ZAPPANALE 2022 - #2

Since 2009 (if I'm not mistaken), Sebastian Knauer has been organizing "Zappa Spielt Für Bach" concerts at the St.Katharinenkirche in Hamburg, In support of the restauration of the St.Katharinen pipe organ.

These concerts take place on the Wednesday prior to the Zappanale festival, so they're sort of a pre-Zappanale concerts. Perfect for those, who like me, have to pass Hamburg on their way to the Zappanale festival.

I've seen quite a number of impressive concerts over there: German bands Sheik Yerbouti and Frank Out, but also international groups like Bogus Pomp, Ambrosius Ensemble, Valentina Ciardelli and Inventionis Mater, often with artists that have recorded with Frank Zappa such as Napoleon Murphy Brock, Robert Martin and (Ensemble Modern cellist) Fried Dähn.

And although I'll be the first one to admit that churches do not have the best acoustics for amplified concerts (because of the ongoing echoes), the "Zappa Spielt Für Bach" concerts are something very special: the concerts are one of a kind, the atmosphere is amazing, and recordings of these concerts have resulted in a very impressive series of Frank Zappa tribute albums.

Expectations for this year's event were quite high: Napoleon Murphy Brock and Mats Öberg would perform a selection of tunes, including some Frank Zappa pieces.
And as if that would not be spectacular enough, the first part would be Mats Öberg performing music from his "Frankful" FZ-tribute album on the grand piano.

Mats Öberg's "Frankful" album is one of the finest FZ-tribute albums that I know of. It's not just a tribute. It's a celebration. It's Mats improvising on several Zappa pieces. Channeling them, if you like, in his own, typical way.

When I had first listened to the "Frankful" CD in 2019, I told my wife that if this was ever going to be performed in concert, we should be there. Anywhere. Anyplace. Anytime.
And now it was happening. In Hamburg. Our 2022 pre-Zappanale concert.

During his journey to Hamburg and during the concert, Mats was assisted by Hans Annéllsson (who had released the "Frankful" album on his Annellssongs label: CD in 2019 and as 2 LP set in 2020). Hans told me that it had not been an easy exercise due to cancelled flights and everything, but that they were very happy to have arrived.
The concert itself was an absolute highlight.

Mats played for about 45 minutes and even played his chromatic harmonica simultaneously with the grand piano at a certain moment. Truly amazing.

• Lumpy Gravy / Läther
• Toads Of The Short Forest / Inca Roads
• Zoot Allures
• Pound For A Brown
• Outside Now

The second concert of the evening added Napoleon Murphy Brock to the stage. Napoleon knows how to work / avoid the echo in the church and Mats and Napoleon are a great duo. Everybody could tell that they enjoyed it as well as we did.

A fine selection of songs resulting in a very nice concert.

The duo played for almost 90 minutes !

Mats Öberg: grand piano, keyboard, harmonica, vocals
Napoleon Murphy Brock: saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals

• Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance (F.Zappa)
• What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? (F.Zappa)
• Oh No / Son Of Orange County (F.Zappa)
• Trouble Every Day (F.Zappa)
• Yeah, We Going (G.Duke)
• Somewhere Over The Rainbow (H.Arlen, Y.Harburg) = with pre-recorded orchestra
• How About You (H.Nilsson)
• flute solo / Aybe Sea (F.Zappa)
• Midnight Sun (L.Hampton) = with pre-recorded orchestra
• Uncle Remus (G.Duke, F.Zappa)
• My Ship (K.Weill, I.Gerswhin, arr.G.Evans)
• Yo' Mama (F.Zappa)

What a night.
Happy faces all around, with Till, Sybille, Angel, Steffen, Maggie, Christian, Mick, Noisy Peter, Hans, Wim, and many more.

Selfie with Angel

If you haven't done so already, check out Mats Öberg's "Frankful" album, also on Bandcamp :