Friday, August 31, 2018

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEAM - OF NATURAL HISTORY

Third album of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, "Of Natural History".
Fascinating.

It's from a couple of years ago already, but it's new to me (and I'm mesmerized by it).

Out on the Web Of Mimicry label (of Secret Chiefs 3 fame).



41POINT9


from Glass Onyon PR

Prog Ensemble 41POINT9 Pays Tribute To The Marine Corps With New Video “The Marine”

Your favorite Nerds of Norcal, progressive rock band 41POINT9 have released their newest video for the soon to be released album “Mr. Astute Trousers.” Following closely on the heels of the success of their first two videos this time out the band adopts a heavier sound and more serious topic. The video is for a song called “The Marine” and was based on the true story of a U.S. Marine Corps soldier killed in Afghanistan. When his body was returned to his wife (who was pregnant with their first child) she requested to “sleep one last time by her husband's side” in the funeral home. At her request, the Marine Honor Guard fixed her a makeshift bed beside the coffin and as the last Marine was leaving the chapel, he looked back to see her quietly crying. He turned around and went back to her and asked her if she would like him to stay for a while. She said she would like that. The Marine stepped back up on the dais beside the coffin and stood at attention. When the young mother woke the next morning, that Marine was still there….still standing at attention. Still watching over her, her unborn child and her deceased loved one.


This is a true story that won a Pulitzer Prize for best photo essay in a Colorado Newspaper.

41POINT9 wishes to pay tribute to the honor and traditions of the Marine Corps and to the sacrifice embodied by all who serve. It is for this reason all proceeds from this video will be donated to The Semper Fi Fund, an A+ rated charity that provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.


JOHN WONDERLING

  • john wonderling: day breaks
        (1973, lp, usa, paramount)
2017 saw the re-release of a very obscure 1973 album by John Wonderling.
You need to know this because the album features a handful of musicians that also collaborated with Frank Zappa : Aynsley Dunbar, Jim Pons and Jim Gordon.

Here's the story :
http://rockasteria.blogspot.com/2018/08/john-wonderling-daybreaks-1973-france.html

The album has been added to the United Mutations Archives.
The complete album :


-- info: Jan van Kemenade

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY - THE BLACK MESSIAH

Before joining Frank Zappa's band, George Duke had already released two solo albums. He had also recorded with Jean-Luc Ponty and with alto saxophone legend Cannonball Adderley.
"The Black Messiah" got recorded in concert at 'The Troubadour' in Hollywood in 1971 and got released on album later the same year.
Beautiful !!

Here's the first track (including the intro)



CARL KING INTERVIEW


Over at "Kinda Geeky", there's an interview with Carl King.

It's all about the "The Oracle Of Outer Space" (an animation movie that features the voices of Dweezil Zappa and Mike Keneally).
Carl also talks a bit about a project that didn't happen (although video interviews have been done), the story behind Steve Vai's "Sex & Religion"...

http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/kinda-the-oracle-of-outer-space-and-more-with-carl-king_132067



Wednesday, August 29, 2018

ARISTOCRATS TOURDATES


September 9th – Sliema (Malta) – Teatru Salesjan
September 11th – Nicosia (Cyprus) - Downtown Live
September 13th – Munich (Germany) - Strom
September 14th – Zurich (Switzerland) – Kaufleuten
September 15th – Esch Sur Alzette (Luxembourg) – Rockhal
September 16th – Zoetermeer (Netherlands) – De Boerderij
September 18th – London (UK) – Islington Assembly
September 19th – Paris (France) – Trabendo
September 21st – Madrid (Spain) – Sala Mon
September 22nd – Barcelona (Spain) – Salamandra 1
September 24th – Helsinki (Finland) - The Circus
September 26th – Eskilstuna (Sweden) - Lokomotivet
September 28th – Isola del Liri/Frosinone (Italy) - Teatro Mangoni
September 29th - Ancona (Italy) - Cinema Teatro Italia
September 30th – Milano (Italy) - Magazzini Generali



Sunday, August 26, 2018

SYNCLAVIER SAMPLE RECORDING

Frank Zappa having fun recording a sample for his synclavier.
From the Zappa vault.



BARBARA KEITH

Barbara Keith recorded and released an album with Kangaroo in 1968.
In 1973, she recorded a solo album for the Reprise label.
Guests on the album included a.o. Max Bennett, Lowell George, Sneaky Pete Kleinow and Jim Gordon !

Read more here :
http://rockasteria.blogspot.com/2013/10/barbara-keith-barbara-keith-1973-us.html

-- info : Jan van Kemenade

ASBEST

  • asbest: they kill
        (2018, download, --, bandcamp)
Asbest is a trio from Basel, Switzerland. They play energetic post punk noise rock.
It's all in the name:
"Asbest (German for Asbestos) is a fiber that is part of the structure and yet its existence is undesired. As soon as an attempt is made to remove Asbest, it becomes harmful. Asbest is the systems own inherent contradiction."

The trio features Robyn Trachsel (guitar and vocals), Judith Breitinger (bass) and Jonas Häne (drums).
'They Kill' is the single / appetizer for their first album, "Driven", which will be released in a couple of days.

Check it out :



I got the opportunity to listen to the new album and I have to say that it sounds very impressive.
8 tracks that will shake you up in every possible way.
Out on A Tree In A Field Records / Czar Of Bullets

The band will be promoting the new album in Germany and Switzerland.

01.09.2018: CH-Kreuzlingen, Horst Klub w/ Heavy Harvest
02.09.2018: DE-Freiburg, Slow Club w/ Sudden Infant
04.09.2018: DE-Kassel, Sandershaus
07.09.2018: DE-Dresden, AZ Conni w/ Eric Ayotte
08.09.2018: DE-Nürnberg, Project31
18.09.2018: CH-Bern, Frauenraum w/ The Franklys
06.10.2018: CH-Winterthur, Albani, w/ Obacht Obacht
12.10.2018: CH-Basel Kaschemme, Rausch & und Ester Poly
30.10.2018: CH-Düdingen, Bad Bonn, w/ Die Nerven
23.11.2018: CH-Olten Coq D‘Or Olten, w/ Whispering Sons


ANGELS DIE HARD


The band Strumpets, fronted by Miguel Sosa, released its first album in 2010. Their second in 2013.
Both on the Jezus Factory Record label.
Shortly thereafter, Miguel Sosa left Belgium to go back to Argentina.
Rather than to disband, Strumpets continued as an instrumental band and became ANGELS DIE HARD (and Miguel continues to release records from Argentina as CASSINI DIVISION).



IKE WILLIS AND ZAPPATIKA TO TOUR THE UK IN NOVEMBER



Ike Willis and Zappatika will be touring the UK in November.
From November 9 to 18.
The following cities have been confirmed : London, Swansea, Plymouth, Southampton, Grimsby, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Oxford.

Zap McInnes adds : "We might also follow this UK Tour with 2 "one night only" shows in The Netherlands (probably Breda) and then Germany (somewhere near Hamburg) if negotiation is completed in time (TBC)."


RESIDENTS' INTRUDERS ALBUM TO BE RELEASED IN OCTOBER

Deluxe CD and limited edition vinyl available from CherryRed Records.
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-residents-intruders-deluxe-cd-package-with-hardback-book/

Limited edition on vinyl will be released on Psychofon Records
https://www.psychofonrecords.com/product/the-residents-intruders/

Out on October 19.



JEFF COTTON INTERVIEW


Exellent interview with Jeff Cotton (Antennae Jimmy Semens).

Composer Samuel Andreyev presents a phone interview with musician, guitarist, performer and composer Jeff Cotton about his musical career and his collaboration with Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) as a member of the Magic Band.



Tuesday, August 21, 2018

STEPHANE GALLAND EXPLAINS 'SOILS'





NEW ALBUM BY STEPHANE GALLAND ANNOUNCED FOR OCTOBER


Stéphane Galland : (The Mystery Of) KEM
October 26, 2018 on OutNote Records  (Outhere Music)




WALT FOWLER, JOHN GUERIN, VINNIE COLAIUTA AND ALLAN HOLDSWORTH


Walt Fowler, John Guerin and Vinnie Colaiuta all contributed to 2005 album "The State Of Things" by David Garfield.

I always wonder if these guys talk about their time with Frank Zappa during their coffee break.

Allan Holdsworth is on it as well...

Here's 'Five Storks' with Michael Landau :


-- info: Jan van Kemenade

PROJECT/OBJECT TO TOUR WITH NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK AND DENNY WALLEY


Project/Object
Performing the music of Frank Zappa
with Napoleon Murphy Brock and Denny Walley

https://www.projectobject.com/tour

NOV 29 THU PAWLING NY DARYL’S HOUSE
NOV 30 FRI SYRACUSE NY FUNK & WAFFLES

DEC 01 SAT HARRISBURG PA ABC BREWING
DEC 02 SUN ARDMORE PA ARDMORE MUSIC HALL
DEC 04 TUE NORTHAMPTON MA THE IRON HORSE
DEC 06 THU PAWTUCKET RI THE MET CAFE
DEC 07 FRI COHOES NY COHOES MUSIC HALL
DEC 08 SAT BRATTLEBORO VT STONE CHURCH
DEC 09 SUN BRIDGEPORT CT THE ACOUSTIC
DEC 14 FRI ATLANTIC CITY NJ GOLDEN NUGGET
DEC 15 SAT WILKES-BARRE PA JAZZ CAFE
DEC 16 SUN NEW YORK CITY NY CUTTING ROOM


Monday, August 20, 2018

ZAPPANALE #29 FLASHBACKS - - - THE EXPO

Thurssay afternoon had kicked off with a short visit to the expo, housed next to the Arf Office, in the center of Bad Doberan.
This year's expo focussed on The Zappa Power Trio (Warren Cuccurullo, Terry Bozzio, Patrick O'Hearn), a painting exhibit (by artist Olaf Rösler), and a picture exhibit (by photographer Bill Gubbins).


The above picture shows the cover of the exhibition guide, taken from a painting by Olaf Rösler.

The Zappa Power Trio part of the expo showed lots of records. Not just the albums that they made with Frank Zappa, but also lots (LOTS !!) of other albums that Warren, Terry and/or Patrick appeared on. And not just some Missing Persons stuff. Very impressive. Plus some pictures, lists of their discographies, The DW Black Page Zappa Snare Drum, an 18+ section that showed Warren on video, and more.

The second part of the exhibit showed various paintings by Olaf Rösler. I liked the Superman/Freak Out one (pictured on the cover of the exhibition guide), but his other works didn't impress me that much.

Part three of the expo, however, was something I hadn't expected.
Photographer Bill Gubbins had been present during Frank Zappa's Hot Rats sessions. The expo gave a sneak preview of Bill's exclusive photos that will be part of a planned book celebrating the 50th anniversary of "Hot Rats".
Reprints of some of the pictures were made available in different formats but in a very limited run.
My favorite one was taken at the August 10, 1969 concert at Warrensville Heights, showing Don, Jimmy, Art, Roy, Motorhead, Bunk, Ian, Buzz and FZ. Do I need to tell you that I bought a copy?


PROBLEM WITH THE ZAPPANALE DVD'S

a message from the Zappanale crew :

Dear Zappanale fans,

As some of you have already noticed, our live DVD production unfortunately had an error in sound quality.
We have revised the data and offer all buyers of the various recordings to replace them.

The exchange can happen in the following ways:
- Download as MP4 -> better picture quality (HD)
- Shipping as DVD

You are affected? Then get in touch by email at live-recording@zappanale.de

Please with the following information:
- which recording
- Download or DVD
- For DVD give your mailing address with

ARFARFARF


CAMEMBERT - NEGATIVE TOE

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned the first album by experimental, prog rock ensemble Camembert: "Snörgl Attahk", from 2011.
The reason was obvious. Camembert recently released their second album, "Negative Toe" and it's equally impressive.

Melodic percussion (xylophone, vibraphone, marimba), harp, trumpet, drums,...
Not your everyday line-up, but it does sound great.
6 tracks, and 4 of these last 10 minutes or longer.

Out on the Italian Altrock record label.


Here's the Bandcamp link :



NEW PHISH BOX ANNOUNCED

Jam band Phish not only releases a lot of their concerts (download and/or CD), but they also put out these beautiful boxes from time to time.

The latest one is called "The Bakers Dozen" and collects the 13 shows that Phish did at Madison Square Garden in July 2017.
36 discs.

https://drygoods.phish.com/product/PHCD220/the-complete-bakers-dozen-limited-edition-box

https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/06/phish-the-bakers-dozen-box-set/


The July 22, 2017 concert (2nd night, already available as a 3 CD set) included Phish performing Frank Zappa's 'Peaches En Regalia', so I'm assuming it will be also be available in this box.


DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Dweezil Zappa's "Choice Cuts", April 16, 2018 : 'Directly From My Heart To You'.

Dweezil Zappa is playing Sugarcane Harris' violin solo on the guitar, and Adam Minkoff takes care of the vocal part.

Superb.
What a band.



Sunday, August 19, 2018

STEPHANE GALLAND - LOBI

Everybody knows Stéphane Galland as the drummer for Aka Moon. This jazz trio has been exploring the music from Africa, India and the Middle East on various albums.
In 2012, Stéphane Galland took it one step further with his Lobi project. He assembled musicians from Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, France and Armenia to perform a number of traditional songs next to some original compositions.

A fine mix of world music and jazz.

LOBI: a project by Stéphane Galland with Magic Malik (flute and vocal) Petar Ralchev (accordion) Misirli Ahmet (percussion) Carles Benavent (bass) and Stéphane Galland (drums). With special guest: Tigran Hamasyan (piano)





VARIOUS ARTISTS - WHAT'S THAT NOISE 009

"What's That Noise" was a German music magazine. The first issue saw the light of day in 1988. It folded 18 issues (and 10 years) later.
From 1992 on, the mag included a promotional 7" EP.

The 7" that came with issue number 9, from 1995, featured Gary Lucas on the B-side.
Gary Lucas : 'Autobahn' (Hütter, Schneider), a Kraftwerk coverversion.





JOE SATRIANI - JOE TRAVERS - MIKE KENEALLY - BRYAN BELLER


An audience video recording of Joe Satriani's Vancouver BC concert is up at DimeADozen.

Amazing concert. Fine recording.


http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=628429


INTERSEZIONI FESTIVAL (2009)


On March 11, 2009, the first evening of the "Intersezioni Festival" combined the works of Frank Zappa and Terry Riley.
It took place at the 'Teatro Camploy' in Verona, Italy

The Glauco Venier Band played a Zappa set,
The Trio Op.100 played variations on various Zappa compositions, aptly called "Stretching of Zappa's Song" (puzzled and arranged by Claudio Scannavini),
and the Zen Ensemble performed Terry Riley's 'In C'

A recording of this excellent concert got seeded on Dime and on Zappateers a number of years ago, but it recently got a reseed at Dime.
Check it out !!


HAM SESSIONS 2018

Two more Ham Sessions (Ghent, BE) have been announced :

Sunday, September 30, 2018 - 15h00
afternoon concert (try-out) by OTTLA, new project by Bert Dockx (Dans Dans, Flying Horseman)

Bert Dockx: guitar
Frans Van Isacker: alto sax
Thomas Jillings: tenor sax
Nicolas Rombouts: bass
Louis Evrard: drums, percussion
Yannick Dupont: dr, perc, electronics



Sunday, October 21, 2018 - 15h00
afternoon concert by the LAUGHING BASTARDS, presenting material from their upcoming album (in 2019)

Jan-Sebastiaan Degeyter: guitar
Michel Mast: tenor sax
Nils Vermeulen: double bass
Marcos della Rocha: drums



Saturday, August 18, 2018

BOBBY CHARLES

(Former Mother Of Invention) Billy Mundi appeared on Bobby Charles' eponymous 1972 album.
The same album features members of The Band, Dr. John and Ben E. Keith.

Read all about Bobby Charles (and his amazing story) here :
http://therockasteria.blogspot.com/2018/05/bobby-charles-bobby-charles-1972-74-us.html


-- info: Jan van Kemenade


EMERALD TRIO - THE BIG GREEN APPLE


The Emerald Trio features Karen Bogardus (flutes), Orlando Wells (violin, viola) and Matt Castle (piano).  "The Big Green Apple" is the their first album.

"The Big Green Apple" presents the Emerald Trio performing pieces by seven contemporary New York-based composers.
If you have kept an eye on the Composers Concordance Records label, quite a few of these names will sound familiar.
The result is impressive. The fact that there are contributions by different composers results in a varied and colorful album.

  1. trio for flute, viola & piano : I. allegro (matt castle)
  2. trio for flute, viola & piano : II. largo (matt castle)
  3. trio for flute, viola & piano : III. allegro scherzando (matt castle)
  4. a wintry mix: of snow... (carolyn steinberg)
  5. a wintry mix: ... and ice (carolyn steinberg)
  6. mixture (joseph pehrson)
  7. loud cries at regular intervals (gene pritsker)
  8. magla (paranosic)
  9. behooves (dan cooper)
  10. the passions of the present (davide zannoni)
  11. the firebird suite: V. infernal dance (arr. for flute, viola & piano) (stravinsky)
  12. trio for flute, viola & piano : I. allegro (matt castle) - live
  13. trio for flute, viola & piano : III. allegro scherzando (matt castle) - live

I like it lot.
As you might have noticed in the above tracklist, the album has a couple of bonus tracks : Stravinsky's 'Infernal Dance' plus two live renditions.
Recommended listening.

Read more about it here:
http://www.sequenza21.com/cdreviews/2018/07/emerald-trio-the-big-green-apple/

Listen to some samples here :
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074KR749J/


CHARLES ULRICH'S BOOK ON FRANK ZAPPA'S RECORDINGS ALREADY IN REPRINT


The Big Note already reprints, finally launches this month.

from New Star Books :

In Frank Zappa's universe, things don't always happen when you expect them to, so it shouldn't come as a surprise when it's the same for the Mother of All Books about him.

The Big Note: A Guide to the Recordings of Frank Zappa by Charles Ulrich was released on Mother's Day this year, right when you might have expected it. But people's schedules kept the book launch from taking place until now, Saturday, August 24, at Lana Lou's in Vancouver. All the details are here:
http://newstarbooks.com/blog/worth-the-weight-the-big-note-launches-august-24-at-lana-lous

Meanwhile, the first printing of The Big Note sold like ratas calientes, and the second printing arrived at our warehouse ten days before the Official Launch. Copies of the second printing will be available at the launch, which has to be some sort of a first.

So come on down, enjoy the suavé musical stylings of Slowpoke and the Smoke, and be present at what might even be a historical moment in book publishing history.


JEROEN VAN HERZEELE - PETER HERTMANS - STEPHANE GALLAND - AT THE CROSSROADS

I mentioned this fabulous album a little while ago and I just finished adding the data to the United Mutations Archives.

Modern jazz.
Saxophone, guitar and drums.
Jeroen Van Herzeele, Peter Hertmans and Stéphane Galland.

"At The Crossroads" shows three musicians communicating in a beautiful way. These guys make it sound so easy. Original material, composed by Jeroen Van Herzeele, plus two compositions by John Coltrane.
Hard to imagine that this got recorded and released over twenty years ago.



Friday, August 17, 2018

LITTLE FEAT BOX SETS

I only recently discovered these Little Feat box sets.
I haven't actually seen them, but they sure look impressive.

Featuring Lowell George, Roy Estrada and some more familiar sounding names...
Album / box covers have been added to the United Mutations Archives.







AKA MOON INTERVIEW


https://klara.be/video/interviewakamoon



JEFF SIMMONS

Around 1989, the Enigma Retro record label re-released quite a number of albums from the Straight, Bizarre and Discreet label. Nice for the Zappa fan as these labels were linked / managed by Herb Cohen (and Frank Zappa).
As a result, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Lord Buckley, The GTO's, and a lot others found their way into the world of CD's.

For one reason or another, Jeff Simmon's "Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up", featuring La Marr Bruister (= Frank Zappa), never found its way to a CD re-release.
Until 2008, that is, when the Collector's Choice Music label put it out on a digital disc.
More recently, in 2017, the album got re-released again. This time as a bootleg, on the Greyscale label.


-- additional info : Danny Mathys

ZAPPANALE #29 FLASHBACKS - - - GABBA ZAPPA HEY!


The first stop of our Zappanale road trip was Hamburg. It has been like this since the Bach Organ Society started organizing concerts in the St Katharina Church. Sort of the unofficial opening of the Zappanale festivities. Always on a Wednesday.
Thursday took us to Bad Doberan, the little town that hosts the Zappanale festival. The festival itself takes place some three kilometers from the center, on the horse race track, but the exposition and most of the hotels are located in Bad Doberan center. And every year, on Thursday, there's the so-called "warm-up party" with a couple of bands taking the stage in the town's square (which actually is a small park), some events in the (movie) theater, and, best of all, a gathering of friends.

Gabby Zappa Hey! kicked off the concert series with some excellent Zappa/punk mash-ups.
I loved it.



Godey Zappone: lead vocals, guitar
Douchie Zappone: drums, backing vocals
Erogenous: bass
  • Flower Punk (fade in)
  • Lemme Take You To The Beach
  • Dumb All Over
  • Dog Breath, In The Year Of The Plague
  • Hungry Freaks Daddy
  • I Have Been In You
  • Clownz On Velvet
  • Frogs With Dirty Little Lips
  • Fine Girl
  • Dead Girls Of London
  • Anyway The Wind Blows
  • Beat Down The Brat
  • The Torture Never Stops
  • Stick It Out
  • Cosmik Debris
  • Duke Of Prunes
  • Plastic People
  • Do The Strut
  • Cheap Thrills
  • Help I'm A Punk
  • My Guitar
  • Lucifer Sam
An audience recording of this concert can be found on the Zappateers website.

Here's a video snippet, shot by Luuk.
It's the part with the wigs, not to be confused with the fake mustaches...


CAPTAIN BEEFHEART UPDATE


A new Captain Beefheart bootleg has been spotted : "Just Got Back From The City".

a collection of previously unreleased recordings from 1965-67, which includes demos for such perennial favorites as 'Yellow Brick Road'...

01 Obeah Man (1965 Demo)
02 Just Got Back From The City (1966 Demo)
03 I'm Glad (1966 Demo)
04 Triple Combination (1966 Demo)
05 Here I Am Always I Am (early 1966 Demo)
06 Here I Am Always I Am (late 1966 Demo)
07 Somebody In My House (1966 Live)
08 Tupelo (1966 Live)
09 Evil Is Going On (1966 Live)
10 Old Folk's Boogie (1967 Live)
11 Call On Me (1965 Acetate Demo)
12 Sure Nuff N Yes I Do (1967 Acetate Demo)
13 Yellow Brick Road (1967 Acetate Demo)
14 Plastic Factory (1967 Acetate Demo)


-- info: Danny Mathys


THE WRONG OBJECT PLAYS FRANK ZAPPA

A newsflash from The Wrong Object regarding their "The Wrong Object Plays Frank Zappa" album :

We are pleased to announce that the final mix is in the can! What is more, the tracks have been mastered by nobody less that the great Pierre Vervloesem, which is another amazing bonus in itself.

more soon & à très bientôt,

the wrong object

Pierre Vervloesem - Michel Delville


Thursday, August 16, 2018

RUSS STEDMAN - GEOMETRY NOTES EP

The latest Russ Stedman release. Available on Bandcamp.
It's an EP.
Only three tracks, but fun to listen to !


Data has been added to the United Mutations Archives.


JEFF DAUGHERTY - DREAMS & RUINS


  • jeff daugherty: dreams & ruins
        (2016, cd, jeff daugherty)
I received this album as a bonus, together with some other stuff that I had ordered.
Not exactly something that will make me go WOW, but it's a nice gesture and the album is OK.

Jeff Daugherty played the mandolin for BeatGrass, a rather famous Wyoming-based blue-grass / Americana band. Unfortunately, the band called it quits when their banjo player passed away.

"Dreams & Ruins" is Jeff's first solo release, you can tell that he is the real deal.
Classic folk, blue-grass, Americana,... He knows his roots.






VARIOUS ARTISTS - STONES THROW RECORDS 2011

January 2011, Stones Throw Records made a podcast available on which Peanut Butter Wolf mixed at-that-time current and future projects into one 50-minute audio piece.
The podcast started with the Madvillain's 'Avalanche & Victory Lap' (and that one includes a Zappa sample from 'Lumpy Gravy'.)

This podcast has also been made available on CDR.


A MARBIN UPDATE

Marbin has recently released a second sampler. Through Bandcamp.
Some of you might like to know that both compilations album have also been made available on vinyl.




Data for both albums have been added to the United Mutations Archives.


ARTHUR BARROW - GOD'S DEMO


Composed and Produced by Arthur Barrow.
Performed by Arthur Barrow, except drums by Robert Williams.

Category: Music
Licensed by: Cydonian Music, ASCAP
Copyright 2003 Cydonian Music
Video by Robit Hairman



Wednesday, August 15, 2018

NORMA JEAN BELL

Norma Jean Bell was a part of Frank Zappa's band from November 1, 1975, until December of the same year.
She can be heard on Zappa's "Joe's Menage" album (released in 2008).

In 1979, Norma Jean Bell contributed sax to Raydio's "Rock On" album...


Here's what Norma Jean sounded like in 1996 :



--info: Jan van Kemenade


NEW ALBUM BY XAVI REIJA

Xavi Reija's latest release, "The Sound Of The Earth", features Tony Levin, Markus Reuter and Dusan Jevtovic.



Sunday, August 12, 2018

SECRET CHIEFS 3


The Stone in Europe Series starts in September. Once a month, a band will come to Europe to hold an exclusive mini tour. To start the European Stone Odyssey, we asked John ZORN to mark his 65th birthday by choosing some of his most compelling works from his ample catalog in order to start the Stone series in Europe and there is no better way to celebrate his birthday than by celebrating his work and his music.

MARY HALVORSON QUARTET, BRIAN MARSELLA TRIO, SECRET CHIEFS 3 and Parisian band AUTORYNO will play Masada Books Two and Three (The Book of Angels and the Book Beriah) and the Bagatelles from September to December.
Sarajevo, Ljubljana, Vienna, Rotterdam, Ghent, Den Bosch, Amsterdam, Oslo... The Stone will roll into many European cities this Autumn. The Stone in Europe will continue in 2019 too. John ZORN will choose some of the most exciting musicians of our times who will play their original repertoire for The Stone in Europe Series.

paying tribute to John Zorn :
  • BRIAN MARSELLA TRIO - October 11, 2018, at De Handelsbeurs, Ghent, BE
  • SECRET CHIEFS - November 9, 2018, at De Handelsbeurs, Ghent, BE


MDCIII


Flat Earth Society will present their new album in October.
They'll be doing a couple of CD-release concerts (Antwerp, Ghent, ...)

Support act in Ghent will be the Mattias De Craene Trio, better known as MDCIII :



FREE SALAMANDER EXHIBIT

From Web Of Mimicry, the label behind Secret Chiefs 3 :

Web of Mimicry is delighted to open the doors to the FREE SALAMANDER EXHIBIT. For quite some duration of years, 4/5ths of the staff of the legendary Sleepytime Gorilla Museum have been assembling this installation behind the spindly curtains of their collective creative cocoon. Insiders will have heard the rumors — tales told over campfires at their yearly assemblies — of a silent germination taking place somewhere in the wilderness of California. And now, suddenly and without warning, the collective bursts forth — the doors fly open and the Exhibit's long-anticipated unveiling is upon us!



Saturday, August 11, 2018

ZOMERPARKFEEST

Zomerparkfeest festival in Venlo, NL.

It has been going on for a couple of days already and will feature The Sun Ra Arkestra tomorrow.

https://www.zomerparkfeest.nl/

Also tomorrow : Fantastic Negrito !



AYNSLEY DUNBAR


"Tomorrow is a 1968 album by the English psychedelic rock band Tomorrow. It was originally released by EMI Parlophone in the U.K. in a black and white sleeve. A slightly different version of the album was also released in the U.S. in 1968 as Sire Records SES 97012, one of the first releases on that label. Although it was not a success when first released it is now widely regarded as one of the best psychedelic rock albums ever made. In 1999, EMI released a CD with additional tracks by Aquarian Age (band members Twink and Junior) and singer Keith West. "Why" is a cover of a song by The Byrds that originally appeared as the B-side to their single "Eight Miles High"."

And these Keith West tracks feature Aynsley Dunbar on the drums !!
Info has been added to the United Mutations Archives.


-- info: Jan van Kemenade



LARRY WILLIAMS & JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON


Recorded and released in 1967.
Re-issued on CD in 2009.

  • larry williams & johnny watson: two for the price of one
        (1967, lp, usa, okeh) - re-issued with bonus material in 1991 and in 2009




-- info : Jan van Kemenade

KING CRIMSON

from Glass Onyon PR :

King Crimson To Release Meltdown In Mexico – Live In Mexico City 2017

Three CDs feat. over three and a half hours of material performed during the band's five nights residency at Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City in July 2017 & audio extras!

This 3CD/1Blu-Ray set features over three and a half hours of material performed during King Crimson's five night residency at Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City in July 2017 plus audio extras. The Blu-Ray contains over two hours of multi-camera HD recorded footage, audio soundtrack in 24/48 LPCM, hi-res stereo and 5.1 DTS HD-MA (with 'picture off' mode allowing the music to be heard independently in lossless audio).

Meltdown in Mexico includes, for the first time with this line-up, audio recordings of “Breathless,” “Discipline,” “Moonchild” and Tony and Jeremy's nightly Cadenza improvs. Mixed by King Crimson member Bill Rieflin from full multi track recordings

King Crimson is a band that continues to defy conventional expectations. As listeners to last year's rush-released official bootleg from June 2017 recorded in Chicago discovered, this band gets better by the year. Given the amount of rehearsals, practicing, constantly expanding repertoire base (nearly six hours' worth of material ready to select from on any given night), wealth of experience among musicians, technicians/sound crew, more comfortable traveling arrangements, better PA systems/mixing desks & the fact that the band is playing, for the most part, in purpose built theatres rather than the more imaginatively named but sonically challenged venues that hosted rock gigs in previous decades, this should come as no surprise. But it does. Perhaps it’s still part of the Rock 'n' Roll myth – the “hope I die before I get old” thought process that seems forever associated with rock music that's proved so difficult to alter. Whatever the reason, the concept of a band maturing, re-inventing itself and being able to present music from a lengthy history in recognizable but ever-changing ways, still with same sense of wonder as if it were newly-written, remains, if not unique, certainly notable.

A few weeks after the Chicago concert, the first part of 2017's tour reached its final destination – five nights of concerts in Mexico City. All of the concerts were recorded and filmed with a view to issuing a definitive document of Crimson live in 2017 and Meltdown is the result of that process. With over two hours of HD filmed performance and three hours of audio, Meltdown offers a comprehensive overview of a band at the very peak of its performing ability.

King Crimson's Meltdown in Mexico will be released on September 28th and will be distributed by Amped Distribution.


WARREN CUCCURULLO


The Warren Cuccurullo - Patrick O'Hearn - Terry Bozzio gig at Zappanale was one to remember.
Musical highlights combined with missed cues, gear problems and musicians that got mad at each other...

Read the interview that Andrew did with WC (before the show) :
http://idiotbastard.com/Interviews/WarrenCuccurullo2.htm


REGGIES CHICAGO


Anyone from Chicago ?
As I stumbled upon the website of Reggies Chicago, I couldn't help but notice some interesting shows in the near future.

Terry Bozzio - September 18

Ike Willis with Ugly Rebellion - October 18

Progtoberfest with Soft Machine and with the Chicago Zappa Collective - October 21

https://www.reggieslive.com/


THE DW BLACK PAGE ICON SNARE


The DW Zappa Tribute Snare Drum.
From a couple of months ago.
I had heard about it, but I had never actually seen one.

There was one in the expo at Zappanale. It sure looked nice.




THE PINK FAIRIES


from Glass Onyon PR :

UK Psychedelic Rock Legends Pink Fairies Return With New Album Resident Reptiles

Los Angeles - The legendary UK psychedelic anarchists return with a fantastic new album led by founding Fairy Paul Rudolph! Rudolph is joined by former Hawkwind bassist Alan Davey and original Motörhead drummer Lucas Fox, who not only created a killer rhythm section for the album but added a bit of sizzling biker-rock to the mix!

Another Pink Fairies/Motörhead member, Larry Wallis, was with the band in spirit as they churned out an excellent version of his tune “Old Enuff To Know Better!”

“I'd say this journey started with Nik Turner introducing me to Cleopatra Records. I was asked about the possibility of recording a LP under the Pink Fairies banner and thought - this would be a lot of fun. Get a few people together, turn the amps up to 10 and let 'er rip.

Larry Wallis wanted to be involved and Matt at Cleopatra suggested Alan Davey on bass and Lucas Fox on drums . It seemed like a good match considering the Hawkwind and Motorhead connections. Both Alan and I had been in Hawkwind and Larry and Lucas in the original Motorhead. We were all mates with Lemmy as well and the creative energy flowed as soon as we got to the studio in Austin. All of this helped by Jurgen Engler of Die Kruups behind the desk with Eric the engineer.

So here it is - a spontaneous collaboration of ideas recorded mostly live. Thank you for listening. Peace and Love” - Paul Rudolph

Pink Fairies Resident Reptiles will be released on Purple Pyramid Records on August 24th and will be available on both CD and gorgeous pink vinyl in a printed inner sleeve!

https://pinkfairies.bandcamp.com/album/resident-reptiles


JEROEN VAN HERZEELE AND STEPHANE GALLAND

Belgian saxophone player Jeroen Van Herzeele has recorded two albums with drummer extraordinaire Stéphane Galland (Aka Moon) and with Peter Hertmans on the guitar. Both albums were released on Guy Segers' Carbon 7 record label.
That's the same label that released the early Aka Moon albums.

From 1995 : Jeroen Van Herzeele "At The Crossroads" : sax, guitar, drums.


From 1998 : Jeroen Van Herzeele "Greetings From Mercury" : sax, guitar, drums, bass, vocals




Friday, August 10, 2018

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA - - - A NEW ALBUM AND TOUR IN GERMANY


Next October will see the release of "Atlantis And Elsewhere", the new album by FiDO plays ZAPPA.
To be released on the Sireena Records label on double vinyl, CD and download.
It will include material from last year's "Dirty Fingers" tour.


Order it at the FiDO-Shop
www.fidoplayszappa.com/wp/fidoshop
or at Sireena Records
www.sireena.de

Here's the data for the next tour :

  • Do 11.10.2018: DE-Immenstadt, Rainbow
  • Fr 12.10.2018: DE-Hildburghausen, Route 66
  • Sa 13.10.2018: DE-Crimmitschau, Theater
  • So 14.10.2018: DE-Magdeburg, Feuerwache
  • Mo 15.10.2018: DE-Berlin, Quasimodo
  • Di 16.10.2018: DE-Bremen, Meisenfrei
  • Mi 17.10.2018: DE-Köln,Yard Club
  • Do 18.10.2018: DE-Rüsselsheim, Das Rind
  • Fr 19.10.2018: Private Show
  • Sa 20.10.2018: DE-Halle(Saale), Objekt 5



AKI TAKASE - ALEXANDER VON SCHLIPPENBACH - LIVE AT CAFE AMORES

Piano duo Aki Takase and Alexander Von Schlippenbach (also a couple in real life) had Frank Zappa's 'You Are What You Is' on their setlist in the early ninetees.
The composition could be found on their 1995 "Piano Duets - Live In Berlin" album.

More recently, the Lithuanian NoBusiness Records label released another live album by the duo. This time, it's a registration of an August 1995 concert in Japan, and again with FZ's 'You Are What You Is'.
Peculiar about this performance is the fact that Alexander Von Schlippenbach and Aki Takasi played on one  and the same piano. The reason was quite simple: 'Café Amores' is a typical jazz club. It cannot fit two grand pianos on its stage.
Despite having no charts for a four-hands / one-piano performance, the duo agreed and the result is beautiful.
A superb version of a Zappa tune, a bit of Charles Mingus and someThelonious Monk. What else do you need?

Recommended !!


PRINCE - ONE NITE ALONE...

"One Nite Alone..." was an album that got published by Prince for his NPG Music Club.
The original album is a real collector's item, but there's some counterfeits out there as well..
I'm listening to the 2018 silver CD bootleg on the ONAP label, a fine replica.
Prince on solo piano and voice.


The original version :



THE DISCO BISCUITS - TRANCE FUSION RADIO BROADCAST 02

This album has recently been re-released in the (impressive) "Trance Fusion Radio Broadcast 01/02" box set, 3LP's/CD/DVD, but I'm rather pleased that I recently obtained a copy of the original album as it includes the band performing Frank Zappa's 'Pygmy Twylyte'.

Here's The Disco Biscuits going into space...



DON PRESTON & ANDREA CENAZZO - ESCAPE FROM 2012

February 2010, Don Preston and Andrea Centazzo did a concert at the South Pasadena Conservatory of Music. About one year later, Don released a recording of this concert on CDR on his Brain Records label. I only recently found out that the actual recording (mixed, edited and produced by Andrea) was released on (a factory pressed) CD as well, on Andrea's Ictus Records record label.

The album presents 9 improvised compositions / tracks and clocks at a bit over 60 minutes.
(The Brain Records version only had 8 tracks and a total time of 56.20 min...)

Andrea plays gongs, cymbals, drums and the mallet kat;
Don is not only featured on keyboards and electronics, but he also plays the double bass !!
Fascinating.

Available from Ictus.
https://www.ictusrecords.com/



Sunday, August 5, 2018

HUMBLE GRUMBLE


Humble Grumble performed at the Burg Herzberg Festival (Freakstage) about ten days ago.
Here's a snippet :



HONEY CREEK - LIVE AM SCHLOSS

  • honey creek: live am schloss
        (2018, dvd, ger, kawumm records)
James Boyle's (part of the Sly 'n' Boyle duo that I mentioned a couple of days ago) latest project is called Honey Creek.
James takes care of the vocals, Michael Reufsteck plays the lead guitar, Holger Janes takes care of the bass parts and Martin Donner drums.
"Live Am Schloss" has the band performing in Saarbrücken on August 27, 2017.
Nice performance and a fine set of tunes, including Rory Gallegher's 'Cradle Rock'.

Blues fans take note.



DEUS - ZEA

  • deus: zea
        (2018, 10", nl, music on vinyl)
dEUS released their first EP in 1993 : three tracks ('Zea', 'Right As Rain' and 'Great American Nude') on the Jack & Johnny Recordings label. As the EP sold out rather quickly, it got re-issued the same year with one extra track, 'Intro Zea Replica', by Bang! Records.
It was the start of an extraordinary career.

Using the Beefheart sample gave away that the band had taste.
At the time, produced by Peter Vermeersch and Pierre Verloesem !!

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, 'Zea' has been re-released on 10", gold vinyl, by Music On Vinyl.
Happy anniversary !!

It's the blimp !!



THE GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION - FREE ENERGY

The most recent Grandmothers tour had Ed Mann teaming up with Bunk Gardner, Don Preston and Christopher Garcia.
The band did a small number of concerts in Europe in April and came back for a final gig at Zappanale. Unfortunately for the Zappanale audience, Ed Mann hurt his pelvis recently and was unable to make it to Bad Doberan.

"Free Energy" has a lot of the tunes that The Grandmother performed during this recent tour. It is obvious that both Don and Bunk don't play as fluent as they used to, but it's nice to hear Ed perform with The Grandmothers.
Private release. Available from Don.

  1. free energy (don preston)
  2. the eric dolphy memorial bbq (frank zappa)
  3. the eternal question (don preston)
  4. modern man (george carlin)
  5. king kong (frank zappa)
  6. flower punk (frank zappa)
  7. silicon hump (don preston)
  8. evelynn the modified dog (frank zappa)
  9. dark matter (don preston)
  10. lament (don preston)
  11. dr. know (ed mann)
  12. talkin' ruth, chris, don, bunk
  13. dupree's paradise (frank zappa), incl. ruth (don preston)



WOMBO ORCHESTRA - MEKA MONKEY

Brass / funk band Wombo Orchestra released "Meka Monkey" in 2011.  Two years later, they released "Ruunga Mekanika". They did the Josem-Wombo project (!!) in 2015 and released their latest disc, "W", in 2016.

I'm guessing that "Meka Monkey" was the first Wombo Orchestra album, but I'm not sure about that as a 'radio announcement' on the album says that it's their fourth release.

Anyway, "Meka Monkey" offers a fine mix between brass, funk, eastern spices and upbeat percussion. It makes me happy.



GERONIMO (FLASH)BLACK


The first track on the Geronimo Black album : 'Low Ridin' Man', plus track 8, 'Gone'.
Love it.
Jimmy Carl Black, Bunk Gardner, Denny Walley, Tom Leavy, Andy Cahan, Tjay Contrelli.



BUNK GARDNER - BUNKMANIA



Bunk Gardner joined The Mothers Of Invention in early 1967. Before that happened, he had already participated in the recording of "Themes From The Hip" by the Bud Wattles Orchestra.
After his years with The Mothers, Bunk formed Menage A Trois with his brother Buzz and with John Balkin, and he recorded with Geronimo Black.
Bunk did keep on playing Zappa's music as part of The Grandmothers and with Don Preston as The Don And Bunk Show.
"Bunkmania" collects material from all of these sessions.
In super-fine quality.
Personally, I'm very happy with the Menage A Trois material that can be found on this album.

Beautiful album in a fine digipack.
Essential if you want to know what one of your Grandmothers' career was all about.


Saturday, August 4, 2018

ABSOLUTELY FRANK

Zappa tribute band Absolutely Frank will perform at the Strandwal Festival in Rijswijk, NL on Sept 8 from 16h00 to 16h30.


JOSEM-WOMBO - S/T

Josem-Wombo is a collaboration between JOSEM (le Jeune Orchestre Symphonique de l'Entre deux-Mers) and the Wombo Orchestra.
Classical symphonic sounds meet afropunk brass.
Energetic and exciting.
The second piece on this mini-album is Frank Zappa's 'Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus' and it sounds great.

Available as download from Bandcamp.
Initially, the album was also available on CD.





A ZAPPA AFFAIR





VARIOUS ARTISTS - XADDAX / MY NAME IS RAR-RAR : RIPPER

  • various artists: xaddax / my name is rar-rar : ripper
        (2018, cd, usa, skingraft records)
Skin Graft Records is not your ordinary record label. Actually, in their own words, they're a comic book company that publishes records.
One of their recent releases is called "Xaddax / My Name Is Rar-rar : Ripper".
It presents two bands:  Xaddax, and "My Name Is Rar-rar.
There's one version out as a split four track 7", but the complete package has been released on a CD (also available in two different versions).

Energetic, wild and going in all directions at once.

Available from Mandai.
www.mandai.be

Give it a listen :



COL. BRUCE HAMPTON & THE MADRID EXPRESS - LIVE AT THE VISTA ROOM

I mentioned this new album by the late Col. Bruce Hampton a little while ago and, in the meantime, the CD did arrive, but I was finally able to add the data to the United Mutations Archives.

Live in concert, and featuring Denny Walley on slide guitar !!, "Live At The Vista Room".
Feel good music.



THE RUDY SCHWARTZ PROJECT - THE YEAR THEY SWITCHED TO CORNMEAL 2.0

This Kunaki CDR-On-Demand thing seems to work for The Rudy Schwartz Project.
2018 already saw some fine re-issues and now there's "The Year They Switched To Cornmeal".
The album was originally released in 2011 and has now been made available in a remixed and remastered version, hence the "2.0".

Here's 'Sarah Palin Pussy Juice' :


And 'Bow Wow Blues' :



EXPANDED RESIDENTS ALBUM TO BE RELEASED LATER THIS MONTH

August 24, CherryRed Records will release the 2CD version of "I Am A Resident".

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/the-residents-i-am-a-resident-2cd-card-gatefold-edition/


Friday, August 3, 2018

FRANK ZAPPA FEATURING CAPTAIN BEEFHEART - MUFFIN MAN GOES TO COLLEGE



This semi-official vinyl album presents parts of FZ's 1975 tour with Captain Beefheart, Tom Fowler, Terry Bozzio, Denny Walley, George Duke, Napoleon Murphy Brock and Bruce Fowler.
Probably recorded at Providence, April 26, 1975.














THE UNDERDOGS - BLUES BAND AND BEYOND

The "Blues Band And Beyond" album collects the five 7" singles, the EP and the LP that The Underdogs released on the Zodiac record label between 1967 and 1969.
As one of the singles included 'There Will Come A Time' (= Frank Zappa's 'Take Your Clothes Off'), it can be found on this compilation album as well. Track number 18.
Nice.

Here's the entire album :



SLY 'N' BOYLE - THE ORIGINAL BITTERROOT BOYS

Frank Sly (guitar, backing vocals) and James Boyle (lead vocals, mandoline) recorded one album. It got released in 2007.
"The Orignal Bitterroot Boys" presents 9 tracks. All rock classics that have been reworked for a country / bluegrass instrumentation.
Love it.
Superb versions of 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet', 'Kiss', 'These Boots Are Made For Walking', and many more, including a fine version of Frank Zappa's 'Bobby Brown'.

Add three remix bonus and two live tracks and you've got one impressive album.
A great addition to The Others Of Invention.
http://www.united-mutations.com/z/frank_zappa/fz_ooi_albums.htm



STEVE VAI

September should see a (yet another) re-issue of Alcatrazz' "Power Live" video recording.
Released in 1985 on VHS, this 1984 Japan concert, featuring Steve Vai, has been spotted on DVD (both as a bootleg and as a legal release).
It has also been combined with a compilation album...

And now it will be re-released as a DVD/2CD or a Blu-Ray/2CD set, billed as "Live In Japan 1984 - The Complete Recording".

BULLIPHANT

Bulliphant is
  • Bart Maris (BE) : trumpet and piccolo trumpet
  • Ruben Verbruggen (BE) : alto and baritone saxophone
  • Thijs Troch (BE) : synth and electronics
  • Gonçalo Almeida (PT) : double bass
  • Friso van Wijck (NL) : drums and percussion
The quintet has just released their first album. Recorded in concert at 'De Singer' in Rijkevorsel, BE.



-- info: Danny Mathys

JUNIOR JR. - OBLIGATORY DEMO


Junior Jr. recorded Carl King's 'Guns A' Blazin'! ' for their "Obligatory Demo" album, a 6-track mini album.

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/juniorjr2


CARL KING - GUNS A' BLAZIN'!

Data for the latest Carl King release  have been added to the United Mutations Archives.
This CD release has two versions of the 'Guns A' Blazin'!' suite.
The first one is the one you get to hear at Bandcamp (Carl King sequencer), the second one is by Junior Jr., a four-piece rock band from North Carolina.

'Guns A' Blazin'!' can also be found on Junior Jr. first album : "Obligatory Demo".


STIMULI


Oakland Power Trio STIMULI to Release Explosive Debut Album THEY ARE WE

Oakland, CA – Bay Area rock band STIMULI create thoughtful and heavy rock music about the human condition, delivered through Jimmy Tomahawk's melodic and edgy vocals and spacious and heavy guitar riffing, Tai Hake's solid and snarling bass tones, and Cole Andrew's intricate and powerful drumming. STIMULI will release their first official full-length album titled THEY ARE WE in stores and online worldwide on August 17, 2018. The album is a winding 11-track explosion of the trio's dense, ambitious, and fiercely original sound.



Wednesday, August 1, 2018

SUN RA FOR VINYL FREAKS

Both "Sleeping Beauty" and "On Jupiter" have recently been re-released on vinyl on the Strut Records label.
Originally released on vinyl by Sun Ra on his Saturn label in the late seventies, and re-issued on vinyl and on CD (and as digital download) by Art Yard a couple of years ago, and now again re-released on vinyl by Strut...


-- additional info: Danny Mathys


MULATE ASTATKE AND THE HELIOCENTRICS


The Strut record label has added the excellent "Inspiration Information 3" by Mulate Astatke and The Heliocentrics to their Bandcamp site.



SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM - GRAND OPENING AND CLOSING!

Experimental avant-garde rock band Sleepytime Gorilla Museum released their first album in 2001. My copy, however, is a re-issue from 2006 with three bonus tracks.

"Grand Opening And Closing" is a pleasant introduction. A very pleasant one.



FRANK ZAPPA'S 'N-LITE'


From FZ's "Civilization Phaze III"