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Frank Zappa - Orchestral Favorites Audio CD

A fair review of the Frank Zappa "Orchestral Favorites" 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 reviews here, or go back to the Frank Zappa tabs.

Frank Zappa Band: Frank Zappa
Title: Orchestral Favorites
Rating:
Release Date: 1995-05-02
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Strictly Genteel 2: Pedro's Dowry 3: Naval Aviation in Art? [Segue] 4: Duke of Prunes 5: Bogus Pomp

For Zappa completists only (which isn't a bad thing)...
All 5 songs/pieces here are on other albums, and those versions are better than they are here. This is a decent album, but it's not among my Zappa favorites (no pun intended). As you Zappa afficiandos know, this was originally part of the 4 LP Lather album, so it wasn't meant to be Frank's first "official" orchestral album. Having said that, Strictly Genteel is better on the 200 Motels soundtrack (but the version here is better than the out of tune mishmash on the London Symphony Orchestra album), Naval Aviation in Art? is better on The Perfect Stranger album, I like the longer versions of Bogus Pomp and Pedro's Dowry on the LSO album, and Duke of Prunes sounds better in its rock version on Absolutely Free. It's an interesting album, well arranged and played, but there are much better renditions of these songs. I am a bit of a Zappa completist, so I do have this, but I don't play it very often. .


FZ Journal Entry #2
Most of these projects have a pastiche approach, in that the two styles rarely intermingle directly. Since the Moody Blues' Days of Future Passed, rock groups have been trying to fuse the orchestral soundscape with the rock idiom with varying degrees of success. Instead, the orchestra fills in the blanks between rock statements. Orchestral Favorites differs from other cross-genre recordings in that it clearly and successfully shows the common ground between Frank's rock and orchestral sensibilities.

Too orchestral to be rock, and too rock to be orchestral, the five instrumental tracks on Orchestral Favorites contain some of Franks most compelling and memorable melodies. In particular, Strictly Genteel could almost be the School Song of some imaginary arts magnet school. The Duke of Prunes is also a favorite, featuring fantastic use of orchestral impact behind a blistering guitar solo that really shows Frank's mastery of electric guitar feedback. However, prepare yourself for the denser compositions Pedro's Dowry and Naval Aviation in Art?, which show his Stravinskyesque use of layers. The final track Bogus Pomp straddles the line between these extremes with an electrifying opening melody that pops up periodically during layered sections.

The Lowdown: Probably not a recording for the beginning Frank fan, it most certainly is one for the intermediate. It's a great look at the places where Frank's styles overlapped. It can be a little dense sometimes, but overall its quite memorable.


where the f*** does this guy get off??
recorded in '75, released in '79, this fellow is believing it was released in '76??? huh?? a top 500 reviewer??? sure he's not a programmer for clearview or mtv?
i was at this show. briefly, i have real questions, at a cursory glance, as to what the h*** kireviewer, whatever his name is, speaks of when he's alluding to this being released in '74??!!?? his mere mention of this being released in 1974 discredits anything he has to say. it was another great evening of zappa music. not to mention showcasing bozzio and an impromptu "louie, louie" featuring beefheart.

this release was part of a THREE lp release, Lather, and yes indeed, WB locked up and f***ed up almost all aspects of fz's music at this juncture in his development.

it's a great representation of where mr. zappa was in september of 1975. tween bands, a small electric symphony orchestra and a really nice evening of music better than, oh, almost anything else that was being spewed forth in the "rock" segment of musical society, circa 1975.

if you're this far into it, drop the bucks, add this to your collection and let it serve as another marker on the long highway zappa traveled in pursuit of the big note.


Awesome.
What is not so hot about the CD is the fact that it was hacked into conception by Warner Brothers. This cd has a lot of fun and enough classical traits to make it a gormet listening adventure. FZ didn't intend this release to be out in this fashion. Check out Lather release for the intentions and over all feel of where the songs would fit. . . . but these pieces are second to none. All good and Terry Bozzio rules.


Great mid-70s Zappa
40-piece orchestra and a few electrified instruments. One of his best collections of works. Terry Bozzio on drums. But check out "review #1" for the broader picture and details!.


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

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