Description
‘ZAPPAtite-Frank Zappas Tastiest Tracks’collects a healthy portion of Zappas best known and beloved compositions, from his early psychedelic rock beginnings to his avant-garde experimentation, jazz-rock explorations, symphonic suites and satirical send-ups, compiling them into one easily digestible collection and offering key entryways into the many musical worlds of the visionary musician.
The album is divided into three courses – Appetizers, Entrees, and Desserts and the food-centric theme oozes throughout the album art, which features Zappa in a diner on the cover, a track list that resembles a menu and some of Zappas favorite eats. The 18 compositions that make up ‘ZAPPAtite’ were compiled by Zappas son Ahmet Zappa and encyclopedic Zappa archivist, Vaultmeister Joe Travers. This isnt a greatest hits album as Frank didnt really have hits, per se, nor is it a best of since that would be an impossibility to fit so much awesome onto one disc, says Ahmet Zappa. Its a veritable smorgasbord of musicality for the curious and a buffet of favorites for the fans, ‘ZAPPAtite’ collects a cross section of my favorite songs composed by my dad, that lean more towards the rock side of his expansive repertoire. I hope you’re hungry because this meal for your ears rocks!
Kicking off with the one-two punch of Im The Slime and Dirty Love from Zappas 1973 watershed Gold album, Over-Nite Sensation, the collection quickly introduces Zappas eclecticism and salacious tongue as the songs meld polyrhythmic psychedelic rock and heavy funk with his trademark innuendo-filled lyrics. From there, the album travels through Zappas sprawling musical universe, highlighting vital songs and important eras of his career. The Appetizers portion also includes the GRAMMY® -nominated disco satire “Dancin’ Fool and the controversial European smash Bobby Brown Goes Down from Zappas popular 1979 album, Sheik Yerbouti; and Trouble Every Day from Zappas embryonic rock band the Mothers of Inventions groundbreaking 1966 debut, Freak Out!. Entrees includes one of Zappas best known works, the universally loved instrumental Peaches En Regalia from his classic 1969 solo sophomore record, Hot Rats; ubiquitous Top 40 hit Valley Girl, featuring his then 14-year-old daughter Moon Unit affecting a valley girl gag-me-with-a-spoon patois, from 1982s Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch; to the possible autobiographical track from a parallel dimension Joes Garage of 1979s LP of the same name; and the waggish blues rocker Cosmik Debris and the humorous Dont Eat The Yellow Snow, two standouts from one of Zappas most commercial and accessible albums, 1974s Apostrophe (‘).
Desserts explores Zappas musical virtuosity and singular live performances and includes the comedic Titties & Beer from the 1978 live album, Zappa In New York; the frenetic Synclavier-fueled G-Spot Tornado from 1986s Jazz From Hell; the anti-drug screed, Cocaine Decisions from 1983s The Man From Utopia; and Zoot Allures, the heady instrumental featuring some of Zappas electrifying guitar playing, from 1976s Zoot Allures. The album culminates with a performance of Strictly Genteel with the London Symphony Orchestra. The epic, orchestral-rock piece originally served as the grand finale to Zappas surrealist 1971 film, 200 Motels.
CD version.
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