And the teaser for the upcoming album:
Norwegian composer Jono El Granda released "Music From Schjetman Reef" through Bandcamp.
In three parts.
Strange melodies and lots of twists and turns. Right up my alley.
a cycle of three pieces that is supposedly to be the cultural legacy of the island Schjetman Reef. It is a phantom island. The piece was written originally for orchestra and singers, in 2007. Rearranged in Hardangervidda Studios in 2016-17, then overdubbed in 2018.
Pierre Vervloesem's most recent album is entitled "Dead".
Pierre used only a guitar and bass to produce this album. Multi-layer guitar tracks and bass, to be more specific.
Next to the album cover artwork, and the titles of the pieces, the music that is presented is anything but dead.
It's quite amazing how Pierre succeeds in recording 8 completely different pieces, linked to the same subject.
I like this a lot.
Check it out !
Fine article by Ed Mann : Hired by Frank Zappa.
On Gonzo Today :
https://gonzotoday.com/2021/07/29/hired-by-frank-zappa/?
The unstoppable Claudio Nuñez released his version of Frank Zappa's 'Watermelon In Easter Hay' on his "Ruleta Rusa" album.
Bandcamp release
German punk-rock band Die Ärzte have several links Frank Zappa's musical universe. They recorded a couple of Zappa tunes and mentioned FZ in their lyrics.
A more refined one can be found in the music video for 'Unrockbar'. I'm not talking about the audio track, but the music video kicks off with one of the band members humming 'I'm The Slime' !!
This music video got released on the enhanced maxi CD "Dinge Von Denen" in 2003,
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-573064-1139681479.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-4004993-1352044293-9403.jpeg.jpg)
The "Guitar Addiction - A Tribute To Modern Guitar" compilation album got released by the GuitarEuroMedia record label in 2011.
11 tracks with 4 or 5 different guitarists playing a solo on each track.
Too much?
Well, maybe, but it does feature Christophe Godin, Richard Hallebeek, Guthrie Govan, Pierrejean Gaucher, Grégory 'Gowy' François and Mattias IA Eklundh, just to mention some familiar sounding names...
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-13802213-1601500978-9938.jpeg.jpg)
Searching for Sparks, episode 14 with Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge on this transatlantic chat with Tim Motzer about John's history with Soft Machine, Andy Summers, John Williams, Allan Holdsworth, and London in the late 60s/early 70s.
A message from Chato!
Sunday, July 25, 19h00 CET will bring you something special: the video premiere of "In memoriam, Frank Zappa" !
It literally is a premiere, because youtube has a feature to publish videos as "premiere", so we can all watch it together and we can talk in the chat with each other :)
Tomorrow, 7 pm German time, is the time to be here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv6hRhgBx7g
Actually, we can chat 15 min prior to that if you wanna
Of course the video will be on youtube afterwards, so don't worry if you can't make it
This was the last track we recorded with this lineup and also the last new finished song for this band, so it means a lot to me. Ironically it is also the 1st serious music piece I have written, when I was 14 years old (only changed a coupla notes in the melody). Full circle, I would say.
Sun Ra And His Arkestra's "Sleeping Beauty" album got released in 1971 on Sun Ra's Saturn record label.
It has been re-issued several times, both on LP and on CD.
Last week, it got re-released as a digital download on Bandcamp, with a number of bonus tracks. This latest version is entitled "Sleeping Beauty (Expanded).
Estonion ensemble Wrupk Urei blends progressive rock with jazz elements.
Beautifully structured and layered pieces.
So far, the band has released three albums. Self-released, that is, although their first album got re-issued on the Italian Altrock label.
Quite a discovery !!
Check them out on Bandcamp.
https://wrupkurei.bandcamp.com/
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3878729-1347825596-6536.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-4588037-1574221522-4866.jpeg.jpg)
MoonJune Records is offering an October Equus compilation as a "name your price" album.
Check it out !
The first part in the podcast series for Prince's "Welcome 2 America" album.
Recorded in 2010 but archived in the Prince vault instead of being released.
With Tal Wilkenfeld !
'Sharp Dressed Man' from their YouTube series:
The latest video from King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard:
'Interior People' from the "Butterfly 3000" album.
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-4993354-1569484003-8025.jpeg.jpg)
Empty Days is one of the many projects by Francesco Zago. For Empty Days, Francesco gathered a.o. Elaine di Falco (vocals), Maurizio Fasoli (piano), Jacopo Costa (vibes), Pat Moonchy (electric zen garden??), Giuseppe Olivini (percussion and theremin) and Paolo Botta (keyboards).
The resulting album is a rather minimalistic but beautifully combines a dramatic and melancholic mode with a certain sense of suspense.
Compositions and guitar by Francesco Zago.
Very nice.
Out on the Altrock label.
From 2013.
PAKT feat. Percy Jones, Alex Skolnick, Kenny Grohowski, Tim Motzer
Confirmed and announced shows:
JULY 22, THU - PAWLING, NY (Daryl's House Club)
LIVE STREAMING!
JULY 23, FRI - KENNETT SQUARE, PA (Kennett Flash Rooftop Series)
JULY 25, SUN - SELLERSVILLE, PA (Sellersville Theater)
All shows of this project will be recorded and released in digital format later this year. Every show will be completely different from each other. Expect cosmic fire!
Flashback to Zappanale #30 (the 2019 edition)
The Ed Palermo Big Band headlined Zappanale #30 (A 3-day annual music festival dedicated to Frank Zappa in Bad Doberan, Germany).
With special guest Napoleon Murphy Brock, and Candy Zappa. Music by Frank Zappa.
All arrangements by Ed Palermo, except “Big Swifty” (1# & #2) by Bruce McDaniel, and “Pygmy Twylyte” by Ed Palermo and Bruce McDaniel
Live recording by Ralph Kessler, mixed by Bruce McDaniel at Rock Ridge Recording.
30th Annual Zappanale Festival in Bad Doberan, Germany, July 19-21, 2019.
Performance date: 7/20/19
Set List:
WATER MUSIC (Handel)
BRAHMS’ 1st SYMPHONY (excerpt)
BROWN SHOES DON’T MAKE IT (excerpt) (Zappa)
WHAT’S NEW IN BALTIMORE (Zappa)
BEETHOVEN’S 5th (excerpt)
HOLIDAY IN BERLIN (Zappa)
UNCLE MEAT/BOOGIE WOOGIE WALTZ/EAT THAT QUESTION (Zappa, Weather Report)
INCA ROADS (Zappa)
SOFA No. 1 (Zappa)
MOONLIGHT SONATA/SHE’S SO HEAVY (Beethoven, Beatles)
BIG SWIFTY #1 (Zappa)
SON OF ORANGE COUNTY (Zappa)
MORE TROUBLE EVERY DAY (Zappa)
BIG SWIFTY #2 (Zappa)
BEETHOVEN’S 7th, 2nd MOVEMENT
VILLAGE OF THE SUN (Zappa)
LET’S MAKE THE WATER TURN BLACK (Zappa)
DIRECTLY FROM MY MY HEART TO YOU (Zappa)
TOADS OF THE SHORT FOREST (Zappa)
ECHIDNA’S ARF (of You) (Zappa)
TOADS OF THE SHORT FOREST coda (Zappa)
THE EVIL PRINCE (Zappa)
STRICTLY GENTEEL - The Finale (Zappa)
(encore)
WATERMELON IN EASTER HAY (Zappa)
PYGMY TWYLYTE (Zappa)
PEACHES EN REGALIA (Zappa)
The band:
ED PALERMO - band leader, alto sax, vocals
Eelco Van Zanten's latest album is called "Passion & Software".
Tribute, parody or something in between ?
This is one fine album !!
-- info: Dirk Verschaeve
Thursday, 22 July 2021,
At La Reine Sucré in Houthalen-Helchteren, Belgium
The Zappa Documentary
https://tickets.theroxytheatre.be/nl/events/roxy-music-fest-at-le-reune-sucree
19.00 Vinyl-Vintage & Art Fair - Drinks & Bites / Music & Movie
Film vanaf 21.00 (bij voldoende duisternis)
Muziek / DJ Marco Cirone
If you can't listen live, check out the episodes at :
https://www.nporadio2.nl/soulenjazz/podcasts/co-live
(Which doesn't work if you live in Belgium, like me. Apparently, it's for Dutch freaks only.)
-- original info: Jan van Kemenade
Zappa in the German language :
Die Miserablen Husos (who also contributed to the on-line Zappanale festival)
Bandcamp release.
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-9084326-1474488203-1158.jpeg.jpg)
10:00 - BEGINNING OF PROGRAM - ONLINE VIDEO STREAM
10:15 - BUT IS IT ART?
10:00 - BEGINNING OF PROGRAM
10:15 - BUT IS IT ART?
10:50 - ZAPPANALE EXHIBITION SPECIAL EVENTS
11:45 - AN INTERVIEW WITH ART TRIPP
12:05 - ZAPPANALE AUDIENCE
12:10 - THE EXPLOSIVE WORLD OF FAMILY WATSON AND CHRIS OPPERMAN
13:20 - ICH BIN DEIN GEHEIMER SCHMUTZ (Zappa auf Deutsch)
14:15 - SON OF THE ZAPPANALE AUDIENCE
14:20 - LET'S SPIN THE BIG WHEEL, LARRY!
15:20 - EVELYN, THE MODIFIED DOG
15:25 - THE BIG BAND FLOWER HOUR
16:25 - PAUL GREEN AND THE KIDS WITH THE HORNS
18:00 - LIVE CONCERT WITH AUDIENCE
Kornhaus - Klostergarten 1, 18209 Bad Doberan
18:00 - Jazzprojekt Hundehagen Trio
19:40 - Die Reise
22:00 - Coogans Bluff
24:00 - ONLINE PROGRAM CONTINUES
00:00 - MY GUITAR WANTS TO WEEP GENTLY
01:05 - KRAUT, CANTERBURY & CO.
02:30 - END OF PROGRAM
Volume 11 and 12 in the "Dig Up The Pieces" re-issue series by the Japanese MPS record label:
George Duke's "Feel" & "The Aura Will Prevail".
From 2007 !!
Nice additions to The Others Of Invention series.
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1884236-1411722574-3891.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5498290-1411724586-2804.jpeg.jpg)
The OTPMD recently released a new album: "We're OK...".
Great tunes. Beautiful instrumentation.
French rock band The Headshakers were the rock band at the performance of Zappa's "200 Motels, The Suites" in Strasbourg and in Paris a couple of years ago. They also did a tour with Napoleon Murphy Brock and performed at Zappanale.
They even recorded and released FZ's 'I'm The Slime' as a hidden track on one of their EP's.
Reason enough to keep an eye on them.
The above pictured "THS - The Headshakers" album was their second album. It got released in 2019 and had the same title as their first album, but it actually was their second.
Rock, funk, jazz.
I like it.
Here's a snippet from their Zappanale performance :
'Act 2' on Italian guitar player Antonio Jasevoli’s Jimi Hendrix tribute album was called 'The Foxy Lady Meets A Muffin Man In A Purple Haze' and included the trio’s rendition of Frank Zappa’s ‘Muffin Man’.
The inimitable Pierre Vervloesem reworked his "Folklorik" album, previously released in January.
"Twisted and upgraded folkloristic dance music."
Makes you feel happy.
Just a little reminder that the Zappanale festival will kick off today at 12h00 CET.
DAY 1
Friday - 16.07.2021
12:00 Uhr - BEGINNING OF PROGRAM - ONLINE VIDEO STREAMItalian math rock sextet Bill In The Tea released a piece entitled 'I Wanna Be Frank Zappa' on their "Big Tree" album.
Private release on CD in 2013 & on the AMS record label in 2014.
Space Debris performed at the Zappanale festival in 2007.
The concert got released on Bandcamp and on CD.
Guitarist and composer Yuval Ron recently released a streaming concert.
The trio performed songs from "Somewhere In This Universe, Somebody Hits A Drum", of which I imagined that it would not possible to get performed in concert due to its complexity.
Anyway, you need to see & hear this.
With the trio in full astronaut uniforms, the listener is taken on a space voyage.
No psychedelic space trip, but top-notch Cinematic Prog.
Check out the concert at Yuval's MusoMind profile, where you can also check out and subscribe to more music.
https://www.musomind.com/artist/YuvalRon?fr=600411
Ukrainian multi-instrumentalist and composer Dmytro Radzetskyi is one of the people behind the SUR Band (check out their amazing "Zappanale #27" release), but also behind RADZ (with whom he released the excellent "Live In Europe" album).
More recently, Dmytro contributed an album to the Off Record label's "Vexations" series, a tribute to the music of Erik Satie.
from Guitar World:
Mike Keneally on working with Frank Zappa: “My mind was being blown on a daily basis”
https://www.guitarworld.com/amp/features/mike-keneally-frank-zappa
-- info: Jan van Kemenade
Driving to Antwerp and to Brussels, I had Gowy's "Atoms" album in my car the last couple of days.
Instrumental, lyrical, guitar-driven rock. Great tunes.
This morning, I listened to the album once again. This time with the headphones. It sounded, as one might expect, even better.
Grégory Françpois' guitar is in the center of things, but the other musicians need some credit as well. Fierce drumming, beautiful percussion (I just love the sound of that marimba), unison playing, energetic solos,...
Love it.
As an unexpected surprise, the inside artwork of the fold-out cardboard sleeve shows a picture of the band in their recording / rehearsal studio with a concert poster of Frank Zappa (as the Mona Lisa) on the wall. Unexpected, but not unlikely.
Highly recommended.
Bruno Vansina - Teun Verbruggen - Louise van den Heuvel
in concert at Minigolf Beatrix
https://minigolfbeatrijs.be/programma/
-- info: Philippe Lamoot
The Czech Frank Zappa Fan Club has produced a (new) Czech version of The Real Frank Zappa book.
The book was to be ready in September but they were able to finish it one and a half month in advance!
Limited edition of 150 copies.
More info soon.
A couple of posts ago, I mentioned Zappazik!, assuming it was the name of the band.
My bad. The ensemble was called the Chironomids Outerspace Group, and Zappazik! was the name of the show they put together.
Their fantastic performance is also available (for streaming) on Soundcloud.
https://soundcloud.com/user-171064091
Put together by Andrew Greenaway and released by Cordelia Records: "Would You Like A Snack?"
Read more about it here:
http://www.idiotbastard.com/200Motels.htm
And order your copy here:
http://www.cordeliarecords.co.uk/Pages/Buy%20Records.html
Chironomids Outerspace Group performed Zappzik!, their tribute to the music of Frank Zappa
From 2016 !
Bram Weijters' Crazy Men pay tribute to the Belgian 1970's jazz-rock and fusion.
Their second album is scheduled for August.
Prince's 1996 "Chaos And Disorder" album is getting a CD re-release.
I guess the parental advisory sticker will no longer be part of it...
Made available on Bandcamp earlier today, but also to be enjoyed on YouTube:
Chato!'s performance of Frank Zappa's 'Marque-Son's Chicken', from Zappanale 2017.
French guitar player Gregory ‘Gowy’ François released the 4-track "Gowy" CD EP in 2013.
Instrumental guitar-oriented rock.
Also available as a digital download through Bandcamp, but for some reason I only received the first track...
Richard Hemmings aka Evil Dick, has just released "Non-Idiomatic Ninjas".
Improvised music by Richard & his two kids.
Norwegian composer Jon A. Håtun is better known as Jono El Grande.
He has just released a new piece of music on Bandcamp:
'Cheerful In Hell'.
Gowy is guitar player and composer Grégory François' project.
"Essential Tracks" was Gowy's first album, released on CD in 2007 and also made available on Bandcamp.
I came across Gowy because of some obvious Frank Zappa references on their later albums, and I'm glad I did. This is great stuff.
In Gowy's music, I hear the same things that I enjoy in Steve Vai and Frank Zappa's music.
Check it out !!
Captain Beefheart's "Trout Mask Replica" album is made available for high resolution download and streaming through Qobuz.
John McLaughlin's new album, "Liberation Time" will be released next week.
Featuring Vinnie Colaiuta on drums.
Opening with 'The South Won't Rise Again' where Joe Newman used a children's song / a country and western setting to give his view on the political situation in the U.S., ""Adjacent To The Latex Gerbil" is another masterpiece by The Rudy Schwartz Project.
But there's not only the funny lyrical content. The most admirable part is the music: collages of multi-layered melodies and sounds, piling up surprise after surprise.
Here's 'Please Don't Bring Mamaw', track 11 on the album :
Another fine podcast by Markus Reuter.
His interview with Leonardo Pavkovic of MoonJune Records.
Part One.
Please check Markus Reuter’s latest episode of MR PODCAST with the great Leonardo Pavkovic of MoonJune Music & MoonJune Records, a very unique and rare kind of person, with extremely rich and interesting life full of challenges, hardship, dreams, persistence, and achievements. He truly lives his own dream.
Also on YouTube:
King Gizzard & TheLizard Wizard, 'Shanghai' from the "Butterfly 3000 " album.
Rodrigo Brandão & The Sun Ra Arkestra
O Sol da Meia Noite
Two years ago, Rodrigo Brandão performed at the Moers festival, where he jammed with the Sun Ra Arkestra.
This single is a result from that meeting.
-- info: Zjakki Willems
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-19121125-1623862135-2298.jpeg.jpg)
A new release by The Rudy Schwartz Projects is something to look forward to.
Imagine my surprise when I inserted "Frop Music" in the CD player not to discover the quirky mix of polka, tear-jerkers, 70's pop songs, cartoon-esque melodies and hilarious lyrics, but 7 contemporary instrumental pieces.
Sure, the titles of the compositions will still make you raise at least one eyebrow but the music is fascinating.
On "Frop Music", Joe Newman (the creative force behind The RSP) took a sideroad to his usual path and I love it.
Here's 'Burt Mustin's Pants', the final piece on the album.
Less adventurous than the other tracks but still a fine example.
Video by Zontar Venus.
Available from Kunaki:
https://kunaki.com/mSales.asp?PublisherId=148137
PoiL Ueda = PoiL + Benoit Lecomte + Junko Ueda
TOUR 2021
More than a year ago, Pierre Verloesem decided to record one album per month. Each time with different rules. We've been treated to a soundtrack for a mini series, a dance album, the flash-back "Influenza" album, a follow-up to his "Rude" album, and many more.
Although not all of these are a huge success ("Electronicaca" being my least favorite. Maybe I should give it another listen.), there's quite some gems to be found in this collection.
Pierre's latest release, "2020", looks back at a year of Covid-19. As Pierre states in the liner notes: "2020 was a nerve-wracking year you won't fail to notice if you're still alive".
And that's exactly what one can hear listening to the 15 tracks on "2020".
15 instrumental tracks. Just guitar, bass and drums.
Loaded with short guitar riffs and changing tempos, the tracks will take you in every direction possible.
No lyrical guitar solos but an impressive set of powerful (sometimes even dark and menacing) tracks.
Essential listening.
Check it out & buy the album.
1 minute and 45 seconds into 'Smoothside', Al Caprona sampled the guitar solo of Inca Roads.
Not the smoothest cuts or transitions...
Wouldn't even call it sampling. It's more a cut and paste job.
Can be found on the "Yacht Tock Breaks 2" album.
Bandcamps / Soundcloud release.
Dweezil Kn'Evil
LIVE in - Kansas City 2018
Streaming & download through Dweezil's website.
https://www.dweezilzappa.com/songs/1967139-dweezil-kn-evil
1 Purple Lagoon
2 Andy (Original Version)
3 Lonely Little Girl (OZ Version)
4 Flakes
5 50/50
6 Suzy Creamcheese
7 Call Any Vegetable
8 Tell Me You Love Me
9 Rollo (All in one Version)
10 Absolutely Free
11 Dog Breath
12 Dog Breath Variations (instrumental)
13 Cocaine Decisions
14 Florentine Pogen (ORIGINAL Version)
15 Sleep Napkins
16 Camarillo Brillo
17 Dirty Love
18 Black Page Drum Solo
19 Black Page "vocal challenge"
20 The Black Page #2 Fast
21 Love Ride
22 Dragon Master
23 Peaches En Regalia
24 This Town Is A Sealed Tuna Sandwich
25 Keep It Greasey
26 Cheepnis
27 Son Of Orange County
28 More Trouble Everyday
29 Remington Electric Razor Jingle
30 Sleeping In A Jar
31 Muffin Man
32 Purple Lagoon Reprise
How about a guitar instrumental called "Van Vliet"...
From Chris Haskett's "Gravity: Left/Righ" album.
Bandcamp + CD release
Mahogany Frog is an instrumental electronic rock band from Winnipeg, Canada. They have a new album out on the MoonJune Records label. Their previous release, "Senna", is from 2012, almost 10 years ago.
"In The Electric Universe" sounds very pleasant, melodic and surprising. Closer listening reveals the more experimental sounds and a few exotic, oriental lines.
What I like the most, are the ever changing and shifting melodies and the beautiful fuzz tone (guitar or synth?)
Out on CD and on LP.
Also available as a digital download through Bandcamp.
Recommended listening.
Check it out!
https://mahoganyfrog-moonjune.bandcamp.com/
Miles Davis' performance at Jazz a Vienne on July 1, 1991 became one of his final live performances before he passed away on September 28, 1991, and this previously unreleased set includes two songs written by Prince, 'Penetration' and 'Jailbait'
Sure, this was one of Miles' last concerts, and he did perform two pieces that were written by Prince, but most importantly, this is a fabulous concert.
Wow !
Highly recommended.
Claudio Nuñez released a piece called 'Zappa En El Paraná' on his recent "El Perfume De Las Magnolias".
Download-only release on Bandcamp.
Vinnie Moore (from UFO fame) in a funky mood.
And with a ridiculous video.
Have a nice Saturday.
L'Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp has a new album out: "We're OK. But We're Lost Anyway".
Available on LP (in different vinyl colours), on CD, or digital, all through Bandcamp.
"Ein Tribut An Frank Zappa - Der Bildband" is a little booklet that pays tribute to Frank Zappa by presenting some pictures and some commentary notes.
The book is presented as "presenting pictures from professional international photographers", and that's where it went a bit wrong.
At least four or five of the pictures are taken from album covers, others are well-known pictures that circulate on the internet.
This is a scam.
Please be warned.
The next days, Austrian radio will be broadcasting three shows by Studio Dan, recorded in Vienna a little while ago.
These will include a piece dedicated to Frank Zappa ('The Frank Zappa Memorial Barbecue'), as well as some Frank Zappa compositions.
Studio Dan added:
we start the second half of the year with three radio broadcasts and a hint to our new CDs:
Ö1 radio week
Our two concerts, produced for Cologne's ACHT BRÜCKEN Festival in cooperation with Radiokulturhaus Wien and Ö1, will be broadcast today and tomorrow. In addition to music by John Zorn, the program included Holy..., the new world premiere by Oxana Omelchuk.
Sunday will see a broadcast on the occasion of the foundation of our label and the release of the first three CDs. "In this Zeit-Ton extended Daniel Riegler gives an insight into the musical world that has shaped and accompanied him," promises the Ö1 website. As always, this will be streamed and stays online for 7 days.
Thu, July 1, 2021 - 11.03 p.m.
https://oe1.orf.at/programm/20210701#642269/Zorn-Zappa-Omelchuck
Fri, July 2, 2021 - 11.03 p.m.
https://oe1.orf.at/programm/20210702#644465/Vom-Be-Bop-Tango-und-Fahrradspeichern-A-Tribute-To-Frank-Zappa
Sun, July 4, 2021 - 10.05 p.m.
https://oe1.orf.at/programm/20210704#649307/Records-other-Stuff
