Frank Zappa - Frank Zappa Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute (1996) [2017]

Greetings music lovers, Dweezil here.
The Zappa family would like to thank you for choosing this particular audio experience. We’ve tried to create an album
that celebrates some of Frank’s greatest musical achievements not only as a composer but as a guitarist. When Frank was
asked whether or not he felt he had written or recorded anything that was unique or special to him he replied, “Yes.” He
then mentioned the names of 3 guitar instrumentals: “Black Napkins,” “Zoot Allures” and “Watermelon In Easter Hay.” He
considered these his ‘signature pieces’. We would like to share Frank’s signature guitar compositions with you. We felt the
title “Frank Zappa Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute” was appropriate because only Frank can play his
signature guitar pieces. His tone, his phrasing and his personality are what defines them. The best way to honor him is to
listen with what Frank would refer to as “big ears”.
Without the conscious use of reason or technical command of music language you will immediately find yourself understanding
the complex musical conversations that inhabit this record. Frank’s most fearless improvisational guitar solos or “air
sculptures” as he liked to refer to them, often revolved around deceptively simple themes. A few of those simple themes
transformed themselves into Frank’s signature guitar compositions. Rare combinations of beautiful melodies and raw
creativity blended with unusual guitar tones, constructed on top of perspicaciously astute drumming make these compositions
instantly recognizable to those already familiar with his music. “Black Napkins,” “Zoot Allures” and “Watermelon In Easter
Hay” are collected here for the first time.
For those of you experiencing Frank’s music for your first time as well as his longtime aficionados, here’s the part that makes
this record unique: The UMRK vault, which is full of modern day archaeological treasures, was meticulously scoured for
several weeks in search of early recordings of the above-mentioned tunes. To our delight and hopefully yours, we were able
to locate versions of these compositions in forms that predate the originals. We have combined these never-before-released
performances with the well-known album performances to allow your ears to hear the intriguing developmental process.
Without words Frank was able to communicate his ideas, emotions and his personality to international audiences. All he
needed was his guitar. “Black Napkins,” “Zoot Allures” and especially “Watermelon In Easter Hay” speak volumes about
Frank and his vast imagination. And they certainly speak to me like no other guitar compositions I’ve ever heard.
Frank’s guitar playing, however enigmatic or idiosyncratically phrased, was also firmly rooted in the blues. I’m extremely
thrilled for you to be able to hear what we were surprised to find, a bonus track. “Merely A Blues In A” is the most wicked,
obstreperous, bad ass blues jam I’ve heard Frank play. Never known to stick to the rules, what makes this performance so
unique is Frank’s adherence to standard blues form and his wonderful homage to his friend and guitar hero, Johnny “Guitar”
Watson. You even hear a moment of “Big Swifty” if you listen carefully. When you run out of songs to play in Paris and all
else fails, play the blues.
I hope you enjoy this record. Here’s to Frank and his guitar!


Tracks:

01. Frank Zappa - Black Napkins (7:11)
02. Frank Zappa - Black Napkins (Album Version) (4:15)
03. Frank Zappa - Zoot Allures (15:46)
04. Frank Zappa - Merely A Blues In A (7:27)
05. Frank Zappa - Zoot Allures (Album Version) (4:06)
06. Frank Zappa - Watermelon In Easter Hay (6:42)
07. Frank Zappa - Watermelon In Easter Hay (Album Version) (8:42)