2010

Happy New Year, everyone.

NEW AT MOONJUNE

Moonjune Records keeps going strong.

The latest addition to the Moonjune Records catalogue is by Iron Kim Style.

The info states:
Iron Kim Style is an explosive Seattle-based jazz-rock improv quintet featuring Moraine’s Dennis Rea (6-string electric guitar) and Jay Jaskot (drums) alongside Bill Jones (trumpet), Thaddaeus Brophy (12-string electric guitar), and Ryan Berg (electric bass). Drawing on influences as diverse as Olivier Messiaen, electric-period Miles Davis, Terje Rypdal, John Abercrombie, heavy rock, and North Korean martial music, Iron Kim Style conjures spontaneous sonic epics that encompass everything from stomping grooves to grinding noise to passages of eerie beauty.

You can listen to some samples over at the Moonjune website:
http://www.moonjune.com/MJR031.htm

DENNY WALLEY AT THE NEXT ZAPPANALE FESTIVAL

Not only has the attendance of the Filthy Habits Ensemble (from Barcelona, Spain) been confirmed, but Denny Walley will also be present at the next edition of the Zappanale Festival.

http://www.zappanale.de/zappanale/en/home.html

RONNIE WILLIAMS UPDATE

Ronnie Williams introduced Frank Zappa to Paul Buff in 1960. His contributions can be found on a couple of Cucamonga-era, Mothers- & Zappa recordings.

Here's some additional info from Ron Cote:

I knew Ronnie and Kenny in 74' & 75'.

Ronnie and Joyce and all the kids lived in the green farm house between the railroad tracks in the grape fields of Cucamonga.
Joyce worked for the telephone company in Pomona. I used to give her rides to work.
It was a strange time, everyone was into things they should not have been.
Kenny got out of jail and stayed with me for a while in Ontario.
Ronnie was a great guitar player and I was just learning. He would show me things and explain them.
I had no clue what he was talking about for another 5 years.

It was the spring of 75' that Ronnie went on stage with Frank in Pomona. He did not sing he played guitar. He told me he shouldn't have been up there, he was so out of practice, but Frank didn't care. There was a review in the local paper that talked about it, the critic did not like what was going on.

Ronnie's guitar and equipment got stolen around this time. His telecaster had a design carved on the back. It was the nickname Frank gave him, Snail saw, Frank said it was because Ronnie was slow as a snail but he could buzz like a saw.
I never really knew him or Kenny to be singers. Ronnie played guitar and Kenny was a piano player.

In 75' Kenny got violated on his probation and went back to jail. I left California in the fall of 75 and came back on July 4, 1976.
I tried to locate them but they were gone from Cucamonga.

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART METAL ACETATE

• captain beefheart: diddy wah diddy / moonchild
  (1966, 10" metal acetate / testpressing, uk, rca)

Here's another gem from Håkon Busterud's collection: a 10" metal acetate testpressing of Captain Beefheart's 'Diddy Wah Diddy' & 'Moonchild' !!
On RCA !

A STUDY ON THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA

Brett Clement wrote a paper to get a degree of Doctor in Philosophy at the University of Cincinnati entitled "A Study Of The Instrumental Music Of Frank Zappa".

400 pages of explanation and examples.
Something to keep you busy tonight...

http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Clement%20Brett%20G.pdf?acc_num=ucin1248708091

-- info: Javier Marcote

ZAPPA RADIO SPECIAL BY STADSRADIO BREDA IS ON-LINE

The 4-hour Zappa special that Stadsradio Breda (NL) did on 2009 12 13 is on-line.

Go to http://www.stadsradiobreda.nl/audio-archief-mainmenu-72

and scroll (almost all the way) down to Zappa Avond, where you can download the mp3 tracks.

COUNTRY & EASTERN

Swedish record label Country & Eastern got mentioned a couple of times in this blog the latest couple of weeks.
C&E released a fine Don Cherry tribute and a fabulous concert recording by Jonas Knutsson and Mats Öberg.

http://united-mutations.blogspot.com/2009/12/berger-knutsson-spering-friends-see-you.html

http://united-mutations.blogspot.com/2009/12/jonas-knutsson-mats-oberg-live.html

If you check out the C&E website, over at http://www.countryandeastern.se/, you can see that Mats is featured on a couple of other releases as well: the latest Bengt Berger album, "Beches Brew", and the C&E Christmas album.

BEST YOUTUBE MOMENT OF 2009

The best YouTube video that I saw in 2009:

Mats Öberg joins Per Erik Hallin on stage...

THE BEST OF 2009

Zappanale, of course.

Catch the start of the festival again through Luuk's video:

THE RESIDENTS - DOCUMENTATION : TUNES IN DANGER OF BECOMING LOST

• the residents: documentation - tunes in danger of becoming lost
  (2009, dl, --, residents' site)

This new 'download only' Residents album collects obscure tracks from throughout the entire Residents career: rare b-sides, obscure one-sided singles, ... and more.
Nothing new for the hardcore collector, probably. But who can still be hardcore with so much good music being around.
Point of interest for the Zappa Freaks: it also includes the Residents / Snakefinger doing Zappa's 'King Kong'.

THE RESIDENTS' ROBOT SELLING DEVICE

Guess I've been too busy lately. And probably with too many unimportant things as I completely missed the start of the Residents' Robot Selling Device.

Over at the Residents' website (http://www.residents.com/) a number of "download only" releases have been offered for purchase.
I don't exactly know how long this has been going on, but at least a couple of months. Probably.

• the residents: rmx
  (2009, dl, --, residents' site)

This is a nice one. Remixes of the band's most famous tunes. Originally offered through iTunes in 2007, and now also available through The Robot.

• the residents: hades
  (2009, dl, --, residents' site)

And this is the latest one: "Hades". Underworld melodies. Like it. Like it a lot.

Phew...
It seems that "El Año Del Muerte" isn't available anymore ?!?
What the %£?!$ !!
Does anyone know what was on it? Was it a sampler or did it include 'new' stuff?
Damn...

Anyone?

XXX RESIDENTS

According to Ayeball's blog (http://ayeball.wordpress.com/), Japanese band XXX Residents has an album out entitled: "Attack of the Killer Black Eye Ball".
Should be an audio CD with a bonus DVD. The above picture is the cover of the album.

taster over at http://www.dax.tv/?item=3795

More info soon.

-- info: Ive Hapers

MORE BOOTLEG PICTURES

frank zappa: breast - 2cd - moustache's magic music mmm 03-31/32

frank zappa: chalk pie - cd - zft 001


-- thanks to Burkhard for the pictures

A ZAPPATIKA X-MAS

I received a new Zappatika! piece ('Four Finger Flush') for X-mas.
Drum 'n bass madness with a psychedelic twist.

It looks like the band's ready for 2010...

NEW ZAPPA BOOTLEG CD

• frank zappa: palmdale boulevard & elsewhere
  (2009, 2cd-bootleg, ??, guitar master gm 014/015)

Here's another CD bootleg released by the Guitar Master label. Contrary to the previous CDs that got released on this label, this one sucks bigtime.
Better quality tapes of this show circulate. I don't know where this hissy copy came from, but it sounds really really bad.

MORE BOOTLEG PICTURES

More bootleg pictures.

boot the beats - cd - living legend records llrcd 110

boston tea party - 2cd - moustache's magic music mmm - 02-1/2

-- thanks to Burkhard

FREELANCE BAND

Earlier today, I downloaded a 1980 radio show by the Freelance Band, a Dutch bluesband that made two records in the early eighties. It caught my interest because of the Mallard mention that was made in the introduction / text file.
This is great stuff. Something that I'll have to look in to...

Mentioning Mallard probably was a bit far-fetched, but Litlle Feat fans will love this. Blues, country, an harmonica and a fine slide guitar...

Hail, hail DimeADozen.

www.dimeadozen.org

PROJECT/OBJECT ON TOUR WITH IKE WILLIS AND RAY WHITE

a message from André Cholmondeley

2009 12 26 - The Music Of FRANK ZAPPA..and more ....
Project/Object Tour with... Ike Willis and Ray White !!!

Project/Object with special guests... Ike Willis and Ray White !!!
The Music Of FRANK ZAPPA..and more
IKE and RAY's FIRST TOUR TOGETHER IN OVER 25 YEARS!!!

Featuring: Ike Willis, Ray White, Andre' Cholmondeley, David Johnsen, Eric Svalgard, Jim Ruffi
WINTER TOURDATES BELOW !!

Hello and how are you?!?

Hoping you had a great Christmas, Chanukah, Solstice, Kwaanza, Pagan Sun Worship day -- or Atheistic hangout movie night!! Whatever you did or are doing, it's all good.

We are putting the finishing touches on what promises to be a historic and fantastic run with the two and only IKE WILLIS & RAY WHITE ....!!

Ike and Ray, as you know - remain two of Frank Zappa's most beloved and listened-to frontmen/vocalist/guitarists. Between them they appear on over 25 of Zappa's releases from 1978 onwards.Ike and Ray have not toured together in over TWENTY FIVE (25) YEARS !!!.

The 1984 tour ended on Dec 23, 1984, Universal Ampitheater, Universal City. Since then, as you well know, Ike Willis has toured with Project/Object for nearly 15 years, and in that time Ray White has performed with us a handful of times in San Francisco and at Festivals around the country. Those occasions remain the only times these legendary performers have shared the stage since Zappa Tour 1984.....

Now... we bring you an opportunity to see them on an exclusive New Year's/Holiday tour with Project/Object.

This tour also marks the return of an old friend and Project/Object Alumnus - Drummer Jim Ruffi. Jim did a few short runs with Ike and the band back in 1999, and he and I have been involved in several live and studio projects, including recordings with Ike Willis and unsung genius songwriter Chris McKenna. Really folks, check this man's wonderful music out.... I already know you have great taste in music !!!
http://www.myspace.com/chrismckennamusic

Anyway.......Jim Ruffi ably steps into the drumchair as a result of Eric Slick's leave of abscence. Come check him out !!

As always, the setlist will feature some old P/O favorites, some new items from the vast Zappa catalog, and, but, especially material that Ike and Ray are known for separately and together. Just hearing these voices together in harmony is a thing of wonder. Take a look on youtube at the clips of the famous NYC Pier, August 1984 show, immortalized on the "Does Humor Belong In Music" DVD to get an idea of the dynamic these guys whip up. We hope to see you there, say hi!!!

ALSO-- as always we have our "Project/Object Local Crew Program" in effect. Many of you know what this is and have kindly participated -- For those new to the idea -- what we do is solicit volunteers from our fan base to be "roadie for a day" and help the band in/out of the club, assist with setup etc. In exchange the "roadie" gets a free ticket to the show, a beverage or two, access to soundcheck, pictures with the alumni, and autographs from Ike and Ray on their raggedy LP covers dug up from their basement.

We still need to fill in a couple cities on this tour -- especially the new ones. If you are interested in this venture ---please email me for further details and make the subject line "P/O LOCAL CREW ".
Please don't write back with the actual words in there. That will, sadly, be a failed cognition test, and we need you to be able to follow simple instructions. Being a musician -or- having a knowledge of musical equipment, and a willingness to schlep gear are all you need to qualify !

ALSO -- thanks again for all the well wishes and support. My partner Cheri Jiosne is still valiantly fighting her battle against breast cancer. After 6 months of a chemo program, she reached a plateau. For about 6 weeks now she has been on a very promising program specially geared towards her type of tumor. So far -- so good -- and we are staying upbeat and positive every day. Still -- even though some kind of beginning of a change in the US health system began yesterday with the Health Bill being passed - that won't help us financially anytime soon. I will be donated all my proceeds from this tour -as well as the profits from T-Shirt sales - to her cause.

I continue to reach out to anyone that wants to help - (THANK YOU!!!)

There is info on www.projectobject.com, scroll down to the "THANK YOU" blog post, or you can just email me.
We have TWO options:
1) sending her a check directly (email me for address or check the site)
2) donating directly via PAYPAL : send it to the address "projectobject@earthlink.net". Note: my first name "Hugh (Cholmondeley)" will return in the confirmation email.

Every penny counts!! Even $5 will go to very good use for medications, travel to treatment etc. This sh*t is expensive!!

NOW...LET's CRANK SOME FRANK !!
SEE YOU ALL ON THE ROAD!!!!!!

-Andre' Cholmondeley


Project/Object with special guests... Ike Willis and Ray White !!!
The Music Of FRANK ZAPPA..and more
IKE and RAY's FIRST TOUR TOGETHER IN OVER 25 YEARS!!!
Ike Willis, Ray White, Andre' Cholmondeley, David Johnsen, Eric Svalgard, Jim Ruffi

DECEMBER 2009

• 2009/12/27 SELLERSVILLE PA Sellersville Theatre
• 2009/12/28 BALTIMORE MD 8 x 10
• 2009/12/29 PITTSBURGH PA Rex Theater
• 2009/12/30 CLEVELAND OH Beachland Ballroom
• 2009/12/31 EAST LANSING MI Mac's Bar

JANUARY 2010

• 2010/01/01 CHICAGO IL Martyr's
• 2010/01/02 CHICAGO IL Martyr's
• 2010/01/03 MILWAUKEE WI Miramar Theater
• 2010/01/05 HARRISBURG PA The Abbey Bar @ Appalachian Brewing Co.
• 2010/01/06 PLAINS PA River St. Jazz Club
• 2010/01/07 NEW YORK NY BB King's Blues Club
• 2010/01/08 CAMBRIDGE MA Regatta Bar
• 2010/01/09 TROY NY Revolution Hall
• 2010/01/10 NEW HAVEN CT Toad's Place

And check out the new and ever-evolving website: www.projectobject.com

SUN RA UPDATE

The re-release of Sun Ra's "Continuation" album on the Atavistic label has been postponed until Februari 2010.

BELGIAN BEAUTIES

True, Tom Waits has a new album out, but there's also new material by Rudy Trouvé and by Jos Steen. Just thought you should know...

• tom waits: glitter & doom live
  (2009, cd, usa, anti)
• jos steen & geneviève dartevelle: hard boiled blues
  (2009, cdr, belgium, private release - sojneets)
• rudy trouvé septet: 2007 - 2009
  (2009, cd, be, heavenhotel)

JONAS KNUTSSON & MATS ÖBERG - LIVE

• jonas knutsson / mats öberg: live
  (2009, cd, swe, country & eastern ce10)

"Live" captured saxophone player Jonas Knutsson and keyboard wizard Mats Öberg in concert in February 2008 in Stockholm.
After listening to the first couple of minutes, it's obvious that these musicians have a history together. In the liner notes, Jonas Knutsson describes how he met Mats Öberg: "On a summer's day in 1981 I met Mats Öberg for the first time. I was 16 and did a recording for the local radio station in our home town Umea with Mats' cousin. He was 10 years old and when I asked him how he liked the music he said: Fine, but three-line E on the piano is out of tune...".

"Live" presents eight beautiful jazz tunes. A couple of them were written by Jonas Knutsson, another two by Mats Öberg, but there's also a swedish traditional, and even Joe Zawinul's 'In A Silent Way' (with some superb harmonica !!).
The album is an excellent mixture of beautiful, melodic tunes. As each track clocks around seven or eight minutes, you can imagine that both musicians take their time to explore the composition.
This Jonas Knutsson / Mats Öberg collaboration resulted in an extraordinary performance and album.

It's joyful and sad at the same time.
It's highly interactive.
It's what music is all about.

Highly recommended.
One of my favourite records of 2009.

The album is available through the Country & Eastern website:
http://www.countryandeastern.se/

http://www.myspace.com/countryeastern

Worldwide distribution by Naxos (http://www.naxosdirect.se/)

FLO & EDDIE UPDATE

"New York Times", the new Flo & Eddie album got released about two months ago.
It includes various Frank Zappa compositions. All material that Flo & Eddie performed live...

-- info: Luc Reniers

DAMO SUZUKI'S NETWORK - TUTTI I COLORI DEL SILENZIO

• damo suzuki's network: tutti i colori del silenzio
  (2009 cd, usa, wal cd 105)

Damo Suzuki performed and recorded with Can from 1970 until 1973. He retired shortly thereafter, returning to music in 1983.

Nowadays, he performs, tours and records as Damo Suzuki's Network, bringing live improvisational music, often with various local musicians.

"Tutti I Colori Del Silenzio" (all the colours of silence) was recorded live in concert in 2006. The concert featured Damo Suzuki on vocals, Diego Sapignoli on drums and percussion, Andrea Belfi on electronics and Mattio Coletti and Xabier Iriondo on electric guitar.
Damo Suzuki sings and speaks in a language that he makes up on the spot, and all the music of the entire concert is completely improvised.
No wonder that the album consists of one single 46-minute track.

As you can imagine, this is not an ordinary album. It's completely improvised, but it is more in line with 70s psychedelic music than it is with improvised jazz.
Interesting.

http://www.mandai.be/

http://www.wallacerecords.com/

MIKE KENEALLY NEWSFLASH

MK says:
"I just finished up a week producing mixes for Matt Resnicoff's debut album "The History of Now".

ENSEMBLE MODERN PLAYS VARESE AND ZAPPA

Ensemble Modern will be part of the Ojai Music Festival 2010, the concerts take place at Libbey Bowl. On June 11th 8pm there'll be a concert with works of Varese and Zappa, namely:

Varese: Octandre
Varese: Density 21.5
Zappa: parts of "The Yellow Shark" and "Greggery Peccary & Other Persuasions"

For all germans interested in EM, HR2-kultur will air concerts of EM on the following dates: march 09, 23, 30; april 13, 20; may 11; july 06 beginning 20.05 each. For content visit their homepage.

-- info: Hasnamus, over at zappateers

DWALMA-X-MAS 360

This week on Dwalmacat radio

http://www.fmbrussel.be/programmas/dwalmacat.aspx

and click on “Luister”

• FERRANTE & TEICHER – Sleigh ride / Santa Claus’ party
• JINGLE CATS – White Christmas
• KORGIS – Rovers return
• GELUIDSHOUWERIJ – Snow blow
• PSYCHIC TV – Paris
• MICHAEL NYMAN – Cream or christians
• HOLLYRIDGE STRINGS – Jingle bells / Jingle bell rock
• SHITBIRDS – Christmas is a coming
• THE COCTEAU TWINS – Sugar hiccup
• FRIEDER BUTZMAN & MANIA D – White christmas
• MIKADO – Message de Noël
• SPIKE JONES – Rudolph the rednosed rendeer
• PAUL Mac CARTNEY – Wonderful Christmastime
• PYROLATOR – Ein Weihnachtsman kommt in die Disco
• OMO – Advantage
• BENE GESSERIT – Joyeux poème
• PTÔSE – What will you bring (to me)?
• VIRGINIA ASTLEY – Melt the snow

BOOTLEG PICTURES

more scans from Burkhard's archives:

ave maria! - 2cd - moustache's magic music mmm 05-49/50

bongo fury in el paso - 2cd - fzep03/04

THE RESIDENTS - ARKANSAS

• the residents: arkansas
  (2009, cd, usa, ralphamerica)

Brand-new in the land of The Residents, here's "Arkansas".
Alternate arrangements and pieces that did get played in the theatre, but that weren't on the album, now find a home on "Arkansas".

Buzzy Beezz, these Residents.
There was the Icky Flix Live DVD (two pressings), the Mole Show bag, the Is AnyBody Out There? DVD, The Ughs!, and Tne Little Piggies. All in 2009?

Nevertheless, a fine addition to the Harvey tales.

BOOTLEG PICTURES

More scans from Burkhard's archives:

z - all you need is glove (cd) - cd - raven records rr013

berlin – deutschlandhalle, 15.2.1978, part 1 - cd - zapp 1002-a

berlin – deutschlandhalle, 15.2.1978, part 2 - cd - zapp 1002-b

VARIOUS ARTISTS - DRUM NATION VOLUME ONE

• various artists: drum nation volume one
  (2004, cd, usa, magna carta max-9065-2)

In 2004, Moder Drummer magazine initiated "Drum Nation Volume One", an album that includes performances by top drummers.
It's quite an impressive list of performers, including both Terry Bozzio and Chad Wackerman (both from the Zappa University), as well as a Zappa tribute by Tim Alexander and Brain (Brain Mantia).

• terry bozzio: a glimpse into a deeply disturbed mind
• bill bruford's earthworks: beelzebub
• steve smith and zakir hussain: mad tea time part 1
• steve smith and zakir hussain: mad tea time part 1
• chad wackerman: the spell
• stanton moore: sprung monkey
• simon phillips: manganese
• josh freese: lagerborg
• rod morgenstein: faceless pastiche
• tim alexander and brain: shut up and play yer drums
• marco minnemann: wandering portland maine
• stephen perkins and brooks wackerman: pull up my sleeve

THE U.M. PICTURE BOOK

A couple of months ago, Burkhard slipped me a DVD, filled with scans of record covers, label scans, etceteras. All Zappa bootleg CDs and LPs.

You should know that I'd really like to make the United Mutations a resource for data ànd pictures, so I was quite delighted with Burkhard's gift.
Here are the links to a first batch of pictures that have been added to the U.M.Files.

american pageant - cd - duchesse 352076

american pageant - cd - universe un 3 029

SUN RA - THE ANTIQUE BLACKS

• sun ra: antique blacks
  (2009, cd, usa, art yard)

Art Yard has released another rare gem by Sun Ra and his Myth Science Solar Arkestra.
Originally released in 1974 on the obscure Saturn label, "Antique Blacks" offers a concert registration of the same year.
Spotlights are on Sun Ra as he uses the rocksichord and mini-moog. Both are instruments that immediately catch your ears' attention.
Both Sun Ra and the Arkestra are in great shape, showing that the words 'Myth', Science' and 'Solar' aren't far-fetched at all.

Great package, great record.
Essential for the Sun Ra addicts.

FACEBOOK

Still haven't found the added value of Facebook...
I'm on it, and I have accepted invitations and I'm part of some groups like "Zappateers" and "Zappism", but I'm still curious to find out what this will turn into.

I still prefer the (real) Zappateers website and the other news websites and blogs...

A PRESS RELEASE FROM LES FILS DE L'INVENTION

2009 12 22
This is the CENTRAL SCRUTINIZER... again. Hi!... It's me again, the CENTRAL SCRUTINIZER...

You are hereby reminded that, as previously advertised, the inaugural issue of The Rondo Hatton Report has gone live on the 21th of December. With submissions from 14 contributors of diverse persuasions, there's something for everyone, folks. Specialised entertainment for people who are tired of other entertainment. And so can you be too.... Doors now open for contributions to the next issue, reekin' atcha from March. It's the best kinda place to unfasten yourself!

http://www.rhreport.net/current.html

For more info on this fine project, visit
http://lesfilsdelinvention.net/

And for X-Mas sake, here's the Ian Tanner piano version of Punky's Whips.
(extrait de l'article "Isn't It Romantic, Punky" de Simon Prentis)

MORE SUN RA

Another number of Sun Ra albums have been made available again.
I don't know if these count as reissues as they probably are regular reprints of an earlier edition.

• sun ra & his myth science arkestra: fate in a pleasant mood
  (????, lp, usa, saturn 202hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl
• sun ra & his myth science arkestra: interstellar low ways
  (????, lp, usa, saturn 203hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl
• sun ra: monorails and satellites
  (????, lp, usa, saturn 509hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl
• sun ra & his astro infinity arkestra: my brother the wind
  (????, lp, usa, saturn 521hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl

JEAN-LUC PONTY AT ZAPPANALE 2010

Yes, the Zappanale crew did it again.

Jean-Luc Ponty & his band will be performing at the next Zappanale festival!!

NEWSFLASH FROM G&S

Dave tells me that the new Zappa release = Philly 76 = will be available from G&S from December 21.

STEVE VAI NEWSFLASH

Steve Vai is featured as special guest on Mike Stern's new album "Big Neighborhood".
Out on "Heads Up" records.

SHOW DA SCRUTINIZER

SHOW NO CAFÉ PIUPIU

NOSSA TRADICIONAL FESTA DE
ANIVERSÁRIO DE FRANK ZAPPA

terça dia 22 de dezembro, às 21,30

na Rua 13 de Maio 134, R$20,00.

www.scrutinizer.com.br
www.myspace.com/thecentralscrutinizerband
www.cafepiupiu.com.br

Adquiram nosso chaveiro Zappanale 2010,
este dinheiro financiará as passagens aéreas

até lá amigos !

DWALMACAT 359

http://www.fmbrussel.be/programmas/dwalmacat.aspx

and click on: “Luister”


This week on the Dwalmacat radio show:

THE WAITRESSES – Hangover 1.1.83
WALTER CARLOS – Theme music from ‘A clockwork orange’
MATTHEW FRIEDBERGER – The cross and the switchblade
NEW AGE STEPPERS – Radial drill
THE FIELD – Yesterday and today
JAD FAIR – OK / AOK / OK / AOK
LYNSEY DE PAUL – Sugar me
PORTISHEAD – Pedestal
TWO LONE SWORDSMEN – Palais Munich
PINK FLOYD – Bike
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – The lost art of keeping a secret
DOME – Rolling upon my day
COCTEAU TWINS – Feathers oar blades
RIUICHI SAKAMOTO – Ulu Watu

THE BLACK NAPKINS

I'm pretty sure that I mentioned this dutch experimental music trio before, but I just learned that their first album got released.
It's called "The Black Napkins" as well, and it's out on the belgian Rat Records label.

http://www.myspace.com/theblacknapkins

PROJECT/OBJECT ON VIDEO

Last august, Project/Object combined their Zappanale concert with a small Yurripean tour.

Over at the Zappateers site, a recording of the Laredo (Spain) gig is up right now.

Wowie Zowie.


Project Object
Polideportivo Emilio Amavisca
Laredo, Spain
11th August 2009

Free Entrance - Sponsored by Universidad de Cantabria

The Band
Ike Willis
Andre Cholmondley
Don Preston
Seahag Mangano
Eric Slick
Eric Svalgard

DVD I 65:51

01. Electronic Ambiance
02. The Mammy Anthem
03. Society Pages
04. I'm A Beautiful Guy
05. Beauty Knows No Pain
06. T-Mershi Duween
07. More Trouble Every Day
08. Andy
09. Duke Of The Prunes
10. The Idiot Bastard Son
11. Whippin' Post
12. Big Swifty

DVD II 59:06

01. Fifty-Fifty
02. Crew Slut
03. Wet T-Shirt Nite
04. Keep It Greasy
05. Outside Now
06. RDNZL
07. Echidnas Arf (Of You)
08. Wild Love

-- info & more: Javier Marcote

LOWELL GEORGE ON F-TROOP

Here's a little YouTube movie of a rare TV appearance of Lowell George and Richie Hayward as the BEDBUGS on the TV Show F-Troop.

We're talking 1967...
That's even before Lowell George joined The Mothers...
Later, in 1969, Lowell and Richie started Little Feat.



-- info: John Corley

FRANK ZAPPA - NEWS FROM THE SHARK

"News From The Shark"

This "yellow shark box" includes a 55 cm wooden shark with a holder, one pin, a booklet, a dvd and a sticker.
It has been produced in a limited edition of 50 copies.
Check the link for more info & pictures.

ZAPPA - THE MOFO BOOTLEG BOX

Here are some pictures of the MOFO 3 LP bootleg box:

the cover of the box

the cover of the first album


the cover of the second album


the cover of the third album

the cover of the full-size booklet

CAPT. CHEESE-BEARD IN CONCERT

Last Saturday saw Captain Cheese-Beard & The 7 Sisters Of Prevention performing at club 'De Petrol' in Antwerp, Belgium.

I had never been to 'De Petrol' and was quite impressed by the venue & the people who run it. De band was in fine shape, and the soundguy did an fantastic job.

The setlist looked like this:

set one: Pound For A Brown, Dirty Love, Sharleena, Cosmik Debris, Pygmy Twylyte, Son Of Orange County, More Trouble Every Day, Zoot Allures, The Torture Never Stops, St Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast, Father O'Blivion

set two: Peaches En Regalia, Outside Now, City Of Tiny Lites, Village Of The Sun, Black Napkins, Florentine Pogen, Yo Mama, Andy, Inca Roads, Sofa

You can catch a glimp over at YouTube, where LudzNL posted two songs:

CAPTAIN CHEESE-BEARD - 100 FINGERS LIVE ON STAGE

• capt.cheese-beard & the 7 sisters of prevention: 100 fingers live on stage
  (2009, dvdr-promo, belgium, private release)

Earlier this year, Capt.Cheese-Beard released another promotional DVDR.
The album is called "100 Fingers Live On Stage" and catches the band in concert, playing an all Zappa set.

• saint alphonzo's pancake breakfast
• the torture never stops
• pygmy twylyte
• son of orange county
• more trouble every day
• peaches en regalia
• outside now
• don't eat the yellow snow
• nanook rubs it
• father o'blivion
• city of lites
• uncle remus
• florentine pogen
• andy
• inca roads
• yo mama
• sofa
  
• florentine pogen
• pygmy twylyte

DEUS - WORST CASE SCENARIO

• deus: worst case scenario - deluxe edition
  (2009, 2cd+dvd, uk, island) - remastered re-release with bonus discs

In 1993, dEUS released their first single, 'Zea'. I still remember the first time I heard it, as it starts with a sample from Captain Beefheart's "Trout Mask" album.

My fascination with bands that use a Zappa or Beefheart sample, or that cover a Zappa or a Beefheart composition for that matter, proved right again. This was great stuff. So a little while later, I also bought the "Worst Case Scenario" album.
To my amusement, on "WCS", the title track used Zappa's 'Little Umbrellas' bass lick.

"Worst Case Scenario" is an album that everybody should have heard. It got released 15 years ago, but it still sounds fresh, chaotic and beautiful at the same time.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the album has been re-released in a deluxe version. Next to the original (slighty remastered) album, you'll find a bonus audio disc with demos and live material, as well as an interesting video disc.
Even if you have the original album, this re-release will add a worthwhile stack of extras.

BERGER, KNUTSSON, SPERING & FRIENDS - SEE YOU IN A MINUTE

• berger, knutsson, spering & friends: see you in a minute - memories of don cherry
  (2005, cd, sweden, country & eastern ce 03)

"See You In A Minute" is the title of a Don Cherry tribute album that got released by the Swedish Country & Eastern label in 2005.
The album consists of two major parts, the first being a 32-minute improvisation, and the second one the band's rendition of eight Don Cherry tunes.

The improvisation is entitled 'See You In A Minute', and is a mix of a jam and a two Don Cherry compositions. The result is astonishing. 'See You In A Minute" has this hypnotic vibe that will take you along for a thirty minute ride. Incredible.
Bengt Berger (drums), Jonas Knutsson (sax), Christian Spering (bass), Per Tjernberg (percussion), Christer Bothen (donso n'goni and bass clarinet), Thomas Gustafsson (sax) and Mats Öberg (keyboards) make this an extraordinary piece of music. I really like the effect of the different saxes doubling each other, or almost doubling each other, while the rhythm section and Mats' keyboard lay out the groove.
Great melody lines, great solos...

The second part of the album features special guests Neneh and Eagle-Eye Cherry. Both have earned their credits in pop music as fine vocalists.
There are only three non-instrumental tracks on this album, and these are devided between them. Eagly-Eye sings the catchy, laid-back 'Clicky Clacky', Neneh takes on the sensual 'Ganesh', and the both of them team up for 'Dina Kana Gina'.
Icing on the cake is Mats Öberg playing the harmonica in 'God Is At The Door'.

"See You In A Minute" is a beautiful album. It's a fine mixture of world music and jazz, with a bunch of top musicians that pay tribute to the great Don Cherry.

Essential listening.

www.countryandeastern.se
www.myspace.com/countryeastern

WE'RE LATE FOR CLASS - TRANSMISSIONS VOL.1

• we're late for class: transmissions vol.1
  (2008, download, usa, private release)

We're Late For Class is a live, all improv college band, about a dozen rotating members, pro-herb, anti-contract and some cut & paste.

http://werelateforclass.blogspot.com/

Their website adds:
"The first in a series, probably. "Sequel To The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet" started out as a nod to side four of Frank Zappa's Freak Out, but halfway through the 11 minutes turned into a Hawkwind jam. We didn't expect that. So, we went full bore Hawkwind on "Wind Of The Hawk." The inspiration being us previously being accidentally inspired to sound like Hawkwind. Seemed like a good enough excuse. Speaking of Zappa, that's actually Frank excusing himself to take a piss at the beginning of "Glenn Miller's Luggage Is Missing, Too." It's a never before heard snippet we managed to acquire (don't ask how), making this a "must have" for Frank Zappa collectors out there. Yet another Creative Accountants idea for expanding our fan base. The song itself (with overdubbed vocals) is a spoof of Andy Mackay's similarly named tune from his 70s' rock opera, Rock Follies, with an unlikely musical debt to an old Mothers of Invention tune. Yet another 20 minutes of pointless improvisation from March 8-9, 2008. Except * recorded/dubbed March 15-16, 2008."

Enjoyable, trippy psychedelica...

GARY LUCAS & GERALD ZBINDEN

• gary lucas & gérald zbinden: down the rabbit hole
  (2008, cd, switzerland, border records)

Gary Lucas teamed up with experimental guitarist Gérald Zbinden and recorded an album.
Out on the Swiss Border Records label.

A MUFFIN MEN UPDATE

Roddie says:

the muffin men are currently in the studio finishing off some original material.

2009 has been a year of none-zappa activities for the muffinz, due in part to the sad death of singer/drummer jimmy carl black, along with the current/difficult climate for performing live zappa material.
next year sees the band performing selected gigs as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations.

it is still being decided which ways to release the original material, although some of it will be incorporated into the 4th volume of "muffinz movies" which is currently in production. an engineer on the sessions describes the material as "diverse, some very rocky, some very silly, pretty much what you would expect from them".
musicians involved include jumpy, waco, rhino, mikey and roddie

watch the website for updates.

http://www.muffinmen.co.uk/

---------------------------------------------
Now, if you visit the Muffin Men website, be sure to check out the latest podcast. It's a review of 2008.
A fine story about their surprise visit to Jimmy Carl Black when Jimmy turned 70, the short tour in May, the Cropredy 2008 gig, the J.C.Black tribute gigs, and more.
20-plus minutes.

KIMONO DRAGGIN' UPDATE

Last week, I received the message that Kimono Draggin' are rehearsing a Zappa & Beefheart set. The goal is to get a one hour show together that might get them a spot on the Zappanale stage.

The message was accompanied by an mp3: "Willie Gets Tortured", a 5-minute mix of Willie The Pimp and The Torture Never Stops.
It sounds great & shows that Kimono Draggin' would be a nice addition to the Zappanale line-up.

CUNEIFORM UPDATE

The Cuneiform label has announced the first titles for 2010:

• Radio Massacre International: Time & Motion
  (2010, 2cd, usa, cuneiform / rune 298-299)
• Algernon: Ghost Surveillance
  (2010, cd, usa, cuneiform / rune 297)
• Univers Zero: Clivages
  (2010, cd, usa, cuneiform / rune 295)
• New York Art Quartet: Old Stuff
  (2010, cd, usa, cuneiform / rune 300)
• Brown vs Brown: Odds and Unevens
  (2010, cd, usa, cuneiform rune 293)

SUN RA RE-RELEASED ON VINYL LOVERS LABEL

Vinyl Lovers, a record label from the Russian Federation, is re-releasing two Sun Ra albums:

• sun ra: united world in outer space
  (2009, lp, russian federation, vinyl lovers)
• sun ra: what planet is this?
  (2009, 2lp, russian federation, vinyl lovers)

SUNN O))) - MONOLITHS & DIMENSIONS

• sunn o))): monoliths & dimensions
  (2009, lp, uk, southern lord)

This seventh album of Sunn O))) features Sun Ra veteran Julian Priester as special guest.

MATS ÖBERG - IMPROVISATIONAL TWO

• mats öberg: improvisational two
  (2007, cd, swe, caprice records cap 21780)

A couple of years ago, the Swedish Caprice Records label initiated a new series, entitled "Improvisational".
The recordings for this series are made in the middle of the night, at a Stockholm Concert Hall, with only a pianist, a Steinway piano, and a sound engineer.
Little time in advance, the pianist is asked to improvise on a certain theme.
The pianist is hardly prepared, and yet, the recordings starts...
The result can be found on 'Improvisational".

I love the idea. This is a great concept and a huge challenge. One that not many musicians would dare to take.

The first album in the "Improvisational" series had Niklas Sivelöv looking for inspiration in the music of Bellman.
The second release presents Mats Öberg’s interpretations of the songs of Cornelis Vreeswijk.

Cornelis Vreeswijk (1937 - 1987) was a Swedish singer/songwriter/troubador with Dutch roots. Apparently, Cornelis Vreeswijk was (and still is) very popular in Sweden. He was / is considered a national treasure.

I was very curious to find out how Mats Öberg would cope with his assignement. I'm not familiar with Vreeswijk's songs, but I kept wondering how one could translate music from a singer with a guitar to the instrumental grand piano.

"Improvisational Two" is a brilliant introduction to the music of Cornelis Vreeswijk and it also gives an incredible impression of Mats Öberg's abilities.
Each of the ten tracks that are played on this album, has a very recognisable melody line. You can hear that Mats has great respect for these melodies as he addresses them with caution and prudence. On the other hand, these melodies get expanded and get improvised on, using the beautiful rich sound of the grand piano.

Grand piano jazz arrangements of beautiful ballads.
I loved every second of it.

Recommended listening.

http://www.capricerecords.se/
http://www.myspace.com/capricerecordssweden

ELECTRIC DON QUIXOTE

Neil Slaven's 1996 book, "Electric Don Quixote", is now available in a Russian translation !!
It sure looks impressive...

• Фрэнк Заппа Электрический Дон Кихот
  (frank zappa - electric don quixote)
  
  by neil slaven
  (2009, book, russia, amfora)

Russian translation of the 1996 "Electric Don Quixote" book.
hardcover, 520 pages, only 3000 copies

-- info & picture: Nikolai Zaharov

MOTHERS' AUTOGRAPHS

The below link shows the first page of a Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention contract signed by the entire lineup of the 9 man Mothers.
It's a 7 page agreement for the Mothers' appearance on the Steve Allen Show (where Zappa previously appeared, a few years earlier, playing a bicycle !)

Signers of this contract are Frank Zappa, Ian Underwood, Roy Estrada, Bunk Gardner, Jimmy Carl Black, Ray Collins, Don Preston, Euclid James (Motorhead) Sherwood, and Artie Tripp.

This came from the archives of original Mothers manager Herb Cohen, and is / was offered for sale on ebay.

I've added the picture to the U.M. pages (FZ > Oddities).

http://www.united-mutations.com/z/frank_zappa/fz_odd.htm

And I've also added a picture of the 1966 American Federation of Television/Radio Artists union agreement for Captain Beefheart over at the "CB > Weird Stuff" entry

http://www.united-mutations.com/c/captain_beefheart/cb_weirdstuff.htm

-- thanks to Brainpang for the info

JEFF AUG ON TOUR

Acoustic guitar player Jeff Aug will be touring in Feb / March:

JEFF AUG
Raw Fingers & Steel Strings Tour 2010

• 26.02.2010 D-Chemnitz, Weltecho
• 05.03.2010 D-Schwandorf, Kultur im Felsenkeller
• 06.03.2010 D-Wredenhagen, Café Scheune
• 07.03.2010 D-Berlin, Supa Molly
• 16.03.2010 D-Karlsruhe, Kohi
• 17.03.2010 D-Reutlingen, Franz.K.
• 18.03.2010 D-Oberpfaffenhofen, Acoustic Corner
• 19.03.2010 D-Maisach, Brauerei Maisach
• 20.03.2010 D-Schrobenhausen, Lothars Alte Nähfabrik
• 23.03.2010 D-Oberhausen, Gdanska / Gitarrissimo - Fingerstyle
• 24.03.2010 D-Kassel, Schlachthof
• 25.03.2010 D-Unna, Kulturzentrum Lindenbrauerei
• 27.03.2010 NL-Zaandam, De Kade (together with LARS DE RIJCK)

BOZZIO HOLDSWORTH LEVIN MASTELOTTO

All-Star Line-Up featuring Terry Bozzio (drums), Allan Holdsworth (guitar), Tony Levin (upright bass, Chapman Stick, bass guitar), Pat Mastelotto (drums, samples)

on tour in Europe - 2010

• 06.04.2010 D-Berlin, Quasimodo
• 07.04.2010 D-Hamburg, Fabrik
• 08.04.2010 NL-Amsterdam, Paradiso
• 09.04.2010 NL-Zoetermeer, Boerderij
• 10.04.2010 D-Münster, Jovel
• 11.04.2010 NL-Groningen, Oosterpoort
• 12.04.2010 B-Limbourg, Salle Le Kursaal
• 13.04.2010 D-Bonn, Harmonie
• 14.04.2010 D-Ludwigshafen, KUZ dashaus
• 15.04.2010 NL-Eindhoven, MC Frits Philips
• 16.04.2010 D-Karlsruhe, Tollhaus
• 17.04.2010 A-Dornbirn, Spielboden
• 18.04.2010 I-Milano, Live Club
• 21.04.2010 A-Vienna, Planet.tt

CHARLIE BOSWELL & DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Check out new footage of Dweezil Zappa filmed on his current Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa tour playing a host of classic Frank Zappa songs!
As part of a new live DVD to be released next year, Charlie Boswell is directing, editing, producing, and shooting Dweezil on tour. As AMD’s Digital Media and Entertainment Director, Boswell’s team is also supplying Dweezil with the “Room Service Rig”, an AMD powered road recording setup to mix live Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa shows.

Here's a sample:


Charlie Boswell’s Global Nerding Blog – “Dweezil Zappa Gets Dangerous On The Road”:
http://globalnerding.blogspot.com/2009/08/dweezil-zappa-gets-dangerous-on-road.html

Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa official site:
http://www.zappaplayszappa.com
http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com

Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa Tour 2010 dates:

• Jan 3-7, 2010 CarribbeanOcean Jam Cruise 2010
• Jan 8, 2010 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution Live
• Jan 9, 2010 Tampa, FL The Ritz Ybor
• Jan 11, 2010 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
• Jan 12, 2010 Charlotte, NC Neighborhood Theatre
• Jan 13, 2010 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre
• Jan 14, 2010 Richmond, VA The Hat Factory
• Jan 15, 2010 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
• Jan 16, 2010 Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theatre

ANOTHER ZAPPA VINYL BOOTLEG - PART ONE

"Live At The Hollywood Bowl 1972" is a new 2LP bootleg, issued by Hoffman Records.

6 different editions (different vinyl colour pressings) have been spotted:

• advance release - 25 copies
• split wax - 30 copies
• blue/magenta wax - 50 copies
• gold wax - 50 copies
• red wax - 50 copies
• splash wax - 75 copies

These are sold for about 200 euro each...

ANOTHER ZAPPA VINYL BOOTLEG - PART TWO

The Zappa MOFO release (The Making Of Freak Out 4CD-set that got released in 2006) has been put to bootleg.

It's a 3LP-bootleg box, and it comes with a booklet and a poster.

Available in black, red, yellow and grey, and limited to 100 copies for each colour.

PENN JILLETTE?

I saw Penn Jillette on tv earlier today, on the Larry King TV show, commenting on president Obama receiving the Nobel price for peace.

Penn Jillette is many things, one of them being very linked to The Residents. (Did I already tell you that he plays the bass?)

PENN JILLETTE ON ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA

SUN RA - DISCO 3000

Art Yard is re-releasing "Disco 3000".
This is a bit bizarre as they re-released this 1978 album with a lot of extra tracks as

• sun ra - john gilmore - luqman ali - michael ray - june tyson: the complete disco 3000 concert
  (2007, 2cd, uk, art yard 001)
  

in 2007.

This 'new' re-release is an exact copy of the original 1978 album. On one CD.

• sun ra: disco 3000
  (2009, cd, uk, art yard 101 cd)

SUN RA ON 180 G VINYL

I recently heard that a couple of Sun Ra vinyl albums got re-released on 180 g vinyl.

• sun ra & his myth science arkestra: angels and demons at play
  (2009, lp, usa, saturn 407hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl
• sun ra & his myth science arkestra: cosmic tones for mental therapy
  (2009, lp, usa, saturn 408hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl
• sun ra & his astro infinity arkestra: atlantis
  (2009, lp, usa, saturn 507hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl
• sun ra & his arkestra: bad and beautiful
  (2009, lp, usa, saturn 532hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl
• sun ra & his solar arkestra: art forms of dimensions tomorrow
  (2009, lp, usa, saturn 9956hlp) - reissue on 180 g vinyl

On the Saturn label??
Does anyone know more about this?

TRUBEE 2009 12 10

Thoughts on Money
Copyright 2009 John Trubee


The capital of the wealthy would not grow without the labor of the workers at their companies and the folks who consume the goods and services produced by the companies. If you impoverish the workers with low wages, no one will buy the goods and services that the companies owned by the wealthy produce, and all will suffer. It is a three legged stool--owners/Capitalists, workers, and consumers. Favoring one group over the others is like making a stool with one leg way longer than the others---it will not stand. Hence the near economic disaster last year.

As a worker I place great value on the time and energy in my life and what I produce with it--especially in my creative areas. Grand accumulations of money just are not very interesting to me, nor are those who amass it. Hungering over money is extremely common, thus it vulgarizes us all.

What we do after we get enough money to live decently is what makes people really interesting--or very boring. Do they buy toys, or help others, or produce art?

This is much more insightful and meaningful than the tiresome and vulgar accumulation of wealth.

The conflation of capital with virtue and integrity is a mythological construct which needs to be prodded, poked, and questioned.

Capital accrues in all sorts of ways that often have nothing to do with virtue, integrity, intelligence, and hard work.



John Trubee
PO Box 4921
Santa Rosa, CA 95402 USA

DWALMACAT 358

What would the world look like without the weekly Dwalmacat radio show?

Go to
http://www.fmbrussel.be/programmas/dwalmacat.aspx

And click on “Luister”

This week:

• BORIS VIAN & HENRI SALVADOR – Le fêtard
• BOBBY McFERRIN – Dervishes
• SIDSEL ENDRESEN & BUGGE WESSELTOFT – Truth
• THE DEVILS – Big store
• URSULA RUCKER – What a woman must do
• PATTY WATERS – Moon, don’t come up tonight
• ANETTE PEACOCK – Young
• RICHIE HAVENS – Hurricane waters
• ANDY WHITE – Religious persuasion
• PAUL SIMON – Outrageous
• JENNY WILSON – Like a fading rainbow
• KATE BUSH – How to be invisible
• KISS OF LIFE – Teach me
• OREN BLOEDOW – Big what

SOFT MACHINE

The Canadian Reel Recordings label has released a Soft Machine concert from 1971:

• soft machine: live at henie onstad art centre 1971
  (2009, 2cd/cdr, canada, reel recordings reelr 014cd)

SHENKAR DISCOGRAPHY UPDATE

The new Shenkar album that I mentioned a couple of days ago, is his 18th album.
His discography has been added to his U.M. entry:

http://www.united-mutations.com/s/shankar.htm

-- info: Danny Mathys

ZAPPATIKA! IN ROTTERDAM

Here's LudzNL's video footage of the concert that Zappatika did in Rotterdam last week:






-- info & links: LudzNL

AKA MOON HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

I've seen Aka Moon in concert twice.
The first time was at 'De Singer' in Rijkevorsel, February 2008, and the second time was an afternoon open air gig at a festival in Mol, only a couple of months ago.

Both gigs made an everlasting impression. The Rijkevorsel concert was the best out of these two: great sound, small club, an enjoyable audience and a fantastic performance. It's even ranked in the top 5 of my 'best concert ever attended' list.

And why am I telling you this?
Well, Aka Moon has a new album out:

• aka moon & baba sissoko & black machine: culture griot
  (2009, cd, bel, cypres cyp0605)

And the band has scheduled a small club tour in Belgium as well:

• 9 december 2009 BRASSAGES Dongelberg
  www.brassages.be
• 11 december 2009 HNITA JAZZ CLUB Heist op den Berg
  www.hnita-jazz.be
• 12 december 2009 N'8'JAZZ Namur
  www.n8jazz.org
• 22 december 2009 JAZZSTATION Brussels
  www.jazzstation.be
• 23 december 2009 JAZZSTATION Brussels
  www.jazzstation.be

ZAPPA INTERNET JAM SESSIONS

I added the link to the Zappa Internet Jam Sessions website on the Frank Zappa entry over at http://www.united-mutations.com/z/frank_zappa.htm

-- info & link: Ive Hapers

ZAPPA TRIBUTE IN ANTWERP

I have the pleasure to give away 20 (yes, twenty) single tickets for the Zappa tribute night that will take place next weekend in Antwerp, Belgium.

Saturday 2009 12 12 - ZAPPA TRIBUTE

Doors will open at 21.00 h, and the opening band, Shit-Gun, will take the stage shortly thereafter.
Main feature will be the concert by Captain CheeseBeard & The 7 Sisters Of Prevention, and this will probably kick off at around 21.40 h.
In the meantime, there will also be some video screenings, and there will be a little market where you might be able to find that one little thing that you have been looking for for so long...

Anyway, if you're in for a free ticket, send me an e-mail at bignote@yucom.be
The first twenty are good for a single ticket.

THE CENTRAL SCRUTINIZER BAND - WITH IKE WILLIS LIVE IN BRAZIL?

• the central scrutinizer band: with ike willis live in brazil?
  (2009, cdr, brasil, private release)

I recently heard that The Central Scrutinizer Band has released part of the concert that they did with Ike Willis in 1997. Data has been added to the U.M.Files.

-- info: Luc & Alvin Reniers

OCTAFISH UPDATE

Octafish is happy to announce that their latest album is available from CDBaby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/octafish), as well as from iTunes.

and you already knew that you could buy it at their website too, right?

OCTAFISH - DOCTOR FLEISCH, a very fine album indeed.

L.SHANKAR HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

L.Shankar (or Shenkar as he calls himself nowadays) has a new album out: "Face To Face".

-- info: Luc Reniers

THE FILTHY HABITS ENSEMBLE

I'm pretty sure that I mentioned a little while ago that The Filthy Habits Ensemble probably will be at next years Zappanale Festival.

Over at the Zappateers site, there is some audio and video to be found of the FHE, performing the music of Frank Zappa.

Yummie !!

RAMSES SHAFFY TRIBUTE BY CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN

Last week, Ramses Shaffy died.
Ramses Shaffy was a dutch singer / songwriter.

In a tribute, Corrie van Binsbergen has uploaded a recording, of Corrie en de Grote Brokken performing Ramses Shaffy's 'Pastorale' on Dutch national tv.
(recorded 12 years ago !!)

http://www.corrievanbinsbergen.com/beeld/album/8/55/

WEENY WEENY WEENY

from the Idiot Bastard:

This Idiot is proud to announce that, at the eleventh hour, Caballero Reynaldo have joined the 21 Burnt Weeny Sandwiches project.
http://www.facebook.com/l/1e609;idiotbastard.com/21xBWS.htm

It will be great to see them in action next year at Zappanale, where (fingers crossed) the Muffin Men will also play.

DWALMACAT 357

As usual, the Dwalmacat radio show will broadcast some stuff that you and I have never heard before...

Go to
http://www.fmbrussel.be/programmas/dwalmacat.aspx

And click on “Luister”

• GERRY AND THE HOLOGRAMS – Gerry and the holograms
• RED SNAPPER – Wesley don’t surf
• BOW WOW WOW – C30 – C60 – C90 Go
• PALAIS SCHAUMBURG – Telefon
• STAN FREBERG – Banana boat
• COZY POWELL – Dance with the devil
• ZAMLA MAMMAZ MANNA – Buttonless
• CASSIS CORNUTA – Birth refusal (intro)
• SPK – Metal dance
• THE JUAN MACLEAN – One day
• THEO EN THEA – Hallo, wij zijn Theo en Thea
• THE HYBRID KIDS (JAH WURZEL) - Wuthering heights
• HARMONIA – Sonnenschein
• TINDERSTICKS – Marbles

DWEEZILZAPPAWORLD DOT COM

Over at http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com/, Dweezil has announced two new releases:

Dweezil Zappa - "Return Of The Son Of..."
A 2CD set that will be released 1st quarter of 2010

And for the Summer/Fall 2010 another DVD releases

The "Return Of The Son Of..." is a Zappa plays Zappa recording from Chicago.

more info: (tracklist & such)
http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com/songs

-- info: the Idiot Bastard & Marco

PIERREJEAN GAUCHER - MELODY MAKERS

• pierrejean gaucher: melody makers
  (2009, cd, france, musiclip mu 1009)

Pierrejean Gaucher has a new album out!!
I have heard a number of Pierrejean Gaucher's previous albums and I've been fortunate enough to see him perform live on a couple of occasions, and he surprised me each and every time.

Besides being an superb jazz guitar player and fine composer, Pierrejean also has a very fresh and unique approach when it comes to other people's compositions. His Zappa renditions are among my absolute favorites.

For "Melody Makers", Pierrejean gathered Clément Petit on (electric) cello and Cédric Affre on drums. The trio takes on a number of pop tunes and treats them as jazz standards.
The result sounds great. The original vocal lines become the (re-arranged) melody lines, played by the guitar and/or the (electric!!) cello, in preparation of a solo, and all backed by a great and jazzy, accentuated rhythm.
The Beatles, The Police, King Crimson, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Led Zeppelin, ... they're all there.

"Melody Makers" is a fabulous tribute to the classic pop repertoire.

No Zappa-references on "Melody Makers", unless you count that Sting performed with Zappa, that the Radiohead song is called 'Scatterbrain' and that the band Scatterbrain once recorded a Zappa track, that Adrian Belew was part of King Crimson, that Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water' is about the Mothers' Montreux gig, that the Muffin Men had Kashmir on their playlist when they toured with Jimmy Carl Black, ...
OK, a bit farfetched, I admit.

But still, a fabulous tribute.
Recommended listening.

www.pierrejeangaucher.com

NEW BANDS ANNOUNCED FOR ZAPPANALE 2010

from the Zappanale website:

Already announced are:

Zappatika, Great Britain
The Central Scrutinizer Band, Brazil
The Paul Green School of Rock Music, USA
Lilo's Zapmospheres, France
Caballero Reynaldo, Spain
Don Condor & The Texas Outpost, Germany

also coming along:

Muffin Men, Great Britain to the 20st stage anniversary,
Capillary Action, USA
Le Bocal, France
Beardfish, Sweden
Bongo Fury,won't tell you!
Plastic People of the Universe, Czech
Sebkha Chott, France
Ensemble Ambrosius, Finland
Jazzprojekt Hundehagen, Germany

-- info: Javier

URR TOUR UPDATE

Ugly Radio Rebellion performs the music of Frank Zappa...

3rd Annual FZ Birthday Tour 2009
with
IKE WILLIS

Show Confirmed;

December 21 - 9:00pm

The Black Lotus
1 East 14 Mile Rd
Clawson, MI 48017
248-577-1878
www.blacklotusbrewingcompany.typepad.com

also added;

December 20 - 4:30pm

Everybody's Records
6106 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45213
513-531-4500
www.everybodysrecords.net

come and meet Ike, hang out and then come with us to the show at Stanleys Pub!!!

CRANK SOME FRANK!!!

Thank you for your support...

www.uglyradiorebellion.com
www.myspace.com/uglyradiorebellion

BROKKENFESTIVAL 2009 12 27

Sunday 2009 12 27, Corrie van Binsbergen will be hosting the Brokken Festival at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, NL.

• 15.00 - 15.35 h - Stinkfoot & Brokkenfabriek
  (Stinkfoot plays the music of Frank Zappa !!)
• 15.55 - 16.25 h - Hermine Deurloo & Kamal Hors & Corrie van Binsbergen
• 16.45 - 17.30 h - Ernst Reijseger Cello Kwintet
• 18.00 - 18.30 h - Curra Suárez & Yorgos Valiris (at the café)
• 18.30 - 19.20 h - Paavo
• 19.30 - 20.30 h - Arthur Ebeling & Anton Goudsmit (at the café)

And if that ain't enough, the entire festival will be broadcast on dutch radio 6 in february 2010!!

ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES - THE DVD

All Tomorrow's Parties is an alternative music festival that takes place in the UK.
Ever since 1999, the festival has lend the stages to an international selection of experimental, avant-garde and alternative rock music.

The All Tomorrow's Parties DVD is a collection of movies (by professional crews, but also by cameras and cellphones of audience members) that will give you an idea of what ATP is all about. The festival is not just about great music, but it also focusses on the interaction between the artists and the audience. The DVD shows how the musicians stay in the same accommodation as the fans, how musicians jam at the 'camping site', and how they interact.

It's a long list, but you should be impressed by the number of artists that are featured in this film: Belle And Sebastian, Grizzly Bear, Sonic Youth, Battles, Portishead, Daniel Johnston, Grinderman, Lightning Bolt, David Cross, Animal Collective, The Boredoms, Les Savy Fav, Mogwai, Octopus Project, Slint, The Dirty Three, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Gossip, GZA, Roscoe Mitchell, Seasick Steve, Iggy and the Stooges, A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Fuck Buttons, Micah P Hinson, Two Gallants, Mars Volta, Akron/Family, Jah Shaka, Saul Williams, Shellac, Patti Smith and John Cooper Clark...

"All Tomorrow's Parties" is a fine documentary about an exemplary festival.

BLESSED RELIEF

Added another picture to the Zappa > Books section.

Here's the third volume of Scott Parker's study of the works of FZ.
It got published earlier this year.
Fine artwork by Robert Ross.

BACKSTAGE AUCTIONS

Backstage Auctions will be hosting its 2009 Holiday auction in December, which in addition to a large host of great Rock & Roll memorabilia, will include well over 300 Frank Zappa lots, containing record awards, signed items, vintage concert posters, unique vinyl releases, original artwork, rare photos, promotional items, scripts, books, magazines and many other incredible collectibles.

This amazing offering comes directly from the private collection of consigners such as Dave McMacken and Cal Schenkel (Zappa album cover artists), Essra Mohawk (who sang with Frank in 1966), Jim Pons (bass player of the MOI 1970 - 1971) and Fred Woods (author and recognized Zappa expert).

The auction preview starts on November 29, whereas the actual (on-line) auction goes LIVE on Sunday December 6 and will run for one week (it ends on Sunday December 13, 2009). This historical auction will take place online at: www.backstageauctions.com

The above picture gives you just a small sample of the Zappa items.

For more information on the auction, please check out our Auction Page on our site. If you have any questions, please let us know. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you in December!

DON PRESTON - ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK: THE GARY PLAYS

• don preston: original soundtrack - the gary plays
  (2009, cd, usa, msmusic productions stm 33101)

Now here's a surprise.
Don Preston wrote (and performed) the music for three Murray Mednick plays.
And it gets even more interesting as these soundtracks have been released on CD by MsMusic Productions.

There are some great jazz tunes on this disc, and some excellent contemporaty stuff as well.

Recommended listening.

CD available from CDBaby.

THE OUTSIDEMEN - BAND OVERBOARD

• the outsidemen: band overboard
  (2006, cd, usa, private release)

The Outsidemen were a jazz power trio, featuring Ralph Humphrey on drums (yes, Ralph Humphrey on drums !!), the late Jim Lacefield on bass, and Mike Miller on guitar.

Mike Miller could /should be known to you as the guitar player in the Band From Utopia, or in the Chad Wackerman Trio.

"Band Overboard" captured the band live in concert.
Most of the pieces on this album are by Ralph Humphrey and/or Mike Miller, the exceptions being a Jan Hammer piece and a John McLaughlin composition.

This is great stuff. Beautiful compositions and all of the musicians get enough room to do their thing. I really like Mike Miller's guitar playing. It has a great tone and he plays great jazz lines and melodies.

http://www.myspace.com/mikemillerguitar

KMFDM - DON'T BLOW YOUR TOP

• kmfdm: don't blow your top
  (2006, cd, usa, metropolis records met440)

I mentioned this album a couple of weeks ago.
On the KMFDM album "Don't Blow Your Top", in the track with the same name, no fewer than five different Zappa tunes contribute lyrics: 'Son Of Suzy Creamcheese', 'I'm The Slime', 'Dirty Love', 'The Orange County Lumber Truck' and 'Bow Tie Daddy'.

And that's about it. The only Zappa reference that you will find on this album is in the lyrics.
Wiki says that this kind of music can best be described as "industrial rock". I wouldn't have a clue. Same Wiki says that this is a very succesful band, having sold over 2 million records worldwide...
Still, my ears say no ..

RICKY LANCELOTTI

2009 11 29

from Rick (John) Edwards:

I accidentally found your web site, and was very sad to see that Rick died.

We called him Rick Lancelot. My nickname was Rick too. I though about him from time to time, but didn't know where he was. I used to play bass in a band with him and my brother (Rob Edwards - guitar). We played in clubs in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. Rick also played with my brother in Sky Oats for the movie called Pacific Vibrations.

Here is a picture of the band. Rick has the furrball hair. Rob is the tall one. Jim Keltner is the drummer (wall next to right) .

Rick liked to do Elton John songs, but we liked things with more driving beats.

For a while we called our band "Universal Rundle" after the name of the toilet maker we read off from the toilet in the restroom of the Players Bar in Manhattan Beach. I remember at one point Rick, in jest I think, suggested calling ourselves the Nazis. He was pretty funny and a pleasure to be around.

-- Rick (John) Edwards

ADDITIONS TO THE CAPTAIN BEEFHEART DISCOGRAPHY

Thanks to Håkon Busterud I was able to add some nice pictures to the Captain Beefheart discography. Check these out:

• captain beefheart: upon the my-oh-my
  (1974, 7", usa, mercury 73494)

• captain beefheart: upon the my-oh-my / magic be
  (1974, 7", uk, virgin vs 110)
  
• captain beefheart: sure nuff 'n yes i do / electricity
  (1978, 7", uk, pye bds 466)