True genius and high quality musicianship abounds here.
So often, the term 'genius' is thrown around to describe musicians who play above average, and 'quality musicianship' is a buzzword to describe mediocre interplay between band members. Normally, it comes down to a question of taste, for fans, reviewers & critics, and other musicians. Who's to say?
But no matter what you feel for Frank Zappa's cynical wit displayed in his lyrics, there's no denying that his mix of classical, jazz, rock and doo-wop combine to form a musical experience seriously lacking in today's music. FZ was so much more than a great guitarist; he was certainly an American composer. And the people that worked with him confirm he was a genius.
This DVD, filmed August 26, 1984, may not have so many famous names like Jean-Luc Ponty, Captain Beefheart, or Eddie Jobson (formerly of the band UK), or mainstays like Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ruth Underwood, or Terry Bozzio. But Frank Zappa was very picky about which musicians got to play with him, and this lineup of Ray White and Ike Willis on vocals and guitar, Chad Wackerman on drums and percussion, Scott Thunes on bass guitar, Allan Zavod on keyboards, and a very entertaining Bobby Martin on keyboards, sax and vocals. The DVD has clips of interviews interspersed throughout the performance, focusing on Frank's musical (and life) philosophies, including his dislike for Republicans and drugs (other than cigarettes and coffee, which he conveniently classified as 'food').
I don't think Frank Zappa was a musical genius simply because I've been a fan for over 30 years. I believe he was a musical genius because he could compose quality classical music as easily as he wrote witty, sarcastic lyrics, or played lead guitar with such finesse and grace. He is sorely missed, and I can only imagine the stuff he'd come out with during today's political arena.
I gave this DVD a Good rating because Frank's leadership continued to insist on quality musicianship, and yet the band didn't take themselves too seriously. The crowd fed off the band's energy very well, and I only wish there had been a few more songs played that night. I was very impressed with Bobby Martin's vocals, and although his vocal rendition of the Allman Brothers 'Whipping Post' was a bit over-the-top, his solo performance gave way to some excellent licks from Frank's guitar.
If you enjoy a musical genius who has a flair for cleverly sarcastic lyrics, and a band that plays somewhat difficult music (okay, this setlist wasn't quite as hard as some of Zappa's other lineups used to play), this is one helluva great time, and should be a staple for even the most casual Zappa fan's musical diet. Enjoy!Read full review
