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Roxy & Elsewhere

Frank Zappa & the Mothers - Roxy & Elsewhere Audio CD

A fair review of the Frank Zappa & the Mothers "Roxy & Elsewhere" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Frank Zappa & the Mothers reviews here, or go back to the Frank Zappa & the Mothers tabs.

Band: Frank Zappa & the Mothers
Title: Roxy & Elsewhere
Rating:

Release Date: 1995-05-02
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Penguin In Bondage 2: Pygmy Twylyte 3: Dummy Up 4: Village Of The Sun 5: Echidna's Arf (Of You) 6: Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? 7: Cheepnis 8: Son Of Orange County 9: More Trouble Every Day 10: Bebop Tango (Of The Old Jazzmen's Church)

Possibly the best Zappa album and place to start! Get it!
Many Zappaphiles (you know who you are) will say the same thing. I'm probably not as big of a Zappa fan as some of the other reviewers here, but having been a musician and an avid listener and fan for the last 22 years, I can easily say this is the best Zappa album of the ones I've heard. This is Zappa album goes back to the CD player every year or two. The album from beginning to end is like going to see a movie, with various scenes and settings. Sometimes a Zappa record can be blatantly "Zappaesque". Not that that's a problem, that's what you bought the album for in the first place. However, there are times on Roxy that I forget that I'm listening to a Zappa album. I think that's a plus and a shows how dynamic this show/tour/album really was.

First of all, it's live (with a few overdubs), showcasing the band's talent, for sure. Enchinda's Arf (Of You)/Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? immediately come to mind. The trombone (which makes my hair stand on end) and Rhodes solos are highlights. The "tennis match" drum solo between Chester Thompson and Ralph Humphrey is a drummer's delight.

Second, some of Frank's best "song" writing is here, as well. Next to the blistering musicianship you might find on a jazz/fusion record, Roxy also has great SONGS. Meaning, there's a great pop sensibility found on certain tracks. Village Of The Sun and Pygmy Twylyte come to mind.

Those of you who have a affinity for Soul and R&B will especially like Roxy because this is the funkiest of all the Zappa lineups. There are two drummers here but, being a drummer myself, Chester Thompson lays down some ultra-funky, tight backbeats. Geoege Duke adds his amazing jazz and soul background. Napoleon Brock and Bruce Fowler's extensive jazz backgrounds are apparent here, as well.

There is, of course, all comedy you expect from a Zappa recording. This album is, again, pleasantly unique in that being live, Frank interacts with the audience so you not only have hilarious song lyrics but there is also banter that is reminiscent of a stand up comic. There ultimate being Bebop Tango, with it's great crowd participation and, as the jazz/noise climax comes near, the band busts into a bouncy blues staple. Whether it was done live or spliced in the studio, it's still a side-splitting moment.

This is where I tell everyone to start with Zappa. You should too.

Favorite Zappa Album - Favorite Album, Period.
was the beast. I am one of those guys that thinks the early seventies lineup with Napolean Murphy Brock, The Underwoods, The Fowlers, Chester Thompson!, et al. The Best. OK, the Beast. Later lineups may have been tighter, more technically proficient, but they can't compare when it comes to musicality, which is magical. Zappa sounds completly in control and yet totally relaxed. His furious solos, while blazing fast and sophisticated, are here just a bit more soulful. There appears to be more space, air around the notes. Zappa seems to be hearing what he's playing just the same way his audience is, so he's enjoying every moment very much.
His later bands often sounded rushed on live takes, hurrying through familiar numbers on their way to the funner, more challenging stuff. For example, the difference between the original version of Trouble Every Day on Freak Out and the one here is just remarkable. Its slowed down quite a bit to a true blues jam pace but rocks along with the most distinctive tremendous drum rolls I've ever heard. Frank's solo on this one may just be his best. Its a raging wail of despair, most amazing. The lyrics have been edited and the song's all the more powerful for it; Frank's disgust is now fully focused on the Sad Conduct of the Citizens as seen on THE NEWS. In the original version he goes on to berate the Newscasters, who seem to take pleasure in their gruesome reports, which is another whole issue in itself, and worthy of a song of its own. But I digress. . .

What truly distinguishes this album is the flow. It really feels as though you're at a Zappa event, with well timed audience interactions and great segues. The Village Of The Sun, Echidna's Arf (Of You), Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? trio flow one into the other so nicely. Its something the Dead did exceptionally well and is a hallmark of superior musicianship.

The closing song, Bebop Tango (Of The Old Jazzmen's Church) is probably the best peek into the feel of a Zappa gig, where the audience plays such a big role in the show. It's like a bizarre bachelor party with plenty of unexpected shenanigans from the guests. Oh yeah, there's even a stripper doing her thing on stage with the Band.

I was in the audience when Zappa was on Saturday Night Live in December 1976. I was a freshmen in high school and a classmate's father worked for NBC in NY and got us tickets. They played Slime from the Video on that show with a TV monitor rigged to have green slime oozing out of the screen during the song. The audience was stunned. It was wild and wonderful. He played 3 other songs including Peaches En Regalia. It was mostly a blur and too fast, but I got just a sense of what a full concert might have been like. This Album comes closest to that feeling. I never did get to see him in concert, so if you're a veteran of a live FZ show I'd like to borrow your memories.

Prime Time Zappa
Then again, aren't they all ? Great live version of Trouble Coming Everyday, I Just can't Believe. High Energy Live album featuring some of Zappa's most talented band members. . . . . , . All kinds of great grooves, as per Zappa. Bruce Fowler, trombone, Ruth Underwood, mallets, George Duke, keyboard and vocals. All Zappa fans will appreciate ! I can't speak for the others.

Not as good as it's made out to be.
Get YCDTOSA Vol 2 instead. I also think this is overrated. 3 of the tracks are faded out. This is a remastered disc; the rest of those tracks should have been included when the 2lp set was released on CD. Also, Cheepnis was remixed, and it stands out from the rest of the disc by how much worse the sound is. I have no idea why they did that. The original is much better. Other than that, good performances and sound quality. But the remaster should have fixed those problems.
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One of Zappa's best LP's
"Son of Orange County/More Trouble Everyday" alone is worth the price of purchase. Having listened to this recording since it first came out, and being a ginormous Zappa fan in any case, I can assure you sans doute that this is one of the best Zappa CD's you will find. In general, the period between 1972 and 1982 is his best work, in my opinion. Try "Bongo Fury" too. For what is an entree of Zappa without a surfeit second dish of Captain Beefheart? Just try not to "freak out," OK? .

You can see a complete list of all Frank Zappa & the Mothers discography, or go back to the Frank Zappa & the Mothers tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.