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REVIEW: Zappa Plays Zappa @ the Hawthorne Theater (Portland, OR – – 1/2/09)
Boo… no concert photos this time around… they wouldn’t allow cameras into the venue at all. :(
(Dweezil = rock)
This was my 3rd time seeing the Zappa Plays Zappa tour (aka Tour de Frank)… each one being different (set lists, lineup, promotions). This time was at Portland’s Hawthorne Theater as the “You Can’t Fit On Stage Anymore” variation of the tour. The venue had a small capacity (~300), you get a download code at the venue to get the entire recorded show after they mix it down (about a month?), you have a chance to win a free Hagstrom guitar (at each show), and you get to help choose the set list for the night. Of the 68 available tunes in the ZPZ band’s repertoire, here were my selections: Broken Hearts Are For Assholes, Inca Roads, Montana, Peaches En Regalia, and Sofa. They played two of my choices. I was really hoping for “Montana,” though. Eh, choosers shouldn’t be beggars.
Dweezil came out first and talked about the download code and how it wouldn’t quite be ready within 8 days, but that it’d be worth the wait. I’m sure it will, as it’s gonna be 3 CDs of professionally recorded audio for “free.” Free in that it’s part of the pricey ticket. But, it’s not like I have to pay for it again, eh? :)
The band was very similar (if not the same) as when I saw the 2007 tour at Moonlite Gardens in Cincinnati, OH. Different set list, of course. They had a few technical difficulties during the show, but veryveryvery minor, and they rolled with the punches very well. Outside of Ray White, they were all pretty much playing for the entire show, and even Ray only had a few breaks when he wasn’t needed to sing.
The ZPZ Band this time around is:
- Dweezil Zappa: Guitar
- Aaron Arntz: Keyboards
- Scheila Gonzalez: Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards & Vocals
- Pete Griffin: Bass
- Billy Hulting: Marimba, Mallets & Percussion
- Jamie Kime: Guitar
- Joe Travers: Drums & Vocals
- SPECIAL GUEST… Ray White: Guitar & Vocals
(Ray White is the pimp)
Setlist: (any help in filling in the blanks is appreciated)
- Peaches En Regalia (a fave of the set)
- City of Tiny Lights
- Inca Roads (a fave of the set)
- I’m Not Satisfied
- Pygmy Twylyte
- Idiot Bastard Son
- Cheepnis (partial) then back to Inca Roads (??)
- Hagstrom Guitar Giveaway Jam (I didn’t win… boo…)
- Chunga’s Revenge with solos
- Billy the Mountain (28 minutes) (a fave of the set)
- Andy
- Dirty Love (a fave of the set)
- Uncle Remus
- Willie the Pimp (a fave of the set)
- Wind Up Workin’ in a Gas Station
- San Ber’dino
- Yo Mama
- Black Napkins
- Encore: ____________ (missing name, more guitar solos)
- Muffin Man (a fave of the set)
All in all… fantastic show… 2 hours and 40+ minutes of amazing musicianship… the only things to make it better? My own pictures perhaps… oh, and winning the guitar would have been nice. :)
I hope they come around again in the fall… I’ve seen all three of the ZPZ tours. And this was technically the “2008” tour, even though it was in 2009 (obviously). Seeing as I wasn’t into Frank’s music before he died, this is the next best damn thing. Thanks, Dweezil and Co.!
The Appropriate Linkage:
- http://www.zappa.com/zpz/index.html
- http://www.myspace.com/dweezilzappa
- http://www.myspace.com/zappaplayszappa
- http://www.hawthornetheater.com/
~Dan – np: Ryan Adcock – Finished -LP- 
Diva Zappa
Diva Zappa‘s contributions to the recent aaafnraaa birthday bundle 
digital release on Frank’s 68th birthday are excellent… very quirky, she’s very much a Zappa offspring. It’s on iTunes. The whole album’s worth owning, especially for a Zappa fan. Diva’s tracks are “Alice” (my fave) and “Espanoza.” Melanie Starks take on “Dumb All Over” is another gem… of course, I’m quite fond of the lyrics to that one…
The tracklist for the album:
- Dancin’ Fool (Disco Version) by Frank Zappa
- More Trouble Every Day by FZ
- Gorgeous Inca by FZ
- Ancient Armaments by FZ
- America The Beautiful by FZ
- You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch by Dweezil & Ahmet Zappa
- Saturday Girl by Dweezil
- Alice by Diva Zappa
- Espanoza by Diva
- Dumb All Over by Melanie Starks
- Twenty Small Cigars by Joe Travers
- Lacksadaisial by Joe Travers
- Dirty Love by Cree Summer (Dweezil & Ahmet)
~Dan – np: the aforementioned aaafnraaa
PS- “aaafnraaa” stands for “anything anytime anywhere for no reason at all again,” a motto of Frank’s.
PPS– Fave Instrumental Albums of 2008 to be posted Monday AM (for those who care).
* Favorite EPs / Vinyl / Live Albums & more of 2008 *
Before I start… happy 68th birthday to Frank Zappa. You are missed. Ya Hozna!
This is sort of a precursor to my “official” Favorites of 2008 blog. Up later this coming week or two, I’ll post my favorite vocal and favorite instrumental albums of 2008. I’m still making my way through the re-listening phase. Yeah, I know, I’m slow (or dedicated? or certifiable?). I was waiting on a few to show up in my mailbox. Anyway, on with the music pimping…
My Other Favorites of 2008 Recaps:
- Fave Concerts of ‘08 are recapped *HERE*
Favorite EPs of 2008 (coincidentally all indie artists)
1 Ellery You Did Everything Right – http://www.ellerymusic.com/
2 Estradasphere The Pegasus Vault – http://www.estradasphere.com/
3 Glen Phillips Secrets of the New Explorers – http://www.glenphillips.com/
4 Kim Taylor The Greatest Story – http://www.kim-taylor.net/
5 Wussy Rigor Mortis – http://www.wussymusic.com/
Favorite Vinyl of 2008
1 Holy Fuck Lovely Allen 19″ single (7″+12″) – http://www.holyfuckmusic.com/
2 God of Shamisen The Science Fiction of Ray Bradbury Attack! 7″ single – http://www.godofshamisen.com/
3 Puscifer Dozo 7″ single – http://www.puscifer.com/
4 David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion) Jingle Bells / All I Want for Christmas (Christmas 7″) – http://www.davidbazan.com/
5 Puscifer Queen B 7″ single
Favorite Live Albums of 2008
1 Dave Douglas & Keystone Live at the Jazz Standard, April 2008 – http://www.greenleafmusic.com/ (this was 4 nights, 2 sets each night, 8 hours of music released as “instant live” within 24 hours of each performance… and fantastic)
2 Porcupine Tree We Lost the Skyline EP – http://www.porcupinetree.com/
3 David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) Live in Gdańsk – http://www.davidgilmour.com/
4 Ani DiFranco Hamburg Germany, 10.18.07 – http://www.righteousbabe.com/
5 Tori Amos Live at Montreux 1991 & 1992 – http://www.toriamos.com/
Favorite Comedy Albums of 2008
1 Flight of the Conchords Flight of the Conchords
2 George Carlin It’s Bad For Ya
3 Mitch Hedberg Do You Believe in Gosh?
Favorite Reissues in 2008
1 Jurassic 5 – Jurassic 5 11th Anniversary
2 John Zorn, Bill Frisell & George Lewis – News for Lulu
3 John Coltrane – The Impulse Albums, Vol 2 (including John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman, Impressions, Live at Birdland, Crescent, and A Love Supreme)
4 Ahleuchatistas – The Same and the Other
5 Beck – Odelay (deluxe edition)
Favorite Debut of 2008
God of Shamisen‘s Dragon String Attack! -and- Ashes Divide‘s Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright
Favorite Internet Only Releases in 2008
Glen Phillips had his hand in both of them… and they’re both free…
Plover – Plover -and- RemoteTreeChildren – Veteran of the Loudness Wars
Favorite Internet Leaks in 2008
Ben Folds – Way to Normal (fake version of the album leaked by Ben himself) -and-
Sufjan Stevens – Songs for Christmas, Vol VIII: Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage (he made it for family & friends… luckily one of those also let it loose for the rest of us)
Favorite Artwork in 2008
NIN – Ghosts I-IV – each song in the download version had it’s own unique artwork attached to it. Whether studio or nature or electronic, it worked well with this release.
Favorite Packaging / Design in 2008
- Sigur Rós – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (deluxe edition)
Steven Wilson – Insurgentes (deluxe edition) – Both Sigur Rós and Steven Wilson came out with lush coffee table-sized books that housed the music. Call it an incentive to somewhat combat the illegal downloaders. I call it great art. - Ani DiFranco – Red Letter Year – Always a packaging visionary, this one was more subtle than recent efforts… the glow in the dark moon was a nice touch.
- Metallica – Death Magnetic – Not necessarily breaking new ground musically, their packaging for the return to form metal album evokes digging through 6 feet of fresh dirt to see if Lars Ulrich’s drumming sounds better than beating on a metal folding chair. Thankfully it does… this time.
- Secret Chiefs 3 plays John Zorn‘s Masada Book Two: Xaphan – I love what Chippy does for Tzadik Records. The Masada Book Two series artwork and die-cut Star of David with offset colors that poke through is some of her best work.
Favorite “Local” Album of 2008
OK, they’re from Cincinnati and Portland (respectively)… but local enough for me… I’ve got my ears in two locales (the Cincinnati/Dayton scene will probably always have a shot at winning in this category).
Noctaluca‘s Still the Wicked Rest -and- Talkdemonic‘s Eyes at Half Mast
Favorite Soundtrack or Score
Joss Whedon‘s Dr Horrible’s Sing-along Blog -and- Mike Patton‘s A Perfect Place
Favorite Concept Album
Noctaluca‘s Still the Wicked Rest -and- Zakarya‘s The True Story Concerning Martin Behaim
That’s all for now… more coming in the next week…
~Dan – np: Celldweller – Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head
Vladimir Bozar ‘n’ Ze Sheraf Orkestar
new music alert
Vladimir Bozar ‘n’ Ze Sheraf Orkestar‘s Universal Sprache is one of those albums that is hard to define. Vladimir Bozar started as an offshoot from a French Frank Zappa cover band, The Children of Invention. Their last gig was Vladimir Bozar’s first gig. The music on this debut CD is a great mix of the insanity that comes from artists like Frank Zappa, Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3, and to some extent John Zorn.
Clearly not for the purveyor of “pop” music, this is a very imposingly hard to digest collection of great sounds that I wouldn’t necessarily call “songs.” With that being said… I love it. It jots and tittles across your mind, and right when you start getting into the groove… it slaps you upside the mouth, buzzes up your leg, claws through your pant leg and sits down like a puppy who wants to be petted, then zooms off for an espresso.
Metal, punk, classical music, jazz, movie sound, Tzigane music, electronic, and spoken word. This Ritalin-side effect gang of misfits has toured in Europe with Trey Spruance’s Secret Chiefs 3, as well as the stripped down Estradasphere Trio. Trey Spruance said of Vladimir Bozar ‘n’ Ze Sheraf Orkestar that “obviously, this music is composed of lunatics hopelessly.” :)
The album, Universal Sprache, was recorded in Estradasphere’s Seattle studio with Tim Smolens recording, Tim Smolens and Jason Schimmel* mixing, and Timb Harris contributing trumpet, TIm Smolens contributing bass & vocals, and Jason Schimmel contributing mandolin.
*– Speaking of Jason Schimmel, I’m stoked for his amazing Orange Tulip Conspiracy tour coming through Eugene, Oregon, next week… November 17th @ Samurai Duck.
Vladimir Bozar ‘n’ Ze Sheraf Orkestar are planning to tour Europe and (hopefully) the US in 2009. In the meantime, you can hear clips of the album on MySpace and order it from iTunes, EMusic, Rhapsody, et cetera… or physical CDs via Estradasphere’s Lobefood mail order should be coming soon (not yet, though).
The band is:
- Djé de Vence (Jérome Simond)-Clavier/Sequencer/Accordion
- B’hz (cédric Benard)-Drum
- Cyro (Cyril Torres)-Guitar/back vocal/kazoo
- Mina (Jasmina Barra)-Bass/vocal
- Pedral (Pierre Lacasa)-Lead vocal/mandolin
On the web:
- http://www.myspace.com/vladimirbozar
- http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=179208
- http://www.estradasphere.com/ (their recording buddies)
~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – One Shot Deal
iRandom {28 Aug 08}
Some random listening this morning from the iPod’s shuffle option…
- Mogwai “Kappa” from Government Sessions
This was fortuitous, as I’m going to see Mogwai in Portland next week. :) The Government Sessions was my first experience with Mogwai.
- John Scofield “Whatcha See is Whatcha Get” from Up All Night
A little bit too hotel lobby jazz for me compared to some of J.Sco’s other stuff… but great for reading through employee benefit audit guidance.
- Frank Zappa “The Moon Will Never Be the Same” from Joe’s Xmasage
More of the avant-garde meanderings from FZ. Short, but not sweet.
- Sigur Rós “Bíum Bíum Bambaló” from Angels of the Universe
This is easily my favorite track from this soundtrack / score.
- Silverchair “No Association” from Freak Show
Ah, from their good ol’ gah-rung-ah era…
- The Sheds “Rootwings” from You’ve Got a Light
Cincinnati quirfolk duo… but one of their more straight forward songs… they haven’t put anything out lately, I don’t think. I may have to poke by their website when I get home tonight. http://www.theshedsmusic.com/
- Tim Sparks “Where Are You My Lover?” from Tanz
Gentle guitars on this overall beautiful Tzadik release.
- Frank Zappa “Flakes” from Beat the Boots #7: Saarbrücken
Two FZ tunes in the 10-song spin… what are the odds? Well, actually, they are 1,110 available FZ songs out of 14,678 non-replacing permutations (all songs currently on my iPod) would be a 0.57% chance for 2 FZ to land somewhere in the first 10 spins (unless I did the math incorrectly – which is highly likely, as my stats book from last term was borrowed from a colleague). Anyway… fun song, complete with a pretty bad, but funny, Bob Dylan impression.
- Caedmon’s Call “I Just Don’t Want Coffee” from I Just Don’t Want Coffee -EP-
This one has different lyrics from the Warner debut version. It’s one of the more compelling, and thankfully not Jebusy, Derek Webb-penned early Caedmon’s tunes. Derek Webb is a great songwriter. Even though I have philosophical differences with him, I still love him and his music.
- Yann Tiersen “Soir de fête” from Rue des Cascades
Yann, you wiley devil. Great instrumentalism with the grounded feel of folk music, but the fun of a circus parade.
Well, I shant type robustly about the 11th and so on shuffled tune… even thought I want to (#11 was Estradasphere and #12 was Isis). Anyway, that’s just a peak inside my ears this morning… check any of them out on iTunes or the Amazon.
~Dan
What’s The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?
Some say your nose
Some say your toes
But I think it’s YOUR MIND
A continuation from this post 4+ months ago… Lagunitas Brewery’s Frank Zappa beer #4… is in my hands (and mouf)…
Behold, the We’re Only In It For the Money Belgian-style Triple Ale… a tribute to the 40 year anniv of the album of the same name… WOIIFTM was actually FZ album #3 (and Lumpy Gravy was #4). Beer crafters got a date wrong? Too much beer on the job? I forgive ’em… :)
Yum. Triple yum, actually. And, yes, the cover of the album (and beer) is a spoof of Sgt. Pepper’s.
FZ beer 1 was Freak Out! Ale
FZ beer 2 was Kill Ugly Radio Ale (aka for the album Absolutely Free)
FZ beer 3 was Lumpy Gravy Ale
FZ beer #5 should be Cruisin’ with Ruben and the Jets, by my count… we shall see.
~Dan – np: Chroma Key – Dead Air for Radios
pulling hrabbits out of hrats
No, this isn’t about magicians pulling rabbits out of hats… or scientists (pulling habits out of rats?). This post is all about Mr. George Hrab (aka “Geo”).
I found Geo’s podcast last October. It quickly shot up to being one of my favorite podcasts, then I got his CDs from CDBaby (I♥CDBaby), and I loved his music even more. He’s got a love for Frank Zappa and the Talking Heads, interesting fauna, science, skepticism (of woo-woo and other things), big band arrangements, great drumming, humor in music, seriousness in music, constant learning / teaching (reading through his liners, that’s apparent), and maintaining all around professionalism as a musician. He has his own music plus he drums (& conducts the bidness end of things) for the Philadelphia Funk Authority.
Anyway, via his podcasts, he puts out about an album’s worth of comedy & rockin’ gold every week… for free. Every Thursday morning, it’s on my “must listen now” rotation, no matter how big my backlog of other podcasts may be.
Geo’s Podcast RSS:
Geo’s Podcast on iTunes (FYI… podcasts are free):
Geo’s also a big dork. I say that in the good way. He recently wrapped up his “Occasional Songs for the Periodic Table” songs… 118 elements… 75 minutes (or so). Some great stuff… the songs / the lyrics
His CDs are great… and his packaging on them is superb. He puts a lot of thought into the unique way that he packages each one. From the sprawling art of Minutæ, the tin case and prescription look and feel of Vitriol, the textbook / field study guide arrangement of Coelacanth, and the sleek dualism of Interrobang?!.
A clever, Brady Bunch-ish video for “The Assumption” from Interrobang?! “The Assumption” is sort of indicative of his pop music side, but he also gets funky, rocky, proggy, instrumental and vocal songs, et cetera on his records.
Sample some of his other songs on iTunes or CDBaby (samples in both venues). Some of my favs from each album…
[sic] (1996) “[sic]” (#10)
Minutiæ (1999) “Minutiæ (Sheer Brick AM)” (#12)
Vitriol (2001) “Monkey Hip Dysplasia” (#1)
Coelacanth (2003) “The Coelacanth Sighs” (#8 )
Interrobang?! (2006) “Who Dogs the Outlet” (#12)
His book, called Non-Coloring Book, is compiled from blog posts, podcast bits, and additional new material is also quite funny. I got it on Lulu.com via the PDF version for only $3.95. It’s also available as a physical book (for slightly more).
Anyway, this is my “I love George Hrab” post. Soon, you’ll write your own “I love George Hrab” post, I’m sure.
http://www.geologicrecords.net/ (his record company)
http://www.geologicpodcast.com/ (his podcast)
http://www.georgehrab.com/ (his blog)
http://www.phillyfunk.com/ (his funk band)
Eugene’s Saturday Market Live Stage 2008
I usually head down early to Eugene’s Farmers’ Market / Saturday Market for good local veg… then sometimes, if there’s good music scheduled, I make my way back in the afternoon…
Here are my 2008‘s catches, in descending chronological order (updated as they happen -or- as I remember to write about them)…
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May 17th: Pojama People (http://www.myspace.com/glennleonard) Good thing they had a tagline on the poster at Saturday Market; otherwise, there’s no way I’d head back out in the heat (it was bloody hot today). The tagline was something along the lines of “the music of Frank Zappa.”
I found a spot in the shade (thankfully)… I bought an ice cream sandwich (which ended up being a totally messy pile of yum)… I sat down and took in some Zappa and Zappa-inspired tunes (a not as messy pile of yum). They are made up of Alli Bach on percussion, winds, vocals; Glenn Leonard on drums (and a 13-yo student, Spencer Ewing, very capably sat in a few tunes, too); Brian Casey on bass; Ted Clifford on keys; and B-Bo on guitar. Per some webpages, they also sometimes have Ike Willis sing with them sometimes, too… cool.
They played a lot of instrumental songs, and they also played some Zappa tunes with lyrics with “liberty taken to them” — almost all politically bent (which is fine with me… and likely Zappa). Here’s what they played (thanks to Glenn for the setlist corrections)…
- Zoot Allures
- Arrogant Dubya Son (new lyrics to FZ’s “Idiot Bastard Son“)
- Help, I’m Iraq (new lyrics to FZ’s “Help, I’m a Rock“)
- RDNZL
- Duke of Prunes
- Eat That Tin Kong (a mashup of “Eat That Question” & “King Kong“)
- Sofa
- If I Fell (Beatles)
- You Are What You Is / Dupree’s Paradise / Improv
- Alien Orifice / Tribute to American Idol (new lyrics to FZ’s “Tinsel Town Rebellion“)
- McCain (new lyrics to Clapton’s “Cocaine“)
- Let’s Make Blackwater Turn Back (new lyrics to FZ’s “Let’s Make the Water Turn Black“)
- Village of the Sun / Achidna’s Arf / Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing? (with “13“)
They’re playing at Sam Bonds Garage on June 28th. If I’m free, I hope to see them again. They were good (ie- not your usual cover band).
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May 3rd: Big Roy and the Twigs (http://www.myspace.com/bigroyandthetwigs) I went to see Big Roy because I know him via the head of the accounting department at UofO, Steve Matsunaga (Roy is Steve’s son). I heard some of their tunes on MySpace, and figured, “what the hell.” I showed up, and they had already started their set. It was hot (not bloody hot), but I caught 4 or 5 songs. They had some decent chops, alas, all I really remember is that they seemed to play a lot of alt-rock covers (Red Hot Chili Peppers’ songs appeared at least twice). It would have been nice to hear some of their originals, too. I was melting; so I headed back to the car. Nice set, though. Hopefully I can catch ’em again sometime…
~Dan
Drums are too noisy, you’ve got no corners to hide in.
Lagunitas Brewery’s Frank Zappa beer 3… is in my hands (and mouf)…
Behold, the Lumpy Gravy Ale… a tribute to the 40 year anniv of the album of the same name (sans “ale”)…
FZ beer 4 (We’re Only in it for the Money) comes out in June… at Frank’s level of output, this’ll be 2 specially crafted beer tributes a year. Huzzah!!
FZ beer 1 was Freak Out!, and 2 was Kill Ugly Radio (aka Absolutely Free). I snagged 1 back in 2006… I totally missed 2. I need to track that shiznit down.
~Dan – np: Swami Late Plate (Bobby Previte & Jamie Saft) – Doom Jazz
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
Amazon.com mp3 downloads
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