Great Rock Albums of 1983: Missing Persons- Spring Session M

 

Whenever someone says new wave in the 1980s, the first artist to enter my brain is Missing Persons. For me, they were everything I thought new wave was back then. They weren't hard or heavy like metal but they didn't sound like a trendy top forty band or even synth pop. They were completely different in a good way. Furthermore, Missing Persons was a band who could actually play well. Then again, any band that features the likes of Terry Bozzio, Warren Cuccurullo and Patrick O'Hearn has to be good. If those names sound familiar it is because these three played with Frank Zappa throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s and as we know, Zappa always had the best musicians playing for him. So it was quite clear that Missing Persons weren't going to be a Tinseltown Rebellion band that Frank recorded a good parody about.

Before I launch into the fullness of Missing Persons' 1983 album, "Spring Session M," I would start with the singles from the album. The first one I heard on the radio upon my return from serving in the Far East was "Words." My first impression of it was that the lead singer was trying to sound like a fourteen year old girl. At first, I thought it was amusing but listening behind the vocals, I heard the music and it sounded okay. The guitar wasn't heavy on a bang your head along to it scale but enough to catch my interest. The synthesizers were used very intelligently without taking over. My conclusion was that it was a good song after all. However, the third single, "Walking in LA" has a guitar hook that definitely works and Dale Bozzio's voice sounds much better on it. The other single, "Destination Unknown" is a more way out there song with some good keyboard hooks. Those were enough to get me to listen to the rest of the album and I wasn't disappointed.

[caption id="attachment_3139" align="aligncenter" width="188"] Dale Bozzio[/caption]

The rest of the album is as solid as the three singles. The songs are just hard enough to catch the ear of this metalhead and think, "This is okay" and the keyboards and synthesizers are done just as intelligently. Dale Bozio does not sound like a fourteen year old on the other songs, in fact her vocals are quite decent. Her best effort is on the track, "Tears." However, the rest of the band plays consistently well throughout the entire album. The two opening tracks seem to stand out the most although "Bad Streets" is probably the closest they come to a rocker. It is the heaviest song on the album and done very well and Cuccurullo does hammer out a pretty cool guitar solo.

Track Listing:

1. Noticeable One
2. Windows
3. It Ain't None of Your Business
4. Destination Unknown
5. Walking in LA
6. U.S. Drag
7. Tears
8. Here and Now
9. Words
10. Bad Streets
11. Rock and Roll Expression
12. No Way Out

[caption id="attachment_3140" align="aligncenter" width="246"] Missing Persons[/caption]

Dale Bozzio- vocals

Terry Bozzio- drums, backing vocals, percussion, synthesizer

Warren Cuccurullo- guitar, backing vocals

Chuck Wild- keyboards, synthesizers

Patrick O'Hearn- bass, keyboards, synthesizers

If new wave had continued in this direction, I would have been more into it. Missing Persons were talented musicians all as shown in the album "Spring Session M." Unfortunately, things went down hill fast after this and my musical tastes went in a harder direction.

Next post: AC/DC- Flick of the Switch

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Rock Albums of 1983: Weird Al Yankovick

 

Madness had finally broken through to America and Frank Zappa put out a fantastic album but if there was any more proof needed to forward the belief that 1983 was a good year for humour in music, it would be the debut album of Weird Al Yankovic. In fact, since this year, many people would forever compare Weird Al with Frank on account of their love of humour. So much so, that twenty years after this album, Weird Al would have a track on an album that if you didn't know any better, you would think it was Zappa himself. As for me though, it would only be the humour and the fact that both are true musical geniuses being the only things they have in common. They have totally different styles.

Hearing the tracks "Ricky" and "Stop Dragging My Car Around" on the radio in the spring of this year would convert me to Weird Al forever and I don't care if people think I'm sad for it, (some do.) Those songs had me rolling on the floor in laughter and when I heard it, so did the self titled debut album. Nobody, now or then, does parody better than he does. What's even more impressive is how he is able to adjust to the musical style of the song he's parodying even if he sometimes does it with an accordion. That's another amazing thing about him, no one else has been able to employ an accordion in rock songs the way he does.

On the debut album, the parodies come thick and fast. Not only do many of them take the piss out of classic songs, they are also parody other things. Take the two already mentioned. "Ricky" is obviously a parody of one hit wonder Toni Basil's "Mickey" but it also parodies the old "I Love Lucy" show. Same with "Stop Dragging My Car Around." Yes, it's a humourous version of the classic Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks duet "Stop Dragging My Heart Around," but it also rips on the the culture of towing cars away. Other great ones are "Another One Rides the Bus," which is a parody of a Queen classic and if you have ever ridden on a crowded bus, then you would appreciate the sentiments on this song. Others great parodies are "My Bologna" which pokes fun at The Knack's "My Sharona and "I Love Rocky Road," a dig at the famous Joan Jett and the Blackhearts song. However, not all of Weird Al's songs parody other songs. Some are just simple digs about other things. "Buckingham Blues" makes fun of the Royal Family. "I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead" is a dig at the hippy culture. Then there's "Gotta Boogie," let me just say this song has nothing to do with dancing. In any case, unless you have no sense of humour at all, and there are people out there who do, you can't stop laughing out loud at the songs from this album. Weird Al proves to the world just how weird he is.

Track Listing:

1. Ricky
2. Gotta Boogie
3. I Love Rocky Road
4. Buckingham Blues
5. Happy Birthday
6. Stop Dragging My Car Around
7. My Bolgna
8. The Check's in the Mail
9. Another One Rides the Bus
10. I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead
11. Such a Groovy Guy
12. Mr Frump in the Iron Lung

[caption id="attachment_3006" align="aligncenter" width="374"] Weird Al Yankovic[/caption]

Weird Al Yankovic- accordion, vocals

Rick Derringer- guitar

Steve Jay- bass

John 'Bermuda' Schwartz- drums, percussion

Rich Bennett- ukulele, banjo, guitar

William K Anderson- saxophone, harmonica

Joel Miller- bongos

Mike Kieffer- percussion

Dorothy Ramsen- harp

Tress MacNeille- voice of Lucy Ricardo on "Ricky"

Dawn Smythey, Zaidee  Cole, Joan Manners- backing vocals

Weird Al Yankovic, along with Frank Zappa of course, proved to the world in 1983 that humour and music could go together. The debut album from Weird Al continues to have me in stitches each time listen to it.

Next post: DNA- Party Tested

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Rock Albums of 1983: Frank Zappa- The Man From Utopia

 

If there was any more evidence to further my belief that 1983 was the year for humour in music, then it would have to be the album "The Man From Utopia" by Frank Zappa. For over a decade and a half before the release of this album, Frank had been successfully carrying out a two pronged assault of making some fantastic music while at the same time, making us laugh our asses off with his humourous lyrics. In the late 1970s, listening to Zappa was practically a requirement at my high school. 1983 would be the year that one of his songs would actually get airplay on commercial radio. Before that, his only access to radio play was via the Dr Demento Show. Yes, I know that "Valley Girl" broke into the top forty charts in 1982 but that song will always be associated with his daughter Moon.

[caption id="attachment_778" align="aligncenter" width="235"] Doctor Demento[/caption]

That all changed when one day, while listening to the one decent rock station in Jacksonville, North Carolina, I heard the track "Cocaine Decisions." Okay, the song never broke the top forty singles chart, but who really cares about that? I just thought it was great to hear Frank on the radio. True, "Cocaine Decisions" is an anti drug song. However, it is not aimed at the common man. Instead it pokes fun at all the high class executives who used to snort. There was a saying back in the 80s that went, "Cocaine was God's way of telling you that you make too much money." Frank's song parodies that.

The rest of the album consists of everything that Frank Zappa has been doing to entertain us for all those years. There are a load of great parody songs on the album. At first, I thought "The Radio is Broken" was going to be about a broken radio. Instead, Frank is being a kind of prophet here. It would only be less than two years later when, in my view, commercial radio started to suck. This song is about that.

Then there's "The Dangerous Kitchen." This one takes the piss out of the rising health and safety culture and look where it is now these days. The track "The Jazz Discharge Party Hats" rips on musicians trying to get laid after every gig. However, my favourite track on "The Man From Utopia" is "The Man From Utopia Meets Mary Lou." While the song is done with the usual Zappa sense of humour, there is a serious side to it. It's about a down trodden housewife who gets away but then gets revenge by fleecing men. It is on this track that Ray White's underrated vocals come out. Oh yes, "Sex" is a pretty funny track too.

If I were to nit pick anything about the album, it would be the absence of Frank Zappa's guitar playing ability. He doesn't go into any great solos and it could be said that there is a lack of guitar great Steve Vai's skills. Honestly, I'm not really bothered. There are three instrumentals, "Tink Walks Amok," "We're Not Alone" and "Moggio," on the album and they all boast the great musicianship from the people Frank gets to play on his albums. I think that "The Man From Utopia" might be his best album since "Joe's Garage Act 1."

Track Listing (CD)

1. Cocaine Decisions
2. Sex
3. Tink Walks Amok
4. The Radio is Broken
5. We're Not Alone
6. The Dangerous Kitchen
7. The Man From Utopia Meets Mary Lou
8. Stick Together
9. The Jazz Discharge Party Hats
10. Luigi and the Wise Guys
11. Moggio

[caption id="attachment_777" align="aligncenter" width="198"] Frank Zappa[/caption]

Frank Zappa- vocals, guitar, drum machine

Steve Vai- guitars

Ray White- guitar, vocals

Roy Estrada- vocals

Bob Harris- boy soprano

Ike Willis- vocals

Bobby Martin- keyboards, saxophone, vocals

Tommy Mars- keyboards

Arthur Barrow- bass, rhythm guitar, keyboards

Ed Mann- percussion

Scott Thunes- bass

Chris Wackerman- drums

Vinnie Colaiuta- drums

Craig Twister Stewart- harmonica

Dick Fegy- mandolin

Marty Krystall- saxophone

Frank Zappa was still going strong in 1983 as "The Man From Utopia" shows. After all, if 1983 was a year for humour in music to step forward, it wouldn't have been able to do so without Frank.

I have also made a rather disappointing discovery. As a teen forty years ago, I thought that by now, 2021, wars would no longer exist but there would be ROLLERBALL!

[caption id="attachment_3001" align="aligncenter" width="274"] Rollerball[/caption]

Next post: Weird Al Yankovick

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Rock Albums of 1982: Frank Zappa- Ship Arriving Too Late To Save a Drowning Witch

It was true that Men At Work brought a fresh sense of humour to music in 1982, however, Frank Zappa had been bringing humour to music for nearly a decade and a half before that. In 1982, Frank gave us the album "Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch." What's more, this album gave him his only top forty single with the help of his daughter Moon Unit. "Valley Girl" made it to number 32 in the pop singles charts and to number 12 in the mainstream rock charts. It also had many girls and quite a few guys using the lingo from the song. Terms like "barf me out," "gag me with a spoon" and "groady to the max" were all used quite liberally in 1982 and for the next few years after.

[caption id="attachment_2622" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Moon Zappa[/caption]

"Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch" only has six songs on it but they are all memorable ones, usually the case with Zappa. Except for the track "Envelopes," which is an instrumental, the songs all have that trademark warped sense of humour that he possessed. They also have, the instrumental track included, the precise musicianship that a Zappa album always had. In the case of this particular album, a then little known guitar named Steve Vai makes an appearance, playing what is credited on the album as 'credited guitar parts.' What some people sometimes forget and I will keep shouting from the rooftops, is that Frank was a damn good guitarist himself. He really smokes the fingerboard on the title track of the album and does a similar job on "I Come From Nowhere." In fact, after refamiliarising myself with this album, I am lead to draw the conclusion that with the possible exception of "Joe's Garage Act 1," "Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch" has the perfect balance of humour and musicianship for a Zappa album.

[caption id="attachment_2623" align="aligncenter" width="205"] Steve Vai[/caption]

Track Listing:

1. No Not Now

2. Valley Girl

3. I Came From Nowhere

4. Drowning Witch

5. Envelopes

6. Teenage Prostitute

[caption id="attachment_915" align="aligncenter" width="174"] Frank Zappa[/caption]

Frank Zappa- vocals, lead guitar

Steve Vai- guitar (impossible guitar parts)

Ray White- rhythm guitar, vocals

Tommy Mars- keyboards

Bobby Martin- keyboards, saxophone

Ed Mann- percussion

Scott Thunes- bass (tracks 2,4,5,6)

Arthur Barrow- bass (tracks 1 and 3)

Patrick O'Hearn- bass on the guitar solo on track 3

Chris Wackerman- drums

Ike Willis- vocals

Roy Estrada- vocals

Bob Harris- vocals

Lisa Popeil- vocals on "Teenage Prostitute"

Moon Unit Zappa- vocals on "Valley Girl"

If you want humour and good musicianship, then a Frank Zappa album is the best way to get it. It just so happens that this album hits the right combination of both.

Next post: Utopia- Swing To the Right

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Rock Albums of 1981: Frank Zappa- You Are What You Is

It was little secret that Frank Zappa was capable of putting out several albums in a year. Earlier in 1981, he had put out "Tinseltown Rebellion" and then a series of albums called "Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar." Then later in the year he put out this album "You Are What You Is," which is probably his best known album for this year. Like with many of Zappa's albums, the songs are all bound together but not in the way like "Joe's Garage" as there is no visible story line in the songs.

As expected with any great Zappa album, there is that perfect blend of humour and fantastic musicianship. The album begins with "Teenage Wind" which is a parody about teenage hang ups and right on the heels of that is "Harder Than Your Husband." This song, with it's country music sound is definitely a good hoot. The first song that real portrays the quality musicianship of Frank and his band is "Doreen." While stalwart Ray White proves his underrated vocal ability Zappa backs him up with some great guitar work. I've always thought that his guitar talents have gone unnoticed. But it's not just Frank smoking the fingerboard on this album. Accompanying him is some guitar player known as Steve Vai. You might have heard of him.

The title track was also the first video he ever made and like sometimes with his music, it landed him in some trouble. I guess the portrayal of then president Ronald Regan as the president from hell might have had something to do with it. I just wonder why some people are so devoid of a sense of humour. Following the track "Mudd Club" are two tracks that I really like. "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing" and "Dumb All Over" are both mega swipes at religion and both songs are done with that tongue in cheek Zappa sense of humour. The remainder of the album continues with funny songs until the closer "Drafted Again" which is remake of a song from the early days "I Don't Want to Get Drafted."

Track Listing:

1. Teenage Wind

2. Harder Than Your Husband

3. Doreen

4. Goblin Girl

5. Theme From the 3rd Movement of Sinister Footwear

6. Society Pages

7. I'm a Beautiful Guy

8. Beauty Knows No Pair

9. Charlie's Enormous Mouth

10. Any Downers

11. Conehead

12. You Are What You Is

13. Mudd Club

14. The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing

15. Dumb All Over

16. Heavenly Bank Account

17. Suicide Chump

18. Jumbo Go Away

19. If Only She Woulda

20. Drafted Again

[caption id="attachment_915" align="aligncenter" width="128"] Frank Zappa[/caption]

Frank Zappa- vocals, guitar, composer

Arthur Barrow- bass

Jimmy Carl Black- vocals

Bobby Harris- trumpet

David Longeman- drums

Ed Mann- -percussion

Tommy Mars- keyboards, vocals

David Ocker- clarinet

Mark Pinske- vocals

Motorhead Sherwood- tenor sax, vocals

Craig Twister Stewart- harmonica

Steve Vai- guitars

Ray White- rhythm guitar, vocals

Ike Willis- rhythm guitar, vocals

Ahmet Zappa- vocals

Dweezil Zappa- vocals

Moon Zappa- vocals

With so many albums under his belt, it was very hard to keep track of everything Frank Zappa produced. Fortunately, for me, "You Are What You Is" wasn't one of them. This is a very good Zappa album in the tradition of Frank Zappa. Definitely his best in 1981.

Next post: Rolling Stones- Tattoo You

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Rock Albums of 1981: Frank Zappa- Tinseltown Rebellion

At this point in time, while we were being treated to all sorts of rock music and the emergence of heavy metal, Frank Zappa was quietly churning out several albums a year. In 1981, he put out three albums and I intend to visit at least one of the other ones as well. However, for me in this year, "Tinseltown Rebellion was the standout album.

Like with the vast majority of his albums, Frank always brings that unique blend of humorous lyrics along with master craftsmen like musicianship. There is plenty of it in this album and the best example is the title track. The song takes the proverbial out of the music scene at the time, (though I still think it's the case today.) How record companies look more for image rather than substance of music. While the message has a hint of seriousness to it, Frank does it in his usual f*ck you style, which has the listener laughing their asses off throughout the entire song. Many other songs have the same effect, "Love Of My Life" springs to mind as it rips on 50s style teenage love songs. He also reworks some of his older songs like "Brown Shoes Don't Make It" from his time with the Mothers of Invention. As usual, he gets some of the best well known and little known musicians to play with him and he always seems to bring out the best in them. On "Tinseltown Rebellion, guitar legend Steve Vai plays along with some of his regulars like Ray White, Peter Wolf and Ike Willis. So there's little wonder why the music quality on the album is so high.

Track Listing:

1. Fine Girl

2. Easy Meat

3. For the Young Sophisticate

4. Love of My Life

5. I Ain't Got No Heart

6. Panty Rap

7. Tell Me You Love Me

8. Now You See It Now You Don't

9. Dance Contest

10. The Blue Light

11. Tinseltown Rebellion

12. Pick Me I'm Clean

13. Bamboozled By Love

14. Brown Shoes Don't Make It

15. Peaches III

[caption id="attachment_1191" align="aligncenter" width="128"] Frank Zappa[/caption]

Frank Zappa- lead guitar, vocals

Arthur Barrow- bass, vocals

Vinny Coliauto- drums

Warren Cuccurullo- rhythm guitar, vocals

Bob Harris- trumpet, keyboards, high vocals

Ed Mann- percussion

Tommy Mars- keyboards, vocals

Steve Vai- rhythm guitar, vocals

Denny Whalley- slide guitar, vocals

Ike Willis- rhythm guitar, vocals

Ray White- rhythm guitar, vocals

Peter Wolf- keyboards

I have always been a Zappa fan, in fact, I drove some of my marine buddies a little crazy over my passion for his music, although I converted quite a few as well. Frank Zappa has many great albums to his credit; "Tinseltown Rebellion just happens to be among them.

Next post: Rossington/Collins- Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere

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Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Rock Albums of 1981: Joe's Garage, Act 1

One of the big advantages of having your own recording studio is that you can make albums without worrying about what producers or corporate executives might think.  Frank Zappa was forced to start his own label because many of the big record companies were too afraid of his risque lyrics and themes. This was an advantage for Frank because he was unrestrained by any of the corporate restrictions and therefore was able to get on and make records the way he wanted and at this stage, he was making records as fast as one every three months. It was out of this that the album "Joe's Garage Act 1" was born.

"Joe's Garage Act 1" has all the rude themes and humorous lyrics that is traditional with most Zappa records and there are some classic reminders on this one. "Catholic Girls" and "Crew Slut" are typical cases of him poking fun at society and not holding back. I still find myself quoting lines from the former like "Hey, she gave me V.D." and "She was on her knees." However, I can't leave out my favorite from this album, "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee." Again, this is Zappa at his funniest and is what made him great. This song is so amusing that I had to write down the lyrics for a friend because she kept wanting to sing them. Yes, "Joe's Garage Act 1" has all the humor that is renowned with a Zappa record and is probably the best at doing so.

Another great thing about the album is the musicianship. I said it before, Frank Zappa is a great guitarist but not only that, he always brought out the best in the musicians who played with him. Each song again is an example of this and the guitar solo in "Crew Slut" is among the best. So with "Joe's Garage Act 1" you have both things coming together and the end result is one hell of a fantastic album.

Track Listing:

1. Central Scrutinizer

2. Joe's Garage

3. Catholic Girls

4. Crew Slut

5. Wet T-Shirt Night

6. Toad O Line

7. Why Does It Hurt When I Pee

8. Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up

Fran Zappa

Frank Zappa- guitar, vocals

Warren Cuccurullo- rhythm guitar, vocals, organ

Denny Walley- vocals, slide guitar, guitar

Craig Twister Steward- harmonica

Jeff- tenor sax

Marginal Chagrin- baritone sax

Patrick O'Hearn- wind, bass

Peter Wolf- keyboards

Stumuk- bass and baritone sax

Tommy Mars- keyboards

Vinnie Coliauta- drums, percussion

Arthur Barrow- bass, vocals

Ed Mann- vocals, percussion

Dale Bozio- vocals

Terry Bozio- guest vocals

November has been Testicular and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and I bring this up because it was prostate cancer that took Frank from us in 1993. I played all his albums, well the ones I have, when I heard the news that day. Frank Zappa will always be remembered for being a musical genius and this album is a true testament to that.

Next post: Blue Oyster Cult- Mirrors

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Rock Albums of 1979: Frank Zappa- Sheik Yorbouti

It may have been down to the success of "Zappa in New York," but whatever the case, in 1979, Frank Zappa put out another live album in the form of "Sheik Yerbouti." This turned out to be Zappa's most commercially successful album and I am not surprised at this. As was the case with his previous live album, Zappa has always been brilliant live, just ask anyone who has seen him and while a live album can't actually truly capture the same feeling as actually being there, this one comes pretty close.
"Sheik Yerbouti" was the first album made after Zappa parted with Warner Bros records and set up his own label, Zappa Records. Not being under the constraints of a corporate record company definitely paid dividends for him with this album. He was free to record what he wanted, even if some prudes out there thought he was being too risque. As a result, many of the songs not only push the boundaries, they shatter them. I still remember the shock/horror I had when I first heard the track, "Bobby Brown," which is about a man who becomes homosexual. However, after the intial shock, I laughed my rear end off through it. It was the same with "Dancin Fool," a song that takes the piss out of the 70s disco scene and "Jewish Princess" landed him in some hot water, but if you don't take it seriously, the song is a great laugh. "Sheik Yerbouti" has some of my favourite Zappa tunes on it.

Track Listing:

1. I Have Been in You

2. Flakes

3. Broken Hearts are for Assholes

4. I'm So Cute

5. Jones Crusher

6. Whatever Happened to All the Fun in the World

7. Rat Tomago

8. Wait a Minute

9. Bobby Brown

10. Rubber Shirt

11. The Sheik Yerbouti Tango

12. Baby Snakes

13. Trying to Grow a Chin

14. City of Tiny Lites

15. Dancin' Fool

16. Jewish Princess

17. Wild Love

18. Yo Mama

Frank Zappa- lead guitar, lead vocals, arranging, composer

Adrian Belew- rhythm guitar, vocals

Patrick O'Hearn- bass, vocals

Terry Bozio- drums, vocals

Ed Mann- percussion, vocals

Tommy Mars- keyboards, backing vocals

Andre Lewis- keyboards, backing vocals

Peter Wolf- keyboards

David Ocker- clarinet

Napolean Murphy Brock- backing vocals

Randy Thornton- backing vocals

"Sheik Yerbouti" not only marked a major turning point in Frank Zappa's career, it proved that, given the freedom, he could make music fun. It's another reason why listening to Zappa was practically a requirement at my high school.

 

Next post: ELO- Discovery

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

 

Great Rock Albums of 1978: Frank Zappa- Zappa in New York

Thirty three years since my graduation, I remain convinced that it was a mandatory requirment that in order to attend my high school, students had to listen to Frank Zappa. It seemed that practically everybody who attended my school listened to Zappa and I totally understand why, the man was a genius. How else could someone sell so many records when he had practically zero airplay.

This brings me around the this live offering from Frank Zappa. The concerts from which "Zappa in New York" was originally recorded in 1976 and part released in 1977. It was re issued and released in 1978, however, Warner Bros removed the track "Punky Whipps," which explains why it's missing from my cassette and re-edited the best track on the album "Titties and Beer." It was this track that attracted me to the album when an old school friend constantly went around the school singing: "I need a beer and it's titty squeezing time."

That song and the album itself typifies Zappa. When you look up the album on Wikopedia, it gives a load of genres, rock, hard rock, progressive rock, humourous music and jazz fusion. Not many artists other than Frank Zappa could infuse all these genres together and make it work so well. The added bonus with this album is that he does on stage in front of a live audience. Is that genius or what?

Track Listing:

1. Titties and Beer

2. I Promise Not to Come in Your Mouth

3. Punky Whipps

4. Sofa

5. Manx Needs Women

6. Black Page Drum Solo/Black Page 1

7. Big Legged Emma

8. Black Page Part 2

9. Honey Don't You Want a Man Like Me

10. The Illinois Enema Bandit

11. The Purple Lagoon

Frank Zappa- conductor, vocals, lead guitar

Ray White- rhythm guitar, vocals

Eddie Jobson- keyboards, violin, vocals

Patrick O'Hearn- bass, vocals

Terry Bozio- drums, vocals

Ruth Underwood- synthesiser, percussion, overdubs

David Samuels- timpani

Randy Brecker- trumpet

Mike Brecker- tenor saxophone, flute

Lou Marini- alto saxophone, flute

Tom Malone- trombone, trumpet, picalo

John Bergamo- percussion overdubs

Ed Mann- percussion overdubs

Lou Anne Neill- osmatic harp overdub

Don Pardo- narration

Despite of no radio play, Frank Zappa appealed to many different people due to his various styles and more importantly, his use of humour in music. He was and is still a legend among many, especially if you attended Mainland High School in the late 70s.

Next post: Gerry Rafferty- City to City

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Great Rock Albums of 1978: Warren Zevon- Excitable Boy

Back in the days of 1978, my idea of humour in music was Frank Zappa and songs that I listened to on the Dr Demento show on a Sunday evening. I listened to songs from the latter because I was amused by the funny lyrics and not because I thought the song rocked. In my mind, Frank Zappa was the only person whom I thought could rock and and be humourous at the same time. Then in June of that year, a friend of mine played the title track of Warren Zevon, "Excitable Boy" and my views then changed.

Warren Zevon brought a fresh new sound to rock with this album and showed that you can have funny lyrics and a rock sound. I wonder if the likes of Steel Panther were influenced here but there is no evidence to suggest this. Back to the topic, the single "Werewolves of London" paved the way to commercial success as hit reached number 21 in the charts allowing me and others to sample the other delights the album has to offer. Most of his songs were parodies, such as "Lawyers, Guns and Money," which takes a rip out of Cold War paranoia. This album provides a good laugh as well as a good listen.

Track Listing:

1. Johnny Strikes Up the Band

2. Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner

3. Excitable Boy

4. Werewolves of London

5. Accidentally Like a Martyr

6. Nighttime in the Switching Yard

7. Veracruz

8. Tenderness on the Block

9. Lawyers, Guns and Money

Warren Zevon- organ, synthesiser, piano, guitar, bass and vocals

Jorge Calderon- harmony vocals, Spanish vocals on Veracruz

Danny Kootch Kortchmar- guitar

Russ Kunkel- drums

The album also included many guest artists such as Jackson Browne and Mick Fleetwood. "Excitable Boy" has always been one of my favourite humourous musical album, probably second to Weird Al Yankovick who I'll be visiting much further down the line. Later in 1978, Dr Demento began playing songs from this album on his show, which just shows how good it is.

Next post: Todd Rundgren- Hermit of Mink Hollow

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