- Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5)
Feat. Geoff Tate, Steve Hackett, Billy Sheehan, Mel Collins, Geoff Downes, Ian Paice - Welcome to the Machine
Feat. Todd Rundgren, Rick Wakeman, Tony Levin - Have a Cigar
Feat. James Labrie, Steve Stevens, Patrick Moraz, Rat Scabies, Jah Wobble - Wish You Were Here
Feat. Rik Emmett, Joe Satriani, Edgar Froese, David Ellefson, Carmine Appice - Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9)
Feat. Rod Argent, Steve Hillage, Ian Paice, Bootsy Collins
Saturday, April 17, 2021
PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE ALBUM
Friday, April 16, 2021
MORE HIGH RES ZAPPA STUFF ON QOBUZ
Available as high res downloads from Qobuz :
- Hot Rats
- Over-nite Sensation
- One Size Fits All
- Just Another Band From L.A.
- Studio Tan
DANIELE SEPE'S "TRUFFE" SERIES
Daniele Sepe is offering two albums on Produzione dal Basso, a backer platform.
One of the albums, the fourth volume of"Truffe", classical music and music for movies, includes his version of FZ's 'Little Umbrellas'.
PROJECT Z - FREAK ME OUT, FRANK
- project z: freak me out, frank
(2021, download, portugal, private release)
Fans of the early Mothers should most definitely check out "Freak Me Out, Frank" by Project Z.
Initially, the band was known as The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny, but it morphed into Project Z. The recent Covid pandemic almost turned it into a one man project...
Project Z mastermind Pedro Miguel Silva Marques explains:
"Yes, the album is almost a one man project. Our band almost disbanded during the pandemic and i had to record what i had in storage until then. I didn't want to lose what i had learnt. The first aim of this Project Z as a band was to learn all the freak out record. I wanted to understand better the evolution that Zappa the composer had during his career. So, we proceeded to play the second record. And these 2 are the basis of this record Freak Me Out, Frank. I'm currently mixing and finishing the next record, "We're Starving, Man" a rework of "We're only in It for the money". "
For the moment, the album is available as one mp3 file, without song separation.
Pedro added that the goal is to have it released on CD some day.
If you want the mp3 file, contact Pedro at pmsmarques at netcabo dot pt
It'll cost you 15 euro, but you'll be supporting the band and you'll get some excellent music in return.
I ordered and received my copy (file) last week and I've been playing it ever since.
Great stuff !!
Thursday, April 15, 2021
DWEEZIL ZAPPA AND KOFI BAKER ON THE HANGIN' & BANGIN' YOUTUBE SHOW
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
CHARLES MICHAEL - THE VIOLET ALBUM
Charles Michael released his version of FZ's 'Mom & Dad' on his "The Violet Album".
Bandcamp release.
Download only.
Track 59 on this quite lengthy album.
ARKESTRA FUNDRAISERS ON ARS NOVA WORKSHOP
from the Saturn newsgroup :
Virtual Fundraiser
Honoring Sun Ra Arkestra maestro Marshall Allen
https://www.arsnovaworkshop.org/events/virtual-fundraiser-05-20-2021/
Ars Nova Workshop rallies community support following partial collapse of Sun Ra House in Philadelphia
Monday, April 12, 2021
FRANK ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS JIGSAW PUZZLES
Official merchandise: the Frank Zappa & The Mothers jigsaw puzzles.
OSFA, Freak Out, and We're Only In It For The Money are available as jigsaw puzzle !
http://www.zeeproductions.co.uk/index.php/rock-saws/
LALLE LARSSON'S SEAVEN DEADLY SINS
Wow.
Up until today Lalle Larsson released 4 albums and 1 DVD (Seven Deadly Sins).
A couple of days ago, Lalle put the entire "Seven Deadly Sins" DVD on YouTube.
Amazing.
-- info : Dirk Verschaeve
Sunday, April 11, 2021
BEAT LOVE ORACLE & HARDSCORE
Beat Love Oracle has released a second album.
Actually, it's a split CD release by Beat Love Oracle and Hardscore (both projects by Frank Nuyts)
Available from :
https://amarxe.bandcamp.com/album/dont-count-on-us
SRDJAN IVANOVIC'S BLAZIN' QUARTET - SLEEPING BEAUTY
- srdjan ivanovic's blazin' quartet: sleeping beauty
(2021, cd, usa, moonjune)
Together with his Blazin' Quartet, Srdjan recorded "Sleeping Beauty" in November 2019.
- Srdjan Ivanovic: drums, keyboards
- Andreas Polyzogopoulos: trumpet
- Federico Casagrande: guitar
- Mihail Ivanov: double bass
I love it.
Recommended listening.
Available as a digital download and on CD through Bandcamp:
LOWELL GEORGE
- Armando Compean - Bass
- Don Heffington - Drums
- Eddie Zip - Organ
- Peter Wasner - Piano
- Fred Tackett - Guitar
- Jerry Jumonville - Saxophone
- Lee Thornberg - Trumpet
- Maxine Dixon - Backing Vocals
- Lowell George - Lead Vocal & Slide Guitar
1. Intro Jam 00:00
2. Fat Man in the Bathtub 06:40
3. Honest Man 11:29
4. What Do You Want the Girl to Do 15:30
5. I Can't Stand the Rain 20:38
6. Easy Money 24:03
7. Rocket In My Pocket 28:16
8. A Apolitical Blues 31:41
9. Two Trains 40:16
10. Dixie Chicken 45:01
11. Harlem Nocturne 57:46
12. Twenty Million Things 1:02:32
13. Willin' 1:05:42
14. Spanish Moon 1:11:12
-- info: Danny Mathys
SEBKHA-CHOTT = PLAGIATBROS.
a message from Sebkha-Chott
Hey boy and girls,
Former Sebkha-Chott team speaking to you!
As you probably know, Sebkha-Chott has ended up in 2015 as far as live-shows are concerned and in 2019 for our last release.
Still, we're going on with a new project called Plagiat since 2016, and I'm pretty sure you might enjoy it.
You can follow it here: plagiatbros.bandcamp.com,
or straight on our website (in french only, sorry): plagiat.org.
As you will see, there are video clips for every tunes we've published (or almost).
Hope you'll enjoy Plagiat's world and music!
WOII & Nots Awful Mitzahal Michel
Thursday, April 8, 2021
PRINCE VAULT RELEASE ANNOUNCED
Welcome 2 America | Available 7.30.21 - Pre-Order Now! - https://Prince.lnk.to/W2AAY Shop exclusive Prince music and merchandise at the Official Prince Store - https://store.prince.com
LAUGHING BASTARDS REVISITED
A bit over a year ago, the Laughing Bastards released "Unanimal".
- Michel Mast – tenor sax
- Jan-Sebastiaan Degeyter – guitar
- Eline Duerinck – cello
- Nils Vermeulen – double bass
- Marcos Della Rocha – drums
The vinyl album (artwork by Jan-Sebastiaan Degeyter !!) presents 8 tracks. The digital download that comes with the album has one extra track.
Playful, jazzy and cinematic.
Beautiful.
Check it out :
Available from Michel Mast (https://www.hamsessions.be/)
or from the Vynilla Record Shop in Ghent, BE. (https://vynilla.be/shop/)
RESIDENTS RSD RELEASE ANNOUNCED
Release Date: 6/12/2021
Format: LP
Label: Cherry Red/MVD
Quantity: 1300
Release type: RSD Drops 2021 Jun 12th
The Residents: LeftOvers Again!?!
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
DANS DANS - NAIAD
From the upcoming Dans Dans album.
The trio will do a livestream concert from the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on April 21:
https://www.abconcerts.be/en/agenda/dans-dans/a105J000001wka1QAA
SCHILZ - FREUNDIN
- schilz: freundin
(1992, lp, ger, private release)
German graphic artist and musician Alex Schilz released a couple of LP's as a DIY artist.
His 1992 "Freundin" album got issued in a limited edition, each album cover illustrated by Alex Schilz, resulting in different artwork for every copy.
The above picture was taken from discogs.
My copies have black and white drawings with a black felt-tip pen.
Side two of the album includes Schilz's version of Frank Zappa's 'Trouble Every Day'.
Alex Schilz - - - Corona Blues
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
GRUPPO SPORTIVO - TOPLESS 16
- gruppo sportivo: topless 16
(2004, cd, nl, pias)
Years later, jump to 2004, Hans and his Gruppo Sportivo bandmates decided to compose the music to the album cover.
"Topless 16" offered 16 imaginary songs by Gruppo Sportivo, inspired by the original song titles and band names.
I love it.
NEW ALBUM BY MAHOGANY FROG
MoonJune Records says:
Mahogany Frog's 'In The Electric Universe' is the seventh studio album (third on MoonJune Records) by Canadian instrumental electro-psychedelic outfit based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Six years in the making, the recording illustrates a foray into forms of sonic searching previously unexamined by the group. Building from approaches in orchestration captured on their 2012 effort SENNA, the group aims to create infinitely morphing waves of sound that transcend conventional perceptions of instrumentation, while simultaneously offering melodic and rhythmic closure. Utilizing the gradual unfolding of themes, extensive repetition, textural layering and crunchy, downbeat-heavy grooves, the tunes invoke a listening experience that is trance-like and hypnotic. The extensive employment of synthesized arpeggiators, often detached from the rhythm and irresolute in tempo, generate warm and disorienting backdrops to otherwise approachable structures. Tape loops and tape delay are used experimentally, highlighting decay and fragmentation. The compositions serve as foundations for melodic layering, tonal examination and deconstruction, resulting in a dynamic and colorful collection of music rich in expression, playfulness and resolve.
THE RESIDENTS - FREAK SHOW
- the residents: freak show
(2021, 3cd, uk, cherry red)
Originally released in 1990 (on CD, on LP and even as a picture disc), the record has now been released as a 3 CD set including singles, live material and even rough mixes of the work-in-progress.
Beautiful.
Monday, April 5, 2021
NEW ALBUM BY THE ARISTOCRATS
PIERRE MOERLEN'S GONG
Pierre Moerlen's Gong released "Downwind" in 1979.
The album is getting a re-mastered and expanded CD reissue.
EAGERLY AWAITED RE-PRESS FOR THIS CLASSIC ALBUM BY PIERRE MOERLEN’S GONG FEATURING MIKE OLDFIELD, STEVE WINWOOD & MICK TAYLOR BOOKLET WITH RESTORED ARTWORK, PHOTOS & LINER NOTES.
FRANK ZAPPA - NEWS FROM THE SHARK
- frank zappa: news from the shark
(2021, dvd-bootleg, germany, erektion records)
Remember DVD-bootlegs?
In 2009, the Erektion Records label released "News From The Shark", a wooden box that contained a dvd, a booklet, a pin and (!!) a wooden shark.
A tribute to the Ensemble Modern and their performance of FZ's "Yellow Shark", presenting the tv-broadcast of the 1992 Frankfurt concert plus parts of the press conference and of rehearsals.
It got released in a limited edition of 50 copies.
More recently, the DVD got re-released as a digipack.
I intro
1. overture (alte oper frankfurt, september 17, 1992) - interviews: frank zappa, gail zappa 9:02
II rehearsals at joe's garage, los angeles july 1991 & fabrik, frankfurt july 1992
2. 9/8 objects (joe's garage july 1991) - interview: ali n. askin 1:16
3. roland's big event / strat vindaloo (joe's garage july 1991) - interview: frank zappa 1:09
4. master ringo (joe's garage july 1991) 3:24
5. t'mershi duween (joe's garage july 1991) - interview: ali n. askin 2:20
6. struwwelpeter experiences (fabrik frankfurt july 1992) - interview: frank zappa 1:01
7. amnerika (joe's garage july 1991) - interviews: ali n. askin, pierre boulez, gail zappa 2:24
8. i like that one (fabrik frankfurt july 1992) 0:53
III 9. press conference frankfurt july 21, 1992 5:31
IV the last rehearsals - alte oper frankfurt september 16, 1992
10. dio fa (joe's garage july 1991) 2:37
11. food gathering rehearsals (alte oper frankfurt, september 16 1992) 12:16
12. the minutes before ... 1:40
V the yellow shark at alte oper, frankfurt september 17, 1992 part 1
13. dog / meat 6:16
14. be-bop tango 3:09
15. food gathering in post-industrial america 1992 5:20
VI the intermission & the yellow shark in berlin & vienna
16. amnerika (philharmonie berlin, september 22, 1992) - incl. moon zappa's quote 3:05
VII the yellow shark at alte oper, frankfurt september 17, 1992 part 2
17. welcome to the united states 6:36
18. pound for a brown 3:54
19. g-spot tornado 6:50
VIII sources
20. envelopes (the ensemble modern - musik triennale köln 2000) 3:32
THE RESIDENTS - OZARK
- the residents: ozark (the missing bunny boy songs)
(2021, 2lp, usa, secret records)
Secret Records released "Ozark" as a 2 LP set. Limited edition on coloured vinyl.
Also available as a download through Bandcamp.
DIETMAR BONNEN
From the upcoming "The Others Of Invention - Volume 3" book :
Dietmar Bonnen’s “Lieder Book” compilation series collected material from 40 years of performing and recording with various ensembles. The common element on the “Lieder Book” series was that all the tracks featured Dietmar Bonnen on vocals.
"Volume I" : Bonnen’s version of Frank Zappa / Jeff Simmons' 'Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up' was taken from the 1996 “Watermelon In Easter Hay” album.
“Volume II” in Dietmar Bonnen’s “Lieder Book” compilation series included the Bonnen ensemble’s version of FZ’s 'Trouble Every Day’, taken from the 2000 “You Can’t Judge A Record By It’s Cover” album.
BANANAFISH MAGAZINE
Can't tell you much about Bananafish magazine, but the sampler that came with issue #15 in 2001 included John Crouse's 'Lapses', featuring Stanley Jason Zappa on the saxophone.
THE RESIDENTS - BUNNY BOY - LIVE IN FRANKFURT
- the residents: bunny boy - live in frankfurt
(2021, 2cd, usa, secret records)
Cherry Red have been releasing beautiful box sets. Klanggalerie is doing a fine job with the Bobuck stuff and earlier material, Psychofon Records is putting out all this collector material, and then there's Secret Records.
The album got released as a 2 LP and as a 2 CD set. Both numbered limited editions.
I received my CD set last week. Fabulous show. It sounds great.
Sunday, April 4, 2021
UNCLE MEAT
FZ's 'Uncle Meat' by Trumpetart.
BOB DRAKE - THE GARDNES OF BEASTLEY MANOR
- bob drake: the gardens of beastly manor
(2019, cd, uk, rer megacorp)
Unfamiliar with Bob Drake's work, I have to admit that I'm pleasantly surprised with this album.
22 instrumental, contemporary pieces.
All instruments by Bob Drake.
Album artwork by Peter Blegvad.
Here's a sample:
CHICKN - WOWSERS
- chickn: wowsers
(2018, lp+cd, eu, inner ear records)
The album got released on 180 g black vinyl and on green vinyl. Both editions came with a promotional CD copy in a cardboard cover that offered the same set of tracks.
THE CHADBOURNE / GONZALEZ COLLUSION - IRRESPONSIBLE ROCKNROLL SHENANIGANS
- the chadbourne / gonzalez collusion: irresponsible rocknroll shenanigans
(2021, cd, usa, cia records)
April 2019, Eugene Chadbourne joined Aaron and Stefan Gonzalez for two concerts. The first one on April 9 at Shoeshine Charley's Big Top Lounge in Houston, TX, and the second one on April 10 at Backyard On Bell in Denton, TX.
A compilation of these two concerts got released on CD.
The album, "Irresponsible RocknRoll Shenanigans", has the trio performing a fine set of tunes including FZ's 'Who Are The Brain Police?' and Don Van Vliet's 'Click Clack' and 'Lick My Decals Off, Baby'.
- click clack (don van vliet)
- lick my decals off, baby (don van vliet)
- saga of the creeks (eugene chadbourne)
- nonaah (roscoe mitchell)
- lucifer sam (syd barrett)
- who are the brain police? (frank zappa)
- summertime blues (eddie cochran, jerry capeheart)
Excellent album !!
CD (limited edition of 300 copies) and digital download are available through Bandcamp.
Mind you, the new postage rates may surprise you.
THE ARF-DOSSIER VOL.107
Volume 107 of The Arf Dossier got issued last month.
Pictures, reviews, news,... and all Frank Zappa related.
In German for the most part.
It comes with a subscription to the Arf Society.
-
the arf-dossier no.107 - 2021/03
incl. - leserpost
- the hot platters heaven from the arf office
- the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
- the rare pictures gallery
- the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
- news from belgium - live from United Mutations
- back in time - may 17 1975 kalamazoo
- frank's recommendations
- ullis ecke
- info behind the photo(s)
- fz-beer
BOBUCK - CHUCK'S GHOST MUSIC
- bobuck: chuck's ghost music
(2021, cd, austria, klanggalerie)
Originally issued solely through the group's now-defunct Robot Selling Device online MP3 store and credited to "The Residents' Talking Light", Chuck's Ghost Music was later reissued as a tour-only USB lanyard, and again later as a CD-R, credited partially as a Bobuck contraption, in 2012. Before his death, Hardy Fox made a new master for the album and also created new artwork. We are now happy to release this beautiful music for the first time ever on a proper CD.
Quite peculiar music to say the least.
Fragments of melodies and dreamy soundscapes.
The CD got released in February and already is out of stock at the Klanggalerie shop.
Fortunately, several shops still carry the album.
Or if you want to go for the digital download :
Saturday, April 3, 2021
DENNY WALLEY & HOTA FLOTA BAND
Denny Walley: Guitar - Jimmy Ågren: Guitar
Morgan Ågren: Drums - Bass: Rolf HedqvistZAPPANALE POSTPONED
From the Zappanale Team:
Dear Zappanale fans,
First of all, we wish you all Happy Easter holidays. We want to thank you very much for your patience and your loyalty to Zappanale.
During the last few weeks and months, we have done a lot of efforts in order to make the festival happen in 2021. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain all the necessary permits, neither from the federal government nor on state level. Consequently, it will not be possible to make Zappanale #31 happen in 2021.
Our hope that at least half of the Zappanale visitors were vaccinated and others would accept to be tested is no longer feasible due to political and legal issues.
All the reasons above lead to the result that we have to postpone Zappanale #31 for one more year.
HOWEVER, we are working for you on “Zappanale # 30.75” in July. We have as well in mind to offer unique merch products for this "special event" in order to make the collectors’ and supporters’ hearts happy.
With Zappanale #30.5 we could create a great virtual connection among all of us. We will do our best to make such an experience possible again, together with you as our esteemed audience. Thank you again for your positive feedbacks, although knowing that a web based Zappanale can of course not replace a “real” Zappanale in Bad Doberan.
We are sure that the circumstances will allow us to hold Zappanale again in Bad Doberan next year. We are optimistic that musicians, you and the Zappanale Team may be able to get vaccinated and/or other options will allow everybody to visit festivals again. We are looking very much forward to celebrate the end the festival-free period together with you next year, right on the horse racing track in Bad Doberan.
There is no need to exchange tickets that have been purchased for Zappanale #31. All tickets remain valid for the year 2022.
As in previous years, the festival will take place on the same weekend in July.
Zappanale # 31: 07/15/2022 - 07/17/2022
Free “Warm-Up Party” at the Kamp in Bad Doberan on July 14th, 2022.
Music is the best!
Stay healthy!
Your Zappanale Team
PROJECT Z PERFORMS THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA
Portuguese band Project Z is dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa.
The ensemble just finished recording their first album, "Freak Me Out, Frank".
It is available as a digital download.
More info soon.
And to prove that they are serious about this, they already started working on their second album, "We're Starving, Man".
R.I.P. TOM WOUTERS
Tom Wouters is no longer with us.
Rest in peace, Tom.
Flat Earth Society, with Tom on the vibraphone :
Flat Earth Society, with Tom on vocals :
FRANK ZAPPA - THE NORDIC STORIES
This new and second edition of the book (300 copies) has some minor changes and corrections but also includes some extra pictures. And Hans Annéllsson's story of recording 'Penis Dimension' and getting the permission of Gail Zappa to record it.
Great pictures and amazing stories of fans.
If you don't have a copy of this book yet, you should order your copy today.
https://www.absoluttforlag.no/
Friday, April 2, 2021
HOTEL X
Hotel X
'Barefeet' from the "Hymns For Children" album, 2003.
Written by Ron Curry.
Feat. Ron Curry (guitar), Tim Harding (sax), Kelli Strawbridge (piano), Lance Koehler (drums), Jeff Morris (percussion).
STEFAN SCHEIB'S CARTOON MUSIC
Stefan Scheib's "Cartoon Music" album got released in 2008.
Next to a couple of pieces by Raymond Scott, the album also includes one (and a half) FZ piece.
More info soon.
-- info: Filip Schepers
TRIO GRANDE - TRIO GRANDE
- trio grande: trio grande
(1994, cd, belgium, igloo)
It all started with Trio Bravo (Michel Massot, Michel Debrulle and Fabrizzio Cassol), a trio that released four albums between 1985 and 1990.
Trio Grande (Michel Massot, Michel Debrulle and Laurent Dehors) recorded five albums between 1994 and 2016).
Both Debrulle and Massot are also part of the Rêve d'Eléphant Orchestra.
Beautiful.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
FLAT EARTH SOCIETY
Belgian big band Flat Earth Society is changing its name to Flat Earth Society Orchestra and celebrates the event with a new website.
https://flatearthsocietyorchestra.com/
May 28, the Flat Earth Society Orchestra will release "Boggamasta III".
On vinyl and as a digital download.
The digital download will offer two extra tracks.
Available for pre-order from May 14 on.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
BURO APOSTROPHE
"Buro Apostrophe"
http://www.buroapostrophe.nl/about/
A Dutch business that provides info / management / marketing for cultural projects...
-- info: Jan van Kemenade
ZAPPOSTROPHE
Issue 144 of the Czech Frank Zappa Fanzine, Zappostrophe, will be released in April.
The cover will look like this :
Sunday, March 28, 2021
FRANK ZAPPA ALBUMS AVAILABLE AS HIGH QUALITY DOWNLOADS
6 Frank Zappa albums have been made available in 192 kHz / 24-bit at
https://www.prostudiomasters.com/
MARKUS REUTER PODCAST #16 : MIKE KENEALLY
Markus Reuter and Mike Keneally: discussing the impact of COVID, recording, and much more.
ZAPPA AUCTION AT CATAWIKI
There's a Zappa auction going on over at Catawiki.
https://www.catawiki.be/a/453179-frank-zappa-veiling
It ends later today.
-- info: André Oomen
Saturday, March 27, 2021
MATS ÖBERG'S ZAPPA TRIBUTE ALBUM TO BE RELEASED ON VINYL
Mats Öberg's "Frankful" album is one of the most beautiful Frank Zappa tributes I know.
The album is going to be released as a 2LP set next week.
https://matsberg.bandcamp.com/album/frankful
ZAPPA - - - THE MOVIE
A couple of weeks ago, I received my blu-ray copy of "Zappa", the 'official movie backer edition'.
The movie itself has 10 chapters.- Birth Of An Artist
- The Music Takes Hold
- The Mothers vs. The World
- Zappa's Rise
- An Ear Unlike Any Other
- Constant Flux
- Rock Ad Roll Heyday
- Marking Art In A Corporate World
- Fighting Windmills
- The Last Days
- Zappa Q&A
- Vault Nugget : FZ On The Synclavier - shot by Van Carlson, August 1985
- Vault Nugget: The Way It Was - shot by Van Carlson, 2000
- Vault Nugget: Frank And The Pig - Circus Krone, Munich 1978
- Vault Nugget: Haskell Wexler & Uncle Meat - shot by Frank Scheffer, 2000
- Movie Outtake: Mike Keneally
- Movie Outtake: Steve Vai
- Movie Outtake: Ruth Underwood
- Apostrophe (') Ad - 1974
In the meantime, the (regular) DVD also arrived.
DVD bonus material:
- Vault Nugget: Frank And The Pig - Circus Krone, Munich 1978
- Vault Nugget: Haskell Wexler & Uncle Meat - shot by Frank Scheffer, 2000
- Apostrophe (') Ad - 1974
RÊVE D'ELEPHANT ORCHESTRA - POURQUI PAS UN SCAMPI?
- rêve d'éléphant orchestra: pourquoi pas un scampi?
(2010, cd, belgium, werf records)
The septet continued to confuse their audience: Is this a little big band, an enlarged ensemble, or just a group of musicians that enjoys making music?
Friday, March 26, 2021
HENRY KAISER WEEKLY SOLO #51
Henry Kaiser : Weekly Solo #51 : AC/DC + Iggy + Beefheart + Canned Heat
w/Jimmy Ågren & Scott Colby
w/Jimmy Ågren & Scott Colby
IKE WILLIS FUNDRAISER
Ike Willis is well known for his smooth voice and rhythm guitar playing with Frank Zappa. He has kept Frank's music alive for decades after Frank's tragic passing to Prostate cancer. Sadly Ike has fallen ill to the same aggressive cancer and desperately needs our help. He has obviously not toured in over a year due to Covid and has no funding to buy the medication needed to fight this cancer. Please contribute what you can; every little bit helps.
PIERRE VERVLOESEM - RUDER
Belgian guitar player and composer Pierre Vervloesem is releasing one album every month.
For me, listening to Pierre's music is like a vitamin shot. It improves my (mental) health.
"Ruder", as Pierre explains in the liner notes, is a sequel to his 2005 "Rude" album.
But even if you're not familiar with the 2005 album, this new album is must-hear.
"Ruder" presents 7 instrumental, guitar oriented rock tracks that will keep you glued to your headphones.
Incomparable.
Essential listening.
DON KAPOT
Brussels-based trio Don Kapot has a new album out.
Vinyl, CD or digital download. All available through Bandcamp.
Released on the WERF Records label, the album is a fine introduction to this adventurous and powerful ensemble.
Monday, March 22, 2021
ALICE SARA OTT - SATIE : GNOSSIENNES : 1. LENT
Erik Satie's 'Gnossiennes" performed by Alice Sara Ott.
-- info: Harald Häring
JUICY LUCY
STEPHAN THELEN - FRACTAL GUITAR 2
- stephan thelen: fractal guitar 2
(2021, cd, usa, moonjune)
With the huge (and impressive) list of participating musicians in times of COVID, I suppose that most of the album got recorded sending files back and forth.
The result is very impressive.
Futuristic sounding, guitar-oriented, instrumental progressive rock.
My cup of tea.
Give it a listen !
Sunday, March 21, 2021
SUN RA EXPO IN CHICAGO
March 26 - April 24, 2021
Main Gallery
https://www.corbettvsdempsey.com/2021/02/25/sun-ra-the-substitute-words-poetry-1957-72/
MISSING PERSONS BOX SET
- missing persons: the album collection
(2021, 3cd, usa, rubellan remasters)
"Spring Session M" (1982), "Rhyme & Reason" (1984) and "Color In Your Life" (1986). All three remastered and with lots of bonus material.
Nice? Yes.
Does it sound good? Yes.
Missed opportunity? Well, yes, as I expected the 'box' to be a bit more than just a cardboard box that one can slide the CDs in. An additional booklet would have been nice...
Missing Persons.
MICROTONAL GUITAR
Listening to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and searching for 'microtonal guitar' on Youtube, brought me to Dave Fiuczynski.
KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD
A little while ago, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard started the Official Bootlegger project, offering record labels the opportunity to release one of their albums as they please.
The Belgian-based Exag' Records is going for it:
We're thrilled to announce that we're taking part of the King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Official Bootlegger by offering you a unique release and sharing the profits with our EXAG Belgian artists during the crisis.
Brussels 2019
https://exagrecords.bigcartel.com/product/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-live-in-brussels-19
Demos
https://exagrecords.bigcartel.com/product/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard-demos-vol-1-2
Friday, March 19, 2021
LES BOUCLES ABSURDES
Jean-Pierre Jonckheere presents a new album by Les Boucles Absurdes :
"États d'Arme / Fredem"
Inspired by the art of Frédérick Meert : http://www.fredem.be/#accueil
Thursday, March 18, 2021
DALE BOZZIO
From last year:
Dale Bozzio on the new Missing Persons album and memories of Frank Zappa
https://www.goldminemag.com/fabulous-flip-sides/dale-bozzio-on-the-new-missing-persons-album-and-memories-of-frank-zappa
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
DANS DANS
Belgian trio Dans Dans will be releasing their new album next month.
Already available for pre-order.
FRANK ZAPPA 10 CD BOOTLEG RADIO SHOW BOX
"Frank Zappa Live" is a rather new 10 CD box set that collects several 'radio shows' recordings. (Zappa shows that have been broadcast on the radio and for which the rights no longer belong to the ZFT).
Familiar sounding names and dates so nothing new, I guess.
Monday, March 15, 2021
STEVE VAI - KNAPPSACK
As he recovers from trigger finger and shoulder surgery, the virtuoso offers up a scorching playthrough that would be near-impossible for most players with two fully functioning hands;
Sunday, March 14, 2021
TRIO BRAVO
Belgian jazz ensemble Trio Bravo recorded a handful of albums during the late eighties.
Featuring:
- Fabrizio Cassol (soprano and alto sax) (Aka Moon)
- Michel Massot (tuba, trombone) (Rêve d'Eléphant Orchestra)
- Michel Debrull (drums) (Rêve d'Eléphnat Orchestra)
From 1990. Their final album.
STEVE GADD AND WALT FOWLER
Trumpet player Walt Fowler has been part of the Steve Gadd Band for quite some years now.
The latest Steve Gadd Band album got recorded December 2018 at the Blue Note club in Tokyo, Japan.
"At Blue Note Tokyo".
KEITH EMERSON TRIBUTE ALBUM
Various Artists: Fanfare for the Uncommon Man: Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert
Concert recording from the El Rey Theatre in L.A., May 2016.
Featuring familiar names from the Zappa Universe : Eddie Jobson, Vinnie Colaiuta, Rachel Flowers and Joe Travers.
The trailer:
STUFF.
Belgian band STUFF. announced a new album.
'KWIBUS' will appear on the forthcoming STUFF. album "T(h)reats" to be released via Sdban Ultra. Part one of our live series shot at KMSKA museum Antwerp.
JEFF RICHMAN
The https://lamusicadeperev11d1.blogspot.com/ blog recently listed quite a number of Jeff Richman albums.
I was told that the complete list featured Vinnie Colaiuta (8 times), Ralph Humphrey (2 times), Peter Wolf (3 times), Chad Wackerman, Mike Miller (Fowler Brothers) and Joel Taylor (Band From Utopia) (4 times).
-- info: Jan van Kemenade
CAL SCHENKEL AND FRANK ZAPPA IN ZONE 5300
The latest issue of Zone 5300 (Dutch mag with a focus on comics, culture & curiosa) will have an article by Kjell Knudde on Cal Schenkel & Frank Zappa.
Can't wait !!
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH
Recorded for German television, and released by Manifesto Japan last month:
Allan Holdsworth in concert in Leverkusen 1997.
Chad Wackerman on the drums, Dave Carpenter on bass.
Remastered on released on CD + DVD.
Note that there's a (bonus) interview with Chad Wackerman on the DVD !!
Saturday, March 13, 2021
COMPOSER TO COMPOSER TALKS - CARL STONE WITH FRANK ZAPPA (1988)
PAUL VAN GYSEGEM QUINTET - SQUARE TALKS
- paul van gysegem quintet: square talks
(2021, cd, bel, el negocito records)
September 19, 2019, the Paul Van Gysegem Quintet performed at JazzCase at the Dommelhof in Pelt, Belgium.
Next to Paul Van Gysegem (double bass), the ensemble featured Cel Overberghe (tenor and soprano sax), Patrick De Groote (trumpet and flügelhorn), Erik Vermeulen (piano) and Marek Patrman (percussion and trumpet).
This is improvised music at its best. Spontaneous, interacting, both giving and taking space.
Beautiful.
Released on the El Negocito Records label.
RACHEL FLOWERS - MONTANA
Rachel Flowers (& The Rachettes) : Montana
VAN KOOTEN & DE BIE
40 years ago, watching the TV in Belgium meant that you could choose between 2 Flemish channels, 2 Walloon channels and a couple of channels from neighboring countries like The Netherlands, Germany and France.
Speaking Flemish, we mostly watched the Flemish channels and the Dutch ones.
One of the shows that I remember enjoying a lot was Van Kooten & De Bie.
Their Humanistisch Verbond TV show on VPRO TV made fun of everything. I liked it a lot.
Van Kooten & De Bie kept on doing TV shows.
Here's an episode from 1996 that I had never seen before.
It's in Dutch but you'll get the drift.
It definitely wasn't the first time they dragged some Zappa references in their little movies.
-- info: Jan van Kemenade
AMERNET STRING QUARTET - ALABAMA STRING QUARTETS
- amernet string quartet: alabama string quartets
(2021, 2cd, usa, msr classics)
It's BAMA that made this recording possible: a 2 CD set by the Amarnet String Quartet performing chamber music of 14 living composers from Alabama.
Quite an undertaking and a splendid idea.
The results is a quite diverse and a pleasant introduction to Birmingham's contemporary chamber music scene.
Beautiful.
Released on the MSR Classics label:
https://www.msrcd.com/catalog/cd/MS1685
Friday, March 12, 2021
LAZULI - DÉNUDÉ
- lazuli: dénudé
(2021, cd, france, bzz 042)
The official release date for French prog rock band Lazuli's new album is March 16, 2021. That's exactly one year after their latest live concert.
As the title suggests, "Dénudé" (naked & unplugged) offers 16 'unplugged' versions of pieces that got released on their previous albums.
It looks like French and Belgian mail are working better as foreseen as I already received my copy of the album today.
Beautiful !
These stripped down versions only emphasize Lazuli's strongest qualities: melodic songs with impressive (and sometimes evening threatening) guitar sounds.
Love the acoustic piano !!
The CD is available through the band's website:
https://lazuli-music.com/
Thursday, March 11, 2021
THE OTHERS OF INVENTION - - - MARCH 11 UPDATE
“The Others Of Invention” lists bands and artists that have recorded and released compositions that were written by Frank Zappa. It also includes recordings that Frank Zappa contributed to, a handful of tributes, and even a couple of albums that include references to Frank Zappa.
You can find it The Others Of Invention.
The luxurious full colour hardcover versions are available through a Dutch on-line book shop. Also Print-on-Demand.
https://www.boekenbestellen.nl/
All carry the amazing artwork by Maximiliano Lopez Barrios.
If you want to order a paperback copy, pick an Amazon location near you to avoid high shipping costs.
A paperback copy = 30 US $ (or 26 €), plus shipping.
A hardcover copy is more expensive (72 € plus shipping (and these are heavy books as each volume counts over 400 pages)).
I was informed that almost 25 copies of each Volume (counting both paperback and hardcover) have been ordered and have arrived or are on their way to Zappa enthusiasts all over the world, including Japan. That makes me happy. Hope you enjoy it.
GARY LUCAS - THE ESSENTIAL GARY LUCAS
- gary lucas: the essential gary lucas
(2021, 2cd, usa, knitting factory records)
The first CD focusses on recordings with his Gods And Monsters band, while the second CD takes a closer look at his solo work and various collaborations.
(previously released on the 1992 "Gods And Monsters" album.)
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
THE FRANK ZAPPA RUSSIAN RELEASES COMPENDIUM
Last year, Burkhard Schempp released a book about Frank Zappa's vinyl bootleg albums.
A limited edition of 100 copies, it is an essential reference book for vinyl bootleg collectors (or people who like to look at pictures and labels of vinyl bootleg albums)
Last month, Burkhard, with the help of Thomas Weckenmann, published "The Frank Zappa Russian Releases Compendium".
The 528-page book (leather cover, hard back) lists CD counterfeits and pirate copies, the infamous 'mp3-collection' CD's and lots of other stuff.
This is pretty obscure material.
The book got produced in a limited edtion of 30 copies (which I think is still impressive for such a subject) and is almost sold out.
Go to Burkhard's Viva Vincent website for more info:
http://www.vivavincent.de/
VINNIE COLAIUTA - DESCENT INTO MADNESS
Former Zappa drummer Vinnie Colaiuta has recorded a new album, "Descent Into Madness".
Available for licensing from A-Tone Recordings / Extreme Music.
-- info: Luc Reniers
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
RALPH HUMPHREY
Prasanna Ramaswamy's 2003 "Be The Change" album featured Ralph Humphrey on drums.
JEAN-PAUL ESTIEVENART
Jean-Paul Estiévenart used to play the trumpet for The Wrong Object.
He can be heard on five of their albums (2005 - 2009).
In the meantime, Jean-Paul has made quite a name in the Belgian jazz scene.
"Wanted" was his first solo album. It got released on CD in 2013 by the Belgian W.E.R.F. record label and was recently made available through Bandcamp.
UNITED MUTATION, THE BAND
Only found out about this recently.
United Mutation, the band :
https://dischord.com/release/RADIO028/dark-self-image
Originally founded in 1980 under the name Dark Self Image by brothers Jay and John Fox, United Mutation sprang from musical influences most hardcore punks either ignored, or denied knowing existed. The dementedly tranquil sounds of The Grateful Dead, the lysergic space rock of Hawkwind, and the complex arrangements of the ultimate anti-hippie Frank Zappa were some of their favorites, but when local punk bands started to pop out their own self-financed vinyl, it inspired them just as much — if not more — as those rare bits of strangeness major labels would release from time to time. Informed in equal parts by self-released singles from their local favorites the Teen Idles and ½ Japanese, the band came upon their own unique sound which combined the breakneck pace of hardcore with a frantic and cathartic take on psychedelia.
RICHARD BORGE
Sometimes, the artwork and the music are a perfect fit.
Artwork by Rich Borge,
https://www.theispot.com/stock/rborge
Album by Gov't Mule