Tuesday, December 31, 2019

DON'T EAT THE YELLOW SNOW


"Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" on Belgian national TV.

Episode 2430 of Jeroen Meus' daily Cooking Show "Dagelijkse Kost" had Jeroen set in the snow (somewhere abroad).
It featured FZ's 'Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" quite prominently.

Here's Serj Kankian's version, from 2011.


Sunday, December 29, 2019

ENSEMBLE BLUE MARLIN - ZAPPA SPIELT FÜR BACH

Last year, Fried Dähn (electric cello player, composer, professor and member of the Ensemble Modern when Zappa recorded The Yellow Shark) put together the Ensemble Blue Marlin to perform a concert in the "Zappa Spielt für Bach" series in Hamburg.

"Zappa Spielt für Bach" is a concert that takes place every year at the St. Katharinenkirche in Hamburg, Germany, a couple of days before the Zappanale festival starts.
This concert always is on a Wednesday and the festival starts on a Friday (not counting the Thursday warm-up party).

The "Zappa Spielt für Bach" concert series has an impressive list of participants : Florida-based Bogus Pomp, German rock band Sheik Yerbouti, Ensemble Ambrosius, Robert, Martin, Albert Wing, Inventionis Mater with Valentina Ciardelli, and Napoleon Murphy Brock.

July 2019, Fried Dähn (electric cello), Napoleon Murphy Brock (sax, flute, vocals), Chris Garcia (percussion and marimba) plus the Winnitzki / Lücker / Hughes jazz trio and 'visual piano player' Laurenz Theinert performed  pieces by Frank Zappa, by Thelonious Monk, and by Fried Dähn,

Wow...

Out on CD and available from https://www.stiftung-johann-sebastian.de/startseite/



ROSA ENSEMBLE - SHORTBREAD & OUTCAKES

Dutch music theater ensemble, Rosa Ensemble, released "Shortbread & Outcakes" in 2013 (as a limited 15th anniversary edition CD), collecting hits and outtakes.
The album has two outtakes that we know from "Selling Hoovers In Mojave", their Beefheart / Zappa tribute album from 2005: 'Blaat En Rook' (= 'Blabber 'n Smoke' (Don Van Vliet)) and 'Gimme A Pepsi 4' (Floris van Bergeijk). Both can be found in a shorter version on this album.

Rosa Ensemble with Hans Dagelet toured again with their Beefheart tribute show earlier this year.
They'll do two more shows in the next couple of months. One in Groningen and on in Tilburg. Both NL.


Here's "Shortbread & Outcakes":


Here's "Selling Hoovers In Mojave":



Both albums are still available on CD.
Check out the Rosa Ensemble website:
https://rosaensemble.nl/


Saturday, December 28, 2019

ROSA ENSEMBLE - DIEPE WILDERNIS

The Dutch Rosa Ensemble celebrated its 10th anniversary by re-recording a show that they had premiered with August Willemsen in 1998 and that was based on João Guimarães's "Grande Sertão: Veredas" book.

CD1 has the story narrated in Dutch by Hans Dagelet.
CD 2 is narrated in Portugese by Carlos Lagoeiro.

You can check it out on Bandcamp :



JEAN-PAUL ESTIEVENART QUINTET - STRANGE BIRD

  • jean-paul estiévenart quintet: strange bird
        (2019, cd, bel, outnote records)
I first saw Jean-Paul Estiévenart when he performed with The Wrong Object (with Fred Delplanq on sax), performing the music of Frank Zappa...

In the meantime, Jean-Paul has moved towards jazz, performing and recording with Urbex and with his own quintet.
His latest release sounds great.
Melodic modern jazz.
    Jean-Paul Estiévenart - Trumpet
    Romain Pilon - Guitar
    Nicola Andrioli - Piano
    Nic Thys - Bass
    Antoine Pierre - Drums 

-- info: Danny Mathys


THE ARF-DOSSIER

The latest issue of The Arf Dossier arrived last week.
Issue number 102 !!
Always fun to browse through as it mixes news with reports of recent happenings and pictures.
Comes with the membership of the Arf Society.
In German (and some parts in English).

the arf-dossier no.102 - 2019/12
incl.

  • leserpost
  • info behind the photo(s)
  • the hot platters heaven from the arf office
  • hot rats - the dedicatees
  • the rare pictures gallery
  • the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
  • the vinyl bootleg releases
  • news from belgium - live from United Mutations
  • back in time, vol. XVII
  • zappanale 31 - newsletter
  • ullis ecke


OUTER PARK - 1968 SLIGHT RETURN



Chelsea Austin, James Singleton, Patrick S. Noonan and Charles Tobermann are Outer Park.
They recently released "1968, Slight Return" on which they perform a number of classic tunes from 1968.
From John Coltrane's 'Naima' over Stephen Stills' 'For What It's Worth' to Frank Zappa's 'King Kong'.
I enjoyed it.
Nice version of FZ's 'King Kong' !


ROSA ENSEMBLE - ANTICANTATE

"Anticantate" got performed by the Rosa Ensemble in 2009. Mixing voices and soundscapes, a narrator tells the story of the end of time... Or not?
In Dutch.
Quite experimental.

It got a CD release in 2013.

Here's a live fragment of one of the performances:



Friday, December 27, 2019

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - WONDERFUL VIRUSES

Just when you start looking back at 2019 and have to conclude that we've had a pretty impressive year music-wise, along comes Pierre Vervloesem to add another cherry to the cake.

"Wonderful Viruses" is available through Bandcamp.

This is fun !
Give it a listen !



Wednesday, December 25, 2019

JONI MITCHELL


from the "Blue" album, 1971.

merry Xmas, everyone.



Tuesday, December 24, 2019

FRANK ZAPPA - THE HOT RATS SESSIONS

I received this box one day after FZ's birthday, just in time for Xmas.
However, I do need to admit that it did not get a spot under the tree. The package went straight from the postman into my hands and I wouldn't let it go.

Release #115.
A beautiful glossy laminated box that includes the 6 CDs in a 12" fold-out cardboard plus a giant booklet (and a board game).
The music is amazing.
This is not an album. This is an audio documentary. You get to hear how Frank worked and how he puzzled his pieces together.

Amazing.

The Audiophile Review :
https://audiophilereview.com/audiophile-music/frank-zappas-hot-rats-sessions-50th-anniversary-box-set.html




Sunday, December 22, 2019

YIN YIN - THE RABBIT THAT HUNTS TIGERS

  • yin yin: the rabbit that hunts tigers
        (2019, cd, switzerland, bongo joe)
Yin Yin's "The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers" makes you think that you're walking into a oriental movie. I would never have guessed that Yin Yin hails from Maastricht, NL.
Psychedelic Thai funk mixed with disco.


The album is out on the Les Disques Bongo Joe record label.
Available on Bandcamp :

DE WARMSTE WEEK


Belgian national radio Studio Brussel organises 'De Warmste Week" supporting several organizations and associations that support people in need.

https://stubru.be/dewarmsteweek

You can donate to have a song of your choice played on the radio.
Lots of artists support De Warmste Week.
Here's Selah Sue :



RESIDENTS ART PROJECT BY DES ASTRES D'OR


The concept of Des Astres D'Or is to release vinyl album and artwork in a very limited edition.
As pieces of art rather than a commercial release.

One of their recent projects combines a spoken word album by The Residents combined with Leigh Barbier artwork.

Limited edition of 25 copies !!
(at 500 euro a piece)
Love the idea.

Read more about it here:
https://www.des-astres-dor.com/the-residents/


Onesided LP
Original Paintings by Leigh Barbier
Numbered edition of 25 ex.
d’or037
Date of Release: January 15, 2020

A Spoken Word Piece by The Residents.



VARIOUS ARTISTS - SECRET RECORDS COMPILATION 2019 1/2

The Secret Records label has been releasing or re-releasing some fine albums on the vinyl format.
Their recent sampler is a fine showcase of their recent productions.
16 tracks, featuring The Residents, Hardy Fox, Snakefinger, Renaldo & The Loaf, Chrome, and lots of freaky stuff that was new to me.

It's a free sampler.
Check it out !!



GRAHAM PARKER - LIVE ALONE AT THE FREIGHT AND SALVAGE



Quake Records has released several Graham Parker albums. One of these captured the British rock artist in concert at the 'Freight And Salvage' in Berkeley, California where he performed Don Van Vliet's / Captain Beefheart's 'Too Much Time'.

Nice concert. Nice cover version.


AUKE HULST & CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN - EEN GROTER GEBEUREN

Auke Hulst and Corrie van Binsbergen performed "Een Groter Gebeuren" at the 'Paradox' club in Tilburg, NL, last Friday (20/12).
Auke did the narration (and played guitar and sang a bit) while Corrie and band took care of the music.
  • corrie van binsbergen: guitar
  • hermine deurlo: harmonica, soprano saxophone
  • joost van es: violin, mandolin
  • joost buis: trombone, lapsteel
  • albert van veenendaal: prepared piano
  • hein offermans: bass
  • yonga sun: drums, electronics
Loved it.

The libretto + an audio recording is available from Corrie's website:
https://corrievanbinsbergen.com/shop/boek-download-een-groter-gebeuren/
Also available on CDR.

22/12 'Lux' in Nijmegen, NL



Saturday, December 21, 2019

THE WHITE STRIPES


Nugs.net has made another couple of concert recordings by The White Stripes available.

One of these is the Detroit, MI September 10, 1999 show, where The White Stripes performed 'Diddy Wah Diddy', a track that was made famous by Don Van Vliet / Captain Beefheart.



WASDAMAN


Zappa-inspired jazz-rock !!

Belgian Band Wasdaman.
They released their first album a couple of months ago.
  • Bas Bulteel: keyboards
  • Frank Debruyne: baritone sax
  • Bart Vervaeck: guitar
  • Joshua Dellaert: bass
  • Jonathan Callens: drums

-- info : Zjakki Willems

ROSA ENSEMBLE'S PORK TREAT MUSICAL, A BEEFHEART TRIBUTE


I was fortunate to see them in Antwerp, BE, earlier this year.
For those who weren't there, there's still one opportunity coming up :
at the Paradox club in Tilburg, NL, next month.




Wednesday, December 18, 2019

FRANK ZAPPA - PEACHES EN REGALIA E.P.


The recent FZ's 'Peaches En Regalia EP" Black Friday / Record Store Day release did not get distributed in Europe.
Only in the U.S.
But it will be made available in Europe somewhere in 2020.

side one

  1. peaches en regalia - rhythm track mix
  2. little umbrellas - rhythm track mix

side two

  1. peaches en regalia - mono single master
  2. little umbrellas - mono single master


DAVE HARTL - PIANIST DIMENTIA - MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA

Dave Hartl regularly sneaks some Frank Zappa songs in the solo piano restaurant gig he's playing in Haddon Township, New Jersey.
After having received positive feedback for posting video recordings of some of these performances on Facebook, Dave decided to record this album.
An excellent decision as we can now all enjoy his performances.

20 beautiful tracks.
Solo piano.
We're getting spoiled.

Available through Bandcamp. Also on CDR.
Artwork by Al Moretti !!



THE RESIDENTS - REFUSED


  • the residents: refused
        (2019, cd, austria, klanggalerie gg314)

The Residents' Ralph America record label released "Refused" in 1999 in a limited edition of 333 copies. It was a collection of Santa Dogs.
Klanggalerie has re-released this album and has added a couple of extra Santa Dogs to a total of 18.

Essential. Especially if you want to survive Xmas.

Love the artwork. It's the Santa Dog 7" that was returned as "Refused" by Richard Nixon.

Out on Klanggalerie:
http://www.klanggalerie.com/gg314


Monday, December 16, 2019

KENSO - MUSIC FOR UNKNOWN FIVE MUSICIANS

Kenso is a Japanese prog rock / fusion band.
Their 1986 live recording "Music For Unknown Five Musicians" has a keyboard solo by Kenichi Oguchi in the track 'Arrividerci' during which he plays the melody line of Frank Zappa's 'The Black Page'.
Re-released on 2CD in 1990 and 2011 and more recently on 'Blu-Spec CD'....

Here's their second album, from 1982:



MARKUS STAUSS - 5 COMPOSITIONS 2017-19 & NEOLITHICUM SURPRISE

I enjoy listening to the various Markus Stauss projects.
Markus is someone who likes to explore the boundaries of music which, at moments, leads to quite experimental results.
Markus' latest release, "5 Compositions 2017-19 - Neolithicum Surprise", combines 5 recent compositions, performed by his quartet, with a recording of a solo performance that took place at an exhibition.

The "5 Compositions" part got recorded earlier this year by Rémy Sträuli (drums), Damien Campion (bass), Markus Stauss (saxes) and Richard Koch (trumpet).
Sounds great.
The second part of the album, "Neolithicum Surprise", features Markus on bass saxophone, percussion, electronics and loops at an exhibition of sculptor Oscar Wiggli.
Lovely soundscapes. Short and indeed surprising. You know how they offer you these audio guides during exhibitions? Listening to "Neolithicum Surprise" makes me want to check out the sculptures of Oscar Wiggli !

Released on Fazzul Music,
https://www.markus-stauss.ch/en/

Check it out !


Sunday, December 15, 2019

SHOWBIZ - SCATTERED HURRICANES

Showbiz are Filippo Bellavia (lead vocals, guitar), Antonello De Simone (bass) and Guido Piron (drums).
Last year, the trio released "Scattered Hurricanes", a straight-forward, guitar-oriented, zappa-inspired rock album.

The album features Ike Willis on guest vocals on 'Couch Potato' and Ossi Duri's Martin and Ruben Bellavia on tracks 7 and 8.

Guitarist Filippo Bellavia is the father of Martin, Ruben and Emanuela (who sings backing vocals on track 1). In 2008, Filippo released his "Zappa In Blues" tribute

The album ends with three cover versions : Bob Dylan's 'All Along The Watchtower', Frank Zappa's 'Black Napkins', and Peter Frampton's 'Do You Feel Like We Do'.

Love the guitar !!
A great addition to The Others Of Invention !!

Released on the LaZaRiMus record label.
Check it out!

Here's Filippo with Ossi Duri and Ike Willis !!




NEW ALBUM BY MARKUS REUTER


MoonJune’s 100th release on the label and the first official release in 2020.

Markus Reuter: Touch Guitars® AU8, Live Looping
Fabio Trentini: Wal Fretless Bass, Bass Synthesizer
Asaf Sirkis: Acoustic Drums




FRED HÄNDL - MOLSONS DEAR

The last couple of years, Fred Händl has surprised us with two beautiful albums: "Fred Händl Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa" (2015), and "The Poodle Magic Pig Type" (2018).
Both albums paid tribute to the music of the late Frank Zappa.
I guess that's what touring and recording with Zappatika and with Z.E.R.O. does to you.

Fred's latest release, "Molsons Dear" presents eleven solo piano pieces that he recorded in 2018 and 2019.
Original music next to pieces by Ennio Morricone, Joe Harnel and Frank Zappa.
Very nice.

Two of the three Zappa pieces that can be found on this album were previously released on "The Poodle Magic Pig Type". However, they fit the collection perfectly.

"Molsons Dear" is another beautiful album by Fred Händl.
Recommended listening !!

Here's another Zappa piece, performed by Fred:


Saturday, December 14, 2019

TRIO KADABRA - HOT JATS

Massimiliano Fantolini (piano), Mauro Giannaccini (bass) and Jacopo Giusti (!!) (drums) are Trio Kadabra. They recently released "Hot Jats", a fine jazz tribute to the music of Frank Zappa.
All compositions by FZ, except for the obvious three.
  1. chunga's revenge
  2. blessed relief
  3. how could i be such a fool?
  4. dog breath variations
  5. eat that question - inca roads
  6. all blues - king kong - frame by frame
  7. little umbrellas - taxi driver's theme
  8. son of mr. green genes
  9. take you clothes off when you dance
This is nice. My favourite track is the mix of Miles 'All Blues' / FZ's 'King Kong' / KC's 'Frame By Frame'.

https://www.gtmusic.it/



LE GRAND SBAM - VAISSEAU MONDE

  • le grand sbam: vaisseau monde
        (2019, cd, france, dur et doux)
The French Dur Et Doux record label keeps on putting out remarkable releases.

Le Grand Sbam is
  • Mélissa Acchiardi : vibraphone, percussions
  • Antoine Arnera : keyboards, composition
  • Boris Cassone : bass
  • Jessica Martin Maresco : vocals
  • Guilhem Meier : drums, composition
  • Marie Nachury : vocals
I have been enjoying this album for about a week, and being the fetishist that I am, I received the CD a couple of days ago, so now I'm also playing the music in the car on on the stereo.
This is so good.
Beautiful strange melodies with an emphasis on the vocals and on the percussion.
Essential listening !!



TROIA


Not sure if I've mentioned TROIA before on these pages.
TROIA = Pascal Deweze + Helder Deploige + Sjoerd Bruil,
and they have just released a cassette album (Jezus Factory Records) in a limited edition of 50 copies...



KÖSTER / HOCKER - FREMDE FEDDERE

Cologne artists Gerd Köster (vocals) and Frank Hocker (guitars) recorded several classic rock songs (B.Dylan, T.Waits, J.Hiatt, L.Wainwright III) for their “Fremde Feddere” album. All translated in German by Gerd Köster. The album also includes ‘Nobbi Braun’, their version of FZ’s ‘Bobby Brown’.
Nice. Very nice.

The album got released as a 2 LP set (with an enclosed CD) and as a separate CD (digipack)

Here's a live version :



ALEX'S HAND - HUNGARIAN SPA

Alex's Hand released their latest album, "Hungarian Spa", about two months ago. First as a digital download and a bit later also on CD.
I was introduced to the music of Alex's Hand at Zappanale in 2018.
They performed an intense set of eclectic music displaying quirky melody lines, odd meters, and a fine dose of humor.
Avant-garde, experimental, zappa-esque... My cup of tea. I loved it.

"Hungarian Spa" continues on the (unpredictable) path that was set out by the previous albums.

Again, Kellen Mills and Nic Barnes succeeded in gathering an impressive group of musicians to perform their compositions. The result sounds great. 16 tracks, one of which was recorded at Zappanale.
And as a pleasant surprise, track 15, 'New Skin', features Chato Segerer on the guitar ! Wow !! Super.

Check out "Hungarian Spa" at bandcamp !!



NEW (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ONLY) SUN RA ALBUM


"Haverford College 1980 Solo Piano", is available on Bandcamp.

From the same concert, the last track on this recording features Walt Dickerson on solo vibraphone.



Friday, December 13, 2019

MUFFIN MEN UK TOUR 2020

The Muffin Men will be touring the UK next May and June.
Performing the music of Frank Zappa.
Better get your calendars out !!






FRANK ZAPPA - AUSTIN 1973


An eighty-minute soundboard recording of this (excellent) show circulates and can be found on Zappateers.
Zip City Records has released it on CD.
I don't really understand why there's a picture of the 1971 band on the cover, and one of Steve Vai and Frank Zappa on the back cover of this album, but that's probably me...

The Mothers Of Invention, October - December 1973
FZ, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Tom Fowler, George Duke, Ruth Underwood, Bruce Fowler, Ralph Humphrey, Chester Thompson.

1973 10 26 - Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, TX
80 min, SBD, A+
Cosmik Debris, Inca Roads, Pygmy Twylyte, The Idiot Bastard Son, Cheepnis, Big Swifty, Dickie's Such An Asshole (world premiere), Farther Oblivion, Mr Green Genes, King Kong, Chunga's Revenge, Mr Green Genes (q: Dickie's Such An Asshole)


THE COMET IS COMING - TRUST IN THE LIFEFORCE OF THE DEEP MYSTERY

I  had first heard about The Comet Is Coming in 2017. Bought their album as saw them in concert a little later.
Mind-blowing.
Their new album, "Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery", has their typical sound and sounds a bit less energetic, a bit more dreamy.



TOOTS THIELEMANS AND FLAT EARTH SOCIETY

In 2003, Belgian chromatic harmonica wonder Toots Thielemans performed with Flat Earth Society at the Jazz Middelheim festival.
I remember seeing footage of it in a TV-documentary on Belgian national TV years ago.

One of the pieces that Toots performed with Flat Earth Society at Jazz Middelheim found its way to this 2012 "Best Of" album, celebrating Toots's 90th birthday.

Here's another Belgian TV-show from a long time ago: "So What" with the Jaco Pastorius band, with special guests Toots Thielemans and Michel Hatzigeorgiou !


VARIOUS ARTISTS - DON'T BLOW YOUR COVER - A TRIBUTE TO KMFDM

KMFDM released 'Don't Blow Your Top' in 1988. The track (on the album with the same name) used lyrics from various Frank Zappa tunes: 'Son Of Suzy Creamcheese', 'I'm The Slime', 'Dirty Love', 'The Orange County Lumber Truck' and 'Bow Tie Daddy'.

In 2000, Cleopatra Records released a KMFDM tribute entitled 'Don't Blow Your Cover'. It included 16 Volt Vs. Spahn Ranch's rendition of 'Don't Blow Your Cover', including the Zappa lyrics.


Tuesday, December 10, 2019

NEWS FROM KLANGGALERIE

The Residents' "Refused" album is out !


And announced !!
the album of (Resident) Randy's performance with UZ JSME DOMA.
"Moravian Meeting".
http://www.klanggalerie.com/gg328


They have also surprisingly performed onstage with THE RESIDENTS in Prague, Czech Republic in 1995 which was recorded and released as Disc 2 of The Residents album "Freak Show". [Mirek Wanek was music director and conductor of that show]. In 2010 they were performing with Randy, the Residents' singer, 13 Residents' songs in Wanek's arrangement for UJD.

RAMON TARANCO - CUBAN BLUES MAN

Ramon Taranco's latest album is entitled "Cuban Blues Man".
Born in Cuba, Ramon moved to Canada with his parents at the age of 5. He also lived and performed in New York City for quite a number of years.

"Cuban Blues Man" shows his musical influences.
Blues infused with latin grooves.
I like it.

Available from CDBaby:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/ramontaranco9

Here's 'Take Her Dancing' :



VARIOUS ARTISTS - SHERWOOD AT THE CONTROLS - VOLUME 2: 1986-1990


This second volume of "Sherwood At The Controls" documented the production work of Adrian Sherwood. 16 tracks. 16 different artists. All produced and / or remixed by Adrian Sherwood.
Track 11 is KMFDM's 'Don't Blow Your Top (Adrian Sherwood Remix)', a track that uses lyrics from different zappa tunes, previously released by KMFDM in 1988.



VARIOUS ARTISTS - CONCERT DU 30 MARS 2002 - UNE SOUFFLE POUR LA VIE



Recorded and released over fifteen years ago, "Concert Du 30 Mars 2002 - Une Souffle Pour La Vie" was a fundraiser for the battle against mucoviscidose.
The idea for both the concert and the album came from the students of the Lycée Notre Dame de Guingamp.
During the concert, FZ's 'My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama' was performed by Marlu (vocals), Pat O'May (lead guitar), Patrice Marzin (guitar), Stéphane Rama (bass) and Fred Moreau (drums).
It became track 9 on the album.
A fine addition to The Others Of Invention section over at the United Mutations Archives.


YIN YIN


"The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers" by YIN YIN is getting a red vinyl release on the Les Disques Bongo Joe record label.
Also out on CD.



DAVE HARTL RELEASES ZAPPA TRIBUTE ALBUM


Solo piano !!
If you like Fred Händl's performance of FZ's music, or if Mats Öberg's Zappa tribute is your thing, you definitely need to hear Dave Hartl's "Pianist Dementia - Music Of Frank Zappa" album.

Download available from Bandcamp,
and also released on CD !!



Sunday, December 8, 2019

VARIOUS ARTISTS - HEAVY METAL MASTERS LIVE

Another nice find.
This 3CD set (from 2004) is in fact a 2CD compilation album plus a bonus CD which probably also is the reason why it is housed in a 2CD jewel case ?!?
Anyway, the bonus disc includes G3 (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson, plus Mike Keneally in the backing band) performing FZ's 'My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama'.
Taken from the 1997 G3 "Live In Concert" album.


LES MATCHBOXX - LE CHEMIN DE LA ROUTE

French band Les Matchboxx have released several versions of their « Le Chemin De La Route » album. Originally released as an 8-track mini-album (CD) in 1997, it got re-released on vinyl in 2015, adding 7 bonus tracks. One of these bonus tracks was a live version of FZ’s (Theme From) Lumpy Gravy. This 2015 vinyl release plus one bonus track got re-released on CD in 2019, using the 1997 album cover…



ED PALERMO BIG BAND IN CONCERT


The Ed Palermo Big Band
A Very Proggy Christmas


Tomorrow Night!!

It's Ed Palermo's Prog Rock Holiday Extravaganza!
Don't miss this annual fun-filled event.
'Tis the Season to be Proggy!!

Monday December 9

THE IRIDIUM
1650 Broadway (corner of W. 51 St.)
New York City
212-582-2121

8:30PM - One set only


LEBOCAL - OH NO! ... JUST ANOTHER FRANK ZAPPA MEMORIAL BARBECUE


After having released a first (eponymous) album in 2000 and a second one (“Collectif Etc…”) in 2002, French big band LeBocal released an 11-track Frank Zappa tribute album in 2003. It featured former Zappa band (Grand and Petit Wazoo) trombone player Glenn Ferris and presented 11 tracks, rearranged by members of the big band collective.
A 4-track, limited edition CD EP with alternative versions and one unreleased track got issued together with the first batch of LeBocal’s Zappa tribute album.
Small print says "ne peut être vendu séparément" (not to be sold separately).
Not easy to find but a fine addition to the album.

  1. chunga's revenge (variations) (unreleased)
  2. take your clothes off when you dance (alternate take)
  3. little umbrellas (alternate take)
  4. king kong (alternate take)


Saturday, December 7, 2019

SIMPLE - UNDELETABLE REMIXED


A couple of years ago, in 2014, Pierre Vervloesem's Simple project released "Undeletable".
It looks like Pierre has gone back to the mixing board to redo the album.

Pierre Vervloesem (bass), Bruno Vansina (sax), Didier Fontaine (drums) and Joris Caluwaerts (keyboards).

Recommended listening !



GOV'T MULE - BRING ON THE MUSIC VOL.3


  • gov't mule: bring on the music vol.3
        (2019, lp, usa, provogue)
RSD release on purple and yellow triple striped vinyl.
Comes with a digital download card. Listening to it at this very moment.


LE GRAND SBAM


Oh wow !!


Le Grand Sbam.
They just released their first album, "Vaisseau Monde".
Check it out !!
Digital download, CD and vinyl !!




FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA


Swiss band Fido Plays Zappa has announced some 2020 tour dates:


15.04.2020: Köln - Yard Club
16.04.2020: Rüsselsheim - Das Rind
17.04.2020: Plauen - Malzhaus
18.04.2020: Jena - Kulturbahnhof

14.05.2020: Dortmund - Piano
15.05.2020: Melle - Kulturwerkstatt
16.05.2020: Hildburghausen - Route 66


THE ZAPPANALE PROGRAM


Two recent messages from the Zappanale Team :

Dear Fans of Zappa and Zappanale,

it has happened, the first bands have signed their contracts for #Z31.

We are especially happy that Dweezil Zappa will perform with band and as special guest with the UH Hilo Jazz Orchestra from Hawaii. So in 2020 it works with the Orchestra.

Another Highlight of the 31st edition of Zappanale will be John Mc Laughlin and The 4th Dimension. His tour in Germany has shown, that even with 77 years of age he has kept his spirit-

Saturday night Yasi Hofer, who was brought on stage by Steve Vai at the age of 14, will whip up the party atmosphere with her trio.

Run Logan Run, a French duo, will delight us on the Mystery Stage. This band won the music award in Montreux this year.

The contract of Camembert, who named themselves after the second studio album of Gong, is already signed too.

Klang Fusion, a duo from Germany, will entertain us with Zappa Songs.

For our Kamp event we signed Velvet Two Stripes among others.

We are working flat out to sign further contracts in the coming weeks. By Christmas we want to be able to present the complete program for 2020.

-------------------------------------

Dear Zappa and Zappanale fans,

What has St. Nicholas brought us?

THE MIKE KENEALLY REPORT!

After more than ten years of absence from Zappanale Mike Keneally finally is back.

The Marco Pacassoni Group from Italy will conduct us to sleep on Friday night.

DEKAdance, not been to the Zappanale for a very long time too, will delight us with their jokes and their vivacity on Sunday.

Festen from France will bring us zappaesque delicacies.

Valentina Ciardelli, known to you as a duo, will perform as a trio this time.

BEND from Bad Doberan will open the program at the Kamp. Jazzprojekt Hundehagen and Zappnoise are already part of the Zappanale inventory.

DRH from Lyon will see us off on Sunday and send us into the annual torture.

At this point only two contracts are missing, which means we are still negotiating with two bands.


NEW ZAPPA BAND SHOWS ANNOUNCED


A message from Robert Martin :

Zappa fans rejoice!

Seven shows over four nights of Zappa music coming soon. If you live in southern California, or if you’re coming to the annual NAMM Show in Anaheim, check the attached graphics for details.

We’ll be playing Saturday night, January 18th for the X-JAMM event at the M3 Live Theater, 2232 S. Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802.

Then three nights at the iconic Baked Potato in Studio City on the 20th through the 22nd of January. Here are separate ticket links for each of the three nights:

TICKETS: https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events/zappa/ January 20th, Shows: $40.00 9:30 / $35.00 11:30

TICKETS: https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events/zappa-2/ January 21st, Shows: $40.00 9:30 / $35.00 11:30

TICKETS: https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events/zappa-3/ January 22nd, Shows: $40.00 9:30 / $35.00 11:30

And for all you amazing European fans, watch for announcements coming soon for summer and fall Zappa madness.

For all you folks who love hearing this very special music as much as we love playing it, we look forward to seeing you soon!


Thursday, December 5, 2019

THE BUREAU OF ATOMIC TOURISM


New release by The Bureau Of Atomic Tourism !
featuring Jon Irabagon, Markus Broo, Jozef Dumoulin, Julien Desrez, Ingebrigt Häker Flaten and Teun Verbruggen.


Let's take a closer look at that artwork !!!
Wow!


Wednesday, December 4, 2019

KENT NAGANO


A bit of info on "The John Adams Album" by Kent Nagano and the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.

http://exystence.net/blog/2019/12/04/kent-nagano-orchestre-symphonique-de-montreal-the-john-adams-album-2019/

-- info: Jan van Kemenade


MOSAE & ELSEWHERE


Last weekend was Mosae Zappa weekend, an annual event that takes place in Heerlen and celebrates the music of the Moustache Man.

On Friday, the Oefenbunker (in Landgraaf, NL) gave the stage to Zappa Talks, VLAMP and The Dangerous Kitchen.

Zappa Talks (featuring Wan and Marco, both from The Foolz) mixed familiar melodies with samples and percussion. Highlight of the evening.
Guitar/bass/drums trio VLAMP was up next. Blues, Hendrix, The Soul Train,... It was all there. It even included some local carnaval artist, a moment that was enjoyed by a couple of people (while others left the building...).
The Dangerous Kitchen had flown in from Germany. Zappa with horns. Nothing wrong with that. I would have liked the band to be a bit more tight and I did miss the ripping guitar solos, but as Klaas said, 'We're spoiled'. Great vocals. Great band.
An excellent evening it was.

Saturday kicked off at noon with Die Miserablen HuSos, a German guitar duo that offered German versions of Zappa Tunes. In a pub in Heerlen. Quite funny. Liked it a lot.
Right after Die HuSos, the famous Carillion From Hell played Zappa. The town square will never be the same. Beautiful.
Next up was a Q and A session with Dweezil Zappa. Hosted by Tim, who did a fine job. Informative, relaxed and very enjoyable.
The afternoon ended with Jeff Silvertrust, a multi-instrumentalist who plays keyboards, percussion and trumpet and who also sings. I only caught a glimpse of this as I wanted to pay the local record store a visit...

My Saturday ended with Dweezil Zappa playing Hot Rats (and more) at the theater hall in Heerlen. Pretty amazing. Great band, excellent choice of tunes and a fabulous sound !!

Mosae rules.


Sunday had Dweezil playing in Utrecht, NL. At Tivoli.
I was standing next to some guys from Switzerland !!

Same set but it was great to see and hear it again.
Some of my German friends called it too sterile, too predictable. I just called it awesome.
I'm already looking forward to the Zappanale concert.


CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN'S ZAPPA TRIBUTE


Composition-assignment for The Asko Ensemble.
A tribute to Frank Zappa, dec 2003.
Part II of the suite The Magic Sock, composed by Corrie van Binsbergen



HAPPY ZAPPADAN EVERYBODY


As my friend Sally wrote earlier today:

My friends and family know I am a big Frank Zappa fan. Today is the 26th anniversary of Franks death, and for Zappa fans marks the first day of Zappadan. This celebration runs from Dec. 4th to the 21st, Franks Birthday. I know a lot of people know very little about this man, and Frankly, ( get that?) I don’t recommend a random search for the faint of heart because his vast career is peppered with many types of music, and as Frank himself has said not all is equally liked by even the most ardent fan. So on this first day of Zappadan, I post this video of one of my favorite pieces, covered by the Ed Palermo Big Band. It is an instrumental jazz piece .


Let me add another nice little tune, from one of Dan's Facebook posts :



Tuesday, December 3, 2019

ZAPPA DOO WOP

  • zappa doo wop

    by bruce whitaker
        (2019, book, usa, private release)
"Zappa Doo Wop" is a brand-new 150-page book that discusses the relation between doo-wop and Zappa's music : early influences, songs that FZ covered, snippets that he used and more.

I've been reading it while YouTube is taking care of the originals / soundtrack.
I love it.





J. ROLOFF'S PAPER ON ZAPPA'S MUSIC


  • frank zappa und seine musik im spiegel der möglichkeiten moderner studiotechnik und ihre auswirkungen auf den produktionsprozess und die ästhetik des klangs

    by j.roloff
        (2004, book, germany, grin)

Jan Roloff submitted his paper on Frank Zappa's music in 2004.
It was made available as a digital e-book and as a paperback.
20 pages.
In German.
Paper edition is available from Amazon although I bought my copy through ebay.


PRINCE - 1999 (BOX SET)


  • prince: 1999
        (2019, 5cd+dvd, europe, warner bros / npg)

Prince's "1999" album got a deluxe reissue.
Originally released in 1982.
Nice memories.

I went for the 5 CD + DVD set.

  • Original album, remastered
  • B-sides and remixes
  • Vault Tracks I
  • Vault Tracks II
  • 1982 audio concert
  • different 1982 video concert

Fine collection.