK tour

May 09: Edinburgh Playhouse
May 11: Gateshead Sage
May 12: Manchester Bridgewater Hall
May 13: Birmingham Symphony Hall
May 14: London The Palladium

https://www.loudersound.com/news/frank-zappa-hologram-tour-is-coming-to-the-uk-in-may

The touring lineup includes Ray White, Mike Keneally, Scott Thunes, Robert Martin, Ed Mann and Joe ‘Vaultmeister’ Travers, while “hours of never seen before Zappa performance footage from the early 70s” will also feature in the shows.

TIMET - CICLI DI SINTESI

• timet: cicli di sintesi
      (1996, cd, italy, private release)

Italian ensemble TIMET contributed to the (essential) 1994 Frank Zappa tribute CD that got released with Sonora magazine.
'Z(x) = T" was composed by Lorenzo Brusci.
It's a collage piece that includes some Zappa samples.

The piece can also be found on the ensemble's above pictured first release : "Cicli Di Sintesi" from 1996.

RACEBANNON - IN THE GRIP OF THE LIGHT

• racebannon: in the grip of the light
      (2002, cd, usa, level plane records lp34)

Racebannon contributed Don Van Vliet's 'Electricity' to the excellent Captain Beefheart tribute album "Neon Meate Dream Of An Octafish".
The had released the track previously on their "In The Grip Of The Light" album.

DET SKANDALØSE ORKESTER - NO HAR DE LAGET SKANDALE IGJEN

• det skandaløse orkester: no har de laget skandale igjen
      (2014, lp+cd, norway, goodbye records gr109)

Last week, "No Har De Laget Skandale Igjen" (they made a scandal again) arrived, the 2014 album by Det Skandaløse Orkester.

Funny stuff with lots of zappa-esque twists and turns.
Too bad my Norwegian language skills are non-existing, but I do love the music.

INVENTIONIS MATER TRIO FEATURING NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK - ZAPPA SPIELT FÜR BACH

• inventionis mater trio feat. napoleon murphy brock: zappa spielt für bach
      (2018, cd, ger,sjs edition nr. 9)

The SJS association (Stiftung Johann-Sebastian Bach) started organising the "Zappa Plays For Bach" concerts in 2008. Bands, ensembles and Zappa alumni would perform the music of Frank Zappa in support of rebuilding the organ at the  St.Katharinenkirche in Hamburg.
These concerts take place at St.Katharinen, two days before the actual Zappanale festival starts, so they're considered sort of an opener for the festival.

This was the tenth anniversary. With Inventionis Mater (including Valentina Ciardelli on double bass!) and Napoleon Murphy Brock (who performed at the first concert of the Zappa Plays For Bach series).
This is the sixth album with material from Zappa Plays For Bach and it's superb.

Andrea Pennati's performance (arranged for solo guitar) of FZ's 'Watermelon In Easter Hay' is just awesome. Pierpaolo Romani's arrangements of two pieces of Stravinsky's "L'histoire Du Soldat" are great. Valentina Ciardelli's tribute to Stravinsky (called 'Igor') is beautiful, and I'm not even mentioning all the other Zappa pieces that they performed.

Inventionis Mater's "Zappa Spielt Für Bach" album is something every Zappa fan will enjoy.

HENRY KAISER AND MAX KUTNER

From the Iluso Records website :

Henry Kaiser and Max Kutner - “Wild Courses” (IRCD15)

Recorded in April of 2017, this guitar duet album is a particularly special and unusual one. Like Kaiser’s 1979 classic WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE duet album with Fred Frith, this Kaiser-Kutner recording breaks new ground in an unceasingly entertaining manner. Composed of duets on instruments with coursed pairs of strings, acoustic and electric 12-strings and 8-string bass, the music occupies very unique sonic territories.

John “Drumbo” French originally suggested that the two might find a fruitful recording collaboration together. Kutner plays guitar in Drumbo’s current MAGIC BAND, and Drumbo and Kaiser have collaborated for 40 years.

BESTIAPLANETE

Check out Bestiaplanete, a band from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Influenced by James Brown and Frank Zappa !!

Here's the Bandcamp link to their latest album :

THE RESIDENTS' COMPLETE MOLE TRILOGY TO BE RELEASED IN APRIL

The Residents: Mole Box, The Complete Mole Trilogy pREServed

6 CD box set
To be released on April 5, 2019

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-residents-mole-box-the-complete-mole-trilogy-preserved/

TEASER FOR THE NEW TOO NOISY FISH ALBUM

Too Noisy Fish - Furious Empathic Silence
Album got released today.
Again, the album title can be abbreviated as F.E.S.
No wonder as all three are part of Flat Earth Society.

Too Noisy Fish :

• Peter Vandenberghe piano
• Kristof Roseeuw contrabas
• Teun Verbruggen drums

PIXVAE

Belgian national radio 1 is celebrating Triggerfinger's 20th anniversary with a radio session.

Lots of special guests will be performing with Triggerfinger or will perform on invitation of the band.

One of the invited ensembles is French (Lyon) - Colombian band Pixvae.

February 4 at 'Het Depot' in Leuven, or live on radio 1 !

http://www.grolektif.com/_home

MARBIN TOURDATES

Marbin is touring the South East of the U.S.

JAN 18 Indianapolis, IN - the mousetrap
JAN 19 Evansville, IN - Mojo’s boneyard
JAN 20 Huntsville, AL - Sidetracks music Hall
JAN 21 Birmingham, AL - The Nick Rocks
JAN 22 Atlanta, GA - Smith’s Olde Bar
JAN 23 Athens, GA - The foundry
JAN 24 Macon, GA - The hummingbird
JAN 25 Columbus, GA - The loft
JAN 26 Valdosta, GA - Ashley Street Station
JAN 27 Orlando, FL - Timucua Arts Foundation
JAN 28 Miami, FL - Churchill’s Pub
JAN 29 St. Petersburg, FL - Hideaway Cafe
JAN 30 Jacksonville, FL - 1904 Music Hall
JAN 31 Fort Myers, FL - Buckingham Blues Bar
FEB 01 West Palm Beach, FL - Voltaire
FEB 02 Gainesville, FL - Heartwood Soundstage
FEB 04 Tampa, FL - Cruise to the Edge
MAR 15 Chicago, IL - Reggie’s rock club
APR 26 Marion, IL - John Brown's On the Square
APR 27 TN, Memphis - The P&H Cafe
APR 28 North Little Rock, AR - Four Quarter Bar
APR 29 Tyler, TX - The Nine Muses
APR 30 Houston, TX - Bohemeo's
MAY 01 San Antonio, TX - 502 Bar
MAY 03 Dallas, TX - The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge
MAY 04 Norman, OK - The Deli
MAY 06 Tulsa, OK - The Shrine
MAY 07 Bentonville, AR - Meteor Guitar Gallery
MAY 08 Springfield, MO - Outland Ballroom
MAY 09 KCMO, MO - Davey's Uptown Ramblers Club
MAY 11 St. Louis, MO - BB's Jazz

SOFT MACHINE TOURDATES

British Progressive Jazz-Rock Legends
SOFT MACHINE
USA WEST COAST TOUR + CRUISE TO THE EDGE 2019

JOHN ETHERIDGE guitar
THEO TRAVIS flute, sax, Rhodes
ROU BABBINGTON bass guitar
JOHN MARSHALL drums


Jan 23 - Sofia Tsakapolous Center for Arts - Sacramento, CA (with Levin Brothers)
Jan 24 - Freight & Salvage - Berkeley, CA (with Levin Brothers)
Jan 25 - Flynn's - Felton/Santa Cruz, CA (with Levin Brothers)
Jan 27 - Alberta Rose Theater - Portland, OR (with Moraine)
Jan 28 - The Triple Door - Seattle, WA (with Moraine)
Jan 29 - Triple Door - Seattle, WA (with Moraine)
Jan 31 - The Baked Potato (2 shows) - Los Angeles, CA
Feb 1 - The Baked Potato (2 shows) - Los Angeles, CA
Feb 2 - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts - Scottsdale, AZ (with Levin Brothers)
Feb 4-8 - The Cruise To The Edge - Key West, FL, USA + Cozumel Mexico

THE PHANTOM GUITARS ZG MODEL

They called it the "ZG".

http://www.phantom-guitars.de/index.php/gitarren/zg

ZG

A beatiful remake of Frank Zappas Gibson "Phoenix" SG . He played it from 1975-1979.

This is one of Zappas GUITAR-MONSTERS, a real FRANKENSTEIN!

Equipped with parametric EQ, 40dB boost control, panorama-control, single-coil/humbucker-swich for each pickup, out of phase swich, "kill swich", the black button, (allowes to interrupt the guitar signal at your fingertip). Very fast string-action, a lot of far out sounds, a typical sample for the hyper-creative 70's.

ADRIAN BELEW QUARTET US SPRING TOUR 2019

from Glass Onyon PR

Guitar Legend Adrian Belew Announces Re-invented Live Show With New Quartet!

Adrian Belew Quartet US Spring Tour 2019!

Adrian Belew is a legendary guitarist well-known for his diverse travels around the musical map. He is a multi-instrumentalist whose solo records are critically acclaimed. His moving singing voice and prolific songwriting has endeared a loyal fan base of music lovers. His music is being discovered everyday by more and more listeners thirsty for great music with a creative standard not often pushed by the commercial music industry.

For more than a decade the Adrian Belew Power Trio stunned audiences around the world. Now Adrian is ready to re-invent his live show with a new quartet which includes Jordan Perlson on drums, Saul Zonana on keyboards, guitar, and vocals, and bassist extraordinaire Julie Slick. The tour dates will be in support of Adrian's newest release “POP-SIDED”, coming March 2019. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy master musicians playing great songs and having a ball!

Adrian describes the show as, “a more complete picture of most things I've done. More songs, new songs from the award-winning FLUX app, King Crimson material I haven't played for years, and a dose of classic Power Trio. It's my intention to make this the best Adrian Belew show ever!”

Adrian first appeared on the guitar-world radar when he toured with Frank Zappa who later said, “Adrian reinvented electric guitar”. Adrian's signature tones, unique use of effects and whammy bar remains completely different, and his techniques continue to be a huge influence on today's guitarists. He was guitarist, songwriter and frontman Progressive Rock Powerhouse King Crimson for over 30 years. “Discipline”, Adrian's first record with King Crimson, is listed among the most important rock records ever made.

Adrian has had a career that commands both awe and respect from fellow musicians and loyal fans, from his first solo record “The Lone Rhino” to the Atlantic Records hit album “Mr. Music Head” or any of his other 20 plus solo records that push sonic boundaries while maintaining artistic integrity. Adrian shreds on guitar but also writes beautiful songs that will make you cry. Yes, Adrian has taken his fans on a wild ride through countless world tours and albums with David Bowie, Talking Heads, Laurie, Anderson, and Paul Simon. He truly is the Twang Bar King!

February 4-9 - Cruise To The Edge - Tampa | Key West | Cozumel, MX
February 28 - Tralf Music Hall - Buffalo, NY
March 1 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH\
March 2 - The Hi-Fi - Indianapolis, IN
March 3 - Shank Hall - Milwaukee, WI
March 5 - Slowdown - Omaha, NE
March 6 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN
March 8 - Old Rock House - St. Louis, MO
March 9 - Live at Ludlow Garage - Cincinnati, OH
March 10 - City Winery - Nashville, TN
March 13 - Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD
March 14 - The Broadberry - Richmond, VA
March 15 - Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC
March 16 - City Winery - Atlanta, GA
April 4 - Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Hall - Chicago, IL 000
April 5 - Zanzabar - Louisville, KY
April 6 - The Magic Bag - Ferndale, MI
April 7 - Rex Theater - Pittsburgh
April 10 - City Winery - Washington D.C.
April 11 - Wall Street Theater - Norwalk, CT
April 12 - SOPAC - South Orange Performing Arts Center - South Orange, NJ
April 13 - The Suffolk Theater - Riverhead, NY
April 14 - Daryl's House Club - Pawling, NY
April 17 - The Ardmore Music Hall - Ardmore, PA
April 18 - The Center for Arts in Natick - TCAN - Natick, MA
April 19 - Narrows Center for the Arts - Fall River, MA
April 20 - The Egg - Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre - Albany, NY

For more information:
http://www.adrianbelew.net/

FZ88

New book about Frank Zappa's 1988 tour to be released in March.

Text by Andrew Greenaway, pictures by Sergio Albonico.

https://www.wymeruk.co.uk/webshop/collector-s-items/fz88/

POLYGON HEAD PLAYS SINISTER FOOTWEAR II

PETE MAGADINI - POLYRHYTHM

• pete magadini: polyrhythm
      (1976, lp, can, briko records)

Last week I received a digital copy of Pete Magadini's 1976 album "Polyrhythm".
This superb album (with the perfect title) has a major role for George Duke. Next to writing two of the pieces (with Pete Magadini), George's keyboard playing lifts this album to a higher level.
Beautiful.

"Polyrhythms" will show you what George Duke sounded like after playing in Zappa's Mothers for a couple of years and after releasing his excellent "Feel" and "The Aura Will Prevail" solo albums.

Data has been added to the United Mutations Archives.

Re-issued in 1980 with a different album cover.
Also available on CD.

NEW SUN RA ALBUM ANNOUNCED

• sun ra: monorails & satellites vols. 1, 2 and 3
      (2019, 2cd, usa, cosmic myth records)

Cosmic Myth Records will release "Monorails & Satellites Vols. 1, 2 and 3" later this month.
On 2CD, 3LP and digital format.

Vol.1 and 2 originally issued on the Saturn Records label in the late 1960s.
Vol.3 previously unavailable on LP and CD although 3 tracks were available on a since-deleted digital edition.

https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/monorails-and-satellites-vols-1-2-and-3

JOE SATRIANI 'RADIO SHOW' ALBUM

• joe satriani: the broadcast archives
      (2019, 3cd, ??, ??)

Announced for release on January 19 : Joe Satriani's "The Broadcast Archives".
...previously unreleased live recordings from Joe Satriani, recorded for FM Broadcast throughout his solo-career to date...

NEW ALBUM BY PIERRE VERVLOESEM

Stop the presses !!
Pierre Vervloese will be releasing a brand-new album, "Artiste Belge" in about two months !

Olé Hop is a track from the forthcoming new Pierre Vervloesem album 'Artiste Belge' coming out end of March 2019 on http://off-recordlabel.blogspot.com!
Video directed and edited by Pierre himself!
Enjoy!

GEORGE DUKE, KERRY MCNABB & IAN UNDERWOOD

George Duke, Kerry McNabb and Ian Underwood.
All three of them worked with Raul De Souza.

"Sweet Lucy" (1977) was produced by George Duke, engineered by Kerry McNabb, and featured Ian Underwood.

http://ketmokin10audio2.blogspot.com/2018/12/raul-de-souza-sweet-lucy-1977.html

"Don't Ask My Neighbors" (1978) was produced by George Duke, engineered by Kerry McNabb and featured a lot musicians that had recorded with George Duke.

http://ketmokin10audio2.blogspot.com/2018/12/raul-de-souza-dont-ask-my-neighbors-1978.html


--info: Jan van Kemenade

MUFFIN MEN TOUR DATES

PIERREJEAN GAUCHER'S ZAPPE ZAPPA

Released on CD in 2002, and made available through Bandcamp only a couple of days ago, Pierrejean Gaucher's "Zappe Zappa" album.

Essential listening.

THE JOHNNY OTIS SHOW

Johnny Otis released 'Cuttin' Up' in 1971.
Featuring Shuggie Otis and Sugarcane Harris.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

STEPHAN THELEN

Guitarist and composer Stephan Thelen releases his debut album for Moonjune Records worldwide on January 18, 2019. It's an instrumental, post-progressive album co-produced by Markus Reuter (Stick Men), featuring guest appearances of many leading electric guitarists including David Torn, Markus Reuter, Henry Kaiser, Jon Durant, Bill Walker, Barry Cleveland and Matt Tate, as well as drummers/percussionists Benno Kaiser, Manuel Pasquinelli and Andi Pupato.

FRANK ZAPPA - THE BROADCAST COLLECTION

U.S. 3LP box
"The Broadcast Collection"

This deluxe vinyl broadcast collection contains some classic and rare Frank Zappa performances and interviews on vinyl for the first time! The release includes "Halloween In The Big Apple" (1977), The Munich 1980 live FM broadcast show followed by three separate interviews for the Late Show in 1982 and 1983. This release will prove a delight for Zappa fans worldwide.

Side A : Intro (Flakes) / San Ber'dino / Tryin' To Grow A Chin / City Of Tiny Lites / The Quirm / Big Leg Emma

Side B : Audience Participation / The Black Page #2 / Jones Crusher / Camarillo Brillo / Black Napkins

Side C : Chunga's Revenge / Mudd Club / The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing / Joe's Garage / A Pound For A Brown On The Bus / Cosmik Debris / Keep It Greasey

Side D : Pick Me I'm Clean / The Illinois Enema Bandit / You Didn't Try To Call Me / Ain't Got No Heart / Love Of My Life

Side E : City Of Tiny Lines / Late Show Interview, August 1982 (w/ Moon Zappa)

Side F : Late Show Interview, July 1983 / Late Show Interview, October 1983

THIRD NOISE PRINCIPLE

Unreleased track by The Residents to be found on new electronic music collection box set.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/third-noise-principle-formative-north-american-electronica-1975-1984-various-artists-4cd-48pp-bookpack/

NEW VANBINBINSBERGEN PLAYSTATION ALBUM IS AVAILABLE

"10", the new album by Vanbinsbergen Playstation, is available from Corrie Van Binsbergen's website.

Next to the 15 new tracks by Vanbinsbergen Playstation, the album also offers various tracks from previous releases on the Brokken Records label, celebrating its 10th anniversary.

RESIDENTS BOBBLEHEAD

Available from MVD

https://mvdshop.com/products/residents-classic-eyeball-limited-edition-bobblehead-merch

The Residents iconic 'Classic Eyeball' is now available as a bobblehead.
This figure is limited to just 1000 hand-numbered units, stands at 7.5' tall, and is made of a high quality polyresin.
Comes in a full color box.

THE ORACLE OF OUTER SPACE - - - OFFICIAL TRAILER

The Oracle Of Outer Space is an Adult-Swim-style animated TV show pilot starring Dweezil Zappa, Jon Schnepp Of Metalocalypse (RIP), LeeAnna Vamp, Joanie Brosas, Mike Keneally, Clarke Wolfe, and Ebony Amber.

Created by Carl King and Animated by Lance Myers. Written by Carl King, Martin Pursley, and Ian Koss.

NI

French instrumental progressive / math rock band Ni is about to release their second album.

"Les Insurgés de Romilly" was their first one:

JON LARSEN - PORTRAIT OF JON LARSEN

• jon larsen: a portrait of jon larsen
      (2010, cd, norway, zonic entertainment)

Jon Larsen released this compilation album on his Zonic Entertainment label in 2010. It includes 6 tracks from his 2007 "Strange News From Mars" album, featuring Tommy Mars, Arthur Barrow, Jimmy Carl Black and Bruce Fowler !!

NEW ZAPPA ALBUM ANNOUNCED ON THE KEYHOLE LABEL

There's a new Zappa album announced on the Keyhole label, "New Years Eve 1973".
The Keyhole label specialises in radio show recording, in other words : shows that were broadcast on the radio and for which the rights belong to the radio station.

I'm not sure what to expect as there is no tape circulating with that date ??
Unless it's 1974 (the Mothers played in Long Beach on Dec 31, 1974).

EVIL DICK - EARTHLY DELIGHTS

• evil dick: earthly delights
      (2018, cd, uk, private release)

I'm pretty sure that I mentioned this latest album by Evil Dick a couple of times in 2018, but just in case that you've missed it...
The liner notes explain : "The music has its own logic, taking the listener on a sonic journey through a mysterious and often unpredictable, phantasmagorical landscape."

Contemporary and experimental, but with a beat.

SUN RA - CRYSTAL SPEARS

• sun ra & his arkestra: crystal spears
      (2018, cd, usa, modern harmonic mh-8082)

Released on CD by the Modern Harmonic record label last November (2018) and more recently also available as a digital download on Bandcamp : "Crystal Spears".
Recorded in 1973 and intended for release by Impulse in 1975 as Impulse AS-9297 but ultimately rejected by the label. Most probably because it was too experimental...



More info : http://exystence.net/blog/2019/01/03/sun-ra-crystal-spears-2019/

-- link : Jan van Kemenade

TOM BROWN'S ROCK STORIES

Rock Stories: Tom Brown remembers the dope smoking and drama at Flo and Eddie’s “Strawberry Shortcake” sessions.

http://nightflight.com/rock-stories-tom-brown-remembers-the-dope-smoking-and-drama-at-flo-eddies-strawberry-shortcake-sessions/

GUTHRIE GOVAN

Amazing.
Simply amazing.

STACK WADDY - SO WHO THE HELL IS STACK WADDY?

• stack waddy: so who the hell is stack waddy? the complete works 1970-72
      (2007, 3cd, uk, cherry red records)

Recently, the Cherry Red Records label started releasing The Residents Preserved, a series that adds extra music and artwork to the original Residents albums. 'Eskimo' is up next, if I'm not mistaken. Beautiful...

Anyway, the same Cherry Red Records label also released this fine Stack Waddy compilation set in 2017.
The first two albums, plus some live stuff and outtakes.
As they were present on the first two albums, this set also includes Stack Waddy's versions of Don Van Vliet's 'Sure 'Nuff 'N' Yes I Do' and of Frank Zappa's 'Willie The Pimp'.
Three CDs in mini LP sleeves, plus a booklet. Nice.

Data has been added to the United Mutations Archives.

DOG EAT DOG - JUNGLE

• dog eat dog: jungle
      (1989, 7", finland, in dog we trust dog002)

Somewhere between 1989 and 1991, Finnish band Dog Eat Dog released a couple of 7" singles and one album. (not to be confused with the (more famous) New Jersey based band with the same name)

Their first single was called "Jungle" and carried 'Tropical Hot Dog Night' on the b-side.
Sounds good with the guitar up front in the mix.

Added to the United Mutations Archives.

FRED HÄNDL - THE POODLE MAGIC PIG TYPE

• fred händl: the poodle magic pig type
      (2018, cd, nl, private release)

"The Poodle Magic Pig Type" isn't Fred's first encounter with the music of Frank Zappa. He recorded, toured and performed with Zappatika, Ike Willis, Denny Walley, Twister Steward and Jeff Hollie, recorded with Z.E.R.O. (the Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra), provided tracks for the Cordelia Zappa tribute albums, AND he recorded "Fred Händl Plays Frank Zappa" in 2015, an album that should be part of everyone's Zappa collection.

And talking about albums that belong in everyone's Zappa collection, so should "The Poodle Magic Pig Type".
Fred invited a bunch of his fellow musicians and freaky friends to participate on this album and the result is magnificent.
'Dirty Love' includes a superfine guitar solo by the man that we know as a harmonica wizard, Craig 'Twister' Steward. We get a German version of 'Oh No' (great parlando job by Steffen Schindler !), 'Ms. Pinky' has Dan Cooper on vocals (wow !) with Rupert Kettle adding some fine slide guitar. 'Absolutely Free' and 'Take Your Clothes Off' are performed solo on the piano. There's a beautiful version of George Duke's 'Uncle Remus' with Steffen on vocals and Eliot Aitken going crazy on the guitar. And then there's my favourite on this album 'Any Way The Wind Blows', combining a perfect rhythm section (Kevin Crosby on bass with Prairie Prince on drums) with Fred's keyboards and the uncompromising, inimitable vocals of Mark Watson. And that's just the first 8 tracks.

The album continues with 'Peaches En Regalia' (with a Clint Walker cameo), 'Watermelon In Easter Hay' and 'The Idiot Bastard Son' (solo piano versions), 'Duke Of Prunes' (with Fred on vocals), 'Camarillo Brillo' (Fred Händl on piano and Mark Watson on vocals), and the perfect closing / meditative moment, 'Mom & Dad' (solo piano).

I was very glad to catch Fred in concert recently, at the most recent edition of the Mosae Zappa festival, but this CD is something else. This is superb
Essential listening.

The album got released in limited (signed and numbered) edition of 100 vinyl copies (on yellow vinyl) but is also available on CD.

SUN RA ON BANDCAMP - - - BATMAN AND ROBIN

Various titles of the Sun Ra catalogue are being added to Bandcamp.
The latest is the 1966 "Batman And Robin" album.
Produced by Tom Wilson (who also produced The Mothers' "Freak Out" album around the same time!)



Irwin Chusid adds:

This is not a Sun Ra album, nor does it sound like a Sun Ra album—but Sun Ra and various members of his Arkestra are on it. This 1966 budget-label project was an attempt by producer Tom Wilson (1931–1978) to cash in on the Batman craze launched by the popular superhero comic book-turned-TV series.

"The Sensational Guitars of Dan and Dale" were not a real group—it was a marquee name for a rotating cast of session pros earning rent money by playing on hastily recorded albums intended to turn quick bucks on various musical and cultural fashions. There are at least 20 "Dan & Dale" albums listed at Discogs, most issued on the Diplomat label. To the best of anyone's knowledge, there were no musicians named Dan or Dale involved. In fact, few, if any, musicians have been identified from any D&D projects—"Batman" being a notable exception, and for good reason.

Wilson had produced Sun Ra's first LP, Jazz by Sun Ra, in 1957 for Wilson's short-lived (but legendary) Cambridge-based Transition label. After Ra relocated from Chicago to New York in 1961, Wilson contacted Sunny, booked him in a Newark NJ studio, and produced The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra, issued in 1962 on Savoy.

The Batman project occurred after Wilson's resignation from a staff producer position at Columbia Records, where he helmed albums by Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Eddie Harris, Herbie Mann, and others. By 1966, Wilson had begun selling his services to the highest bidder as a freelancer, and produced many historic projects for MGM-Verve, including the first two albums by the Mothers of Invention, the first two Velvet Underground releases, and albums by Nico, Hugh Masekela, Eric Burdon and the Animals, and others.
...

NEW BOOK ON ZAPPA BY CHRISTOPHE DELBROUCK

Not his first book on Zappa...
Christophe Delbrouck: "Lex Extravagantes Aventures de Frank Zappa"

THE UNIVERSE BY EAR ANNOUNCED NEW ALBUM

Swiss trio The Universe By Ear announced that their new album will be released in a couple months.
Again, the album will be untitled so I guess we'll just have to call it "Album II".
To be released on the Sireena Records label.

More info soon.

Here's a live fragment :

TEASER FOR THE UPCOMING ZAPPATIKA ALBUM

Zappatika just released a teaser for the upcoming album :
'Montana', featuring Ike Willis.



Zappatika adds :
A very happy 2019 wish to one and all !
We have some awesome things planned for this year and will be touring in even more places than ever before.....news to follow
But first ! 2019 will kick off with the release of BOTH a full length Road Movie AND a complete Live Audio album from our most recent tour, the "Highway Maintenance UK Tour" from November 2018.
The movie is a must see as it contains lots of interviews,stories about FZ, backstage stuff and of course,some great concert footage !
The Live Album was recorded on November 12th (Ike Willis's Birthday) in Porth,Wales and for 55 minutes you will be able to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a very memorable evening !
Our next tour is planned for Germany in April and we will start announcing dates in a few weeks time.
Thanks again for the continued support and we look forward to seeing YOU at a show soon

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH

Fans of Allan Holdsworth's music will be happy to hear that Manifesto records released "I.O.U. - Live In Japan 1984".
First 1.000 copies will come with a bonus DVD.
And, the line-up features Chad Wackerman.

-- info: Danny Mathys

JOHN GILMORE

a message from Sam Byrd from the Saturn newsgroup :


Please check out these blog posts about John Gilmore and what I think are his top 61 sax solos!

https://worldofabstractdreams.blogspot.com/2019/01/john-gilmores-greatest-sax-solos-part-1.html

https://worldofabstractdreams.blogspot.com/2019/01/john-gilmores-greatest-sax-solos-part-2.html


Seems like a fine opportunity to give some of these tracks another listening !

PHOENICIAN DRIVE

Phoenician Drive is offering a package deal for their album and their EP.
Check it out here:
https://phoeniciandrive.bandcamp.com/album/phoenician-drive

EXADAKTYLOS

Greek band Exadaktylos covered Frank Zappa's 'Road Ladies'.
The track can be found on the 7" that was included in the various artists' "Live In Kyttaro - Pop In Athens" album that got released in Greece in 1971.

The album got re-released a couple of times:

• various artists: live in kyttaro - pop in athens
       (1996, cd, greece, lyra 99090)

In 1996, Lyra records re-released the 1971 album. One time without the tracks from the 7" (Lyra CD 3023) and one time with the tracks from the 7" (Lyra CD 99090). The above pictured cover is from the latter one (and includes the Zappa cover version).

• various artists: live in kyttaro - pop in athens
      (2009, cd, greece, difono 2711602096)

In 2009, the complete original album (including the tracks from the 7") got re-released on the Difono label. Housed in a slim DVD case.

• various artists: nostalgic for rock 'n' roll
      (2010, 6cd, greece, Δίφωνο)

2010 saw yet another re-release. "Live In Kyttaro" was included in the "Nostalgic For Rock 'n' Roll" 6CD box that was issued with Greek magazine Δίφωνο.

• various artists: live in kyttaro - pop in athens
      (2016, lp + 7", greece, zodiac 88023)

And finally, there was the 2016 re-release of the original album + 7" on 180 g vinyl.

ALEX'S HAND - KATATAK

• alex's hand: katatak
      (2017, cd, russia, raig r102)

"Katatak" is Alex's Hand's latest release.
Unpredictable, surprising and inviting to multiple listening sessions.
What else does one need to kick off 2019 ?

NEW RELEASE BY JULIE SLICK

Through Bandcamp, but also out on vinyl and on CD :

Echo Test's "Daughter Of Ocean".

MUFFINZ POWER QUARTET - LET'S DRINK SOME TEA

• muffinz power quartet: let's drink some tea
      (2016, cdr-promo, uk, private release)

The Muffin Men started performing the music of Frank Zappa in 1991. They toured with Jimmy Carl Black, Ike Willis and Denny Walley, and they have shared the stage with various other Zappa alumni as well.
The band has released over 15 albums, a couple of DVD's, and some promos.
"Let's Drink Some Tea" is such a promo. Released on CDR, it features Rhino, Jumpy, Phil and Roddie on 10 amazing tracks.
My best guess is that it's from 2016.

Data has been added to the United Mutations Archives.

FRANK ZAPPA IN GRAPHIC NOVEL BY TYPEX

Dutch comic book artist Typex made an award-winning biography about Andy Warhol called "Andy". It got released in 2018.
Frank Zappa makes an appearance in the book.

200 MOTELS BOX SET

"200 Motels" to be released as a box set !

https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/frank-zappa-tony-palmer-200-motels


200 Motels is a 1971 American-British musical surrealist film co-written and directed by Frank Zappa and Tony Palmer and starring The Mothers of Invention, Theodore Bikel and Ringo Starr.

In 200 Motels, the film attempts to portray the craziness of life on the road as a rock musician. While on tour, The Mothers of Invention go crazy in the small fictional town of Centerville (“a real nice place to raise your kids up”), wander around, and get beaten up in “Redneck Eats”, a cowboy bar. In a cartoon interlude passed off as a “dental hygiene movie,” bassist “Jeff”, tired of playing what he refers to as “Zappa’s comedy music”, is persuaded by his bad conscience to quit the group, as did his real-life counterpart Jeff Simmons, who was fired for insubordination before the film began shooting. Simmons was replaced by Martin Lickert (who was Ringo’s chauffeur) for the film.

The Orchestra was the Royal Philharmonic, including the great classical guitarist John Williams, and was conducted by Elgar Howarth who went on to become one of Britain’s most distinguished conductors. And the choreography was devised by Gillian Lynne, who went on to ‘invent’ the Lloyd-Webber musical “Cats”. She always said that 200 Motels was the inspiration for much that she later incorporated into “Cats.”

It was also the first film ever to be shot on 2" analogue videotape and successfully transferred to celluloid. Star Wars was only just around the corner.

ALEX'S HAND - ROACHES

• alex's hand: roaches
      (2014, download, --, bandcamp)

Released on Bandcamp in 2014 but remastered and put on CD in 2017, "Roaches" presents material that Alex's Hand recorded when they still lived in Seattle.
Before their move to Berlin, that is.
Beautiful package, cardboard fold-out with nice artwork, and some great music.

Polyrhythmic,  dynamic, rollercoaster-like.
Love it.

SEXTON MING - A LIFETIME OF NERVOUS GUTACHES #1

• sexton ming: a lifetime of nervous gutaches #1
      (2003, cd, uk, rim records)

After a recent and pleasant introduction to The Tasty Ones, I  knew I had to check out the mastermind behind it all, Sexton Ming.
I do have Sexton's "Out To Stud" album, but I did go for "A Life Time Of Nervous Gutaches #1", a compilation album that takes a look at Sexton Ming's verious musical projects, from Damp Banger to his collaborations with Billy Childish and Phil Purdon III.

Great stuff.
Experimental, DIY, ...
Love the album cover !!
Perfect to get in a good mood.

ALEX'S HAND - KÜNSTLER SCHEISSE

• alex's hand: künstler scheisse
      (2016, cd, russia, raig r094)

The Discogs website states the following about Alex's Hand :
"... polystylistic avant-garde, experimental rock group centered around bassist Kellen Mills and drummer Nic Barnes. It was launched in Seattle, Washington in 2011, and is currently based out of Berlin, Germany. Dabbling in everything from rock, metal, jazz, avant-grade, classical, progressive and experimental music, ALEX'S HAND has self-released three full-length studio albums, two EPs, a live album, and an album of spontaneous live improvisations."

The band performed at the latest edition of Zappanale where I caught the second part of their show (at the Mystery Stage).
Very impressive. Loved it.

The above pictured "Künstler Scheisse" album got recorded in Berlin and released through Bandcamp in 2016. The CD-version is out on the Russian RAIG record label !

GENERATION AXE - THE GUITARS THAT DESTROYED THE WORLD: LIVE IN CHINA

• generation axe: the guitars that destroyed the world: live in china
      (2018, cd, usa, 941 690 400 2)

Generation Axe (Nuno Bettencourt, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen and Tosin Abasi) toured Asia in 2017.
The above pictures album has snippets from various shows, but the majority got recorded in Guangzhou, China, hence the title.

There's A LOT of notes on this album. Even for my guitar-oriented mind.
Nice surprise: Pete Griffin on the bass.