CLOUDS OVER CHRYSLER - FERTILIZER

• Clouds Over Chrysler: Fertilizer
      (1993, cd, Austria, gash records)

Austrian rock band Clouds Over Chrysler included a piece entitled ‘Funky Flowers In My House (And Frank Zappa Sitting In My Garden)’ on their “Fertilizer” album.

Released on CD in 1993.

PRIMUS

The 35th 2 LP anniversary edition of Primus' "Frizzle Fry" album is being released in various colour variations.

And (!!) it includes their cover of The Residents' 'Hello Skinny/Constantinople'.

FURIO DI CASTRI, GIOVANNI FALZONE, ACHILLE SUCCI, FABIO GIACHINO, MATTIA BARBIERI - SUNDAY AFTERNOON

• Furio Di Castri, Giovanni Falzone, Achille Succi, Fabio Giachino, Mattia Barbieri: Sunday Afternoon
      (2024, cd, Italy, parco della musica records)

Italian bass player, arranger and composer Furio Di Castri recorded Frank Zappa's 'Oh No' for his "Sunday Afternoon" album.
The recording featured Furio Di Castri (double bass), Giovanni Falzone (trumpet), Achille Succi (alto sax and clarinet), Fabio Giachino (keyboard and fx), Mattia Barbieri (drums).

'Oh No', in a beautiful, slow and jazzy version.

Out on CD.

Also noteworthy is the excellent version Furio recorded with Barbara Raimondi in 2008. It can be found on Barbara's "Accoppiamenti Giudiziosi" album.
And there's more. Also check out the "Zapping" project or the "Under Construction" album with Gianluca Petrella.

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NORWEGIAN ARMY BAND BERGEN - A BERGEN BANDSTAND

• Norwegian Army Band Bergen: A Bergen Bandstand
      (2009, cd, Norway, src)

The Norwegian Army Band Bergen, also known as the Forsvarets Musikkorps Vestlandet, released two Frank Zappa pieces on their "A Bergen Bandstand" CD: 'The Dog Breath Variations' and 'Uncle Meat', both arranged by Ray Farr (remember the Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag !).
Beautiful arrangements, excellent performances.

Here's another track, and from another album, but it'll give you an idea of what the NABB sounds like.

GARY HUSBAND / MOONJUNE RECORDS UPDATE

MoonJune Records just announced "Postcards from the Past" by Gary Husband.
To be released in August.

“Multi-instrumentalist-composer Gary Husband to Release Archival 2CD set Postcards from the Past on MoonJune Records.

Music from the archives of Gary Husband previously unreleased tracks from 1978 to 2021 featuring: Allan Holdsworth, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Elliot Mason, Graeme Blevins, Hansford Rowe, Jerry Goodman, Jim Beard, Julian Siegel, Matthew Garrison, Michael Janisch, Michael Mondesir, Paul Carmichael, Paul Williams, Randy Brecker, Ray Warleigh, Richard Turner, Sam Burgess, Steve Topping.

 

BAREND TROMP UPDATE

"Odd Time Concepts", the latest album by Barend Tromp is available on Bandcamp.
Check it out !

In 2025, Barend Tromp took a bold leap into rhythmic experimentation with his third album, Odd Time Concepts, released on 7D Media—the U.S.-based label founded by visionary King Crimson alumnus Trey Gunn. Across eleven tracks, the album explores a wide range of time signatures, from the familiar 3/4 to the more adventurous 13/16 and 21/8.

Featuring four drummers, including progressive rock icon Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Stick Men), the album also showcases a standout Warr guitar solo by Trey Gunn on the track “Madhuvanti.” Despite its complex structures, Odd Time Concepts remains remarkably accessible, maintaining a strong sense of groove and clarity throughout.

With each new project, Barend Tromp continues to push the boundaries of composition and technique, creating music that is both innovative and emotionally resonant. His fearless approach offers a fresh perspective on contemporary instrumental music, captivating both musicians and listeners alike.”

PSYCHEDLICA

Peter Sijnke (who wrote a book on Frank Zappa in the (Dutch) Rockklassiekers series a little while ago), joined forces with Marcel Koopman to write "Psychedelica", a book about bands that expand awareness.
I haven't read it (yet), but it should include a 16-page article on Captain Beefheart !

 

NEW BANDCAMP RELEASE BY MEN & VOLTS

"Wholesome Guitars Becalm Humans"

 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE BRIDGE GUITAR FESTIVAL - PART THREE

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Part three - evening session:
Dweezil Zappa & Metropole Orkest

performing the music of Dweezil & Frank Zappa

  Dweezil Zappa: guitar
  The Metropoloe Orkest, cond. Jukka Iisakkila

special guests:
  Zach Tabori: lead vocals

  Kurt Morgan: vocals

1. intro
2. The Adventures Of Dindoo
3. Filthy Habits
4. Echidna's Arf (Of You)
5. The Lost Zappa Song
6. Electric Hoedown
7. Shampoohorn
8. Truth
9. RDNZL
10. Punky's Whips
    
    encores
11. Funky 15
12. Uncle Remusa

It was an excellent show.
No goosebumps or emotional moments (although that might have been caused by the onion/curry soup I  had at noon...), but still an excellent show.
Dweezil used the SG for most pieces and it had a bit of a flat sound which was a pity (in my opinion), but some great solos. 

I've seen YouTube (and other) video recordings of most of the pieces.
Here's a small selection:

'Filthy Habits'

'Echidna's Arf (Of You)'

Re-listening, it shows how spoiled we Zappa fans are.
'Echidna's Arf' performed by a 60-piece orchestra...

'The Lost Zappa Song'

A bit of a strange story when your uncle shows you a melody or chord progression from something he heard over 50 years ago. But it turned into something nice.

'Electric Hoedown'

B-side of a 1986 7".

'Punky's Whips'

With Zach Tabori. WOW !!

The show got recorded, so we'll probably get a broadcast, at least of parts of it.
 

DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT THE BRIDGE GUITAR FESTIVAL - PART TWO

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Part two - morning session:

Frank Scheffer's documentary (from 2002) on Frank Zappa: "Phase II"

Introduction by Frank Scheffer.

We had already seen this excellent documentary, but the Nat Lab in Eindhoven was the perfect location.
Great seats, a huge screen and superb sound,.. plus an introduction by the man himself.

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