Frank Zappa – Roxy and elsewhere - 1974

Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, Bach...and I suppose Pink too.

Frank Zappa – Roxy and elsewhere - 1974

Postby Roland Bru » Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:26 pm

This is a live album, recorded at the Roxy and elsewhere, a bit of a giveaway. Together with the 1988 touring band, the 1973-74 ensemble was probable the technically most gifted bunch of musicians Frank ever worked with. Frank was well into his jazz rock phase at the time (check his studio albums of the time, Apostrophe, Overnite sensation and One size fits all). Basically this music is summarized as follows:
- as many musical ideas in a single song as possible
- as many time changes in any given song as possible
- lyrics that may or may not offend, but are at the very least funny
- interaction between musicians live on stage (stage banter between songs, but actually within songs as well (Dummy up is basically a comedy sketch, set to music))
- complex melodies, played perfectly, somewhat catchy but never to be confused with ordinary pop music of the day, whether glam rock, heavy metal, soul or bubble gum pop.

In this respect Frank succeeded extremely well with this record. Just imagine any band playing this kind of music live on stage. It can hardly be done and deserves the greatest respect. It is very listenable in my mind: no technical virtuosity for virtuosity’s sake (she could care less for being molested this way in front of a popular audience), but virtuosity for music’s sake and for fun. A case in point is Don’t you ever wash that thing. Great stuff, in similar vein as the song Zomby woof a few years later.
Roland Bru
 
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