Frank Zappa – The Grand Wazoo (Remastered) (1972/2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 37:01 minutes | 1,49 GB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Frank Zappa Catalog
Like its immediate predecessor, Waka/Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo was a largely instrumental jazz rock album recorded during Frank Zappa’s convalescence from injuries sustained after being pushed off a concert stage. While Zappa contributes some guitar solos and occasional vocals, the focus is more on his skills as a composer and arranger. Most of the five selections supposedly form a musical representation of a story told in the liner notes about two warring musical factions, but the bottom line is that, overall, the compositions here are more memorably melodic and consistently engaging than Waka/Jawaka. The instrumentation is somewhat unique in the Zappa catalog as well, with the band more of a chamber jazz orchestra than a compact rock unit; over 20 musicians and vocalists contribute to the record. While Hot Rats is still the peak of Zappa’s jazz-rock fusion efforts, The Grand Wazoo comes close, and it’s essential for anyone interested in Zappa’s instrumental works. – Steve Huey
Tracklist:
1-1. Frank Zappa – The Grand Wazoo (13:19)
1-2. Frank Zappa – For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers) (06:05)
1-3. Frank Zappa – Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus (02:56)
1-4. Frank Zappa – Eat That Question (06:40)
1-5. Frank Zappa – Blessed Relief (07:59)
