FRANK ZAPPA'S GUITAR RIFFS (A YOUTUBE TUTORIAL°)

 

ANOTHER ZAPPA RADIO SHOW BOOTLEG ANNOUNCED

Frank Zappa: Trick Or Treat In NYC

Halloween 1977.
LP.

ZAPPA RADIO SHOW BOOTLEG EXCESS

I still buy a Frank Zappa radio show bootleg every once in a while and although I haven't bought the below ones, I've heard good things (quality wise) about them.

Still, if you want the best deal, go to the Zappateers website where you can download these shows in the best available quality.

"Capitol Theatre 1978"

"Philadelphia 1980"

BLAST

Founded by guitar player Frank Crijns and multi-instrumentalist Dirk Bruinsma in 1989 (!!), the Dutch Blast ensemble has recently released "Vortographs".
This time, it was just the duo without additional musicians, but the result is as impressive as expected.

4 pieces.

Frank Crijns : electric guitar , midi programming
Dirk Bruinsma : soprano and alto sax , vibraphone , midi programming , percussion programming

Out on Bandcamp.
CD released by Recommended Records.

The music, as ever, is highly complex, poly-metric, confident and bemusingly intriguing. If you are familiar with their earlier work, this sounds to me like a coming into maturity of their compositional style; everything finds its proper measure, with dynamic, tempo and colour balances perfectly judged. It’s beautifully recorded with close attention to detail. And its music you can listen to repeatedly, because it sounds different every time.

NEW ALBUM BY BELEDO

Urugayan born guitarist and pianist Beledo is releasing a new album on the MoonJune Records record label.

"Seriously Deep".

BELEDO - guitars, acoustic piano, synth
TONY LEVIN - upright bass, bass guitar
KENNY GROHOWSKI - drums

Bandcamp, CD & 2 LP release

 

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - BASSES OF MAY

• pierre vervloesem: basses of may
      (2021, download, --, bandcamp)

For his latest release, Pierre Vervloesem focusses on the bass guitar.
As Pierre's Bandcamp page explains:
"...composed and played only with his favourite bass. 11 tracks with nothing other than his vibrant, powerful, intimate, organic, inventive, destructive, gravitational bass! "

Quite amazing.
Sounding as the soundtrack for a calming and relaxing session at one moment, and as an experimental search for sound sculptures at the next.
Great.
I just love the percussive effects and all of the other weird noises that escape from Pierre's bass.

Recommended listening !

NEW ALBUM BY DAVE HARTL

New album by Dave Hartl, "Tales Of The Plague".

FRED HÄNDL RELEASES A NEW ALBUM, "F"

Out of the blue, a new mini-album by Fred Händl.
On CD.

"F"

F is out.
An album with five solo piano improvisations by yours truly. F is for Free and available for download from my bandcamp-page.
Hope you like the album, would love to hear from you.

CARL VERHEYEN - SUNDIAL

• carl verheyen: sundial
      (2021, cd, usa, cranktone)

Carl Verheyen was part of Supertramp's reincarnation (from 1996 until 2002).
He released several solo albums and could even be heard on at least one album by Chad Wackerman.

It's the same Chad Wackerman that played the drums on Carl's recent release, "Sundial".
Chad's also part of Carl's touring band. 

"Sundial" is an excellent pop/rock album, showcasing Carl's different influences (from Steely Dan to poppy ballads).
I quite like it.

Here's 'Spiral Guide', featuring Jim Cox on keyboards (!!)

NEW Z.E.R.O. ALBUM AVAILABLE ON CD

The brand-new album by the Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra, "Make An Arf Noise Here" is out !
The digital dowload and the CD are available through Bandcamp.

As it's out on the Cordelia record label, it should soon be available from Cordelia as well !

"Let the sale begin!

The new CD from Z.E.R.O. is now available at a special price! You can purchase the digital version now for only $10 USD. The physical discs will be shipping by mid-November. 

Due to increasing postal rates and the problems at the USPS, we have had to raise the shipping costs for mailing physical CD's. Particularly for orders from outside of North America. If you just want the music, please buy it here. If you want a physical disc - and live outside of the United States or Canada - we advise you to go to Cordelia Records.”

MARK LETTIERI BAND TO TOUR EUROPE

https://www.marklettieri.com/tour

NOV 3 WED - New Morning @ 8:00pm - Paris, France
NOV 4 THU - LantarenVenster @ 8:30pm - Rotterdam, Netherlands
NOV 5 FRI - Bix Jazz Vlub @ 9:00pm - Stuttgart, Germany
NOV 6 SAT - Gaste Garage @ 7:00pm - Hasbergen, Germany
NOV 7 SUN - Melkweg @ 7:30pm - Amsterdam, Netherlands
NOV 8 MON - Zig Zag Jazz Club (House of Music Location) @ 9:00pm - Berlin, Germany
NOV 10 WED - Lumiere @ 9:30pm - Pisa, Italy
NOV 11 THU - Jazzclub Moods @ 7:30pm - Zürich, Switzerland
NOV 12 FRI - Biko (Early Show) @ 9:00pm - Milano, Italy
NOV 12 FRI - Biko (Late Show) @ 10:30pm - Milano, Italy
NOV 13 SAT - Rockit @ 11:00am - Da Groningen, Netherlands
NOV 14 SUN - Sala Clamores @ 8:30pm - Madrid, Spain
NOV 15 MON - The Jazz Cafe (Night 1) @ 7:00pm - London, United Kingdom
NOV 16 TUE - The Jazz Cafe (Night 2) @ 7:00pm - London, United Kingdom
NOV 18 THU - Bravo Caffè @ 7:00pm - Bologna, Italy

ZAPPA BAND AT THE BAKED POTATO TONIGHT

Robert Samler posted the below picture on Facebook:
The Zappa Band at the Baked Potato.£
4 days.
2 concerts each day.

BLACK FLOWER UPDATE

Five-piece hybrid jazz outfit Black Flower are set to release their new album early 2022.
‘O Fogo’ is the first taster. Piloted by Brussels-based saxophonist/flutist/composer Nathan Daems (Echoes of Zoo, Dijf Sanders), the quintet is a vibrant, hypnotic mix of Ethio jazz, afrobeat, psychedelia and oriental influences, inspired by Mulatu Astatke, Fela Kuti and varied western musical traditions.

ZAPPA DOC TO BE SCREENED AT DE ROMA IN ANTWERP BE ON NOV 3

Just a reminder because I'm still considering.

Nov 3, 2021 - screening of the Zappa doc at De Roma in Antwerp, BE

https://www.deroma.be/nl/agenda/zappa/11279/

GOV'T MULE DISCOGRAPHY

Adding data to the Gov't Mule discography over at http://www.united-mutations.com/g/govtmule.htm while spinning "Holy Haunted House".

Yep, I'm ready for the new album...

WEATHER REPORT - LIVE UNDER THE SKY '83

• weather report: under the sky '83
      (2021, 2cd, uk, equinox)

The Equinox record label keeps putting out these "Under The Sky" albums.
One of the recent ones is a 2 CD set by Weather Report: "Under The Sky '83", recorded on July 29 in 1983 at the Yomiuri Land Open Theatre East in Inagi, Japan.

This was to be the last incarnation of the legendary Weather Report.
Publicity shots at the time show Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter opening a large packing case to reveal their new rhythm section. Despite the departure of Jaco Pastorius and Peter Erskine the leaders are smiling broadly; once again they have replaced the irreplaceable. Night by night, throughout the long 1983 tour documented here, drummer Omar Hakim and bassist Victor Bailey would prove themselves the equals of their predecessors and forge a powerful ensemble sound.

DAVE HARTL RELEASED "THE NIGHT CAFÉ"

Dave Hartl, who released "The Music Of Frank Zappa" solo piano album in 2019, has just released a new album.

This album, unavailable for years, captures Allan Slutsky (AKA Dr. Licks) and Dave Hartl's mandolin/accordion/bass trio. We covered light classics, film scores, and ethnic tunes and explored territory no one else had. Imagine being in a 1900 Parisian café and hearing a trio with a modern repertoire and you're close.

CARL KING PRODUCED A RADIO DRAMA

Carl King produced and scored "Mr. Gradville", a radio drama written by Mark Borchardt.

Starring Julia Aks and Dan Foster.
Poster art by Lance Myers.
Directed and musical score by Carl King.

SUPERFJORD - FOR THE MOMENT, VOL.1

• superfjord: for the moment, vol.1
      (2021, download, --, bandcamp)

Finnish cosmic psych rock band Superfjord catched my attention in 2017 when they contributed their version of Frank Zappa's 'Peaches En Regalia' to the Superfjord / Sendelica joint release entitled "Zappa".
(Sendelica added FZ's 'Don't Eat The Yellow Snow' to the 7" release.)

And now there's "For The Moment, Vol.1", a first release in a series of live recordings, aimed to capture Superfjord in their most impressive surrounding: on stage, finding the balance between compositions and improvisations.

"For The Moment, vol. 1" captured moments from the band's January 2020 concert at Helsinki's G Livelab.

Impressive.
Give it a listen.

 

ALAN JENKINS AND THE KETTERING VAMPIRES

 Alan Jenkins And The Kettering Vampires have just released a new album : "Notes On The Life Cycle Of The Quantum Mouse".

Fifteen fine songs.
Fifteen fine pop / rock songs that I enjoyed listening to.

The album got released on Alan's Cordelia Records label.
Visit the label and check out the Frank Zappa tribute albums that he has released, plus the various projects that he is part of (The Thurston Lava Tube, Deep Freeze Mice,...)

http://www.cordeliarecords.co.uk/Pages/Buy%20Records.html

 Alan Jenkins And The Kettering Vampires  - "Notes On The Life Cycle Of The Quantum Mouse".
On Bandcamp:

On YouTube:

HILDEGARD LERNT FLIEGEN

Hildegard Lernt Fliegen has 6 concerts scheduled in Switzerland

5.Nov Murs Du Son, LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS
6.Nov Guggenheim, LIESTAL
11.Nov Le Singe, BIEL-BIENNE
12.Nov Moods, ZÜRICH
13.Nov KFM, GLARUS
19.Dez beeflat im PROGR, BERN

THE SPECIALS' PROTEST SONGS ALBUM

Additional info to The Others Of Invention: bands that recorded a Frank Zappa piece.
The Specials' "Protest Songs" album has been released in several different versions.

There's the standard red album with black lettering, but

• The first edition (of 1.000 copies) had album artwork with smaller lettering, black letters on a white background;
• Amazon released an exclusive pre-signed edition of the LP.
• There's a red vinyl edition with a bonus 7”;
• A limited edition on yellow vinyl
• A limited edition on yellow vinyl that came with an OBI (by ASSAI Records)
• HMV released a version with red lettering on a white background;
• The jewel case CD;
• A digipack CD;
• A 'deluxe digipack version' with two bonus tracks (the same as the 7” that got released as a bonus with the LP);

I admit that I also bought a copy of the first edition (picture taken from discogs), next to the standard black and yellow releases.

ANOTHER ZAPPA RADIO SHOW BOOTLEG CD HAS BEEN SPOTTED

"The Michigan Muffin Man"

SUPERSISTER

Freaks that have read The Others Of Invention book series know that Dutch band Supersister included a track entitled 'Corporation Combo Boys' on their 1970 "Present From Nancy" album.
The piece mentioned the MOI and presented a short snippet of ‘Hungry Freaks, Daddy’.

The very same 'Corporation Combo Boys' can also be found on "The Sound Of Music”, a 2 LP compilation album (compiled and overseen by Robert Jan Stips).
The album got released in a limited edition of 1500 numbered copies on crystal clear and on transparent yellow vinyl.
2021 Record Store Day release.

GOV'T MULE - MAKE IT RAIN

 

BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - TOTAL IMMERSION - FRANK ZAPPA

BBC Symphony Orchestra Total Immersion: Frank Zappa

Sat 19 Mar 2022

https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2022/series/bbc-symphony-orchestra-total-immersion-frank-zappa?

The BBC Symphony Orchestra takes a deep dive into the diverse musical worlds of Frank Zappa – one of the 20th century’s most idiosyncratic musicians.

Few have influenced music like Frank Zappa. Now the 20th century titan becomes the focus of a BBC Symphony Orchestra Total Immersion Day, led by conductor Brad Lubman. Ever the experimentalist, Zappa’s music explores influences as diverse as classical modernism, free improvisation, rock and roll virtuosity and cultural satire. Expect the unexpected in a day of film, talks and music charting Zappa’s remarkable career.

Full details will be published on Wed 24 Nov.

THE ZAPPA EARLY RENAISSANCE ORCHESTRA - MAKE AN ARF NOISE HERE

• the zappa early renaissance orchestra: make an arf noise here
      (2021, cd, uk, cordelia records)

Z.E.R.O., also known as The Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra has just released a new album.
Another fabulous tribute to the music of Frank Zappa.

Master mind Kevin Crosby used the same recipe as on the previous albums: finding the correct match between the musicians and the music.
As a result, the list of participating musicians is quite impressive. It's not really one band that you get to hear on "Make An Arf Noise Here". It's different sets of musicians that present Frank Zappa's music in a wide variety of interpretations.

Do I like it?
I love it.

Just mentioning some of the goosebump moments :  Christiane Seebach & Andreas Steinhardt on 'Hungry Freaks, Daddy', Juliana Brandon on 'What's The Name Of Your Group' and 'Spider Of Destiny', Eric Trøim on 'The Mammy Anthem', John Parkinson and Sam Ward on 'Cletus', Kevin's take on 'Billy The Mountain' !

Attentive freaks might have heard some of the above pieces during the on-line Zappanale festival earlier this year, or maybe as small project with some YouTube output, but I can only say that I'm extremely happy with this collection of fine tracks !!

1. Hungry Freaks Daddy
2. What Is The Name Of Your Group?
3. Zoot Allures
4. The Mammy Anthem
5. Status Back Baby
6. My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama
7. Spider Of Destiny
8. Echidna's Arf
9. Trouble Comin' Every Day
10. Cletus Awreetus Awrightus
11. Billy The Mountain (A short introductory hike)
12. Outside Now (live)
13. Make An Arf Noise Here

Out on the Cordelia Records label.

 

GOV'T MULE - 2009 10 31 TOWER THEATRE, UPPER DARBY

The recently mentioned "Stoned Side Of The Mule" albums got recorded on October 31, 2009, at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, PA.
A detail that I forgot to mention.

A recording of this show is circulating (and can be transformed in a 3 CDR set), with below artwork.

Set 1:

• Under My Thumb
• Monkey Man
• Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo *
• Can't You Hear Me Knockin'
• Angie
• Ventilator Blues *
• Shattered *
• Wild Horses
• Slave *
• Gimmie Shelter *
• Play With Fire
• Paint It Black
• Bitch *
• Brown Sugar *

Set 2:

• Steppin' Lightly
• Broke Down On The Brazos
• Railroad Boy
• Monday Mourning Meltdown
• Forevermore
• Frozen Fear
• Brighter Days
• Blind Man In The Dark *
• Goin' Out West *
• Peter Gunn Tease
• Bang A Gong *
• Goin' Out West *

Notes:
- entire 1st set and encore with Jackie Greene
- "Shattered" - Matt Abts on vocals
* with Steve Elson on Sax

TONY WILLIAMS - WILDERNESS

• tony williams: wilderness
      (1996, cd, usa, ark21 records)

The late jazz / fusion drummer Tony Williams performed and recorded with Miles Davis, John McLaughlin (in the Tony Williams Lifetime band) and Herbie Hancock, just to name a few.

His 1996 "Wilderness" album featured Walt Fowler, Earle Dumler, Bob Zimmitti and Michael Brecker, who all worked with Frank Zappa during certain moments in their career.

"Wilderness" is quite fascinating as Tony assembled an orchestra and some top notch jazz musicians to express his view on wilderness.

Nice. Very nice. Must have been one of his latest projects as he passed away in 1997.

For those who want to check it out, the complete album has been uploaded to YouTube.

MILES DAVIS - BLACK BEAUTY

• miles davis: black beauty - miles davis at fillmore west
      (1973, 2lp, japan, cbs/sony)

Recorded on April 10, 1970, at Bill Graham's Fillmore West.
Released in 1973 as a 2LP set in Japan by CBS / Sony, and re-issued on CD in 1987 (also only in Japan), the album got a worldwide release in 1997.

Miles Davis (trumpet), Steve Grossman (soprano sax), Chick Corea (electric piano), Michael Henderson (bass), Airto Moreira (percussion) and Jack DeJohnette (drums).

BRUNO VANSINA - PRESENTING THE DEMONS OF SHAME

• bruno vansina: presenting the demons of shame
      (2021, download, bel, bandcamp)

On his Bandcamp page, Bruno Vansina says:

This is what I do when I forget for a moment that I'm a saxophonist, that I'm a ‘supposedly’ trained ‘jazz’ musician. I release this album under the new and slightly more modest alter ego 'Urbaan Vonnis' because the earlier album -Nirvana Bonus and the Demons Of Shame- from 2008 is just crying out for its successor. 13 years ago I already made an almost complete second album. Now, after all these years - I will never dare to perform this live again - I thought the time was right to finish these demos further. Once again I call on the guitar, bass guitar and magic scissors of Pierre Vervloesem. Enjoy and hopefully laugh as hard as I do !!!

According to Bruno, this material got recorded in 2008, right after "Nirvano Bonus And The Demons Of Shame".
To be honest, I don't care when it got recorded. The most important thing is that it got released.

"Presenting The Demons Of Shame" is a great album.
Assuming the demons are Bruno Vansina (sax, flute, synth, keyboard) and Pierre Vervloesem (guitar, bass, vocals), they were assisted by David Thomaere (keyboard), Peter Vandenberghe (piano, vocals), and Jordi Geuens (drums).
12 tracks: from a Talking Heads tribute over jazzy saxophone lines to floating guitar tones, and everything in between.

The Bandcamp page does not mention a CD or LP release, so I went for the digital download option (although I still prefer physical releases).

Check it out :

GOV'T MULE - STONED SIDE OF THE MULE

• gov't mule: stoned side of the mule vol. 1 & 2
      (2015, 2lp, europe, provogue) 

In 2014, the Evil Teen record label released "Stoned Side Of The Mule Vol.1" as a single LP record store day release in the U.S.
April 18, 2015, they repeated the exercise, releasing "Vol.2". Again, as a Record Store Day exclusive album.
Later the same year, the Provogue label combined both albums and released them as a 2LP set in Europe.

"Stoned Side Of The Mule" is Gov't Mule's tribute to the music of The Rolling Stones.
I've never listened to The Stones that much. Only know their hits from the radio. Probably because my mind got spoiled with Zappa, The Mothers and Captain Beefheart at a young age.
Anyway, "Stoned Side Of The Mule" presents a fine set of songs and even a nice discovery or two.
An impressive tribute.

The album should also be available on CD (unofficially) but I've never seen a copy.

ROBIN VERHEYEN - THE BACH RIDDLES

• robin verheyen: the bach riddles
      (2021, cd, bel, de werf)

Belgian jazz saxophonist Robin Verheyen is a busy bee. He is performing with the Mixmonk ensemble (Joey Baron / Bram De Looze / Robin Verheyen) and with Taxi Wars (with Tom Barman), and at the same time, he recorded "The Bach Riddles", an experimental approach to J.S.Bach's baroque music.

I'm not familiar enough with J.S. Bach's music but I do like Robin's take.

Out on the WERF label. LP, CD and digital download through Bandcamp.

THE LUCK OF EDEN HALL - ALLIGATORS EAT GUMDROPS

• the luck of eden hall: alligators eat gumdrops
      (2012, cd, usa, private release)

The Luck Of Eden Hall is a Chicago-based psychedelic rock band.
I received a digital dowload copy of "Alligators Eat Gumdrops" as an introduction to the band and I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised.
They have this distinguished seventies sound and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Gregory Curvey (guitar, sitar, piano, bass, drums, vocals) with Mark Lofgren (bass, guitar, synthesizer, vocals) and Carlos Mendoza (drums), plus guests.

PHISH SCHEDULES NEW YEAR'S RUN CONCERTS IN NYC

https://phish.com/

New Year’s Run 2021-2022

Phish returns to NYC for a four-night run at The Garden beginning on Wednesday, December 29th through Saturday, January 1st.

BARNES & BARNES

Barnes & Barnes will be releasing a new album next month (November 2021).

 

TWIDDLE WITH IKE WILLIS - OCT 20, 2021

Ike Wills joins Twiddle on guitar for "Muffin Man" (Frank Zappa) live at The Roxy in West Hollywood, CA on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

NEW ZAPPA BIO

Harry Lime wrote a Frank Zappa biography.
130 pages. Paperback.

It got released last year.

FRANK ZAPPA - THE MANCHESTER MYSTERY

• frank zappa: the manchester mystery
      (2020, 2cd, uk, gossip records)

Another radio show album.
Manchester 1979, taken from a live broadcast, and adding a mystery rehearsal piece.
Not bad for a radio show bootleg. Not bad at all.
Highlights (for me) are the bonus tracks : 'Strictly Genteel', followed by 'Pound For A Brown' with an amazing Tommy Mars solo.

NEW ON THE PSYCHOFON RECORDS LABEL

New Steven Cerio CD release on the Psychofon Records label

https://www.psychofonrecords.com/product/steven-cerio-they-all-come-sunshine-cd/?

A CD in a fold-out 7" package.

And a new Residents release : "Mole Dance 82"

https://www.psychofonrecords.com/product/the-residents-mole-dance-82-2lp/

Limited edition, @ 100 € (!)

CHARLIE HADEN'S LIBERATION MUSIC ORCHESTRA - LIVE 1993

• charlie haden's liberation music orchestra: live 1993
      (2019, cd, --, equinox)

Recorded live in 1993, this (unofficial) Equinox label release features some impressive musicians: 
Charlie Haden (bass), Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn), Earl Gardner (trumpet), Tim Hagans (trumpet),  Ray Anderson (trombone), Ahnee Sharon Freeman (horn), Joe Daley (tuba), Makanda Ken McIntyre (sax), Joe Lovano (tenor sax), Javon Jackson (tenor sax), Mick Goodrick (guitar), Amina Claudine Myers  (piano, vocals), Bill Stewart (drums) and Mark Burton (percussion).
Arrangements by Carla Bley.

World music infused improvised jazz.
Amazing.

Here's live snippet from a tv-appearance from around the same time.

And a track from the 1970's original album :

TODD RUNDGREN & THE ROOTS

Newly Inducted Rock Hall Member TODD RUNDGREN Releases Neo-Funk Collaboration With THE ROOTS!

Los Angeles, CA - In early 2011, as Todd Rundgren was promoting an upcoming tour, he stopped by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon for live performances of two songs from his classic 1972 album Something/Anything, “I Saw The Light” and “Couldn’t I Just Tell You.” Backing Rundgren for both songs was Fallon’s long running house band, hip hop auteurs The Roots. The appearance marked the beginning of a furtive cross-cultural, cross-generational collaborative relationship born of mutual respect and admiration that would be repeated again in 2017 when Rundgren sat in with The Roots on a taping of the Fallon show. Now, these two musical giants reunite on a studio recording, a track that will appear on Rundgren’s upcoming Space Force album coming next year. The new single, “Godiva Girl,” is a delectable slice of neo-funk sweetness with a stellar, soulful groove, decorated with warm keyboards and smooth as silk background vocals. It’s the kind of rich musical confection that fans of both Rundgren and The Roots knew these two could cook up together, and it’s so been worth the wait.

CARLOS SANTANA - BLESSINGS AND MIRACLES

• carlos santana: blessings and miracles
      (2021, cd, usa, bmg)

On Blessings and Miracles, music legend and guitar master Carlos Santana delivers one of the most ambitious, inspired and flat-out magical records of his storied career. There’s thrilling feats of bravura musicianship that pair the guitar master with fellow icons like Chick Corea and Steve Winwood, knockout rockers with Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Living Colour’s Corey Glover, and genre-bending, hook-filled celebrations featuring Rob Thomas, Chris Stapleton, G-Eazy, American Authors and Ally Brooke, among others. The record also features bravura performances from members of Santana’s touring band (including drummer Cindy Blackman Santana and singer Tommy Anthony), as well as impeccable vocals and keyboards by the guitarist’s son, Salvador Santana, and stunning lead vocals by daughter, Stella Santana.

Santana spent much of the past two years recording Blessings and Miracles, serving as producer and collaborating with other record makers, including collaborating with a host of brilliant writers and producers including Chris Stapleton, Diane Warren, Rick Rubin, Gregg Wattenberg, Peter Stengaard and Narada Michael Walden, As for the stellar talents that appear alongside him on Blessings and Miracles, Santana admits that he’s sometimes surprised at how they magically enter his life. “I don’t choose people – it’s like I’m chosen,” he says. “But, of course, I’m honored to work with such incredible artists. I'm a surfer riding those waves that become songs by different artists, creators and architects. I’m very fortunate that I have the opportunity to do that. It’s a gift I don’t take for granted.”

EVIL SUPERSTAR VINYL RE-ISSUES

Evil Superstars' "Love Is Okay" and "Boogie Children-R-Us" are both getting a limited re-release on orange vinyl.

Here's a little sample / flash-back :

FRANK ZAPPA MONUMENT IN VILNIUS TO BE REMOVED

Vilnius City municipality has announced its plans to remove the Frank Zappa monument...

A petition has started to keep the monument.

https://www.change.org/p/mayor-of-vilnius-save-the-ensemble-of-the-frank-zappa-monument?

FRED HÄNDL

'01100100', new single by Fred Händl.

solo piano.

 

SPINIFEX IN CONCERT

 Dutch ensemble Spinifex will be doing two concerts in the very near future :

• October 26 - Budapest
• October 28 - Belgrade Jazz Festival

https://www.spinifexmusic.nl/

CHRISTOPHE DELBROUCK

After having produced a chronical discography on the subject of Frank Zappa in 1994, Christophe Delbrouck continued with an impressive trilogy book set that started in 2003:

2003 :

2005 :

2006 :

Starting in 2014, the three volumes were re-released as pocket books.

2015:

2016:

More recently, Christophe added three more books to his Zappa Output : "Les Extravagantes Avontures De Frank Zappa". More of a biography :

2018: 

2019:

And very recently, 2021:

THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND - SOUL SERENADE

• the derek trucks band: soul serenade
      (2003, cd, usa, columbia)

Slide guitar virtuoso Derek Trucks shows how it's done on "Soul Serenade".
7 laid-back tracks, infused with world music elements.

Here's a live version of the title track:

THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE 200 MOTELS RE-ISSUE

The official announcement :

In celebration of Frank Zappa’s “200 MOTELS” turning 50, a Super Deluxe Edition will arrive on November 19.

The 6CD box will feature the original soundtrack on the first CD and a half plus 4-1/2 CDs worth of unreleased bonus audio content found in Zappa’s Vault along with a book filled with new liner notes and photos, a collectible hotel key chain fob & Do Not Disturb hotel door hanger.

Also available on 180 gram 2LP red vinyl or black vinyl with the movie poster + 16-page booklet, a 2CD edition with a mini-replica movie poster & super deluxe digital.

ELKO BLIJWEERT - PRISON OF THE MIND

• elko blijweert: prison of the mind
      (2021, lp, bel, ultra eczema)

Elko Blijweert is in my record collection as part of Kiss My Jazz and Dead Man Ray.
His most recent release is a solo project in which he re-created a concert he did at the (open air) Middelheim Museum In Antwerp, at the inauguration of 'De Nor' (The Prison).

Poetic.
Beautiful. 
Limited edition release on Dennis Tyfus' Ultra Eczema record label.

RICK WAKEMAN'S CAPED CRUSADOR COLLECTOR CLUB

From GlassOnyon PR

Join Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman’s Caped Crusader Collector Club!

Members will receive rare memorabilia and unreleased music!

On October 14th sign up to the Caped Crusader Collector Club and receive a membership pack containing an individually numbered membership card, a signed (by Rick) welcome letter, an exclusive year book full of rare photos, articles and memorabilia from Rick's personal archive, a sticker and four 8x10 photos. You will also receive the first exclusive CCCC CD release, which is the previously unreleased Wakeman soundtrack from the feature film, “She.” The following three releases for the year will feature rare and live music from the Wakeman vaults. Further, there will be three exclusive CD releases issued within the year, which members will receive automatically through the post periodically. Please note, these releases will not be released to the general public, either online or at any other retailer.

Additionally, as a CCCC member you will receive a 10% discount off all purchases (including box sets) at the Wakeman Music Emporium (on-line only), invites to special events, early notifications of the releases and a totally exclusive merchandising range, along with some other goodies.

If you join in October, you will automatically receive 15 months membership for the price of 12!

“I am really excited about the Caped Crusader Collector Club (CCCC) as something very different. As a musician. I think it is important that serious fans get to hear music that would otherwise be left in drawers and on shelves and in some cases, discarded.

With the formation of the CCCC, I feel that this is an innovative way for core fans to get to hear music which I have discovered in various of my archives. Much of which was found when packing ready to move house

I had completely forgotten about some of this material and it has really surprised me what was found. All part of my musical journey over almost 5 decades. I truly believe for real collectors these exclusive CD's will be received in the same way that The Treasure Chest was some years ago.

I hope everyone has as much enjoyment hearing these recordings as I had after discovering them.” – Rick Wakeman

CHARLES MICHAEL - THE END OF THE RAINBOW EP

Charles Michael recorded Frank Zappa's 'Mom & Dad' and released it on "The Violet Album", a collection of 100 songs that got released on the first of April, earlier this year.

More recently, Charles released his version of FZ's 'Mr.Green Genes' on "The End Of The Rainbow EP", a collection of demos and live material that hadn't found its way to his other albums.

Check it out on Bandcamp:

FATOUMATA DIAWARA

Fatoumata Diawara - Nterini

Fatoumata Diawara - Fenfo

 

COOKIN' WITH ED (PALERMO)

Cookin' With Ed...

PRINCE DEMO

Released on streaming services two days ago, and soon available on cassette and on 7" :

Prince  -  'Do Me, Baby (demo)'

 

THE ED PALERMO BIG BAND'S "I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU"

The new Ed Palermo Big Band album got released a couple of days ago.
A must-have in my opinion.
But Yuripean customers should be careful as ordering this CD from Bandcamp will result in import taxes...

FRANK ZAPPA - THE NORDIC STORIES - FOURTH EDITION

A fourth edition of the "Frank Zappa - The Nordic Stories" picture book was scheduled to be released in October / November.
With some extra pictures and also with a new picture on the cover.

Unfortunately, the lack of paper (caused by the lack of drivers) and Covid are giving a lot of problems for printing companies.
As a result, the book has been postponed.

THE PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE

An English-language book about the Plastic People.

by Joe Yanosik.

One of the most far-out sounding bands of all time was the legendary Czech group The Plastic People of the Universe who played experimental prog/free jazz/rock music and were greatly influenced by Beefheart and Zappa and Velvet Underground. 

www.tomhull.com/ocston/guests/jy/jy-ppu.php

HAM SESSIONS

The Ham Sessions are back on track.

https://www.hamsessions.be/

• Intimate concerts in a garden in Ghent, BE.
  
  October 24 at 15h00 : AchterHam Session
  trio F.Vaganée (as) S.Gerstmans (cb) T.Verbruggen (dr)​
  
  
• and in a larger format, also in Ghent, BE:
  
  December 2 at 20h00 : Ham Sessions Indoor @ de Centrale (turbinezaal)
  AKA MOON & OPUS 111

FRED HÄNDL'S "TOVARISHCHI" ALBUM IS OUT

Fred Händl's "Tovarishchi" album is out.
The digital download version has been sent to the backers of the project.
CD and digital download options should arrive soon.

“Tovarishchi” got funded through Kickstarter. The digital download that got sent to the backers included a bonus track in which Fred cited Frank Zappa’s “Music Is The Best” credo from ‘Packard Goose’. What a nice surprise.