We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
As he continued recuperating from being pushed off a stage in Europe and suffering a mind numbing array of serious injuries, Frank Zappa continued to write a series of mostly instrumental albums that tempered his weirder inclinations for more serious musical pursuits.
Surrounding himself with an array of top-notch musicians that could play fast and tight his 1972 album “The Grand Wazoo” was a fine addition to his oeuvre.
The only tune in this collection that really put me off was the first song, “For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitchhikers). It’s too out there for me. But don’t let that dissaude you from listening to this.
The title track is glorious featuring all kinds of excellent solos, (Billy Byers on trombone, Sal Marquez on trumpet, Don Preston on mini-moog and Frank on guitar).
Side 2 is great. After the silliness of “Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus” which masks some serious chops, comes “Eat That Question” featuring the electric piano of the fantastic George Duke and the lickety-split drumming from Aynsley Dunbar. The album closes with the quiet, almost mainstream jazz of “Blessed Relief” once again featuring Duke & Dunbar and some tasty guitar from the recovering author.
You’ve listened to Hot Rats and Waka/Jawaka…you might as well finish what really is a trifecta of Frank at a high-point of his composing life.
