OUTSIDE NOW

'Outside Now' featuring the University of Hawaii Hilo Jazz Orchestra with Ike Willis and Dweezil Zappa.

R.I.P. IKE WILLIS

I'll be listening to "Joe's Garage" tomorrow...

 

TONY TROMBO'S "TALKING ZAPPA"

I mentioned a little while ago that Podcaster Tony Trombo published a book with a selection of his podcast interviews with several musicians who worked with Frank Zappa.
"Talking Zappa".

The book is now also out in a hard-cover version.
I got my copy from Amazon.

MARCUS REZAK / IKE WILLIS ZAPPA EXPERIENCE - BROAD BROOK OPERA HOUSE

• marcus rezak / ike willis zappa experience: broad brook opera house
      (2022, download, --, bandcamp)

Recorded in concert two years ago, and released on Bandcamp a couple of months after that.
I only came across this recording last week.

The Marcus Rezak / Ike Willis Zappa Experience.

The instrumental parts sound great. Too bad that Ike's voice wasn't up for it.

IKE WILLIS AT THE MILWAUKEE ZAPPA FEST

Ike Willis, sitting in with Gozortenplat to play some Zappa music.
Part of the Milwaukee Zappafest XXIV.

Vocal-wise, Ike doesn't really sound in shape. Too bad.

THE ZAPPA EXPERIENCE

 Ike Willis and Marcus Rezak will be touring as the Zappa Experience.

MILWAUKEE ZAPPAFEST ON DECEMBER 11 + LIVE STREAM

Greetings fellow Zappa fans! 

Milwaukee Zappafest, America's longest running Frank Zappa tribute concert is back for it's 23rd installment on Dec 11th! And once again we are bringing back the one and only IKE WILLIS! This concert will also be livestreamed, so you can tune in from wherever you are whether it's San Ber'dino or all the way down in France! Proceeds from our online donations will go directly to Ike's medical expenses as he continues to battle his way back from cancer. More info in the event link below, and we hope you join us or tune in this year 'cuz it's always a fun celebration of Frank Zappa and his music, and your support will directly help Ike and keep this living legend alive! Great googly moogly!

https://fb.me/e/187R7yaX9

IKE WILLIS UPDATE

Dot served FaceBook/Fan questions to Ike Willis.

On YouTube:

IKE WILLIS FUNDRAISER

 
Ike Willis is well known for his smooth voice and rhythm guitar playing with Frank Zappa. He has kept Frank's music alive for decades after Frank's tragic passing to Prostate cancer. Sadly Ike has fallen ill to the same aggressive cancer and desperately needs our help. He has obviously not toured in over a year due to Covid and has no funding to buy the medication needed to fight this cancer. Please contribute what you can; every little bit helps.

https://gofund.me/f380b720

ZAPPATIKA & IKE WILLIS TOURDATES

OSSI DURI AND IKE WILLIS

Ossi Duri will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Joe's Garage by releasing a digital single, featuring Ike Willis.
September 17 and digital platforms, it says...

THE MOFÜGLYS - A MURDER OF CROWS

• the mofüglys: a murder of crows
      (2019, cd, usa, private release)

Steve Welsh and Chris Witner are the guys behind The Mofüglys. As far as I know, "A Murder Of Ravens" is their first album.
Among the guest musicians that participated on this impressive release one finds Ike Willis, Bryan Beller, Rick Musallam (who performed with Mike Keneally) and Eric Svalgard (who was part of Project/Object).
Yes, I used the word "impressive", because that's exactly what this album is. I picked up my copy at the merch table at the Zappanale festival last week and if my memory serves me right, I think I even recall seeing a couple of people walking around in a Mofüglys t-shirt.
The band's name didn't ring any bells, although once back home, my notes told me that I had mentioned them on this very blog in 2013 already. I guess it took some time to finish the album.
Anyway, at the merch table at Zappanale, it was the list of guests (mentioned on the back cover of the album) that convinced me to buy it. An excellent decision, even if I say so myself.

"A Murder Of Crows" is a beautiful, Frank Zappa-inspired progressive rock concept album.
Fine compositions, a strong message, and impressive contributions by the guest artists, wrapped in great artwork.

Essential listening!

IKE WILLIS & ZAPPATIKA'S THREE DAY INTERNATIONAL TOUR

Zappatika with special guest Ike Willis will be performing on :

• Friday - May 3, 2019 - in Leiden, The Netherlands, at 'Het Muziekhuis';
• Saturday - May 4, 2019 - in Essen, Germany, at 'Freakshow'
• Sunday - May 5, 2019 - in Lens, Belgium, at the 'Titans Club'

IKE WILLIS & ZAPPATIKA - HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE

• ike willis & zappatika: highway maintenance
      (2019, cd, nl, private release / zappatika)

A couple of months ago, Zappatika released a Youtube video compilation (lots of chatter and a bit of music) of the recent tour that they did with Ike Willis.
Actually, the Youtube video was a teaser for the brand-new "Highway Maintenance" album. A release that has been made available as a digital download and on CD !
Digipack. Looks great.
11 tracks. All recorded in concert.
All Zappa classics.
Ike's voice isn't what it used to be and that's a pity, but it sure is great to hear him play the guitar with this excellent band.

Ike Willis, Mark McInnes, Osman Meyredi, Joep Oosterbaan, Emile De Jonge, Sander Van Elferen.

1. intro bolero / lucille has messed my mind up
2. catholic girls
3. son of orange county / more trouble every day
4. magic fingers
5. montana / zoot allures / whippin' post
6. dirty love
7. city of tiny lites
8. outside now
9. broken hearts are for assholes
10. ike's birthday bolero
11. muffin man / goodnight

IKE WILLIS & ZAPPATIKA - THE HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE MOVIE

Ike Willis & Zappatika - The Highway maintenance movie (2018 Tour)

90 minutes of music and Ike Willis talking to the band.

ELIO E LE STORIE TESE - DEI MEGLI DEI NOSTRI MEGLI

• elio e le storie tese: dei megli dei nostri megli
      (2014, 3cd+dvd, italy, hukapan)

Italian band Elio E Le Storie Tese is what one might call a pastiche or parody rock band.

Elio E Le Storie Tese has performed and recorded various Frank Zappa compositions and band leader and vocalist Stefano Belisari has performed the music of FZ with Ossi Duri as well.

The above pictured "Dei Megli Dei Nostri Megli" box set got released in 2014 and presents three CDs and one DVD. Disc three includes the band performing Zappa's 'Sofa n°2' and Ike Willis singing 'I Am The Walrus'.
My favourite part however, is found on the DVD and shows video material from the recording session of 'Pippero' with Les Mystères Des Voix Bulgares !!

Here's the 1992 video clip for 'Pippero' !

ZAPPA WEEKEND IN PARIS

There will be lots of things happening in Paris during the Zappa Weekend on September 28, 29 and 30.

Here's the complete list of events :
https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/en/programming/thematic-weekends/zappa-weekend

Don't forget that you need a reservation for the symposia (Friday and Saturday) and for the Stupor Mundi screening !
It's free entrance, but you need to reserve.

Ike Willis and Bunk Gardner will participate, as will Ali N.Askin.

Check out the full (Zappologies Symposium) details here:
https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/sites/default/files/documents/npa_28_et_29-09-2018_vend_et_sam_9h30_zappologies_colloque_19764_p2_bd.pdf

JOHN TABACCO & NIGEY LENNON - THE MISEDUCATION OF WILLIE THE HILL

• john tabacco & nigey lennon: the miseducation of willie the hill
      (2014, download, --, bandcamp)

"This miniature rock musical was inspired by Frank Zappa’s original work,"Billy The Mountain". It follows Billy's (Willie) exploits after 1972.
The premise of this musical was concocted by Eric Weaver and Nigey Lennon.

The actual music was written to be performed by the Ed Palermo Big Band. That never happened, although Ed told us personally he thought the whole enchilada was great."

An excellent tribute to Frank Zappa's 'Billy The Mountain' by John Tabacco and the late Nigey Lennon.
Featuring Candy Zappa, Ed Palermo (and a part of his Big Band) and Ike Willis.
Check it out.

IKE WILLIS & ZAPPATIKA - 2018 FALL TOUR - CONFIRMED DATES

IKE WILLIS and ZAPPATiKA performing music by Frank Zappa
2018 FALL TOUR TOUR (UK and The Netherlands)

• Fri. 9th Nov.- LONDON (Camden) - The Black Heart
• Sat.10th Nov. - (TBC)
• Sun.11th Nov. - PLYMOUTH - The Junction
• Mon.12th Nov. - PORTH (Wales) - The Rhondda Hotel
• Tue.13th Nov. - SOUTHAMPTON - The 1865
• Wed.14th Nov.- GRIMSBY - The Yardbirds Rock
• Thu. 15th Nov. - EDINBURGH - Bannermans Bar
• Fri. 16th Nov. - LIVERPOOL - The Zanzibar Club
• Sat. 17th Nov. - OXFORD (Witney) - Fat Lil's
• Sun. 18th Nov. - BREDA (Netherlands) - Sound Dog **Early show**8pm

REGGIES CHICAGO

Anyone from Chicago ?
As I stumbled upon the website of Reggies Chicago, I couldn't help but notice some interesting shows in the near future.

Terry Bozzio - September 18

Ike Willis with Ugly Rebellion - October 18

Progtoberfest with Soft Machine and with the Chicago Zappa Collective - October 21

https://www.reggieslive.com/