Always on the forefront of mixing rock, jazz and Spike Jones, Frank Zappa by 1973 had one of his most fusioned bands, one which included George Duke/key, Jean Luc-Ponty, Sal Marquez/tp-voc, Ian Underwood/wwinds, Bruce Fowler/tb, Tom Fowler/b, Ruth Underwood/vibes, Ralph Humphrey/dr and Ricky Lancelotti/voc. His studio release that year, Overnight Sensations, comes on the throes of his essentially previous instrumental release Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. He was also at his most ascerbic lyrically, bordering on the propane, with songs like “Camarillo Brillo”, “Dirty Love” and “Dinah-Moe Humm”, mixing heavy metal rock, R&B grooves and jazz harmonics with misogyny, even more ironic with none other than Tina Turner guesting on the vocals for a song (“Montana”). The album went gold, and essentially set the tone for much of the rest of his career, mixing social sarcasm with adventurous sounds. After this, Zappa continued to be the Lenny Bruce of rock, with Apostrophe (‘) and more ribald songs and stories.
Besides a slew of bonus master takes and previously unreleased outtakes, rehearsals and home mixes, there is a sensational gig at the Hollywood Palladium on March 23, 1973 which includes the only concert appearance of Lancelotti as well as 14 minute jam, along with pieces like “Big Swifty”, “Cosmik Debis” and “The Curse of the Zomboids”. A couple months later, Zappa is found in Detroit Michigan, mixing current pieces like “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow” and classics like “Uncle Meat”. The sound quality is terrific, and there’s a Blue Ray audio of the album if you really want to get into the thick of it. Perfectly Frank.