NEW ALBUM BY ALAN JENKINS AND THE KETTERING VAMIRES

Alan Jenkins:

Here is my new (double) album.

"Painting the Horse's Nose in the Wrong Place" by Alan Jenkins and the Kettering Vampires. It has 28 new songs recorded between Summer 2023 and Summer 2024.

SKORDATURA, JOZEF DUMOULIN & MÂÄK

Skordatura teamed up with Jozef Dumoulin and with Mâäk to record "Beefkat".

On this new album ‘BEEFKAT’, Skordatura, Jozef Dumoulin and Mâäk find each other in a rough embrace of energy and raw expression, averse to compromise and with an unbridled passion that encompasses everything beautiful and ugly.

Amazing.

ZAPPA TRIBUTE AT REGGIE'S IN CHICAGO ON DECEMBER 14

Frank Zappa tribute band Gozortenplat, with special guest Ray White, will be performing the music of Frank Zappa at Reggies.

And they will be sharing the bill with Next Planet (feat. Scott Fischer of The Furious Bongos!

at Reggies,
2105 S State St, Chicago, IL

UZ JSME DOMA USA TOUR

UZ JSME DOMA USA TOUR

• October 1 - AS220 - 115 Empire St - Providence, RI
• October 2 - Bug Jar - 219 Monroe Ave - Rochester, NY
• October 3 - Beachland Tavern - 15711 Waterloo Rd - Cleveland, OH
• October 4 - Radio Radio - 1119 East Prospect Ave - Indianapolis, IN
• October 5 - Cole's - 2338 No. Milwaukee - Chicago, IL
• October 6 - Off Broadway - 3509 Lemp - St Louis, MO
• October 7 - Record Bar - 1520 Grand Boulevard - Kansas City, MO
• October 8 - Moe's Original BBQ & Bowl - 3295 South Broadway - Englewood, CO
• October 9 - DLC @ Quarters - 5 East 400 South - Salt Lake City, UT
• October 10 - Neurolux - 111 North 11th Street - Boise, ID
• October 11 - Substation - 645 NW 45th St - Seattle, WA
• October 12 - The Infinity Room - 210 Liberty St, SE, ste 150 - Salem OR
• October 13 - Mississippi Studios - 3939 No. Mississippi Ave - Portland, OR
• October 14 - Humbrews - 856 10th St - Arcata, CA
• October 16 - Starlet Room - 2708 'J' St - Sacramento, CA
• October 17 - Bottom Of The Hill - 1233 17th St - San Francisco, CA
• October 19 - The Lodge - 104 North Avenue 56 - Highland Park, CA
• October 21 - Club Congress - 311 East Congress - Tucson, TZ
• October 23 - The Lost Well - 2421 Webberville Rd - Austin, TX
• October 24 - 1810 Ojeman - 1810 Ojeman Rd - Houston, TX
• October 25 - Rubber Gloves - 411 East Sycamore - Denton, TX
• October 26 - Pocket Theatre - 170 Ravine St - Hot Springs, AR
• October 27 - Hi Tone - 282-284 North Cleveland St - Memphis, TN
• October 28 - 529 - 529 Flat Shoals Ave SE - Atlanta, GA
• October 29 - The Pilot Light - 106 East Jackson Ave - Knoxville, TN
• October 30 - Cat's Craddle - 300 East Main, ste A - Carrboro, NC
• October 31 - Ottobar - 2549 North Howard St - Baltimore, MD
• November 1 - Milkboy - 1100 Chestnut St - Philadelphia, PA
• November 2 - Zone One at Elsewhere - 599 Johnson Ave - Brooklyn, NY

NEW SUN RA ALBUM SOLD OUT SHORTLY AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT

The brand-new Sun Ra album, "Kingdom Of Discipline" was made available on CD and on LP last week.
75 copies each, like Sun Ra used to do when he was cutting his own albums on the Saturn label.

No real surprise, but both the LP and the CD sold out in a couple of days.
Even before I caught up in my e-mails.

https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/kingdom-of-discipline

The album will be made available on digital music platforms, but I also assume that we'll get a more 'general' LP and/or CD release later on as well.

NEW MUSIC BY ARTHUR BARROW

Arthur Barrow has made a new piece available on Bandcamp.
'A Lovely Time'.

Check it out:

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA

The latest news is that one of the venues is thinking about canceling the show because of poor ticket sales.
So don't hesitate !
Here's the latest message from Fido :

Dear FiDO supporter

We're happy to hit the road again with Robert Martin (US, ex-Zappa singer, keyboarder and saxomophonist) very soon!

Tickets are still available for all dates, so get yours now and see you at the show.

Best regards
Les Fideaux

https://www.fidoplayszappa.com/tickets/

• 10.10.24 DE-Dortmund – Piano
• 11.10.24 DE-Rüsselsheim – Das Rind
• 12.10.24 DE-Stuttgart – Bürgerhaus Botnang
• 13.10.24 DE-Obertraubling – Eventhall Airport
• 14.10.24 DE- Berlin - Maschinenhaus
• 15.10.24 DE- Bremen – Meisenfrei
• 16.10.24 DE- Lübeck - Rider’s Cafe
• 17.10.24 DE- Bonn – Harmonie
• 18.10.24 DE-Würzburg - Immerhin
• 19.10.24 DE-Burgkirchen – Bürgerzentrum

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD - CHUNKY SHRAPNEL

• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Chunky Shrapnel
      (2020, cd, --, flightless / ato / heavenly)
      (2020, 2lp, --, flightless)
      (2020, download / streaming, --, --)

After having released 3 live albums in January 2020, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard continued releasing the "Chunky Shrapnel" concert compilation movie in April of the same year.

The music from the movie was released on CD, 2 LP and through digital music platforms.
As far as I know, the movie itself has only run in the theaters. It hasn't been made available on DVD or blu-ray (yet).

Here's the trailer for the movie:

The album on Bandcamp:

PIERRE VERVLOESEM - CUE MUSIC FOR UNSOLICITED MOVIE

• pierre vervloesem: cue music for unsolicited movie
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

A new album by Pierre Vervloesem always is a bit of an adventure. You don't know what to expect, although the album title sometimes gives a clue.

"Cue Music For Unsolicited Movie" confirms this premise.

14 pieces.
Most probably composed and performed on a sequencer.
Beautiful.
The music evokes different images and places.
As such, it will project a movie in one's mind.
Unsolicited, but with full approval

Recommended listening !

OCTOBER REVOLUTION IN JAZZ 60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

One week from today!
October 1 - 5, 2024

October Revolution in Jazz 60th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating the life and legacy of visionary musician-composer, artist, and educator Bill Dixon (1925–2010).

A night of rare jazz-continuum film and recordings, conversation with music luminaries, and music performance spanning generations of improvisers.

At 2220 Arts + Archives in Los Angeles
2220 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90057

It will feature Stanley J. Zappa !!

Please check out october-revolution.org for details!!

DOC HELLER - DIL HICKS SUITE

 The one and only Doc Heller (also known as Darko The Super) opened his 2015 "Dil Hicks Suite" album with a piece entitled 'Bouti Sheikin’ (Still The Greatest)' in which he mixed a bunch of samples and pieces from various tracks from Frank Zappa's "Sheik Yerbouti".

'Oceans' is a loop of 'Black Napkins' samples !!
'Peanut Butter Galaxy Automobile' samples 'Dog Breath, In The Year Of The Plague'
'Dumb' toys around with 'Zomby Woof'
and 'An Imaginary Place' samples 'Flower Punk'.

Doc Heller sure knows his classics.

Yep, I like this sort of thing.

Download-only release.

I heard 'What Ever Happened To All The Fun In The World', 'City Of Tiny Lites', 'Flakes', 'Dancin’ Fool' & 'Jewish Princess' in the first track.
Did I miss anything?

TRANCE PLANTATIONS

Falk Schrauwen and Nathan Daems are Trance Plantations.

Nathan Dames is part of Black Flower and of Echoes Of Zoo.
Two bands that I hold in high regard.

For their first album, Falk and Nathan worked together with Danalogue and Betamax (both from The Comet Is Coming).

"Behind Your Face" is Trance Plantation's second album.

 

JUMBLE HOLE CLOUGH

"Cardigan Road" by Jumble Hole Clough

 

GOWY - L'APOCALIMSSS (WDYWA)

Here's 'L'Apocalimsss', from GOWY's "Rebirth".

 the album:

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS - BROTHERS OF THE ROAD

• the allman brothers band: brothers of the road
      (1981, lp, USA, arista)

Maintaining the momentum with "Brothers Of The Road", the Allman Brothers' 10th album.
Gregg Allman / Dickey Betts.

Too neat and too well-behaved for some, it's still a very enjoyable album.

Here's how the band looks back on this album:
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/allman-brothers-band-brothers-of-the-road/

DAVID CROSS BAND NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2024

DAVID CROSS PLAYS KING CRIMSON

North American Tour 2024

DAVID CROSS - electric violin
JOHN MITCHELL - guitar, lead and back vocals
SHEILA MALONEY - keyboards, back vocals
MICK PAUL - bass guitar, lead and back vocals
JACK SUMERFIELD - drums

• September 27 - Asheville, NC (The Grey Eagle)
  with Gong as the opening band / cancelled due to the hurricane Helene
  
  
• September 28 - Louisville, KY (The Hill House, private event)
• September 29 - Nashville, TN (The Vinyl Lounge)
• October 02 - Grand Rapids, MI (The Pyramide Scheme)
• October 04 - Minneapolis, MN (Granada Theater)
• October 06 - Chicago, IL (Reggies)
• October 08 - Milwaukee, WI (Shank Hall)
• October 10 - Indianapolis, IN (Irving Theater)
• October 11 - Cleveland, OH (Treelawn Social Club)
• October 12 - Cincinnati, OH (The Ludlow Garage)
• October 13 - Detroit, MI (The Token Lounge)
• October 15 - Elkton, MD (Elkton Music Hall)
• October 16 - Hamden, CT (Space Ballroom)
• October 17 - Sellersville, PA (Sellersville Theater)
• October 18 - Rutherford, NJ (ProgStock Festival @ Williams Center)
• October 20 - Pawling, NY (Daryl's House)
• October 23 - Syracuse, NY (Middle Ages Brewery)
• October 24 - Northampton, MA (The Iron Horse)
• October 26 - Quebec City, QC (Palais Montcalm)
• October 27 - Montreal, QC (Club Soda )
• October 29 - Ottawa, ON (Rainbow)
• October 30 - Toronto, ON (TD Hall)
• November 01 - Hudson Falls, NY (The Strand Theatre)
• November 03 - Lowell, MA (Taffeta Music Hall)

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - REACH FOR THE SKY

• the allman brothers band: reach for the sky
      (1980, lp, usa, arista)

Kicking off the day with "Reach For The Sky", an Allman Brothers album from a bit over 40 years ago.

Featuring the famous Greg Allman (keyboards, lead vocals) / Dickey Betts (lead guitar, lead vocals) combination.

The album is out on CD, but I'm more than happy with the digital vinyl rip that's residing on my external hard drive.

A NEW PIECE BY EIDON

 

ANOTHER RECENT POST BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Dweezil Zappa plays the FZ Les Paul

 

THREE NEW 'OFFICIAL BOOTLEGS' BY STICK MEN

Stick Men

• Tony Levin: Chapman Stick, Voice
• Markus Reuter: Touch Guitars® AU8, Live Looping
• Pat Mastelotto: Drums, Loops, Sample

20180326 Colos​-​Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany (Audience Recording)

20161014 Alte Schmelze, Wiesbaden, Germany (Board Mix)

20230305 The Parish, Austin, TX (Audience Recording)

RECENT POSTS BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Dweezil plays 'Eruption'

Phil X joins Dweezil Zappa for an unrehearsed impromptu version of Apostrophe (') live at the Orpheum, August 3, 2024.

Dweezil Zappa: My craziest guitar solo moment ever

200 Motels Rehearsal

DWEEZIL ZAPPA SIGNATURE GUITAR

Previously shared by Shabat Guitars, now also by Dweezil.
It's fun to watch.

MAGMA - STUDIO ZÜND

• Magma: Studio Zünd
      (2008, 12cd box set, France, seventh records / le chant du monde)

This beautiful box was on my want-list for quite some time. I was pretty happy when I finally got hold of it a couple of months ago.

10 albums. 12 CDs.
Presenting the band's first 9 studio albums, plus two CD's with previously unreleased music.

An unlikely amount of excellent music.

THE GONG TOUR DATES

The GONG tour dates

• September 24 - Allentown, PA (Chappel at Muhlenberg College)
• September 25 - Charlottesville, VA (The Southern Music Hall)
• September 26 - Raleigh, NC (King's Raleigh)
• September 27 - Asheville, NC (The Grey Eagle)
• September 28 - Franklin, TN (Mockingbird Theater)
• September 30 - Grand Rapids, MI (The Pyramide Scheme)
• October 01 - Chicago, IL( Reggie's)
• October 02 - Milwaukee, WI (Shank Hall)
• October 03 - Detroit, MI (Token Lounge)
• October 04 - Cincinnati, OH (Ludlow Garage)
• October 05 - Indianapolis, IN (Irving Theater)
• October 06 - Cleveland, OH (Beachland Ballroom)
• October 09 - Rochester, NY (75 Stutson Street Auditorium)
• October 10 - Homer, NY (Homer Arts Center)
• October 13 - Lowell, MA (Taffeta Music Hall)
• October 14 - Hamden, CT (Space Ballroom)
• October 15 - Northampton, MA (The Iron Horse)
• October 17 - Hudson Falls, NY (The Strand Theater)
• October 18 - Woodstock, NY (Colony)
• October 19 - Baltimore, MD (Orion Studio)
• October 20 - Rutherford, NJ (Progstock @ Williams Center)

GONG UPDATE

GONG the legendary psychedelic space rock collective kicks off their North American Tour 2024 in Allentown, tomorrow evening, Tuesday September 24, at Egner Chapel on the campus of Muhlenberg University.

GONG with special guest TIM MOTZER
Tickets: www.gongband.com/shows/chapel-at-muhlenberg-college/

The ever metamorphosing entity that is GONG launches, as ever, into unknown – and unknowing – territory with a new album and tour, destined to be talked about, discussed, and argued over, up and down the land. From its beginnings in a French commune in 1967, through the Virgin Records years, mismanagement, court cases, break-ups and rejoinings, deaths and rebirths – there has always been a continuous thread of beautiful, dangerous and extraordinary music.
The current holders of the flame have come together over the last seven years; sinuous bass player Dave Sturt joined just as the album 2032 was shown to the world; Ian ‘Eastwinds’ East was the next to blow in through the portal; Fabio Golfetti brought his guitars from Brazil (after working with Daevid for many years); Kavus Torabi appeared to Daevid in a vision; Cheb Nettles just sort of turned up. GONG’s musically diverse world includes shades of psychedelia, space rock, jazz, avant-garde, krautrock and surreal soundscapes.

APRIL 25, 26 & 27 - NDR BIGBAND MEETS ENSEMBLE MODERN FESTIVAL IN HAMBURG, GERMANY

NDR Bigband meets Ensemble Modern Festival

The 3-day festival will kick off with an evening that will include music by Frank Zappa, Iannis Xenakis, Anton Webert, Edgard Varèse, and Karlheinz Stockhausen.

https://www.ndr.de/orchester_chor/bigband/NDR-Bigband-meets-Ensemble-Modern-Festival,ensemblemodernfestival100.html

BABE RUTH - BOB HARRIS SESSION (2nd JAN 1973)

• Babe Ruth: Bob Harris Session (2nd Jan 1973)
      (2010, download, --, --)

Babe Ruth released their version of FZ’s ‘King Kong’ on their “First Base” album.

They performed & recorded the piece again for their January 2, 1973 BBC Radio session with Bob Harris.
The recording was made available for digital download through several digital music platforms in 2010.

• King Kong Part 1
• King Kong Part 2

Another nice find...

 

FIDO PLAYS ZAPPA UPDATE

Dear FiDO supporter

As we get ready for the upcoming tour in October, we have just launched our new merch and have put some earlier, sold out music on Bandcamp.

So if you want to support us and have our cute little FiDO dog on you, get your shirt or hoodie in the new shop. Or head over to Bandcamp and download some music.

https://www.merch.me/shop/fidoplayszappa

https://fidoplayszappa.bandcamp.com/

We appreciate your continued support and hope to see you live in October!

There’s still tickets available for all shows...

Best regards
Pascal & The FiDOs

FiDOplaysZAPPA with Robert Martin 2024

• Do 10.10. Dortmund – Piano
• Fr 11.10. Rüsselsheim – Das Rind
• Sa 12.10. Stuttgart – Bürgerhaus Botnang
• So 13.10. Obertraubling – Eventhall Airport
• Mo 14.10. Berlin - Maschinenhaus
• Di 15.10. Bremen – Meisenfrei
• Mi 16.10. Lübeck - Rider’s Cafe
• Do 17.10. Bonn – Harmonie
• Fr 18.10. Würzburg - Immerhin
• Sa 19.10. Burgkirchen – Bürgerzentrum

https://www.fidoplayszappa.com/tickets/

CHATO SEGERER - LAWINEEE!!!

Chato Segerer just dropped a track from his upcoming jazz album.
A work in progress, but he's got me hooked.

 

WEED DEMON - WILLIE THE PIMP

• Weed Demon: Willie The Pimp
      (2024, download / streaming, --, bandcamp)

Columbus, Ohio-based stoner / metal band Weed Demon released their version of ‘Willie The Pimp’ through several digital music platforms earlier this year.

It sounds great !!

-- info: Hans-Peter Schmidt

RICK BEATO TALKS TO DWEEZIL ZAPPA

"What Dweezil Zappa Learned From Eddie Van Halen"

 

GOV'T MULE NEW YEARS RUN 2024

https://mule.net/govt-mule-new-years-run-announcement/

BO VAN DE GRAAF - PACKAGE DEAL

• bo van de graaf: package deal
      (2002, cd, the netherlands, bv haast)

Released on the Dutch BV Haast record label in 2002, "Package Deal" sampled Bo van de Graaf's musical output.

Saxophonist, improvisor and composer Bo van de Graaf's musical variety is impressive, to say the least: improvised music (influenced by ICP), multimedia projects, sideman in different jazz projects, composer for Kladderadatch, but also founder of I Compani (arranging the music of Nina Rota), and of The Big Swifty (a band that also performed the music of Frank Zappa !).

As a nice bonus, the first track on "Package Deal" presents a fine guitar solo by Corrie van Binsbergen.

Here's Bo van de Graaf's I Compani performing FZ's 'King Kong', earlier this year.

THE SUN RA ARKESTRA IS COMING BACK TO EUROPE

The Sun Ra Arkestra is coming back to Europe.
In Belgium, they will share the bill with Moor Mother !

• Sat Oct 26th. Warsaw, Poland Jazz Jamboree
• Sun Oct 27th. Amsterdam, The Netherlands Bimhuis
• Tue Oct 29th. Gent, Belgium Club Wintercircus
• Thu Oct 31st. Istambul, Turkey Babylon
• Sat Nov 2nd. Berlin, Germany Jazzfest Berlin
• Mon Nov 4th. Stockholm, Sweden Fasching
• Wed Nov 6th. Oslo, Norway Munch
• Fri Nov 8th. Goettingen, Germany Goettinger Jazz Festival
• Sat Nov 9th. Barcelona, Spain Paral-lel62
• Sun Nov 10th. Madrid, Spain Teatro Pavon

https://www.sunraarkestra.com/1-main.html

-- info: Philippe Lamoot

VIVIENNE AERTS - TYPUHTHÂNG

• vivienne aerts: typuhthâng
      (2023, booklet + cd, --, private release)

Vocalist and composer Vivienne Aerts released "Typhthâng" a bit over a year ago.
The album highlights, showcases and focusses on female musicians.

I wanted to check out "Typuhthâng" because both Corrie van Binsbergen and Hermine Deurloo participated.
I had hoped that Corrie would have added a typical guitar solo somewhere, but that turned out to be more electronic sound effects.
Hermine Deurloo's harmonica solo in 'You're My Morning' gave me goosebumps.  

"Typuhthâng" is ethereal and fairy-like. It floats between jazz and folk.
It's a beautiful tribute to the women in music.

IBRAHIM MALOUF FEAT. TROMBONE SHORTY

ACID MOTHERS REYNOLS - VOL.3

• Acid Mothers Reynols: Vol. 3
      (2024, lp, USA, vhf records)

The Acid Mothers Reynols project is a collaboration between Japanese psychedelic band Acid Mothers Temple and Argentine experimental ensemble Reynols.
They recently released their third album, aptly entitled "Vol. 3".

I was rather curious when I first heard about the project, but I have to see that the result surpasses all of my expectations.
Adding the percussive, polyrhythmic structures of Reynols to the freakiness of AMT results in an extraordinary adventure.
Beautiful layers of sounds, going in all directions. Wow.

Available on vinyl and as a digital download.

Astonishing.

Check it out !

THE RETURN OF BARFKO-SWILL

Vintage Barfko-Swill goods have been unearthed and made available by the ZFT.

https://store.zappa.com/pages/barfko-swill

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD

• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Live In Brussels ‘19
      (2020, 2cd, --, --) – 2020-01-15
      (2020, 3lp, --, --)
      (2020, download / streaming, --, --)

Live at Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium, October 8th and 9th 2019

Tracks 1-9 recorded on October 8th
Tracks 10-17 recorded on October 9th

100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO WIRES WILDLIFE RESCUE

"Live In Brussels '19" was the third King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard album that got released in one month time. January 2020.
All three of these albums supported a good cause.
All three of these albums were made available as digital downloads for fans and record companies to produced their own cassette, LP or CD versions.
As a result, numerous box sets, 2 LP, 3 LP and 2 CD sets got released all over the world.

Personally, but I might be biased, 'Brussels '19' is the best of the series.

1972 IN JAZZ & PROG ROCK ROCK

With Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson.

 

PETER EÖTVÖS - KOSMOS

• peter eötvös: kosmos
      (2014, cd, Germany, wergo)

Peter Eötvös' "Kosmos" album included 'Psalm 151', in memoriam Frank Zappa.
A beautiful 19-minute percussion piece.

Here's a rendition by Yuyoung Yin.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ASPECTS OF JAZZ FROM THE NETHERLANDS VOL.12

• various artists: aspects of jazz from the netherlands vol.12
      (1988, cd, the netherlands, bfo a-12)

Although it isn't mentioned as such, "Aspects Of Jazz From The Netherlands Vol. 12" probably was some sort of promotional release.
Even more confusing is the fact that the album cover mentions "Studies In Jazz 1" as the title.
Anyway, Volume 12 in a series, but I'm only familiar with this one.
The reason is simple: the first track on the CD is 'Bin's Lick" by Corrie van Binsbergen's band at the time: Corrie en de Brokken.

'Bin's Lick' sounds great (and it cannot be found on any other of Corrie's albums).
The rest of the album sounds fine as well.
From 1988 !

Here's Corrie van Binsbergen performing 'Zoot Suit' (a Frank Zappa tribute)
From 2022 !

DON PRESTON EMARKS ON FIRST EUROPEAN SOLO TOUR

From GlassOnyon PR

Mothers of Invention Keyboard & Synthesizer Legend Don Preston Embarks on First European Solo Tour September 2024
Pianist & Synthesizer legend Don Preston will be touring Europe starting in September (tour dates below). Don Preston leads a life filled with music, innovation, and experimentation in acoustic and electronic music. “Groundbreaking” is a phrase that is clearly overused. With Don it rings true. One of the first performers to drag a pile of oscillators and filters onstage, he brought his classical training to the Avant Garde. In the early 60s Frank Zappa would come to see Don’s “electronic music with films of bacterial life” shows in Los Angeles. Don was soon in Zappa’s radical new group The Mothers Of Invention, touring and playing on classics like “We're Only In It For The Money” and “Roxy & Elsewhere” from 1966 to 1973.

Don has played with everyone from Elvin Jones, Gil Evans, and Nat King Cole to The Residents, Jack Bruce and Robbie Krieger. His keyboard solos on Zappa albums, as well as countless soundtracks like Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now,” are considered ground-breaking moments in synthesizer music history.
Still very active in his 90’s, Don was there for the dawn of electronic musical performance, and today grafts new technologies into his experimental palette with software synths & iPhone apps, blending jazz, rock, comedy, magic and ambient synths into a captivating performance.

DON PRESTON SOLO EUROPEAN TOUR

9/24 Porgy & Bess Vienna
9/25 Prague Czech
9/26 Prague Czech
9/27 Broumod Under
9/29 NordHausen, Germany
9/30 Bb (Jazz Club) Berlin, Germany
10/2 Weert, Netherland
10/3 Russelsheim, Germany
10/5 Brussels, Belgium
10/6 Stuttgart, Germany


“The guy that really impressed me was Don Preston, I didn’t know what that stuff was when I heard it on Frank Zappa's records. I said, ‘Man!’” - GEORGE DUKE

“Preston not only brought his skewed piano sensibility into the creative jazz context, he lugged along a little of his zany synthesizer as well…touching on all these associations (Carla and Paul Bley, John Carter, Zappa and Cole Porter), showing what he can do twisting a standard around and delving a bit into his own compositional bag as well. Preston resides on the edge of tonality, toying with it.” – DOWNBEAT

“Revisiting choice moments of weirdness and glory, as well as dig into original works and unlikely standards, is not to be missed. The range of program is somewhat camouflaged by the seamless interplay of Preston and cohorts. They possess a cohesion born of fluidity that is reminiscent of Paul Bley’s 60’s trios, but they have their own crisp edge. It is a high common denominator for such a diverse program.” – JAZZTIMES

“Best known as the first synth wielding Mother of Invention - Frank Zappa’s keyboardist aide de camp, to others he is an avowed New Music experimentalist, whose work in theatre, and with assorted sonic daredevils is the stuff of underground acclaim.......in the jazz orbit Preston’s credits have included Gil Evans, Carla Bley, Buell Niedlinger, Michael Mantler, John Carter, and Bobby Bradford” – DOWNBEAT

“Preston demonstrated anew that he is one of the most consistently exciting keyboardists anywhere, he plays with an intensity and a rhythmic vitality that approached the demonic, at climactic moments smashing the keys with a forearm and elbow, as if the piano were just not instrument enough for him.” - LA JAZZ SCENE

 

FRANK ZAPPA'S "APOSTROPHE (')" - - - A CHAT WITH AHMET ZAPPA

Frank Zappa - Apostrophe 50th Anniversary Series (Episode 2: A Chat With Ahmet Zappa)

 

MARCUS MILLER - A NIGHT IN MONTE-CARLO

• Marcus Miller: A Night In Monte-Carlo
      (2010, cd, France, dreyfus jazz)

Marcus Miller, together with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.
It sure is something different.

Trumpet player Roy Hargrove and guitarist Raul Midon are guesting on a couple of tracks, adding some extra spices to the (quite) symphonic sound.

Recorded in 2008 and released on CD in 2010.
I received a digital download version a couple of days ago, and I'm really enjoying this !

KING GIZZARD & THE WIZARD LIZARD - LIVE IN ADELAIDE '19

• king gizzard & the lizard wizard: live in adelaide '19
      (2020, 2cd, --, --) – 2020-01-10
      (2020, 3lp, --, --)
      (2020, download / streaming, --, --)

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard released three live albums in 2020. "Live In Adelaide '19" was the second one.
All proceeds of these three live albums went to a good cause, in this particular case "Animals Australia".

Next to the download version of the album, fans and record companies were invited to release their proper version of the album, which, again, resulted in an incredible amount of different 3 LP and 2 CD sets.
Colored vinyl versions, cassette editions, ...
Food for the KG & TLW collectors.

The album itself kicks off rather heavy with a set of tunes from "Infest The Rats' Nest" but there's also lots of material from the older albums the setlist.

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART - THE SPOTLIGHT KID OUTTAKES

• captain beefheart: the spotlight kid outtakes
      (2020, cd, UK, sutra)

A couple of years ago, the Sutra label released "The Spotlight Kid Outtakes".
Somehow, it had escaped my attention...

from reviewer RT:
The album starts with Drink Paint Run Run, which is better than the Doc At The Radar Station version. It is followed by the excellent Seam Crooked Sam.
Next up is a great version of Dirty Blue Gene. Track 7 is Harry Irene, this time played as a cocktail version with a simple guitar backing.
There are two early versions of Semi Multi Coloured Caucasian (which later appeared on the Ice Cream For Crow album), that both have the marimba treatment. Very interesting to listen to.
Funeral Hill may have morphed into There Aint No Santa Claus.. from The Spotlight Kid.
Balladino is an early version of A Carrot Is As Close... from Doc At The Radar Station.
There are a few tracks (Clear Spot, Circumstances, Booglarize, Lo Yo Yo Stuff) which are longer instrumental variations of the finished articles.
Open Pins and Dual & Abdul are both instrumentals.
The album finishes with the brilliant vocal version of Little Scratch, which uses music that morphed to become The Past Sure Is Tense many years later.

Most, if not all tracks, were previously released on other albums / box set, but it's great to have them all in one place. And it's a great set of tunes !

BEAT - - - ELEPHANT TALK

JETHRO TULL

For some reason (probably plain good taste), some people that enjoy Frank Zappa's music are also in to Jethro Tull.

As with Zappa, several radio show albums have been made available the last couple of years.
If you're able to get hold of the below CD's (or recordings), you will not be disappointed.

• jethro tull: london fields
      (2023, 2cd, Europe, zip city records) = radio show album

London’s Hammersmith Odeon in 1984. Excellent recording. Great concert.

• jethro tull: caught in the crossfire
      (2022, cd, Europe, wicker man)

From a live FM broadcast recorded at Checkerdome, St.Louis, MO, 26th October 1980, plus two bonus tracks from L.A. Nov 12.
Excellent recording (although some cracks could point in the direction of a vinyl source?)

• jethro tull: hard times of old england
      (2021, cd, Europe, wicker man)

From an FM broadcast recorded at the Stadthalle, Freiburg, Germany, on 30th April 1982.
Excellent recording and, again, an excellent show.

SUN RA'S "JAZZ IN SILHOUETTE" GETS ANOTHER RE-ISSUE

Re-issue.
Due out later this month.
180 g LP on blue vinyl.

Look at that amazing artwork.
Perfect to put on a wall.

THE WHITEFIELD BROTHERS

German brothers Jan and Max Weissenfeldt released two albums as The Whitefield Brothers.
The first one "In The Raw", in 2001, and the second one, "Earthology", almost ten years later, in 2010.

I received both albums as a download. I had never heard of The Whitefield Brothers.
Glad I caught up.

Afrobeat / funky stuff.
Perfect to get one in a good mood.

• the whitefield brothers: in the raw
      (2009, cd, USA, now-again records) - re-issue of the 2001 album

• the whitefield brothers: earthology
      (2009, cd, USA, now-again records)

MWM TALKED TO TONY LEVIN

Make Weird Music talked to Tony Levin about his new album.

 

FRANK ZAPPA - APOSTROPHE (') 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

• Frank Zappa: Apostophe (') 50th Anniversary Edition
      (2024, 5cd+blu-ray, europe, zappa records zr20046)

A-ma-zing.

I'll remember yesterday and today as the days that I was totally submerged in the 50th anniversary edition(s) of "Apostrophe (')".

Sure, "Apostrophe" is a top album to start with, but the bonus material is superb as well.
The bonus material takes us to Colorado Springs, March 21, 1974 / Salt Lake City, March 19, 1974 / Dayton, Ohio, November 20, 1974 / Gothenburg, September 25, 1974, plus some outtakes and alternate versions.

One could argue if it wouldn't be better if these (bonus material) concert recordings would be released separately, but I guess they wanted to make the total package as impressive as possible. Not just have the original album remastered plus the stereo, quadrophonic and Dolby Atmos mixes,...

Anyway, I'm happy that the shows have been made available. Even if it is as part of this box set.

Essential stuff !!

Next to the box set, the original album has been remastered and rereleased as a single LP (on gold colored vinyl),
and there's also a 2 LP set where the 1st LP presents the original master, and the 2nd LP has the high-res remastered outtakes and alternate versions. And it even includes a bonus 7".

A nice way to celebrate a 50th anniversary.

WHY THE EYE

WHY THE EYE
’Inspirex’ new album out October 4th

Why the Eye is an experimental masked quartet from Brussels that propels bodies into trance during its live performances. All instruments are DIY and played in real time, without loops or sequencers. Fans of The Residents, Société Étrange, Autechre, Boards Of Canada, The Meridian Brothers and Fulu Miziki could easily relate to their sound.

Describing their music as "Prehistoric Techno", Why The Eye are set to release their new album ‘Inspirex’ on the 4th October via EXAG’ Records.

SOFT MACHINE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

SOFT MACHINE is starting today the North American tour 2024.

• September 13 - Vienna, VA (Jammin’ Java)
• September 14 - Baltimore, MD (Orion)
• September 15 - Sellersville, MD (Sellersville Theater)
• September 16 - New York, NY (The City Winery)
• September 18 - Northampton, MA (The Iron Horse)
• September 19 - Lowell, MA (Taffeta Music Hall)
• September 20 - North Haven, CT (Small Batch Cellars)
• September 21 - Rutherford, NJ (Spring Hall at the Wiliams Center)
• September 23 - Palmer, MA (Legends Studio - private event)
• September 24 - Piermont, NY (The Turning Point)
• September 26 - Albany, NY (Linda WAMC Art Center)
• September 27 - Syracuse, NY (Sharkey's)
• September 28 - Rochester, NY (Lovin' Cup)
• October 1 - Toronto, ON (The Garrison)
• October 2 - Ottawa, ON (Rainbow Room)
• October 4 - Quebec City, QC (Salle D’Youville)
• October 5 - Quebec City, QC (Salle D’Youville)

THE BEAT TOUR KICKED OFF

BEAT (Belew/Levin/Vai/Carey): "Indiscipline" (King Crimson) (9/12/2024; San Jose, CA; first show)

 

SNARKY PUPPY TOUR DATES

 

FORQ HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT

Initially a jazz / fusion / funk quartet that included Michael League.
"Big Party" is Forq's fifth album.

Wikipedia
Forq was co-founded by keyboardist Henry Hey and Snarky Puppy member, bassist Michael League. The original formation of the band included guitarist Adam Rogers, and drummer Jason "JT" Thomas.
Hey, a founding member of the band Rudder, had played a few Rudder shows, sharing the bill with Snarky Puppy before suggesting a collaboration with League, starting with a few live shows in New York City.
The group's debut self-titled album was released on Snarky Puppy's label, GroundUP Music, in 2014.
Rogers left the group and was replaced by Snarky Puppy guitarist Chris McQueen early in 2015 prior to a tour of Europe.
The group's sophomore album, Batch, was issued in June 2015.
The group played at Snarky Puppy's GroundUp Festival in February 2017 and released a third album, Threq, in mid-2017.
Since the release of Threq, bassist Michael League has been replaced by bassist Kevin Scott.

Here's the opening track from "Big Party".
Pretty impressive.
I love the way it builds up and then just explodes.

APOSTROPHE (') (50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION) HAS HIT THE SHOPS

Frank Zappa

Apostrophe (') (50th Anniversary Edition)

(180 gram gold marbled vinyl LP + booklet)

Frank Zappa's Apostrophe (') stands as one of his most acclaimed works, achieving both commercial success and critical acclaim. It was Zappa's first Gold Record and top ten hit in America while 'Don't Eat the Yellow Snow' reached the popular charts as well. This 50th Anniversary edition, released on a striking metallic gold vinyl, features a new remaster by Bernie Grundman, celebrating an album that has been a cornerstone for discovering Zappa's unique musical style. The album blends Zappa's trademark humor with intricate musicianship, featuring a mix of incomplete narratives and clever satire. 'Don't Eat the Yellow Snow' introduces listeners to Zappa's peculiar sense of humor with its distinctive guitar fills and drumming. 'Nanook Rubs It' continues the story with fast-paced guitar work and playful horn arrangements. 'St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast' showcases excellent horn and xylophone work in a brisk, energetic track. 'Father O'Blivion' is an eccentric blend of spacey effects and zany lyrics, while 'Cosmik Debris' stands out with its compelling guitar riff and biting social commentary. Tracks like 'Apostrophe' feature a powerful collaboration with Jack Bruce of Cream, marked by exceptional bass and guitar performances. 'Uncle Remus' impresses with its uplifting piano and engaging solos, and 'Stink-Foot' rounds out the album with bluesy riffs and humorous lyrics. Apostrophe (') remains a seminal album that captures Zappa's eclectic genius and continues to impress new listeners with its inventive spirit.

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD - LIVE IN PARIS '19

• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Live In Paris ‘19
      (2020, 2cd, --, --) – 2020-01-10
      (2020, 3lp, --, --)
      (2020, download / streaming, --, --)

Released on Bandcamp for download and streaming by KG&TLW, the recordings were offered for free to any label that wanted to produce  the album on CD or on LP.

Live at L'Olympia, Paris, France, October 14, 2019.
100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO WILDLIFE VICTORIA

And an amazing album it is.
A superb concert and a fine selection of songs.
And look at that artwork (by Jason Galea).

JOE DENINZON & STRATOSPHEERIUS - OUTRAGE OLYMPICS

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius
The brand-new single from the upcoming "Imposter" album.

 

MARTIN DENNY

Let's try to postpone the end of summer with some exotica.

J.M. SMIG - ZAPPACRITE

A bit over two months ago, J.M. Smig made the demo recording of one of his latest pieces, 'Zappacrite', available on Soundcloud.

In the meantime, the suite has grown to 3 movements and it is available on Bandcamp.

J.M. added:
Work in progress, rough mix. I've begun the fourth movement, but I have a lot going on in the real world at the moment so I'm publishing the completed portion in the meantime.

Check it out !!
Recommended listening.

GREEN CROW COLLECTIVE

Belgium has gained a mischievous ball orchestra, and GREEN CROW COLLECTIVE is the name.

'EuroDada' is what they call it. A shot of rousing Adrenaline, Punk, Balkan, Rock, and most importantly Belgian Surrealism.

 

AHMET ZAPPA & JOE TRAVERS

Ahmet Zappa & Joe Travers: Apostrophe

The fun part is when Ahmet has AF (artificial Frank) answer a question.

 

MOON ZAPPA BOOK TOUR

Moon Zappa is touring the world.

November 1, 2024, Moon will be at Crossing Border, a literature and music festival in The Hague, The Netherlands.

https://www.crossingborder.nl/

And one day earlier, on October 31, 2024, Moon will be at the Belgian edition of Crossing Border, in Antwerp, Belgium.

https://www.crossingborder.be/

FRANK ZAPPA ON BELGIAN RADIO 1973

 

CORRIE VAN BINSBERGEN UPDATE

Dutch guitar player and composer Corrie van Binsbergen composed the music for "Apollo", a (Dutch) theater show for kids, performed by the RAAF music theater and the Rotterdam Philharmonic.

A recording of the show is available as a download-only audiobook.

https://raafmuziektheater.nl/luisterboek-apollo/

Corrie put up some fragments on her Soundcloud page :

https://soundcloud.com/corrie-van-binsbergen/sets/apollo-rotterdams

BANNED FROM UTOPIA PLAYS ZAPPA ON HALLOWEEN AT THE BAKED POTATO

The Banned From Utopia will be doing 6 Halloween shows at The Baked Potato.

Wednesday Oct 30, Thursday Oct 31, and Friday Nov 1, 2024
Three times two shows. That's 6 shows in total.
at The Baked Potato
https://www.thebakedpotato.com/events-calendar/

https://www.zappanews.co.uk/diary

BANNED from UTOPIA plays ZAPPA

RAY WHITE …VOCALS/GUITAR
ROBERT MARTIN …VOCALS/KEYS/SAX
SCOTT THUNES …BASS
CHAD WACKERMAN …DRUMS
JAMIE KIME …GUITAR
MIKE MILLER …GUITAR

A COMPLETE DWEEZIL ZAPPA SHOW ON YOUTUBE

Dweezil Zappa - 8/31/24 - Red Bank, NJ - Complete show

A high quality (audience) audio recording of this show is up at Dime A Dozen.

Here are the spoilers:

01 stage entrance
02 Heavy Duty Judy
03 Don't Eat the Yellow Snow
04 Nanook Rubs It
05 St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast
06 Approximate - part 1
07 Approximate - part 2
08 Approximate - part 3
09 Inca Roads
10 Pygmy Twylyte - with snippets of "The Cantina Song", "Fly Like an Eagle", "Space Truckin'", "Imperial Theme"
11 The Idiot Bastard Son
12 Dickie's Such an Asshole
13 Echidna's Arf (Of You) - with Adam Minkoff
14 Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? - with snippets of "Thunder Road", "Stormy Weather"
15 Call Me
16 Born in the U.S.A.
17 Livin' on a Prayer
18 intro to Punky's Whips
19 Punky's Whips
20 Cosmik Debris - with Adam Minkoff
21 Happy Birthday to You - for Dweezil
22 Semi-Fraudulent/Direct-From-Hollywood Overture
23 A Pound for a Brown on the Bus - with snippets of "The Heart of Rock & Roll", "Ghostbusters", "Uptown Girl", "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me"
24 Cheepnis
25 "Early Days" Medley - Hungry Freaks, Daddy / You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here / Harry, You're a Beast / Oh No / Son of Orange County / The Orange County Lumber Truck / More Trouble Every Day - with snippets of "Two Tickets to Paradise", "Paradise City", "Stayin' Alive"

AHMET ZAPPA TALKS ABOUT THE ZAPPA FAMILY TRUST (AND MORE)

Ahmet Answers Hard-Hitting Questions

Skip the (less interesting) stuff and go straight to 26:00

TWO OLDER FLAT EARTH SOCIETY ALBUMS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO BANDCAMP

The Flat Earth Society Orchestra has made two of the older albums available through Bandcamp.

Flat Earth Society: "Minoes", from 2001

 

Flat Earth Society: "Answer Songs" from 2008

JEWELS & BINOCULARS

Jewels & Binoculars was a project by Michael Moore (alto sax, bass clarinet), Lindsey Horner (double bass), and Michael Vatcher (percussion), devoted to interpreting the music of Bob Dylan.

Melodic and lyrical.
All balanced by contributions from each member of the trio.

The trio has released three albums, the first two of which I have enjoyed this morning.

• Jewels & Binoculars: The Music Of Bob Dylan
      (2001, cd, NL, ramboy recordings)

• Jewels & Binoculars: Floater
      (2004, cd, NL, ramboy recordings)

OPHER GOODWIN - IN SEARCH OF CAPTAIN BEEFHEART

"In Search Of Captain Beefheart" is a book by Opher Goodwin, released in 2014.

The title might be a bit misleading as Opher Goodwin tells how he dedicated his live going to concerts and collecting records.
Opher had good taste in music, so it's fun to read how he went to see Pink Floyd or Jethro Tull or Captain Beefheart, but it's not really about Captain Beefheart.
Sure, Opher also researched the blues and did lectures and courses on rock music but I would not have called it "In Search Of Captain Beefheart".
Still, I enjoyed reading it.

CHANAN HANSPAL - - - ZAPPA TALK WITH INFRASTEFF

Chanan Hanspal continues his excellent YouTube series !!

 

LUST FOR LIFE MAGAZINE ISSUE 144 WILL HAVE FRANK ZAPPA ON THE COVER

Dutch magazine Lust For Life

NEW ALBUM BY ORCHESTRE TOUT PUISSANT MARCEL DUCHAMP

new album

by Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp

"Ventre Unique"

To be released on November 1, 2024.

 

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD - INFEST THE RATS' NEST

• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Infest The Rats’ Nest
      (2019, cd, Australia, flightless) – 2019-08-16
      (2019, lp, --, flightless)
      (2019, download / streaming, --, --)

Album number 15 for KG & TLW.
From 2019.
"Infest The Rats' Nest" got released worldwide on vinyl by Flightless.
A CD version was only made available in Australia. Also by Flightless.
As always, the LP exists in different vinyl colors. New colors and variations being added almost every year.

"Infest The Rats' Nest" is a heavy metal album.
It was a bit of a surprise when I first heard it, because I hadn't expected this from KG & TLW.
But it's a fine album.
Call it heavy prog, or stoner, or whatever, in the end, it's just a fine album.

With this album KG & TLW shows that it's perfectly fine to appreciate heavy metal, next to psychedelic rock. Not that I needed that confirmation, but it might open the minds of their public.
Also noteworthy is the fact that "Infest The Rats' Nest" got recorded by a slimmed down version of KG & TLW. It's a power trio (guitar, bass, drums) exercise.

HARDSCORE

Hardscore was Frank Nuyts' project, releasing several albums between 1997 and 2004.
The first album was recently made available on bandcamp as and 'expanded edition'.

 

SUUNS HAVE A NEW ALBUM OUT

Suuns - The Breaks

On their sixth long player The Breaks – their second for Joyful Noise Recordings – SUUNS find themselves lost in limbo. For some artists, being caught in flux may result in songs that are either naive, out of touch or both, simply as a consequence of being cut off from human civilization. But for SUUNS, a band who have grown more than comfortable in the oblique and the intermediate, it actually had the opposite effect. The Breaks marks the Montreal experimental rock outfit’s most emotionally resonant and tonally rich collection of music to date. 

The trio of Ben Shemie, Joseph Yarmush and Liam O’Neill leans more zealously than ever into their pop instincts. Yet remarkably enough, with that same dauntless abandon, SUUNS have mined a more extreme sonic palette this time around, one that stretches far beyond their core fundamentals as a band. “Before we had a kind of rule that we wouldn't have any instruments on the record that we weren't actually playing,” drummer/percussionist O'Neill says. “The recordings we made were always more of a document. There were no overdubs. And now…we don't care about that! Now we do whatever just sounds good.”

STEVE VAI GUITAR BOOK

Steve Vai:
I was approached by Rufus Publications back in 2019 with an interest to create a high end and compelling book of 100 of my most unique and used guitars. I knew there was only one guy that could do this job most effectively and that was Michael Mesker, who was eager to do it. There isn’t anyone who knows the history of my guitars, nor has the artistic overview of photography and forensic attention to detail as he does. Mike spent 5 years compiling this book and photographing the guitars with a quality technique that will blow your mind. He scoured the globe to find many of these guitars, as I had given many away or sold them through the years, but he tracked them down and got the necessary shots. The results are stunning and the book is a masterpiece. I didn’t realize how diverse, eclectic and innovative my guitar collection was until I saw this book. Besides the documenting of various models, this book is the penultimate definitive word on the history of the Jem and the guitars that were part of its evolution. It’s magnificent and I’m blown away.
Pre-order your copy here: https://www.rufuspublications.com/rufusbooks/vai/

Check those prices...
The 'ultra ediition' comes with a guitar...

ATTENTION DEFICIT

Instrumental "super" group (rock, metal and new age/jazz) with Michael Manring on bass, Tim Alexander (ex-Primus) on drums, and Alex Skolnick (from Testament) on guitar.