United Mutations

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

SUN RA ARKESTRA IN CONCERT IN MAASTRICHT, NL ON MARCH 18

March 18, 2017
Sun Ra Arkestra
at 'Theater aan het Vrijthof'
Maastricht, NL

Monday, January 30, 2017

JOY AS A TOY - MOURNING MOUNTAINS

joy as a toy: mourning mountains
(2017, cd, bel, humpty dumpty records)

Joy As A toy is Gil Mortio (bass), Clément Nourry (guitar) and Jean-Philippe De Gheest (drums). "Mourning Mountains" is the trio's third album and it sounds really good. I really need to check out their previous albums. With album titles like "Valparaiso" and "Dead Like A Dodo", this can't go wrong.

You might be familiar with some of Gil Mortio's musical output as he is/was part of Kings Of Belgium with Pierre Vervloesem. Gil also performed and recorded with Bruno Vansina and with Teun Verbruggen on various occasions.

Anyway, "Mourning Mountains".
The album presents a beautiful mix of pop, rock, exotica and cinematic soundscapes.
"Mourning Mountains" has 8 tracks and all of them are impressive.

Check them out, and find the theremin !!

http://www.bruzz.be/fr/musique/sound-brussels-joy-toy

The band is playing in and around Brussels and even in Antwerp the next month, so check your calendar.

14/02/2017 @ Le Botanique (Brussels)
16/02/2017 @ Chat Le Roi (Antwerpen)
18/03/2017 @ Discover Box (Braine-L'Alleud)

Out on Humpty Dumpty Records.

Available from Mandaï.
www.mandai.be

BRUCE BICKFORD EXPO IN ULM, GERMANY

March 11 until June 18, 2017
EXPO Bruce Bickford

in Ulm, Germany

http://www.stadthaus.ulm.de/stadthaus/weitere_infos.152040.htm

THE A-BONES - DADDY WANTS A COLD BEER AND OTHER MILLION SELLERS

the a-bones: daddy wants a cold beer and other million sellers
(2004, 2cd, usa, norton records ced-310)

Norton Records is an independent record label from Brooklyn, NYC. It was founded by Miriam Linna and Billy Miller in 1986. Next to garage punk, rockabilly and early blues bands, the label has also released some fine Sun Ra albums.
But let's get back to the subject.

Before Norton Records, Miram Linnan and Billy Miller were the duo behind The A-Bones, a (Brooklyn-based) garage band.
In 1992, the band recorded Frank Zappa's 'The World's Greatest Sinner'. It was put on a 7" by the Australian Giant Claw record label, with 'Shanty Tramp' on the B-side.
Jump to 2004 and the band has already released four albums and two EP's, all on the Norton label, when the label releases "Daddy Wants A Cold Beer", a compilation of singles and unissued material.

Nice.

WIZARDS OF OOZE - THE DIPSTER

wizards of ooze: the dipster
(1994, cd, bel, backbone records)

The Wizards Of Ooze are not to be confused with The Wizards of Twiddly, the British band that once was 3/5 of The Muffin Men and that toured and recorded with Kevin Ayers.
No no no. The Wizards Of Ooze were a Belgian acid jazz ensemble that released their first album as Wizards Of Ooze in 1994. And this album was called "The Dipster".
Before Wizards Of Ooze, there was Vibes Ahead Alliance, but that's another story.

When I first heard about Wizards Of Ooze, the were compared to Jamiroquay and to Frank Zappa. Had to check that out and wasn't disappointed.

Wizards Of Ooze released three albums between 1994 and 1999. They called it a day in 2001.
Next March, the albums will be re-released together with a 'new' album with various demos and mixes. That'll be fun...

ZAPPATIKA, LIVE FROM BREDA

Last Friday, Zappatika performed the music of Frank Zappa at the 'Sound Dog' in Breda, NL.

Here's a clip, directly from Zappatika's Reverbnation page :

DWEEZIL ZAPPA GUESTED AT SCHOOL OF ROCK ZAPPA TRIBUTE

Dweezil Zappa visited the Downington School Of Rock and joined the band on stage during 'Muffin Man' and 'Apostrophe'.

https://www.jambase.com/article/dweezil-zappa-guests-school-rock-tribute-frank-zappa

Sunday, January 29, 2017

VARIOUS ARTISTS - SUPPER'S READY

various artists: supper's ready
(1995, cd, usa, magna carta / road runner rr8912-2)

So while we're on the subject of one of my favourite Zappa keyboard players, Tommy Mars, I added the data for "Supper's Ready", the Genesis tribute that got released by Magna Carta / Road Runner in 1995 to the United Mutations archives.

"Supper"'s Ready" has all different bands and line-ups performing early Genesis material.
One of these, John Goodsall with Michael Zentner, features none other than Tommy Mars on keyboards.

Here's the track :

FREEBO - THE END OF THE BEGINNING

freebo: the end of the beginning
(1999, cd, usa, poppabo)

Freebo's musical bio reads is quite impressive. He started his musical career in early seventies and he recorded and toured with Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Jerry Donahue, Paul Barrere,...
It took him until 1999 to release his first solo album, "The End Of The Beginning".

This is a fine album for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Lots of familiar sounding names on this disc : Albert Lee, Paul Barrere, Bonnie Raitt, Sam Clayton, Valerie Carter,...
The album also features Tommy Mars on one track, Mike Miller on another track and Albert Wing on two tracks.

The below 'Trouble' track features Tommy Mars on synth strings.
Not really represantative as the rest of the album is quite bluesy and features a lot of guitar work, but it does feature Tommy Mars.