Frank Zappa - Roxy & Elsewhere
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Free Music Notes for Roxy & Elsewhere
Free Music Review: ...and this is a hard one to play!
Hit: 5 Stars
You know it... You love it... You can't live without it!I'd recommend buying this one for a friend who doesn't know or thinks (like most people) that he/she doesn't like Frank Zappa because he's too weird.
This album is most likely ranked in every Zappa fan's top 5 of the 70 official releases. It is a brilliant live recording full of astounding playing by Frank on guitar and the incomparable rhythm section of Ruth Underwood on percussion, George Duke on keyboard, Chester Thompson and Ralph Humphries on drums (although not both together on all tracks, gets into a serious drumming duel on "Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?") along with the Fowler Brothers on horn and bass, not to mention Napoleon Murphy Brock on Sax and vocals and just to keep it real, Don Preston on synthesizer in this jazz-rock extravaganza!
Fans of Zappa's humorous side will delight in Frank's storytelling on such tracks as "Cheepnis" and his way with audience members in the "hard one to play" Be-Bop Tango. Fans of Frank's guitar playing will marvel at the always uncompromising playing on "Penguin In Bondage", "Son of Orange County" and "More Trouble Every Day" to name a few.
Definitely one of the best Zappa/Mothers live recordings. There are, of course, many others but this one is probably most easily digestable to the uninitiated or Zappa skeptic.
Sounds as fresh today as it did nearly 30 years ago when first recorded. A two-record set fit perfectly onto one disc and NOT remixed by Frank - a complaint and sticking point on numerous other releases by Frank when put out on CD.
Free Music Review: Roxy & Elsewhere
Hit: 5 Stars
Music listeners frequently associate Frank Zappa solely with his satire. While they understand that Zappa possessed an incredible musical talent, the songs they remember most are ones that fall into the "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow" category. Admittedly, Zappa had a knack for debunking the conventions of contemporary society, but we shouldn't remember him from this aspect alone. If anyone wants to explore the depth of Zappa's talent, "Roxy & Elsewhere" provides an excellent starting point. While the album does feature plenty of humorous moments ("Dummy UP," Penguin in Bondage," and "Cheepnis" as examples), the most memorable aspect of this recording is the music. The musicians are in top form. When you hear something Like "Echidna's Arf (Of You)" it makes you realize how incredibly tight and focused these players were. To borrow a quote from The Bonzo Dog Band, "Baby, you're so far ahead, it's beautiful."
"Roxy & Elsewhere" also offers a glimpse into Zappa's past with the song "Village of the Sun." Here Frank takes a nostalgic turn, remembering his early days playing at the Village Inn, playing R&B with "The Blackouts." (By the way, there is a great recording of The Blackouts featured on "The Mystery Disc.")
Anyone interested in discovering the complexity of Frank Zappa and his music needs to own a copy of "Roxy & Elsewhere." It offers a wide range of styles, ranging from the classic Zappa wit to some intense instrumental offerings. You won't be disappointed with this one.
Free Music Review: Take the red pill and walk thru the door...
Hit: 5 Stars
ROXY & ELSEWHERE is one of a handful of albums I would recommend to a beginner. It is a great place to enter Frank's bizarre universe. Once you walk thru that door you won't want to return to the corporate music world.This album is EASILY one of the best live rock albums EVER recorded. This is probably my second favorite Zappa recording after ONE SIZE FITS ALL. I was introduced to this album as I was getting deeper into jazz music, and I loved it immediately. Not that you have to be a jazz fan at all. But this album is a great mix of rock and jazz stylings. "Don't You Ever Wash That Thing" is very jazzy indeed. But don't fear, Frank and crew are rocking as good as ever on great tunes like "Pygmy Twylyte" "Dummy Up" (what a great song), the nostalgic "Village of the Sun", "Bebop Tango..." (listen to George Duke!) and the hilarious "Cheepnis" ('...here fido...here fido...*laugh*). What a riot. The stage banter and audience participation from time to time only add to the zany-ness (is that a word?).
"Ladies and gentlemen, WATCH RUTH!"
Be sure you get this album. It is a perfect mix of rock and jazz and humor, a great into to FZ. He had a way of being humorous in his delivery but always taking his music seriously. I think many people miss that. Don't be one of them.
Highly recommended.
Free Music Review: No 'probably' about it- This is Frank's best live album
Hit: 5 Stars
The title of my review says it all: this is Frank's best live album and it just so happens to be my personal favorite in his entire catalog.
Simply put- I believe that this is the finest band Frank ever assembled. Napoleon Murphy Brock in particular adds so much to the lineup that it's amazing he wasn't a star on his own. Between his incredible energy, great vocals and superb sax work- the man literally steals the show from Frank.
Combine Brock with a handful of other supremely tallented musicians (Ruth Underwood on percussion will leave your jaw on the floor on more than one occasion) and you'll know why Frank regarded this group so highly. Oh, and Frank is no slouch either- his guitar tone on "Penguin in Bondage" must be heard to be believed.
-The group is stunning.
-The songs are among Frank's best.
-The recording sounds flawless.
There is no reason not to own this album. If you're new to Frank- this is a great place to start (as is Hot Rats). If you've heard some of his stuff and are looking for more- look no further. A genuinely fun album to listen to that contains music that will blow you away everytime you listen to it.
Free Music Review: One of Zappa's best, I cannot recommend it highly enough!
Hit: 5 Stars
This could quite possibly be Zappa's best album. Not the most lavishly arranged, not the most controversial, and not the most well received, "Roxy" is a short, tight incredible set of tunes with the well-oiled George Duke-era Mothers supporting Zappa. The fluid Zappa guitar on "Son of Orange County" and "Penguin in Bondage" is some of his best recorded stuff. Napoleon Murphy Brock's vocals are comedic and classic soul at the same time. You can listen to this CD as if you were there. The live quality of the recording brings out the loose atmosphere of a Zappa concert. Its rare that a recording can awe you with its pure musicianship and make you laugh at the fact that you can hear the band having fun onstage. Also, I am a full fledged Zappa fan now, and this was the album that got me started. "Listen with big ears" as Zappa would say and enjoy!