JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHEERIUS

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius - Game Of Chicken
from the upcoming live album.

THE RESIDENTS - DUCK STAB! ALIVE!

• the residents: duck stab! alive!
      (2021, 2 x 10" & dvd, germany, grand chess)

Sounds ridiculously good. Comes in a 10" cardboard box that contains 2 10" records and one DVD.
Limited (??) edition of 3000 copies?
Also available through Bandcamp.

from Grand Chess' bandcamp page: 

The Residents released DUCK STAB! as a seven inch, 33 1/3 rpm EP in 1978. For the group, the relatively lighthearted EP represented a break from the much more experimental Eskimo recordings which consumed the majority of a four-year period from 1975-79; for Ralph Records it was a much-needed revenue source at a time when the band was not producing much product. To everyone’s surprise, the EP was a hit, selling 50,000 copies in a few months. The demand was so high that Ralph insisted the band record a second EP, Buster & Glen, which they paired with DUCK STAB! to make an LP, which was also quite successful.

Several years later, Night Flight, a program featuring alternative programming on the USA cable channel, aired Residents’ video, including the Hello Skinny music video based on a song from the DUCK STAB! / Buster & Glen album. The program aired from 1981-88 often highlighting The Residents to the extent that many of the group’s fans cited Night Flight as their initial introduction to the band.

Fast forwarding to 2016 when Night Flight resurrected itself as a streaming video service, Night Flight Plus. In recognition of their long-standing connection, Night Flight invited The Residents to create a program in celebration of the service’s 40th Anniversary on June 5, 2021. Since the band was already rehearsing DUCK STAB! as part of their upcoming 50th Anniversary Tour, the forty-year-old EP/LP seemed like a perfect choice for Night Flight.

With a professional camera crew, led by director John Sanborn and director of photography Frazer Bradshaw, The Residents performed the reworked DUCK STAB! ALIVE! music over three days from May 19-21,2021 at the 25th Street Studio in Oakland, CA. The results, as you can hear are spectacular.

GREG RUSSO HAS RELEASED AN UPDATED VERSION OF HIS "COSMIK DEBRIS" BOOK

Andrew's Idiot Bastard website informed me that Greg Russ has released an updated version of his Cosmik Debris book, an essential reference work for every fan of Frank Zappa's music.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0998355046?

STEVE VAI & MOTÖRHEAD

 Steve Vai's new album will be out next month.
Time for a flashback as he also played on two tracks of Motörhead's "Inferno" album, released in 2004.

You can read more here:
https://loudwire.com/steve-vai-on-lemmy-kilmister-he-was-heart-rock-and-roll/

Steve Vai – lead guitar on "Terminal Show", guitar solo on "Down on Me"

FRED HÄNDL - TOVARISHCHI

• fred händl: tovarishchi
      (2021, cd + booklet, --, private release / backer edition)

I re-visited Fred Händl's "Tovashchi" album today.
Early supporters of the album received a bonus booklet. Very nice. 16 pages, quite large and focusing on the 'Thesis IIA' piece.
But it's all about the music. Solo piano. Lyrical.

Available on CD. 

https://nightpianist.com/?p=788

PRAZSKY VYBER II - VYMLACENY ROCKOVY PALICE

• pražský výběr II: vymlácený rockový palice
      (2007, cd, czech republic, columbia)

Pražský Výběr II was the reincarnation of the famous Czech underground band Pražský Výběr.

The track after which Pražský Výběr II’s «Vymlácený Rockový Palice» album was named, quoted “Music Is The Best” from FZ’s ‘Packard Goose’. During the same piece, the band also shouted ‘Frank Zappa Is Our Papa’. The album got released in two editions: as a standard jewel case but also as a digipack.
The Others Of Invention books already mentioned the live DVD from 2008 but apparently the band had already recorded and released a studio version in 2007.

MATS / MORGAN - PUT ANOTHER QUARTER IN!

October 2016, Mats & Morgan released their "35th Anniversary Collection", a 2 CD remastered compilation album.

The Japanese edition of "35th Anniversary Collection" was a 3 CD set. The bonus disc was entitled "Put Another Quarter In!" and presented 16 tracks.

Previously, the "Put Another Quarter In!" had been made available through Bandcamp as a 17 track compilation !!
For obvious reasons, the CD version did not include the 10-minute live version of 'Watch Me Pleasure'.

This CD is included in the 9 CD package that is being offered through Morgan's Bandcamp site.

https://morganagren.bandcamp.com/merch/hard-copy-bundle-9-discs

DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Dweezil Zappa has added two tracks to his "Warts And All" album that he made available through his Reward Music website.
Dweezil started with the "Warts And All" album in 2020 and has been adding material every couple of months or so.
For the moment, with new 'Strictly Genteel' (a 2012 live version) and 'You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch' (from the 'Automatic' album) it collects 18 tracks.

PERCUSSION UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A bit over a year ago, the Percussion Under Construction ensemble started a funding campaign for the new album.
I had seen and heard the ensemble at the Zappanale festival, and as I was told that the album would include the ensemble's version of FZ's 'The Black Page', I did not hesitate.
In the meantime, the recording and the artwork is finished and the album has gone in production. It will become available next February.

Supporters of the campaign received a download a couple of days ago, and I can only confirm my initial thoughts: "This is something I need to hear."

Their renditions of both 'The Black Page #1' and "The Black Page #1 & #2' sound great.
'The Black Page #1' starts with a soundscape ('trash percussion and electronics'), featuring none other than Chris Garcia (who has been touring with Don Preston and Bunk Gardner, performing the music of FZ).
'The Black Page #2' also featuring Chris Garcia and is the perfect mix of vibraphone, marimabe, drums and electronics.

The entire album is an excellent listen (and even includes a Scorpions tune), but the Zappa pieces are outstanding !!
Percussion galore. I love it.
Be sure to keep an eye out for this next February !!

JOHN TABACCO - HOW DOES IT FEEL?

 John Tabacco's latest bandcamp release: "How Does It Feel?"

ANDREW GREENAWAY - ZAPPA FUQs

 Andrew Greenaway says:
In 2020, to celebrate 20 years of bringing Zappa news and spoos to the masses via my Idiot Bastard Son website (www.idiotbastard.com), I posted twelve 'for-one-month-only' essays. These provided answers to some of those questions that no one ever asks: about Frank's family, friends and those he worked with; the significant women in his life; the people who photogtraphed him; and other random stuff. 

Released as a digital pdf-booklet.
Check it out : https://idiotbastard.onlineweb.shop/

BRETTS MILK - SNAKES AND TOP HATS AND EYEBALLS AND FINGERS! OH MY!

Brand-new release by Bretts Milk.

Food for Residents and Snakefinger freaks.

ED PALERMO UPDATE

Ed Palermo wrote :

Unfortunately, our 12/28 & 12/30 shows have been canceled due to Covid-19.

Stay safe everyone and we hope to see you in 2022!

SCHIZOPHRENIC SPACERS - THE COV SESSIONS

 April 2020, Barcelona-based band The Schizophrenic Spacers released their "The COV Sessions" album through Bandcamp.
At the same time, they released the album as an LP, in a limited edition.

The third track on side 2 is The Schizophrenic Spacers' version of Captain Beefheart's 'Harry Irene'.
These guys have got a good taste in music and it shows. "The COV Sessions" is a very enjoyable album.
Straight-forward rock.

Check it out:

THE ZAPPA BAND AT THE BAKED POTATO NEXT FEBRUARY

 

PIERRE VERVLOESEM GROUP CD RELEASE CONCERT IN BRUSSELS ON JANUARY 29, 2021

January 29, 2021
at Salle Viala in Brussels, BE, at 20h30

PIERRE VERVLOESEM GROUP

• Pierre Vervloesem (guitar)
• Nicolas Dechêne (bass)
• Peter Vandenberghe (synth)
• Bruno Vansina (sax)
• Renaud VanHooland (drums)

Presenting "30 Years Of Success", the brand-new album.

https://lesrichesclaires.be/portfolio-item/pierre-vervloesem-group

See you there !!

MORGAN ÅGREN

Last year's video message from Morgan Ågren.
Too good not to be used again.

 

FRENCH BAND GOWY CELEBRATES FRANK ZAPPA'S BIRTHDAY

Last year, Gregory François' band GOWY celebrated Frank Zappa's birthday by recording 'Tell Me You Love Me'.

Earlier in 2020, GOWY had already recorded a Covid-proof version of 'Montana' !

Check out their original material at https://gowy.bandcamp.com/

FRANK ZAPPA SPECIAL ON GERMAN ROCKRADIO

 Hamburg-based internet radio Rockradio will have a Frank Zappa special, tonight at 18h00 CET.

Zum 81sten Geburtstag von Frank Zappa, heute live auf www.Rockradio.de

FRANK ZAPPA NIGHT ON DUTCH NPO 2 EXTRA TV

info from Willem Scshwertmann on Facebook:

Tonight, because of Frank Zappa's birthday, Dutch television channel NPO 2 Extra will show the Alex Winter documentary (20h30) and Roxy The Movie (22h35).

https://www.npostart.nl/live

CAN - LIVE IN BRIGHTON 1975

• CAN: live in brighton 1975
      (2021, cd, europe, spoon records)

Irmin Schmidt, Jaki Liebezeit, Michael Karoli and Holger Czukay were CAN, krautrock-pioneers that released about ten albums between 1968 and 1979.

The recently released "Live In Brighton 1975" is the second volume in a series of live albums.
As the title suggests, it revisits the 1975 concert in Brighton.
Out as a 2 CD and 3 LP set.

I'm not really familiar with the band's output but I was quite happy with the opportunity to give this album a listen.

Seven pieces. 

Seven improvisations.

Each one lasting between 10 and 20 minutes.

Pretty psychedelic.

LA GAZETTE DU ROCK

La Gazette Du Rock is a comic book fanzine, published by a Liège (BE)-based non-profit organisation.
I recently mentioned issue n°20 with Jean Bourguignon's story about Frank Zappa's "200 Motels".

But FZ did appear in a couple of other issues as well.

Issue n°11:

The psychedelic issue. It came with a Daevid Allen cut-out page.

Artwork and story by Jampur Fraize

Artwork and story by Jean Bourguignon

Issue n°14:

Artwork and story by Jean Bourguignon

THE RESIDENTS - THE INTRUDER

• the residents: the intruder / voodoo doll (demo)
      (2018, 3" cd, ger, psychofon)

Around the same time that the MVD Audio record label released The Residents' "Intruders" album,  Psychofon records released two tracks on 7" and on 3"CD.

Two tracks only: 'The Intruder' and 'Voodoo Doll (demo)'.

The Intruder, a companion piece to The Residents’ new studio album Intruders, consisting of two new tracks not available anywhere else is now also available on Mini CD. Yes, for those of you who wanted to hear these new exclusive-to-Psychofon tracks, but do not have a record player..we have heard your demands and are happy to oblige!

Inspired by the persistence of obsession, ‘Intruders’ are seen as alternate beings stalking the corners of our consciousness. The album’s original songs all pivot around the unseen and the uncontrollable spirits stuck in the seams of our minds. Whether it’s ghosts, angels, aliens, ex-lovers or an angry old woman with a bittersweet smile, we never know who or what will wedge itself into the darker recesses of our minds. Hated, loved, or merely tolerated, we all have Intruders.

Featuring familiar Residents collaborators Eric Drew Feldman, Nolan Cook and Carla Fabrizio, alongside remarkable new guests, ‘Intruders’ is a collection of atmospheric, paranoia-tinged yet oddly accessible tracks, each forever glancing over its own shoulder and wondering just who is out there… Or are they in here?

Here's the version of 'Voodoo Doll' that made the actual album.

TST - TOUT SUR LE TOUT

• tst: le tout sur le tout
      (1995, cd, switzerland, mgb)

TST, or Le Tout Sur Le Tout, is a Swiss ensemble. Founded in 1994, the band released their first album in 1995.
This eponymous disc presented 9 experimental / avant-garde jazz pieces. Alienating at times, it did keep me on my toes, curious to find out what would happen next.
Quite the sonic adventure.

The band has just released another album on the Cuneiform label: "All About All", but this is in fact a 1995 concert recording.

 

SPINIFEX BEATS THE PLAGUE

• spinifex: beats the plague
      (2021, cd, nl, trytone)

Last week, I received the latest Spinifex CD, "Spinifex Beats The Plague".
I had heard the digital release, and as I often feel the need to be surrounded by beautiful things, I did not hesitate to order my copy directly from  the Trytone record label. (https://www.trytone.org/)

Cardboard fold-out cover.
Beautiful artwork. (Gonçalo Almeida !)
And 9 breath-taking tracks.

Energetic and quirky.
Love the rhythms and the orchestrated chaos.
Mixed and mastered by Pierre Vervloesem !

• Tobias Klein - alto sax
• Bart Maris - trumpet
• John Dikeman - tenor sax
• Jasper Stadhouders - guitar
• Gonçalo Almeida - bass
• Philipp Moser - drums

Check it out:

ZAPPOSTROPHE 144

As far as I know, there are only two Frank Zappa (paper) fanzines being published.
There's The Arf Dossier (Germany) and Zappostrophe (Czech Republic).

The biggest part of issue number 144 of Zappostrophe is dedicated to an interview that John Tabacco and the late Nigey Lennon did with Lorraine Belcher in 2010, entitled "The Studio Z Story".

Here's the original English version :

John Tabacco · The Lorraine Belcher Interview with Nigey Lennon and John Tabacco

ARF DOSSIER VOL.110

Issue number 110 of the Arf Dossier, the Arf Society's Frank Zappa fanzine, arrived last week.

incl.

• leserpost
• the hot platters heaven from the arf office
• the greenaway essays - gail & the sloatmans
• the rare pictures gallery
• the fine but unauthorized cd kaleidoscope
• lady gaga verkauft das zappa-anwesen
• jahreshauptversammlung - 23.10.2021 in bad doberan
• news from belgium - live from United Mutations
• back in time - 02/28/1979 cch, hamburg, germany
• ullis ecke
• info behind the photo(s)

JOHN TABACCO - NON SOCIAL DISTANCING DANCE MUSIC

John Tabacco's latest release.

"Non Social Distancing Dance Music".

WADADA LEO SMITH'S GREAT LAKES QUARTET - THE CHICAGO SYMPHONIES

• wadada leo smith's great lakes quartet: the chicago symphonies
      (2021, 4cd, finland, tum records)

From the Tum Records website :

The Chicago Symphonies is a magnificent four-disc collection of extended compositions by Wadada Leo Smith´s Great Lakes Quartet in a celebration of Chicago and the Midwestern culture. The first three symphonies, "Gold," "Diamond" and "Pearl" are performed by Smith with three masters of creative music, saxophonist/flutist Henry Threadgill, bassist John Lindberg and drummer Jack DeJohnette. The fourth, "Sapphire Symphony - The Presidents and Their Vision for America," features saxophonist Jonathon Haffner with Smith, Lindberg and DeJohnette.

This definitely is no easy listening.
Quite interesting, though.

Here's a review from All About Jazz:

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-chicago-symphonies-wadada-leo-smiths-great-lakes-quartet-tum-records

THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND - THE NEW ORLEANS ALBUM

• the dirty dozen brass band: the new orleans album
      (1990, cd, usa, columbia)

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band's fourth album, their second on the Columbia label.

Havin enjoyed their "Voodoo" album earlier this morning, the next one was "The New Orleans Album".

Love the album cover artwork !!
The music is great and, again, features a number of special guests, including Elvis Costello.

Great stuff.

Here's the horn section of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band performing 'Chameleon' as special guests with Gov't Mule.
From 2003. See Gov't Mule's "The Deepest End" DVD.
Also featuring Bernie Worrell (Parliament / Funkadelic)
and Paul Jackson (Headhunters / Herbie Hancock)

THE RESIDENTS - RIVER OF CRIME!

• the residents: river of crime!
      (2006, cdr-promo, usa, cordless recordings)

About fifteen years ago, The Residents offered a subscription to download "River Of Crime".
Those who subscribed would receive two blank CDR's with artwork, to burn 5 episodes (6 tracks) of "River Of Crime".
As it turned out, later the same year, 5 out of these 6 tracks would get a proper CD release.

To get some attention for the initial "River Of Crime!" project, Cordless Records put out a 2-track CDR-promo.
As the cover says, it included 'The Kid Who Collected Crimes' and 'Gator Hater!'.

Not hard to track down, if you think you need a copy.

MAGMA - KÖHNZERT ZÛND

• magma: köhnzert zünd
      (2015, 12cd, france, seventh records)

So here's the story:
We went to see Magma in concert in Leuven (BE) a little while ago. In-between Covid peaks, that is.
Before we went into the actual concert hall, we passed the table with the merchandise. Among the numerous albums, t-shirts, videos and other paraphernalia, the "Köhnzert Zünd" box, a collection of re-issues, 12 CDs in a box, decorated with a magma top. From 2015.

Köhnzert Zünd puts together in a sumptuous box set, all the band's official live shows, recorded between 1975 and 2000.
On top of which are two extra records made of excerpts from shows given between 2005 and 2011, as well as two unreleased records of the 2009 concert given at the Alhambra in Paris.
This release is limited to 5000 copies. Includes 80-page booklet, each disc is kept in its own digisleeve.

I felt tempted but decided to wait until after the concert to buy it. The decision scheme was an easy one: I didn't want to carry the box with me during the concert, and, even more important, I only would buy it if I would like the concert.
Fast forward to the end of the concert and the overcrowded merch table (Magma fans appear to be pretty obsessive when it comes to merchandise...). I politely waited my turn only to be notified that the "Köhnzert Zünd" box was sold out. Completely sold out. These had been the last copies.

Meanwhile, I did find the box online for about the same price but I did have to add postage and EU taxes (from Greece!).
Anyway, I'm glad the package arrived and I'm looking forward to dive into some more Magma. Something that I can only recommend.

-

THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND - VOODOO

• the dirty dozen brass band: voodoo
      (1989, cd, usa, columbia)

My friend Danny recommended that I'd give The Dirty Dozen Brass a listen.
Not that I needed some uplifting, but "Voodoo" immediately put a smile on my face. It's an impressive introduction.

Founded in 1977 in New Orleans, Louisiana, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has released quite a number of albums.
"Voodoo" features Dizzy Gillespie, Branford Marsalis and Dr. John as special guests !

Finger-snapping jazz.

Here's a live snippet : The Dirty Dozen Brass Band in a funeral parade !!!

DEL CASHER - SPACE BOY

• del casher: space boy (feat. florence marly and frank zappa)
      (2021, download, --, bandcamp)

A newsflash from Andrew Greenaway on Facebook : Del Casher released 'Space Boy' on Bandcamp.

Recorded in 1966 and previously released on the Frank Zappa Mystery Box bootleg set, the 'Space Boy' track has finally been made available!

The first legit release of the highly sought after 1966 tune "Space Boy", which for years has been credited to Frank Zappa on a few bootlegs that surfaced in the 1980's and 90's.

The song was actually written, arranged, produced and performed by Del Casher & actress Florence Marly, co-produced by Frank Zappa, and featurng Zappa on drums. This was also Frank's very first recording on anything before he was famous.

On this 5 cut EP you will find the original Mono mix everyone knows from the Zappa bootlegs, but sounding clean and remastered directly from the master mixdown. Plus a never before heard alternate take which was done in a more slower paced arrangement.

Following these are brand new mixes (done in STEREO) of both takes mixed by producer/engineer Jimmy Michaels. And as the last cut, a very experimental and "out there" creation put together by Jimmy & Del called "Space Boy Funk Trip".

From the IINK website:
Charles Ulrich added : Florence Marly re-recorded the song "Space Boy" circa 1973 for use in the short film Space Boy. The new recording featured Louis & Bebe Barron (who did the music for Forbidden Planet). The instrumental backing is new, and I believe it's a new vocal track as well.  

MATS AND MORGAN UPDATE

 Morgan Agren's bandcamp page is offering a "Hard Copy Bundle (9 discs)" of his previous albums.

In case you don't have these, or if you want to get someone a nice gift, here's the info:

https://morganagren.bandcamp.com/merch/hard-copy-bundle-9-discs

SAM FRÖJDÖ'S ISLE OF JOY

Sam Fröjdö's Isle Of Joy released "Songs From The Second Floor".

Sam adds:

"Besides the classical music I've written over the years, it's always been a dream of mine to write an rock album of my own. Well, now it's here, and I couldn't be prouder nor happier! A lot of the credits to Frank Zappa , and the way he has influenced me.
"Songs from the second floor" can be found on all streaming platforms. A physical edition (Vinyl LP) will be out in 2022."

THE RESIDENTS - THE MOLE SHOW LIVE AT THE ROXY

• the residents: the mole show live at the roxy
      (2011, cd, japan, birdsong) 

From the MeetTheResidents Wiki:
Originally released as a bootleg cassette entitled Live at the Roxy, 30 Oct. 1982, The Cryptic Corporation bought the recording from the bootlegger and re-issued it as The Residents' first official live album in 1983.

It got released on CD by Bomba Records (Japan) in 1989.
Re-released on CD by Bird Song Records / Hayabusa Landings (Japan) with 12 minutes of bonus material from the "1977 Radio Special".

Imagine my surprise to find out that the bonus material on the Bird Song Records release (that I only acquired last week) included The Residents & Snakefinger performing FZ's 'King Kong' !!

The 2019 "Mole Box" by Cherry Red records also included "The Mole Show Live At The Roxy", but without the Bird Song Records bonus material.

ROBBING MILLIONS - HOLIDAYS INSIDE

• robbing millions: holidays inside
      (2021, lp, eu, mgmt)

Brussels-based Lucien Fraipoint is Robbing Millions.
(Now read that sentence again without the caps.)

After several EP's and a first album in 2016, Robbing Millions has released an album on the MGMT label. MGMT, as I learned earlier today, is a U.S. psychedelic rock band that also started their own label in 2019.

Anyway, Robbing Millions sounds treacherously like popmusic. For a couple of seconds at least. And then it slightly deviates.
This is my first encounter with Lucien Fraipoint / Robbing Millions and I must admit that I'm quite charmed.

18 tracks, and it does indeed feel like my brain is taking a holiday.

Check out the Bandcamp page for a taste as well as for possible formats, including t-shirts.

BRUNO VANSINA RELEASES 12/12

In 2018, Bruno Vansina went on a musical adventure with his band. Every month the musicians took their instruments to a special place: a skating rink, motorway, velodrome or fairground. The challenge: playing together with the location. The camera registered the music, the sounds, the events. Each month produced a short film, the sum of which was a musical visual story in 12 chapters.

Twelve tracks. One album.

CHATO!'S MEGA END-OF-YEAR-SALE

A message from Chato !

Hello folks :)

There is a MEGA END-OF-YEAR-SALE going on right now. That means the following:

- Both studio albums (Prog Fusion with Balls + So und nicht anders) cost now only 10 € each AND FOR THE FIRST TIME:
- if you buy both together as bundle, it's only 18 €

But remember, only this cheap till December 31st ! On January 1st it goes back to the regular price.
See shipping costs at end of message

And as if that weren't enough and if you are more into digital :
- Starting now, there is a 15% discount on the whole digital discography, that means 2 studio albums, 1 live album (over 67 min) and 1 single for less than 20 € !

Unlike the CD prices, this discount will stay.

so boys & girls, this is your chance, the CDs have never been this cheap before. Works good as a present too ;)

Love,
Chato

SHIPPING COSTS OF CDS: (all with tracking number)

in Germany:
1 CD 3 €, 1 € more per additional CD
Bundle: 4 €, 0,50 € more per additional bundle

Rest of world:
1 CD 5 €, 2 € more per additional CD

ANOTHER ALBUM BY BRUNO VANSINA

It looks like Bruno Vansina is releasing a series of albums.

The latest one is entitled "ANYR" (A New York Recording) and presents recordings from 2014.

• Bruno Vansina - alto saxophone
• Pascal Niggenkemper - double bass
• Teun Verbruggen - drums

Recorded by Jim Clouse at studio Park West, Brooklyn NY, 24th June 2014.

Word has it that this album, along with the previous ones, will also get a CD release.

UNDER THE REEFS ORCHESTRA - UNDER THE REEFS ORCHESTRA

• under the reefs orchestra: s/t
      (2020, lp, bel, capitane records)

Guitarist and composer Clement Nourry, saxophonist Marti Melia and drummer Louis Evrard are the Under The Reefs Orchestra.
Their eponymous album sounds amazing.

An energetic, pulsating power trio at one moment, a dreamy pop ensemble at another moment.

Check it out :

Here's the 'Une Île' single from last year :

 

DALE BOZZIO AUTOBIOGRAPHY

"Life Is So Strange", Dale Bozzio's autobiography.

Book + 7".

ANOTHER FRANK ZAPPA RADIO SHOW BOOTLEG BOX

Entitled "Live In Europe 1967 to 1970", this 5 CD box got released on the Rox Vox Cypress label.

• CD1: Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden, 30th September 1967, Sveriges radio
• CD2: Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 20th October 1968, VPRO
• CD3: Late Night Line-Up BBC Studios, London, England, 23rd October 1968, BBC-TV
• CD4: Theatre De L'Olympia, Paris, France, 26th October 1968, radio France
• CD5: The Piknik Show, Uddel, Netherlands, 18th June 1970, VPRO

THE RESIDENTS - DUCK STAB ALIVE!

Released by the Grand Chess label, The Residents' "Duck Stab Alive"  presents two 10" vinyl records plus one DVD (with the live performance of Duck Stab! Alive! on Night Flight Plus).

All this in a limited (???) edition deluxe box set of 3,000 copies.
At a rather steep price of 90 €.

Latest news is that Grand Chess is releasing a version that comes with a VHS tape as well.
40 copies, at 400 euro each...
https://www.grand-chess.com/releases

MILWAUKEE ZAPPAFEST XXIII

Great googly moogly folks! America's longest running Frank Zappa tribute concert has returned for it's 23rd installment! This year we are back in front of a live concert audience AND once again, we are bringing back the one and only IKE WILLIS!

livestream by Kneeverland Productions!

This year's entertainment includes the long tenured headliners Gozortenplat featuring the legendary Ike Willis performing 2 sets!

And to get the evening started, there will be a solo acoustic set by opening act Paulette D'Amour followed by The Swivels, lead by Zappafest alumni Chris Peterson!

IBRAHIM MALOUF -- IMPROVISATION AS A PHILOSOPHY

«?Faites ce que vous voulez !?» C'est à partir de ce mantra qu'Ibrahim Maalouf ouvre ses cours d'improvisation. Pourquoi est-il si urgent de renouer avec l'art d'improviser?? Un enfant invente naturellement avec plus de liberté qu'un adulte. Cette liberté pourtant se perd au fil de nos apprentissages. Or, au-delà de la musique, l'improvisation est une véritable philosophie de vie, de connaissance de l'Autre et de soi, de dépassement de nos peurs et de l'inconnu. La création musicale, sa double culture -?libanaise et française?-, son histoire personnelle, son rôle de fils et de père, de professeur, ses rencontres, les joies et les tragédies qui façonnent nos vies ont sans doute contribué et encouragé cette réflexion. Avec passion et humilité, le célèbre trompettiste partage ses expériences, ses conseils et propose des pistes nouvelles pour une société plus à l'écoute de l'essentiel et des vibrations du monde. Un livre lumineux pour faire de nos vies une grande aventure créatrice !

ED PALERMO BIG BAND IN CONCERT

December 28, 2021 - The Ed Palermo Big Band Presents A Very Zappa Christmas
The Iridium, Broadway, NYC

December 31, 2021 - The Ed Palermo Big Band
The Falcon, Marlboro, NY

 

THE DEVINE HAND ENSEMBLE PLAYS ZAPPA

Saw this one popping up on Facebook again.
Beautiful.

TOUT BLUE

Tout Bleu's second record, Otium, recalls a route where the electronic crosses paths with the acoustic. This new milestone in Genevan multi-instrumentalist Simone Aubert's (Massicot, Hyperculte) musical field represents a kind of fruitful deceleration. Initially conceived as a solo project in 2018, the act is now an exploration ground for the musicians gathered on Otium : Naomi Mabanda on the cello (Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp, Chien Mon Ami) and Luciano Turella on the alto (Irtum Branda) encounter the sampling machines of POL, that could already be found on the first eponymous album Tout Bleu. In Tout Bleu's music, the part-melodic, part-abrasive riffs reminiscent of Massicot are present, and so are the socially engaged, energetic singing of Hyperculte. However, the band, by using acoustic instruments, vocals and electric guitar in an unconventional way, draws an orchestral landscape that sometimes flirts with pop, and where strings merge in polyrythm on low tempo beats.

 

MARBIN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM (& VIP PACK)

Marbin is selling 100 Dirty Horse VIP Packages which you can get for $100: https://marbinmusic.bandcamp.com/merch/dirty-horse-vip-package-limited-edition

They include:

1. Download link to the music from our upcoming album, Dirty Horse, IMMEDIATELY with purchase (the album won't be officially released for at least 4-6 months), and the entire package as soon as it's ready to ship (between 2-4 months)
2. Physical CD
3. Physical limited edition booklet about music: How to Stop Sucking: The Incomplete Guide to Improving Your Musical Abilities (only available as part of the VIP Package). This is the first time we are putting out educational material and you can be one of the 100 people who have it.
4. Limited edition Marbin trucker Hat (only available as part of the VIP Package) only 100 will be made

THANK YOU SCIENTIST

Live at Backroom Studios, 2019

Here's Thank You Scientist's guitar player, Tom Monda, playing through 'Terraformer' on a fretless guitar.

 

BRUNO VANSINA QUINTET

The Bruno Vansina Quintet will perform at C-Mine in Genk, BE on January 21, 2022.

• Bruno Vansina - saxofoon, compositions
• Benjamin Sauzereau - guitar
• Cyrille Obermüller - double bass
• Falk Schrauwen - percussion
• Teun Verbruggen - drums
• Kim Vreys - video
• Roel Snellebrand - sound

RESIDENTS' TOUR POSTPONED

The upcoming Yuripean and UK Residents tour has been postponed until 2023 !!
Gotta get a new calendar...

J.M. SMIG - MASSIVE ELVES / KWANZAA LADY

• j.m.smig: massive elves / kwanzaa lady
      (2018, download, --, bandcamp)

Released a couple of years ago, but perfect to use every upcoming Christmas: J.M.Smig's "Massive Elves / Kwanzaa Lady".

MATS / MORGAN - 40TH ANNIVERSARY BOX SET

• mats / morgan: 40th anniversary box set
      (2021, 6cd, sweden, private release)

There's not much that I can see about this beautiful box, except that it should be part of everybody's music collection. Well, if you have good taste, that is.
Essential listening.

 

EUGENE CHADBOURNE'S "HEAD OF BOOKS" PROJECT

Eugene Chadbourne just started this incredible project :

HEAD OF BOOKS
An initiative for 2022-2025
Daily guitar solos for subscribers

NEW INITIATIVE BRINGS RELIEF“….designed to keep in touch with friends and admirers near and far in times of precarious concerts and uncertain movements: every day, between now and 2025, a guitar solo of his arrives in the email, surprise. Just ask him.” (TRANSLATED FROM THE Hibou Anemone & Bear Blog, Rovaretto)

Head of Books donations

Paypal donations can be made to : eugene AT eugenechadbourne DOT com
on Venmo as : AT Eugene DASH Chadbourne

AXE BOX SET

From GlassOnyon PR

Unsung Heroes Of Classic AOR/Hard Rock AXE Collect Their First 4 Albums In A Deluxe CD Box Set!

Los Angeles, CA - They toured with every major metal act - from Iron Maiden to Scorpions to KISS to Mötley Crüe - at the height of those bands’ popularity, electrifying stadium-sized audiences with the fierce determination and fiery spirit of a rock & roll underdog. Signed to MCA Records, they built a cult following on the strength of their superb studio albums, beginning with the classic 1979 self-titled album. They are AXE and although they seem to fly under the radar of mainstream audiences, the band continues to be rediscovered by new generations of classic rock fans.

Now, a deluxe 4CD box set seeks to re-introduce the band to modern music fans, collecting the ‘79 debut and the subsequent albums they released before a long 13-year hiatus. Those albums include the slickly produced Living On The Edge (1980), the 1982 album Offering that spawned the band’s best known song “Rock ‘N’ Roll Party In The Streets,” and 1983’s Nemesis, which was the last album to be released with founding guitarist Michael Osborne who was tragically killed in a car accident shortly following the album’s release. Each album comes in its own sleeve reproducing their iconic album covers and is packaged with a full-color booklet featuring rare photos and extensive liner notes written by rock journalist Dave Thompson.

When Axe reformed in 1996, it featured from Zappa vocalist and keyboard player Bob Harris.
Their first release with Bob was "Axe".

WITCH ORCHESTRA

Czech band The Witch Orchestra performed a set of Frank Zappa tunes on the Ponava Fest 2021 in Brno, Czech Republic. The concert was made available on Ponava Radio.

Interview with the band (in the Czech language) :

https://ponava.radio/ep/54

The concert :

https://ponava.radio/lp/67

-- info: BOHOUŠ

MATS & MORGAN UPDATE

Mats & Morgan's new 6 CD box set is not only available from Morgan's website / webshop (http://shop.morganagren.com/), but also from Bandcamp !

https://morganagren.bandcamp.com/album/40th-anniversary-box-set-6cd?

BUTTHOLE SURFERS MOVIE KICKSTARTER PROJECT

A new Kickstarter Project :

The Butthole Surfers Movie 

The definitive documentary that will reveal the hole truth and nothing butt.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theholetruth/the-butthole-surfers-movie?

GOV'T MULE'S "THE DEEP END VOL.2" GETS A GREEN VINYL RELEASE

Good enough for a newsflash (although my CD copy will do fine).

Gov't Mule - The Deep End Volume Two (Limited Edition) (Green Vinyl)

Released on December 3, 2021

by Floating World Records.

YĪN YĪN

YĪN YĪN just released a track from their upcoming album.

The first single from The Age Of Aquarius is the track "Nautilus." Like much of the album, the track's intergalactic party vibes are strong. It is brilliant, invigorating dance music that drops in some thumping 1990s-style electric boogie and italo disco chops along the way.

 

EMIL RICHARDS

Hal Blaine was part of The Wrecking Crew and recorded with everybody from Elvis to The Byrds and The Beach Boys. He also recorded a couple of solo albums.
Emil Richards contributed to Hal Blaine's 1967 "Psychedelic Percussion" album.
Around the same time., Emil Richards took part in the recording of Frank Zappa's "Lumpy Gravy".

"Psychedelic Percussion"

• Hal Blaine — drums, percussion, gong, xylophone, organ, bongos, congas, timpani, arranger, producer
• Mike Lang — keyboards, organ, electric piano
• Emil Richards, Gary Coleman — percussion
• Paul Beaver — electronics

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

SOFT MACHINE ANNOUNCEMENT

Soft Machine announcement.

“It is with sadness that Soft Machine announce that Roy Babbington is retiring from the band as bass player after playing with the band since 1970. His first recording with Soft Machine was with Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge, Elton Dean and Hugh Hopper on the album ‘Fourth’. He formally joined the band as Hugh Hopper’s replacement after ‘Six’ in 1973 and his first live appearance as a full band member was Hamburg on May 17th 1973. His final appearance with the band, after 51 years, was at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London on December 6th 2020, with John Etheridge, Theo Travis and John Marshall. (The longest lasting line-up in the band’s complex history.)

His departure is as a result of hand problems making it difficult to play. He is otherwise in good health and wishes to spend more time fishing and gongoozling. Roy has nominated Fred Thelonious Baker as his successor. Fred Baker was a member of Phil Miller’s In Cahoots and played regularly with Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Pip Pyle and with John Etheridge amongst others. Fred recently deputised for Roy on UK and European dates and will join the band for all dates from 2022."

 

MUZE JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The Muze Jazz Orchestra performed the music of Frank Zappa at cultural centre De Muze in Heusden-Zolder, BE, yesterday.

They did not disappoint. Quite the contrary actually. 
Beautiful big band jazz arrangements of the music of Frank Zappa.
It was great.

SUN RA ARKESTRA / ART YARD UPDATE

Next to a "Sun Ra Heliopolis Cairo 1971" art print by Hartmut Geerken and the "Sun Ra new York 1966" art print by Val Wilmer, the Art Yard label is also offering :

• sun ra arkestra: seductive fantasy
      (2021, 12", uk, art yard) - released to celebrate the Arkestra's first ever nomination for a Grammy award. Limited edition of 100 copies.
  
  and
  
  
• sun ra arkestra: swirling
      (2021, 2lp, uk, art yard) - orange vinyl edition of "swirling"

JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHERIUS RELEASE A FIRST TRACK FROM THEIR UPCOMING RELEASE

From Joe Deninzon's Bandcamp page :

The Game of Chicken was recorded live during a performance at Progstock Festival, October 13, 2019 at Union County Performing Arts Center. Rahway, NJ

The "game of chicken" is a game in which two drivers drive towards each other on a collision course: one must swerve, or both may die in the crash, but if one driver swerves and the other does not, the one who swerved will be called a "chicken", or a coward.

I thought about how dysfunctional our government is, how we continue to kick the can down the road for future generations to clean up our mess, how we scream over each other in our online media echo chambers and refuse to listen to differing opinions. Our planet is on the verge of destruction and we are too busy trying to destroy each other instead of coming together to try to solve our problems. This is the first single from our upcoming CD/DVD, "Behind the Curtain: Live at Progstock" due out in May 2022. Much more to come...

 

JERRY STEVENS - MY FIRST CHRISTMAS ALBUM

Jeroen Stevens (Gruppo Di Pawlowski, DAAU,...) goes international as Jerry Stevens with this release.

To my surprise, it is indeed a Christmas album...

CLAUDIA CARDINALE AND FRANK ZAPPA

Next to an issue of Hitweek, the below copy of Epoca magazine (the left one) is probably one of the oldest magazines in my collection.
Early 1967, Claudia Cardinale was in the U.S.A. for a movie (?). The perfect opportunity to ask photographer Richard Avedon to take some shots.
Epoca (issue no.877, July 16, 1967, Italy) included 6-pages with 9 pictures, including two with FZ. Quite remarkable is that FZ is not mentioned anywhere. They refer to him as 'a shaggy guitar player'.

The Panorama mag on the right (6-12 Feb, 1968, Belgium) used  a picture from the same session on the cover. The 4-page article has the same picture and discusses the new 'pop music scene'.

 The article in the Epoca mag: https://afka.net/Mags/Epoca.htm

CORY WONG - THE PAISLEY PARK SESSION

Cory Wong // The Paisley Park Session [full album recording session]
Uploaded on Youtube on December 2.

FRANK ZAPPA - AMERICAN COMPOSER - DECEMBER 21, 1940 - DECEMBER 4, 1993

http://www.thepaltrysapien.com/2013/12/the-true-meaning-of-zappadan/

For the uninitiated, Frank Zappa’s birthday is December 21, but he shuffled off this mortal coil on December 4, leaving a seventeen day period of transition between the two for his disciples to bridge in any way that they could. Zealots to the last, they opted to use this period to celebrate Frank Zappa’s life, work and persnickety genius. This is sort of funny given that, being Zappa fans, it’s exactly what they do for the other 348 days of the year and it would hardly matter whether he was alive or dead, but hey – what else do you do when you’ve got a discrete and conveniently manageable block of time, a topic, and a great name?

http://www.thepaltrysapien.com/2013/12/the-true-meaning-of-zappadan/

MARKUS REUTER TALKS WITH JAN ZEHRFELD

Markus Reuter PODCAST #063: Jan Zehrfeld

MATS/MORGAN 40TH ANNIVERSARY BOX SET IS AVAILABLE

Mats & Morgan's "40th Anniversary" 6 CD box set is available from Morgan's on-line shop (and from other Yuripean shops) :

http://shop.morganagren.com/

For the digital download version, visit :

https://morganagren.bandcamp.com/album/40th-anniversary-box-set-6cd

And to check out the Japanese edition with a bonus disc (= a 7 CD box), go to:

https://diskunion.net/progre/ct/detail/1008389797

STEPHAN THELEN - FRACTAL GUITAR 2 - REMIXES

Stephan Thelen has just released "Fractal Guitar 2 - Remixes" to which he adds:

Fractal Guitar 2 remains one of my own favorite albums, not just for musical reasons, but also because it was such an enjoyable working experience in which many of my musician friends sent me file after file after file of amazing and spellbinding music. In the end, there were so many tracks that ultimately did not make it to the album, but were simply too good to just let go of. A good example ist Andi Pupato’s Middle Eastern percussion track for my remix of 'Point of Inflection’ which wasn’t quite right for the main album, but set the stage for the very different vibe of the remix.

Also, while preparing the mixes for Fractal Guitar 2, it became clear that the extensive material for this album had the potential to be remixed and remodeled in many different ways. Knowing that some of my friends were excellent and creative remixers, I reached out to see who would be compelled to re-imagine the pieces. A big thank you to Bill Laswell, Jah Wobble, David Torn and Barry Cleveland for their incredible remix skills and musical imagination. In an e-mail written after hearing Bill Laswell’s remix, Barry wrote to me: „This is fascinating on multiple levels. A sort of master class, really …Even King Tubby would raise his eyebrows at that schnizzle.“ Of course, he’s right.

https://stephanthelen-moonjune.bandcamp.com/album/fractal-guitar-2-remixes

IF I COULD ONLY BE SURE: THE LIFE OF NOLAN PORTER

If I Could Only Be Sure: The Life Of Nolan Porter
by Patrice "Candy" Zappa

Released 11/27/21

Nolan Porter is one of the most beloved Northern Soul vocalists of all time. "If I Could Only Be Sure," "Keep On Keeping On," "Oh Baby" and "I Like What You Give" are just some of the many songs he recorded that have resounded strongly with generations of music fans worldwide. Curated by his wife Patrice "Candy" Zappa, "If I Could Only Be Sure: The Life Of Nolan Porter" reveals Nolan's accomplishments, struggles, and his completely unexpected and overwhelming success on the Northern Soul circuit and with the group Stone Foundation. Nolan Porter's outstanding service to his fellow man and the music industry cannot be overstated.

https://www.crossfirepublications.com/nolanbook.html?

FRANK OUT! - IT CONQUERED THE WORLD VOL.2

• frank out!: it conquered the world - vol.2
      (2021, cd, ger, private release)

I've been playing Volume 2 of Frank Out!'s "It Conquered The World" almost every day since I picked it up in Bonn at one of their recent gigs. Well, actually, it was a video recordings session that will be made available for streaming in February next year, but more on that later.

Anyway, as logic dictates, "It Conquered The World Vol.2" is the twin companion of last year's Volume 1.
And as its predecessor, it meets all expectations.
Vol.2 delivers rock versions of Frank Zappa tunes. Straight-forward versions but with the occasional exception. 'I'm The Slime' is sung in a Tom Waits style and includes a piece of 'Killing In The Name Of'. Love it.

Recorded live with some overdubs and studio stuff. There's even some xenochrony going on...

Amazing solo's by Kai Rothfuchs (guitar), George Rademacher (guitar) and Thomas Jung (keyboards).
Just the way I like it.
Another fine tribute to the music of Frank Zappa.

Did I mention the amazing artwork by Tim Rothfuchs?

WHO KILLED RALPH?

"Who Killed Ralph?" was a series of compilations, paying tribute to the music of The Residents.

The eight volumes got released on Bandcamp, but will be taken down shortly.
The first 4 volumes are still available (as free downloads) so don't hesitate if you want to give these a listen:

https://whokilledralph.bandcamp.com/

FREAKOUT RECORDS

 Freakout Records is a Seattle-based record label.

They also hosted a festival ! (November 11, apparently)

Check out the website.
Love the artwork.

Here's a recent collaboration with Exag Records & Le Cèpe Records :
the new release by You Said Strange : "Treat Me".

THE RESIDENTS - WOW DEMOS 1

• the residents: wow demos 1
      (2021, 2cd, austria, klanggalerie)

The Residents released Wonder Of World in 2014.

The Residents Wiki adds:

The Wonder of Weird is a live album by The Residents, released in a limited, numbered edition of 400 via Ralph Records on April 15th 2014. The album features a performance in Amsterdam from May 20th 2013, on the second leg of their tour of the same name. 

The initial pressing was a double CD-R set, but the recording was later reissued in Europe on MVD Audio on September 9th 2014, as a shortened single-disc album re-titled Marching To The See: The Wonder of Weird Tour.

November 15, Klanggalerie released a first set of demos that were used for WOW.
A 2 CD set, and part one of two.

As to be expected, "Demos 1" has this dark and remote sound. It fits perfectly.
I'll have to dig out my copy of WOW and play that again to get a bit of a chronological approach...

 

LITTLE FEAT BLACK FRIDAY RECORD STORE DAY RELEASE

Little Feat – Electrif Lycanthrope: Live at Ultra-Sonic Studios, 1974 (RSD 2021)

Nestled between the classic LP releases Dixie Chicken and Feats Don’t Fail Me Now and performed for a small and intimate assembled studio audience, this recording finds Little Feat in their prime, live from Ultrasonic Studios in Hempstead, NY on September 9, 1974. Often discussed as their ‘best’ line up, this recording features the 1974 version of Little Feat containing Lowell George (Guitar, Vocals), Paul Barrere (Guitar, Vocals), Kenny Gradney (Bass), Richie Hayward (Drums, Vocals) Sam Clayton (Percussion, Vocals), and Bill Payne (Keyboards). With excerpts of this performance only available previously as a legendary ‘70s bootleg, this RSD Black Friday release is the first time the full-length performance is available, directly from the original pre-FM broadcast master tapes, and serves as an excellent introduction to one of rock ‘n’ roll’s best – yet criminally unsung – outfits. The recording captures the band cranking out songs from what are arguably two of their three best studio albums, at the pinnacle of their chemistry.

-- info: Jan van Kemenade

 

THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES OF THE UNRELATED SOUND GUY

a message from Mike Keneally 

Five!

A scant five days remain in the IndieGogo campaign supporting "THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES OF THE UNRELATED SOUND GUY." This is a film currently being made by the gloriously creative Mikko Keinonen. based on five new songs from my upcoming album.
Five days!! I hasten to repeat!

Please consider supporting this film! I've seen some of the work in progress and it is extraordinarily entertaining footage.

 
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-complete-adventures-of-the-unrelated-sound-guy?

You have my heartfelt gratitude, fellow traveler!