For the second year in a row, we get a “Frank Zappa Mask” with which to celebrate Halloween. This time, 6 cd set includes the gigs that are from both sets of the October 31 and November 1 shows, presented unfiltered and unedited in their complete form. The 24 track tapes capture the sound fantastically, and that’s not all to grab your attention, as the band at this stage included Steve Vai/g-v, Scott Thunes/b-voc, Chad Wackerman/dr, Robert Martin/key-sax, Tommy Mars/keys, Ed Mann/perc-voc and Ray White/g-voc.
This band had just released their “live” album Tinseltown Rebellion , as well as You Are What You Is,yet this unit is more stripped down than that group. The include a lot of songs from the latter, including the rap-ish and dark “Dumb All Over”, the chaotic and kinetic “Mudd Club”, the 70s’ pop of the title piece, the upbeat “Doreen” and the mix of 60s pop with a religious jab on “The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing”. From the former, the team revisits the jagged “Tinseltown Rebellion” and the fun rocker “Fine Girl” as well as keeping classics such as “Easy Meat” in the catalogue while adding the Allman Brothers classic “Whipping Post” as a vehicle for Vai.
The takeaways here are impressive. First, no matter how “out there” Zappa gets in terms of musical directions, there’s always a vocal and pop harmony that keeps it tied together. Second, the variety of song selection is quite impressive, with nary a repeated tune during this marathon set of gigs. Lastly, Zappa’s ability to connect with his audience is legendary, and oozes out throughout the sets, turning a rock event into an almost vaudevillian show. Why else would it be sold out each night?
A treat for Zappa fans, as well as the musical Bill Maher crowd, with fresh material and attitudes.