| Frank Zappa - The Grand Wazoo
(1973)
|
| Cover Front |
Album |
|
| Artist |
Frank Zappa |
| Length |
37:03 |
| Format |
CD |
| Genre |
Rock |
| Label |
Ryko |
| Index |
6 |
| Collection Status |
In Collection |
| Packaging |
Jewel Case |
|
| Track List |
|
| 01 |
The Grand Wazoo |
13:19 |
| 02 |
For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers) |
06:06 |
| 03 |
Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus |
02:57 |
| 04 |
Eat That Question |
06:42 |
| 05 |
Blessed Relief |
07:59 |
| Personal Details |
| Price |
|
| Rating |
0 |
| Owner |
Bean |
|
| Details |
| Spars |
DDD |
| Rare |
No |
| Sound |
Stereo |
|
| Notes |
Like its immediate predecessor, Waka/Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo was a largely instrumental jazz fusion album recorded during Zappa's convalescence from injuries sustained after being pushed off a concert stage. While Zappa contributes some guitar solos and occasional vocals, the focus is more on his skills as a composer and arranger. Most of the five selections supposedly form a musical representation of a story told in the liner notes about two warring musical factions, but the bottom line is that overall, the compositions here are more memorably melodic and consistently engaging than Waka/Jawaka. The instrumentation is somewhat unique in the Zappa catalog as well, with the band more of a chamber jazz orchestra than a compact rock unit; over 20 musicians and vocalists contribute to the record. While Hot Rats is still the peak of Zappa's jazz-rock fusion efforts, The Grand Wazoo comes close, and it's essential for anyone interested in Zappa's instrumental works.
Steve Huey |
|