NEW RELEASE FROM ROBBIE SEAHAG MANGANO

Pizza Pie
by Robbie Seahag Mangano

• Robbie - lead bass, guitar, bass, keys
• Rob Pallotta - drums (on outro)
• David Stein - drums
• Adam Minkoff - all vocals

GERONIMO BLACK - GERONIMO BLACK

Somewhere in the early seventies, Jimmy Carl Black and some his friends put together a band called Geronimo Black.
They released a first album in 1972. An eponymous album. It got a worldwide release.
The band featured Denny Walley, Bunk Gardner, Tjay Contrelli, Tom Leavy, Andy Cahan and, of course, Jimmy Carl Black.
A very fine album indeed.

In 1995, One Way Records released the album on CD.

But Jimmy Carl Black also released the album as a CDR on his private Inkanish record label. 

The below album cover is taken from the copy I brought home from Zappanale.
It's a later Inkanish edition than the release mentioned on discogs as the label of the CDR has the album cover printed on it.

-

MISSING PERSONS - A NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO

Recently released on purple vinyl with a CD release scheduled for September, "A Night In San Francisco" will take us back in time.
With Missing Persons Terry Bozzio, Patrick O'Hearn and Dale Bozzio.

Also on Bandcamp :

THE ZAPPA EARLY RENAISSANCE ORCHESTRA - SIX OF ONE

• The Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra: Six Of One
      (2023, cd, UK, cordelia records)
      (2023, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)
  

I have already mentioned the latest album by The Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra a couple of times on this blog.
Not only is this an album that cannot get enough attention, I also brought home a physical copy from Zappanale, which is another good reason to revisit it.

Album number six for Z.E.R.O. and another amazing tribute to the music of Frank Zappa.
The beautiful thing about Z.E.R.O. is that it's not band. Common denominator Kevin Crosby, the musical mastermind behind Z.E.R.O., assembles different musicians for almost every piece that gets recorded. And all (or most) of these are musicians that are quite familiar with the music of FZ.
All tracks are produced and arranged by Kevin, and the different musicians all add their typical sound of flavor.

Great concept.

"Six Of One" features Niklas Lychou (guitar, vocals), Rob Mitchell (drums), Kevin Crosby (bass, synths, background vocals), Kilissa Cissoko (vocals), Sam Ward (guitar), Bill Ray (drums), Mark Watson (voice, background vocals), Eric Troim (guitar, synths), Armin Beck (drums), Fred Händl (piano), Prairie Prince (percussion, drums), Sandro Oliva (guitar), and Charles Carpp (vocals)

The digital download version on Bandcamp offered one extra track.(*)

1. Andy
2. Dog Breath Variations #1
3. Who Needs The Peace Corps?
4. Zomby Woof
5. Does This Kind Of Life Look Interesting To You?
6. Hammerhead (Jeff Beck)
7. Let’s Make The Water Turn Black
8. Big Switly / The Grand Wazoo
9. Sam With The Showing Scalp Flat Top (Frank Zappa, Don Van Vliet)
10. Tell Me You Love Me
11. Dog Breath Variations #2
12. Uncle Meat
13. Who Needs The Peace Corps (*)

 

J. M. SMIG

Revisiting J. M. Smig's 'A Russian Vulvectomy' and 'Black Coffe Waltz', two of my favorite pieces by J. M. Smig.

A Russian Vulvectomy
A bit avant-garde. Reminds me of The Residents. (which actually is quite a compliment)

Black Coffee Waltz
Lots of energy, lovely breaks, different layers and great percussive sounds.
This is my cup of tea (or black coffee). Completely.

And there's more.
Check out J. M. Smig's Bandcamp page !

 

NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK & ENSEMBLE MUSIKFABRIK - BAD DOBERAN & ELSEWHERE

• Napoleon Murphy Brock & Ensemble Musikfabrik: Bad Doberan & Elsewhere
      (2023, cd, Germany, yatakrecords)

Last year, at the St. Katharinenconcert, I bought a copy of the promotional EP that Ralph Kessler and Ali N. Askin were working on.
The concert that I attended was by Napoleon Murphy Brock and Mats Öberg. Wonderful concert. In the meantime, it got released in the "Zappa Spielt Für Bach" series.
The EP that I bought, however, was from a collaboration between Napoleon Murphy Brock and the Ensemble Musikfabrik. As a result, the evening had two highlights: A wonderful concert and a beautiful CD from an upcoming project.

We're one year later now, and the actual album is out. Or it will be out shortly.
Subtitled “Napoleon Murphy Brock & Ensemble Musikfabrik Play The Music Of Frank Zappa”, this album got recorded at Zappanale on July 21, 2019.
The Ensemble Musikfabrik, directed by Dirk Rothbrust featured Frank Wingold among others, a name that one might remember from the Underkarl band.

The album got mixed by Ali N. Askin (who also did the orchestration, the arrangements and the production), mastered by Ralph Kessler (who also co-produced) and Jonas Brommer, and displays artwork by Cal Schenkel.

Do I need to say more?
This is an excellent Frank Zappa tribute album.
I saw this concert at Zappanale in 2019 and I don't know how they did it, but the sound is way much better than I remember it.

An essential release for every Zappa fan.

Released on Ali N. Askin’s YatakRecords label.
Should be available soon  from YatakRecords or from the MusikFabrik website.

• Village Of The Sun
• Echidna's Arf (Of You)
• Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?
• The Black Page Drum Solo / Black Page #1
• The Black Page #2
• RDNZL
• Sofa No.1
• Florentine Pogen
• Inca Roads
• Lemme Take You To The Beach

MEGAWAJOOKA PLAYS THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA

Too late to attend,
but MegaWajooka performed the music of Frank Zappa in Carantec (France) on the 19th of July. 

Check out the link to see a short video clip from the performance.

https://newnabab.com/mega-wajooka

Here's a bit of the rehearsal :

What a great name for a band...

FRANK ZAPPA - 20 YEARS OF FRANK ZAPPA * GIVE OR TAKE A YEAR OR SO

• frank zappa: 20 years of frank zappa * give or take a year or so
      (2022, 8cd-bootleg box, --, mud shark)

I stopped buying bootleg albums a number of years ago. Prices were getting ridiculous and all the material was already out there.
And now I made an exception for this beautiful "20 Years Of Frank Zappa * Give Or Take A Year Or So" 8 CD bootleg box set. No music that I haven't heard before. It's just a beautiful looking box that comes with 8 CD's that are packed separately in 7" covers, plus two booklet.
It will look very nice on the shelves.

The box got released last year and is said to be Russian (but that might just be because it has a nice ring to it.) Copies have been turning up in Japan and in Italy recently.

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - ELECTRONICACA

Pierre Vervloesem has revisited and revised his 2021 "Electronicaca" album.

I can't really tell the difference with the original album, but this revised version is a pleasure to listen to.
Each track presents a different atmosphere, showcasing the vast variety in Pierre's musical mind.

Check it out !

200 MOTELS TO BE PERFORMED AT THE OPERA IN NICE (FR) IN DECEMBER

It looks like there will be a lot of live performances of Frank Zappa's music near the end of this year.

https://www.music-opera.com/en/opera-de-nice-france-nice/200-motels-zappa-1663240.html

December 1 & 2, at the Opéra in Nice, France,
two performances of "200 Motels" by

Les Percussions de Strasbourg,
the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice,
the The HeadShakers,
the Choeur de l'Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur

Conductor Léo Warynski
Director Antoine Gindt

I saw the performance in Strasbourg and in Paris a couple of years ago. (with a different choir and with different vocalists, but still...)
If you have the opportunity, you need to see this.

-- info: Jérôme Munnier

MOSAE ZAPPA FESTIVAL

The Mosae Zappa Festival will take place in Heerlen (NL) on November 25 & 26.
It might even already start onthe 24th in a pub somewhere in Heerlen...

And it's a bit of a special edition as it will be in cooperation with the Arf Society.

Sunday 30 July is your last chance to buy a special priced ‘Zappanale action’ pre-presale ticket.
The regular presale (incl. VIP) will start on monday the 31th. More info soon!

https://oefenbunker.stager.nl/Mosae%20Zappa%202023/tickets

SNARKY PUPPY - FUEL CITY

 Snarky Puppy's 'Fuel City',
from "Empire Central".

WARREN CUCCURULLO & DURAN DURAN

Duran Duran has just released "Ultra Chrome, Latex & Steel Tour"
As a limited edition 2LP set on yellow & purple vinyl,
and even as a limited edition 2 CD set that's being offered as a purple & yellow vinyl replica CD.

This double CD or double LP set contains the BIG BANG radio concert recorded at Disney World, Lake Buena Vista on 27 November 1997.

Simon Le Bon, Warren Cuccurullo & Nick Rhodes were back for the "Ultra Chrome, Latex and Steel Tour..." with new songs like "Out Of My Mind" or "Electric Barbarella" and old songs like "Ordinary World", "A View To A Kill" or "Rio".

-- info: Harald Häring

 

MONSTER FURNITURE

Yesterday, I discovered Monster Furniture.
Monster Furniture is Gabe Smoller's project. He describes it as DIY / songs about dogs and home renovation.

This is nice. I love the melodies and the arrangements.
Check it out.

-- link: Matt DeMello

ZAPPA ALUMNI TO BE FOUND ON BOB HOLZ'S NEW ALBUM

from GlassOnyonPR

Drummer Bob Holz to Release New Album “Holz-Stathis: Collaborative” Featuring John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Darryl Jones and Randy Brecker

Jazz Fusion drummer and composer Bob Holz will release his sixth album for MVD Audio on September 8, 2023. The record is titled “Holz-Stathis: Collaborative.” Joining Bob Holz on the album are John McLaughlin, Jean Luc Ponty, Darryl Jones, Randy Brecker, Elliott Yamin, Alex Acuna, Airto Moreira, Brandon Fields, Ralphe Armstrong, Billy Steinway, Dean Brown, Ric Fierabracci, Jamie Glaser, Ada Rovatti, Karen Briggs, Diana Moreira Purim, Ben Shepherd and Frank Stepanek.

The album features twelve new original tunes penned by Holz, Steinway and Brown. Rob Stathis is the Executive Producer. The album is recorded and mixed by multiplatinum sound engineer Dennis Moody.

Two vocalists are featured on “Holz-Stathis:Collaborative.” Elliott Yamin who placed third on American Idol sings a hip hop meets jazz tune penned by Dean Brown and Holz. Diana Moreira Purim sings a Brazilian jazz fusion tune titled “Island Sun Love,” written by Steinway and Holz.

Bob has released a new video featuring Darryl Jones on bass, and vocalist Elliott Yamin. It was shot at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood, CA and is a cover tune of “Make Me Smile” by Chicago.

FRANTISEK KOP - CHILLIES

• frantisek kop: chillies
      (2022, lp, czech republic, amplion)

Czech jazz saxophone player (and multi-instrumentalist) František Kop recorded ‘Girl Meets A Yellow Shark’ for this “Chillies” album.
The piece was inspired by Frank Zappa music, quoted a couple of Zappa compositions ('King Kong', 'I'm The Slime', ...), and included part of a Frank Zappa interview.

Besides 'Girl Meets A Yellow Shark' the album presents a set of fine jazz tunes.
A nice discovery.
Out on LP, but also released on iTunes & Spotify.

STEVE VAI TALKS ZAPPA WITH CHANAN HANSPAL

"Steve Vai Talks Zappa"

What an incredible interview !!
Two people who understand Frank Zappa's music, talk about Steve and FZ's universe.
The enthusiasm !!
Brilliant.

FRANK ZAPPA - FUNKY NOTHINGNESS SERIES - EPISODE 4 - THE CELEBRATION

Frank Zappa - Funky Nothingness Series (Episode 4: The Celebration)

SINÉAD O'CONNOR & THE CHIEFTAINS

RIP Sinéad.

-- link: Harald Häring

OCTAFISH - I : START 30 STOP : I

• octafish: I : start 30 stop : I
      (2023, cd ep, germany, starpatrol)

Octafish is one of those bands that I follow blindly. These guys have treated me to hours of enjoyment. Both with their albums and in concert.
And although I can't comprehend or find the meaning of the album's title, the music is exactly what I expected.
(Well, actually, it's not what I expected as it was a surprise, but I did expect a surprise.)

Recommended listening.

Here's a live fragment from 20 (!!) years ago, with Mike Keneally at Zappanale..

The album version :

VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE TANGO CLUB NIGHT #04

• various artists: the tango club night #04
      (2016, 2cd, germany, lola's world)

The back of this double CD set says "Compiled & mixed by DJ Ralph "Von" Richthoven.
It's still a mystery to me what the difference is between a 'normal' compilation and this so-called DJ mix.
Anyway, I have to admit that it's a nice selection of tunes, and not only because it includes Gotan Project's reworking of Frank Zappa's 'Chunga's Revenge'.

FRED HÄNDL - DELICE

• fred händl: delice
      (2023, cd, the netherlands, private release)

This compilation album presents songs from Fred's different projects. Next to Fred's original compositions, it includes several Frank Zappa pieces, performed and arranged by Fred.

• Blessed Relief
• Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
• Oh No
• Absolutely Free
• Treacherous Cretins
• Watermelon In Easter Hay
• Mom & Dad

From Youtube : 'Treacherous Cretins' performed at the Yellow Hippo Studio.

MOONJUNE FESTIVAL TOLEDO 2023

September 28 - 30
Toledo, Spain

More info: 

www.moonjunetoledo.com

EIDON - VARESE

Eidon's latest piece is entitled 'Varèse'.

 

HOLDSWORTH, PASQUA, WACKERMAN & HASLIP - PROTO-COSMOS

• holdsworth, pasqua, wackerman & haslip: proto-cosmos
      (2022, cd, usa,blue canoe records)

Taken from the same 2007 concerts (at Yoshi's) that resulted in "Blues For Tony" and "Live At Yoshi's", this beautiful "Proto-Cosmos" disc features Allan Holdsworth, Alan Pasqua, Chad Wackerman and Jimmy Haslip in top shape.

A posthumous release? A tribute?
All I can say is that this is an incredible album and that I'm very glad that Chad brought some copies to Zappanale with him.

Here's the opening track :

ZAPPATEERS & ZAPPANALE

A couple of Zappanale shows have already turned up over at Zappateers, and you check them out.
PGRA Plays Zappa was better than what most of us had expected, and BFU was a top concert.

https://zappateers.com/

Paul Green Rock Academy - 2023 07 14 - Zappanale #32
recorded from the RockRadio broadcast

• setlist
  Call Any Vegetable * Magic Fingers * Debra Kadabra * Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy * Let's Make The Water Turn Black * Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance * What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? * Valley Girl (False Start) * Valley Girl * Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up * Keep It Greasey * Outside Now * Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus * Village Of The Sun * Echidna's Arf (Of You) * City Of Tiny Lites * Doreen * Montana * You Didn't Try To Call Me * San Ber'dino * Zomby Woof * She Painted Up Her Face * Half A Dozen Provacative Squats * Shove It Right In * The Girl Wants To Fix Him Some Broth * Would You Like A Snack? * What Will This Evening Bring Me This Morning * Advance Romance incl. Band Introduction * A Pound For A Brown
  
  

The Banned From Utopia - 2023 07 16 - Zappanale #32
recorded from the RockRadio broadcast, and also an audience recording

• line-up
  Ray White (vocals, guitar) , Robert Martin (vocals, keyboards, saxophone) , Scott Thunes (bass), Chad Wackerman (drums), Jamie Kime (guitar), Robbie Seahag Mangano (guitar)
  
  
• setlist
  Doreen * Black Page #2 * Village Of The Sun * Echidna's Arf (Of You) * The Evil Prince * Marque-son's Chicken * Keep It Greasey (incl. City Of Tiny Lites) * Montana * I Ain't Got No Heart * My Guitar Want's To Kill Your Mama * Uncle Remus * Society Pages * Trouble Every Day * A Pound For A Brown (On The Bus) (incl. drum solo) * What's New In Baltimore? * Bamboozled By Love * Sofa No. 2 * Zomby Woof * Florentine Pogen * Andy

SNARKY PUPPY'S 'FREE FALL'

 The latest video from Snarky Puppy's "Empire Central" album.
'Free Fall' (Justin Stanton)

NEW RELEASE BY PHI YAAN-ZEK

Phi Yaan-Zek / Auric Fields just released "Field Trip EP".
4 beautiful compositions.

EUGENE CHADBOURNE & JIMMY CARL BLACK - THE JACK AND JIM SHOW - ZAPPA DAY

• Eugene Chadbourne & Jimmy Carl Black: The Jack And Jim Show - Zappa Day
      (2020, cdr, USA, house of chadula)

Recorded during Jack and Jim’s final tour in Japan in 2008, at the Pit Inn club in Tokyo, Japan, the recording featured Eugene Chadbourne on banjo, guitar, vocals and rake, and Jimmy Carl Black on drums and vocals. The disc came in Eugene Chadbourne’s typical folded collage artwork. 

Initially released in 2020, Eugene brought some copies to Zappanale recently.
The album covers had green and blue background (where the initial 2020 release had a white background).

• How Could I Be Such A Fool • Lonely Little Girl
• Love Of My Life
• Mom & Dad
• Mr. Green Genes
• Absolutely Free
• Uncle Bernie’s Farm
• Any Way The Wind Blows
• Cheap Thrills
• Concentration Moon
• Help, I’m A Rake
   = Help, I’m A Rock
• Smoke On The Water (Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord, Paice)
• Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
• Who The Heck Is Sonny Black (E.Chadbourne)
  - mentions FZ in the lyrics
• What’s The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?
• I Got More Pussy Than Zappa (E.Chadbourne, J.C.Black)
• Who Are The Brain Police?
• Willie The Pimp

A lovely set...

AN INVENTIONIS MATER UPDATE

For their brand-new “Dimention(i)s Mat(t)er” album, Pierpaolo Romani (clarinet) and Andrea Pennati (guitar) were joined by Ferdinando Romano and Napoleon Murphy Brock.
The album will present 9 tracks :

1. Cosmik Debris
2. Son Of Orange County
3. More Trouble Every Day
4. We Are Not Alone
5. Holiday In Berlin
6. T’Mershi Duween
7. Evelyn, A Modified Dog
8. What’s New In Baltimore?
9. Black Napkins
10. Filthy Habits

The album cover will look like this.

And CD is ready to be shipped.
The vinyl will follow in September !!
(I just finished listening to the digital copy and it sounds FABULOUS !!

THE FRANK ZAPPA CRUISE

If you're subscribed to the Zappa mailing list, you probably received a survey about a possible Zappa cruise ship tour.

I'm guessing it's already being worked on as some of the questions were rather specific.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZappaCruise

Over at the SteveHoffman forum someone added:
Supposedly, Eddie Trunk has been approached to MC and broadcast from the Zappa cruise, and if it comes to fruition, he'll be bringing in some special rock guests to play. He said some big names from 80s metal groups have agreed to sign on, but he can't reveal who they are until it's all finalized.

On Facebook, Scott Parker added that it would probably leave from Florida.

JIMMY CARL BLACK & THE EXTRA COMBO

Jimmy Carl Black released several albums on CDR on his private Inkanish label.
Without the mention of a serial number or the year of release.
To make things even more adventurous, some of these albums got re-released with different artwork.

I had a copy with the 'mercedes lady' artwork. (by Helmut King).
Last week, at Zappanale, I came across the same album, but with 'cigarette box man' artwork. Also by Helmut King.

'Mercedes lady'

'Cigarette box man'

Both albums present the same material and include lots of great songs, including 'I'm Willin' (L.George), 'Mercedes Benz' (J.Joplin), and two FZ songs: 'Big Leg Emma' and 'Road Ladies'.

THE MONIKA ROSCHER BIGBAND WILL BE AT THE HEIMATSOUND FESTIVAL

Monika Roscher BigBand
28. Juli Oberammergau - Heimatsound Festival 

https://www.passionstheater.de/heimatsound-festival/infos

Here's the video from 'Direct Connection', a song from their latest album, "Witchy Activities And The Maple Death"

Audio taken from the album "Witchy Activities And The Maple Death" (Zenna Records)
Video recorded on May 5th 2023 at Ampere, Munich

AN L.A. TIMES ARTICLE ON VITO PAULEKAS, THE FATHER OF THE FREAKS

From February 2022
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-02-22/the-ultimate-influencer-born-100-years-too-soon

Here's Vito with one of his sculptures on the album cover of Chico Hamilton's "Chico Hamilton Quintet in Hi-Fi".

FRED HÄNDL - THE ALL NEW FRANKLY DON'T-WOP DUO COLLECTED

This brand-new digital ditty got released as an appetizer or flavouring for The All New Frankly Don't-Wop Duo's concert at Zappanale.
And although the concert sounded a bit chaotic, this beautiful rendition of FZ's 'Let's Make The Water Turn Black' does show the enormous potential of the duo.
This sounds great. Really great.
I love the extra layer that the bass adds to the lovely piano lines.

Fred and Kevin told me that they are scheduling to do more recordings together.
Excellent news that is, my young padawan.

Recommended listening !!

TWO MORE SNARKY PUPPY VIDEOS FROM "EMPIRE CENTRAL"

We’ve released two new videos from Snarky Puppy's album Empire Central: “Portal” written by Marcelo Woloski and “East Bay” written by Chris Bullock.

-

GOV'T MULE TOURDATES

With the Dark Side of The Mule Tour kicking off NEXT WEEK, we’re excited to share that our friend, multi-instrumentalist and singer, Jackie Greene will be joining the DSOTM band alongside Warren Haynes (guitar & vocals), Matt Abts (drums), Danny Louis (keys), Kevin Scott (bass), Ron Holloway (sax), Machan Taylor (background vocals) and Sophia Ramos (background vocals).

• 2023/07/22 ATLANTIC CITY, NJ @ HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA
• 2023/07/23 PATCHOGUE, NY @ GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC FESTIVAL
• 2023/07/25 PITTSBURGH, PA @ STAGE AE
• 2023/07/26 COLUMBUS, OH @ KEMBA LIVE
• 2023/07/28 SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY @ SPAC
• 2023/08/2 CLARKSTON, MI @ PINE KNOB MUSIC THEATRE
• 2023/08/3 NOBLESVILLE, IN @ RUOFF MUSIC CENTER
• 2023/08/4 TINLEY PARK, IL @ CREDIT UNION 1 AMPHITHEATRE
• 2023/08/5 COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA @ HARRAH'S STIR CONCERT COVE
• 2023/08/7 MORRISON, CO @ RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE
• 2023/08/9 DALLAS, TX @ DOS EQUIS PAVILION
• 2023/08/11 CHARLOTTE, NC @ PNC MUSIC PAVILION
• 2023/08/12 ATLANTA, GA @ CADENCE BANK AMPHITHEATRE
• 2023/08/15 BRIDGEPORT, CT @ HARTFORD HEALTHCARE AMPHITHEATER
• 2023/08/17 GILFORD, NH @ BANK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE PAVILION
• 2023/08/18 BOSTON, MA @ LEADER BANK PAVILION
• 2023/08/19 HOLMDEL, NJ @ PNC BANK ARTS CENTER
• 2023/08/20 VIENNA, VA @ WOLF TRAP TICKETS

COEUR MAGIQUE

Coeur Magique was an experimental prog band from France. They made one album: "Wakan Tanka" (1971).

The recording made it to Bandcamp.
It featured Claude Olmos, who also played guitar for Magma !

BILLY HART

Enjoying some more Billy Hart.
If you're unfamiliar with the music of Billy Hart, these two albums are a great place to start.
Both albums feature the same line-up : Billy Hart on drums, plus John Stubblefield on sax, David Fiuczynski on guitar, David Kikoski on piano, Mark Feldman on violin, and Santi Debriano on bass.

• billy hart: amethyst
      (1993, cd, usa, arabesque jazz)

• billy hart: oceans of time
      (1997, cd, usa, arabesque jazz)

J. M. SMIG - A RUSSIAN VULVECTOMY

New work by J. M. Smig
"A Russian Vulvectomy"

EIDON - USHIO

New from Eidon.
'Ushio'

 

ZAPPANALE SUNDAY - PART TWO

Unfortunately, we missed the opening of Eugene Chadourne's set.
I'm saying 'unfortunately' because the part that we did see was awesome.

When Doc Chad (on banjo) had to replace a broken string on his banjo, Schröder (on drums) started playing The Black Page !!
After Eugene changed to the electric guitar, they did versions of Sun Ra's 'The Satellites Are Spinning', as well as performing songs by Captain Beefheart, by Black Sabbath (War Pigs !), and by Chrissie Hynde.
I loved it.

The main stage kicked off with The Furious Bongos.
Compared to their Thursday concert, they included some harder-to-play songs and they sounded even better.
I thought that maybe I had seen the best concert of the day...

Next up was Ali N Askin's jazz band. I had seen them earlier four or five years ago and still have fond memories of it.
The band did not disappoint. Quite the contrary, actually. They were great. I loved the compositions, the improvisations and the overall sound of the band. A top concert.

(picture taken from Erik Palm's video. I'm sure he doesn't mind.)

After having seen The Furious Bongos, I though that Banned From Utopia would have a hard job. I assumed that they would be playing the same songs and we all know that they're all getting a bit older...
But I never could have imagined this being such an amazing concert.
We did miss the start of the concert (one's got to eat...) but what we saw was top notch.
Compared to all of the other band that we had seen performing the music of FZ, the BFU somehow combined a certain laid-back feeling with playing a very tight set.
Goosebumps !!

Robbie - Ray - Scott - Chad

The final concert was on the Mystery Stage.
The RADZ: SЮR band mixed original compositions with Frank Zappa tunes. All performed in the most original way.
I LOVED IT !!!

(picture by Marco)

What a fine edition of Zappanale.
So many highlights...
Thank you, Zappanale.

ZAPPANALE SUNDAY - PART ONE

The t-shirt contest continued,

but I didn't stand a chance when Inge showed me her socks...

And off we went to see Fred Händl's performance at the Exhibition Space.
It was marvellous.
Giving his own twist to several Zappa classics, and ending with 'Toets', on of his originals, this was a very fine concert indeed.

After which is was time for Ali N Askin (keyboard) and Tilo (percussion).
They did 15 short instant improvisations, based on sentences, phrases or definitions taken from philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.
We got a peak in the musical minds of Ali and Tilo. Fascinating, to say the least. 
And, yes, that's Ali wearing a Residents t-shirt.

Ali and Tilo did start a bit late due to technical difficulties, but it was worth the wait.

A ZAPPANALE SATURDAY TO REMEMBER - PART TWO

Gozortenplat are from Milwaukee. (where they host The Milwaukee Zappa Fest every year)
They opened Saturday on the festival ground with 12 people on stage.
Lots of vocalists plus amazing guitar and saxophone playing !
Loved it. What a surprise !!

Jon Liedtke on the guitar.

The Dukes Of The Prunes, from Slovenia, had the big disadvantage that they had to play just after Gozortenplat as they were going for similar songs, and also bringing rock versions of Zappa tunes.
They sounded very solid.

And then we got Billy Cobham. Just one word: unbelievable.
Or in two words: Unbelievable and amazing.
And what a band.

Fun fact, when Billy Cobham walked to the merchandise tent, through the public, he was applauded all the way from the backstage to the merchandise tent.
It reminded me of Moses and the Red Sea. Not that I was there, I'm not that old, but it must have been something similar.

And then there was Orange Claw Hammer to top things off.
Beefheartian energy was passed on from the band to the public.

Final act on the main stage was Jon Anderson and the Paul Green Academy.
I would have stayed if it had been scheduled earlier, but with Sunday morning concerts that I want to catch, we left after half an hour.
But they did catch a crowd. I cant remember seeing this many people for a concert at Zappanale. Or maybe that's just my memory...

A Saturday to remember.

A ZAPPANALE SATURDAY TO REMEMBER - PART ONE

Saturday opened with two concerts at the Exhibition location.
First up were Eugene Chadbourne and Schröder.
They played a beautiful set, with lots of melancholic and bluesy songs.
The first half had Eugene on electric guitar, while the second part had him performing on the banjo.
I was quite impressed with Schröder's drumming. Eugene just went from one song into the next the entire time and I don't think they had discussed the set list.
Highlight was 'Concentration Moon', dedicated to Jimmy Carl Black.

The second concert was actually a play. A re-worked version of "When Zappa Met Bach" that they had done last year at the Mystery Stage.
Tante Tofu, Christianne and Stoni, told the story of how Zappa met Bach in heaven and how they discussed music, performing some nice arrangements of pieces by both composers.
A crazy story with beautiful music.

What an excellent start of the day...

SATURDAY, OH SATURDAY

 Ready for another day of musical madness at the Zappanale festival.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT ZAPPANALE

Let me share some highlights from Friday afternoon. From the gigs that I saw, that is, because I did not see them all.
And I do hope you can catch some of the action on Rockradio.de, or maybe even find a stream on YouTube.

Jazzprojekt Hundehagen opened with a Zappa set. A bit of a surprise as they normally do a  jazz-rock / fusion set. Fun.

Fred & Kevin's Franky Don't-Wop  set sounded a bit chaotic, but there was a very fine moment when they were joined on stage by Mary, Christianne and Steve for 'Lemme Take You To The Beach'.

And Napoleon's show sounded pretty awesome.
Way better than what we had heard at St. Katharinen in Hamburg (where the drums were too loud and the bass could not be heard...)

Jack Dupon sounded very energetic and at times even hypnotic. It was the first time that I heard them. Further investigation required.

MOSAE ZAPPA 2023

 Another edition of the Mosae Zappa festival got announced yesterday.

A joint project by the Mosae Team and the Arf Society !!
More info soon.

FRIDAY KICK OFF IN BAD DOBERAN

Another day, another t-shirt contest...
Freak Kitchen, or Mosae Zappa.

Speaking of Mosae, the next edition has just been announced.

Novermber 24, 25 & 26.
More info soon.

Back in Bad Doberan, the Friday morning started with Orange Claw Hammer at the expo room.
Wonderful. 
They'll be at the Mystery Stage at the festival tomorrow. That should be fun !
Orange Claw Hammer has two CDs out. Recommended !!

The second band to appear at the Expo was Kuhn Fu, a German band.
Very entertaining.

(My picture doesn't really show the double bass player and the drummer.)
A beautiful sound. Kuhn Fu released "Jazz Is Expensive", their latest album, on LP last year.

Don't forget to tune in to Rockradio.de to enjoy the live stream !!

A CASUAL THURSDAY IN BAD DOBERAN

 We arrived in Bad Doberan in the early afternoon.
The perfect time to check out the expo.

The new location is great. Three floors of amazement.
Entering, one walks into Helmut King's Universe : Cigarette Box People. (more on this later).
The first floor presents paintings by Peter Görs. (Yes, next to being a musician, and having started Zappanale some thirty years ago, Peter also paints) !
And the second floor is where the Expo concerts will take place, surrounded by posters, images, prints, and other wall art.

Angel's t-shirt collage was also highlighted, as you can see on the below picture.
Too bad about these two passers-by who stood in front of it, but you get an impression.

But we were also there for the music (and for meeting some of those freaks that we call friends).

The biggest surprise of the day was the BundespolizeiOrchester Berlin.
I had expected some sort of marching band, but this was an actual orchestra that jumped from Gloria Estefan to John Barry and then back to Carlos Santana...
They even played a couple of Zappa tunes (for smaller ensemble).

Little Umbrella's, Wind Quintet, Harry, You're a Beast

Next up was local band Blanck Zappath (Zappa with a touch of Black Sabbath), and the Paul Green Rock Academy (performing the music of The Stones, ending the set with some Pink Floyd and a Zappa tune).

And the final band was The Furious Bongos, all the way from the U.S.
This might well be the top act of Zappanale #32.
Great musicianship, lots of humour, and the oh-so important vocals !!
It sure looked like the band had fun, and so did we.
Loved it. (Well, my mind loved it. The body might not agree after over two hours of standing up.)

They'll return to the main stage on Sunday.
Looking forward to that.

NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK & ENSEMBLE MUSIKFABRIK

It's out !!
Or it will be out very soon, but there already were a couple of copies for sale during the St. Katharinen concert.

OFF TO BAD DOBERAN

Our first trip to Bad Doberan took place in 2002, when the statue got inaugurated.
I've been going ever since, and I'm still as exited as the first time.

Here we go, sort of selfie.

HAMBURG

Hamburg is a nice place.
One of the reasons might be that a visit of Hamburg always coincides with a concert, but we also try to walk through the Karolinerviertel which also adds quite some bonus points.

Record store to visit: Zardoz records:

There are quite a few record stores in Hamburg but Zardoz stands out (for me) as they have both new and older stuff.

I also visited a little shop where they sold lots of punk singles and LPs, as well as alternative magazines and a bunch of Do It Yourself publications / zines. There even was a section that served as some sort of library. The weirdest thing, however, was that everything smelled like pot, and that the guy was playing reggae music...
I was quite impressed which probably was the reason why I forgot my umbrella in the shop in question.

Main event of Wednesday was Napoleon Murphy Brock's concert at St. Katharinen.
Accompanied by a jazz trio, Napoleon brought a mix of songs that were made famous by Frank Sinatra, and a nice set of Frank Zappa tunes.
It was in a church. With church acoustics.
If I was nitpicking, I would say that drummers should only uses brushes when playing in a church, but it was a fine concert.
The low double bass notes will do better on the Zappanale main stage, as will the drums. And Napoleon will not have to hold back when singing. 
This was fine, but a main stage concert should sound way better so I'm looking forward to that.

This was concert number 12 at St. Katharinen. At least, that's what I heard in the opening speech.
How time flies.

Looking back, those who immediately come to mind, are the Ensemble Ambrosius, last year's Mats & Napoleon, and the concerts with Inventionis Mater (the Italian duo).
Always a nice start to Zappanale.