Love the way how you display vinyl on your videos. You hold it up long enough so one can see the cover in detail and read the title properly and show all of the contents. Very few reviewers do this properly so my thanks and gratitude for a great job!
Thankyou Michael, one to check out for sure, and thank you for all your YT content over the year! My collection and audiophile 'joy" has grown immensely down to your videos, fabulous!.. Merry Christmas and peace and love to your family.
The US copies are from Optimal as well, Michael. I plan on doing a review of this release soon as well as a comparison of the different versions I have: Original, this one, and also the not-so-official CD version. Joe the Vaultmeister has done an admirable job, as always.
I've only bought one of the Zappa re-issues that are "digital", that was We Are Only In It For The Money by Mothers, and even that one sounds pretty good. This one was very incredible, I got a sealed first pressing a few years ago, and this 50th anniversary sounds even better. I hope the Zappa trust starts releasing albums fromStraight Records, if they still have the mechanical rights to them.
One of My FAVORITE RELEASES IS FROM 1966, FREAK OUT !!! BOY WOULD I LOVE A VINYL PRODUCTION LIKE YOU DESCRIBE ON 200 MOTELS !!!! I OWN 98% OF THE CATALOG, ABSOLUTELY EVERY VINYL RELEASE (Original Released NOT the Remastered boxes)
I'm a vinyl collector, certainly not an audiophile. I was always intimidated by Zappa's catalogue but I picked up the Joe's Garage reissue a while back...the sound quality simply blew me away and made the material so much more accessible
Hi Michael, Thank you for reviewing this release. Being a huge Zappa fan and vinyl collector. .I was curious about the quality of this one. So far the Zappa trust and Joe Travers have done a brilliant job with these albums...even the albums that were remastered from digital masters sound fantastic. You hit the nail on the head. .the main reason these albums sound great is because Frank made sure the recording of these albums were done in top quality form. Just listen to the Hot Rats boxset...some great examples of how much attention to detail Frank had. I have an early 80's pressing of this album..which came with an official record label press release. My pressing was probably sent originally to a radio station. It sound excellent. ..but I think I'll still grab these version as well. I hope you and your family are doing well and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Mark Anthony K Projekt Gemineye
good job again Michael on this release , i wonder if you will ever start a topic about warped disks and how to fix them eventually considering most of the 2021 releases i purchased especially talking about audiophile labels releases came with such issue
As I mentioned on Rachel's morning show, mine arrived yesterday. Haven't listened yet, but I am excited because as you say, the ZFT has consistently done an outstanding job with these reissues. I've already done a video taking a deeper dive into the story behind 200 Motels, you might want to check that out. Ringo Starr's driver got hired to play a part in the film because bass player Jeff Simmons walked out, allegedly encouraged by his then girlfriend. I'll review this reissue as well when I listen, but won't go into all that background detail again. I think I was in 8th grade when I first heard this album. Blew my mind then, but now, with my increased knowledge of the composers that influenced Zappa - such as Varese, Holst, and Stravinsky - the vocal arrangements and orchestration are absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait to listen to them on these releases.
The Original pressing in the US was HORRIBLE, I actually returned two purchases back to the Store until I realized that was the way it is. I was impressed with the pressing of Zappa: ‘88 The Final US Show !! Years ago I visited Switzerland and went to a local record store. While there I picked up Joe’s Garage II & III, I Already owned it but the European release was different !!! I will tell you the album I bought in Switzerland on CBS Records was much better than my US copy.
The deluxe set is on Spotify. Listened to some of the Out-takes and skimmed through the rest. It's very good. I have a previous LP version and the CD version from the late 90s. I won't be buying again as I don't need. I may have considered the deluxe version, but it's too expensive for me.
Everything from the Zappa family trust sounds incredible. Frank's music is always very layered with tons of stuff going on at once. I hope to get a copy of this soon. Regarding his film 200 motels.....what a mess. LoL I ve heard it is about his endless touring and knowing Frank makes perfect sense to him and who cares what the audience thinks. LoL Ps. Yeah I bought a copy of the movie and have only watched it once. That's enough.
Glad you are happy with your 200 Motels Michael....a "must see" 4 minute "interview" is Norman Gunston Frank Zappa Interview 1976...yours faithfully subscriber#6
Wonderbar, your review is deserved of 3 month in flight promotions on Air Rangoon. I reach my hand out to you. Frank Zappa's 81st birthday has another 10 hours here in NYC. I very well may have just found the 6' Newt that I've been looking for. Seriously, Down In The Dew.
Another great video. I was on the fence about it but not anymore. Will pick up a copy this weekend when the shops open back up. Thanks Update- picked up my copy today. I wasn't expecting the sound to be this good. By the way my pressing is also from Optimal. Thanks
I've just re-ordered this record for the 4th time from Amazon (USA). The first 3 copies all have a similar edge warp. I don't feel that warps should be acceptable with new vinyl production. It occurred to me that Amazon's storage or handling methods may be at fault but this has just been released so I don't think they would have been stored for very long. I have almost all of the ZFT vinyl reissues and agree wholeheartedly about the superb sound quality. I also have all these original records and I can't think of any one of them that sounds better than it's reissue. I've only had one previous problem with one of these Zappa reissues. So my 4th copy from Amazon was also warped. I ordered it again for the 5th time, this time from a different vendor.
We're better off paying extra money for a German pressing for a US album than for a US pressing 180 grams from Rainbow Pressing plant - which is notorious for the lack of quality control. Records end up warped, pressed off center, and/or sounding awful, as if the stamper should have been long retired from service. I went through 3 copies of the Beatles White album because of off center issues.
Best album
Love the way how you display vinyl on your videos. You hold it up long enough so one can see the cover in detail and read the title properly and show all of the contents. Very few reviewers do this properly so my thanks and gratitude for a great job!
Thankyou Michael, one to check out for sure, and thank you for all your YT content over the year! My collection and audiophile 'joy" has grown immensely down to your videos, fabulous!.. Merry Christmas and peace and love to your family.
Ringo Starr "one of the most important, best British actors of all time". You've got to be kidding! I could hardly believe my ears!
LOL! Couldn't believe it when I heard it. It's ridiculous even as exaggeration!
The US copies are from Optimal as well, Michael. I plan on doing a review of this release soon as well as a comparison of the different versions I have: Original, this one, and also the not-so-official CD version. Joe the Vaultmeister has done an admirable job, as always.
I've only bought one of the Zappa re-issues that are "digital", that was We Are Only In It For The Money by Mothers, and even that one sounds pretty good. This one was very incredible, I got a sealed first pressing a few years ago, and this 50th anniversary sounds even better. I hope the Zappa trust starts releasing albums fromStraight Records, if they still have the mechanical rights to them.
One of My FAVORITE RELEASES IS FROM 1966, FREAK OUT !!!
BOY WOULD I LOVE A VINYL PRODUCTION LIKE YOU DESCRIBE ON 200 MOTELS !!!!
I OWN 98% OF THE CATALOG, ABSOLUTELY EVERY VINYL RELEASE (Original Released NOT the Remastered boxes)
Excellent review, Michael! All the best of the Holiday Season to you and yours.
Thx a lot Mark best wishes to you and your family too
My copy is waiting for me when I return from Xmas vacation. Now that I have heard your review I can’t wait!
That pull over looks comfy cozy
It is !!
I'm a vinyl collector, certainly not an audiophile. I was always intimidated by Zappa's catalogue but I picked up the Joe's Garage reissue a while back...the sound quality simply blew me away and made the material so much more accessible
Hi Michael,
Thank you for reviewing this release. Being a huge Zappa fan and vinyl collector. .I was curious about the quality of this one. So far the Zappa trust and Joe Travers have done a brilliant job with these albums...even the albums that were remastered from digital masters sound fantastic. You hit the nail on the head. .the main reason these albums sound great is because Frank made sure the recording of these albums were done in top quality form. Just listen to the Hot Rats boxset...some great examples of how much attention to detail Frank had.
I have an early 80's pressing of this album..which came with an official record label press release. My pressing was probably sent originally to a radio station. It sound excellent. ..but I think I'll still grab these version as well.
I hope you and your family are doing well and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mark Anthony K
Projekt Gemineye
Well got to Buy it now! Thanks Michael
Its a great one you prob. will not regret it Jim
good job again Michael on this release , i wonder if you will ever start a topic about warped disks and how to fix them eventually considering most of the 2021 releases i purchased especially talking about audiophile labels releases came with such issue
I just got my copy. It is "Pressed on 180g Black Vinyl by Optimal Media in Germany" too. I am in Canada. :)
Do you have the original and how in your opinion is the new version better?
I have at least fifteen Frank Zappa albums and all of them have excellent sound quality.
I once had the album but I didn't get that poster with it ! I'm not sure they issued the poster back then.Bummer it's a great one of the album cover !
As I mentioned on Rachel's morning show, mine arrived yesterday. Haven't listened yet, but I am excited because as you say, the ZFT has consistently done an outstanding job with these reissues. I've already done a video taking a deeper dive into the story behind 200 Motels, you might want to check that out. Ringo Starr's driver got hired to play a part in the film because bass player Jeff Simmons walked out, allegedly encouraged by his then girlfriend. I'll review this reissue as well when I listen, but won't go into all that background detail again. I think I was in 8th grade when I first heard this album. Blew my mind then, but now, with my increased knowledge of the composers that influenced Zappa - such as Varese, Holst, and Stravinsky - the vocal arrangements and orchestration are absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait to listen to them on these releases.
Thx for sharing this calvin.. will dig into your videos .. see you at rachel
Michael…My rig is 100% digital but you are definitely sparking a desire to get into vinyl! Your presentation is awesome, top notch stuff. 👍
The Original pressing in the US was HORRIBLE, I actually returned two purchases back to the Store until I realized that was the way it is.
I was impressed with the pressing of Zappa: ‘88 The Final US Show !!
Years ago I visited Switzerland and went to a local record store. While there I picked up Joe’s Garage II & III, I Already owned it but the European release was different !!!
I will tell you the album I bought in Switzerland on CBS Records was much better than my US copy.
Great review , your making me a Zappa vinyl junkie man
This video made my evening. I have an unopened copy under the Christmas tree now from my girlfriend. Very happy to hear this review. Thanks Michael!
You will love it Kevin
I am thinking of getting this. Is it as good as the Hot Rats box?
The deluxe set is on Spotify. Listened to some of the Out-takes and skimmed through the rest. It's very good. I have a previous LP version and the CD version from the late 90s. I won't be buying again as I don't need. I may have considered the deluxe version, but it's too expensive for me.
@@bobby666666 I have four grown up children who usually give me Amazon vouchers for Christmas.
So fingers crossed.
Everything from the Zappa family trust sounds incredible. Frank's music is always very layered with tons of stuff going on at once. I hope to get a copy of this soon. Regarding his film 200 motels.....what a mess. LoL
I ve heard it is about his endless touring and knowing Frank makes perfect sense to him and who cares what the audience thinks. LoL
Ps. Yeah I bought a copy of the movie and have only watched it once. That's enough.
Glad you are happy with your 200 Motels Michael....a "must see" 4 minute "interview" is Norman Gunston Frank Zappa Interview 1976...yours faithfully subscriber#6
Hello Michael
Great Zappa Álbum
Beauty Editon.
Wonderbar, your review is deserved of 3 month in flight promotions on Air Rangoon. I reach my hand out to you. Frank Zappa's 81st birthday has another 10 hours here in NYC. I very well may have just found the 6' Newt that I've been looking for. Seriously, Down In The Dew.
Another great video. I was on the fence about it but not anymore. Will pick up a copy this weekend when the shops open back up. Thanks
Update- picked up my copy today. I wasn't expecting the sound to be this good. By the way my pressing is also from Optimal. Thanks
I wish you would talk about the music a little more. You never talk about the music even in your other videos, just the sound and presentation.
Great video
Cool video . I may get this one
I'm a big Zappa fan and have about 50 of his albums all UK originals. That's enough for me I don't need any new versions.
I've just re-ordered this record for the 4th time from Amazon (USA). The first 3 copies all have a similar edge warp. I don't feel that warps should be acceptable with new vinyl production. It occurred to me that Amazon's storage or handling methods may be at fault but this has just been released so I don't think they would have been stored for very long. I have almost all of the ZFT vinyl reissues and agree wholeheartedly about the superb sound quality. I also have all these original records and I can't think of any one of them that sounds better than it's reissue. I've only had one previous problem with one of these Zappa reissues.
So my 4th copy from Amazon was also warped. I ordered it again for the 5th time, this time from a different vendor.
👌👌
We're better off paying extra money for a German pressing for a US album than for a US pressing 180 grams from Rainbow Pressing plant - which is notorious for the lack of quality control. Records end up warped, pressed off center, and/or sounding awful, as if the stamper should have been long retired from service. I went through 3 copies of the Beatles White album because of off center issues.
Hi Michael
Hi Bill :-)
@@Michael45RPM Zappa is one of the most important individuals in music history who broke traditional molds by orchestrating jazz and rock.
Michael, take a look at this youtuber:
ruclips.net/user/phonatic
Very interesting + lives in Duetchland..
Maybe a summit is due..? 🤭
First look is cool will dive deeper thx Itay
Hope you haven't bought the ERC White Stripes record? Looks absolutely terrible and a massive con. Mike's video over at the In Groove tells all.
Hi Michael. Friedrich did not come today :-(
Great video.!
He slepp on the floor during this Video :-)
@@Michael45RPM Without him the videos are not the same thing :-)