Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland August 23-24, 1973 FZ-guitar Jean-Luc Ponty-violin George Duke-keyboards Ian Underwood-bass clarinet, synthesizer Ruth Underwood-percussion Bruce Fowler-trombone Tom Fowler-bass Ralph Humphrey-drums, cowbell
This was from 1973? Wow, this is definitely into another phase of his evolutionary development from the Mothers just a few years before. I saw them in '69 and they were great but this is a whole different level here. The solos are technical yet listenable. Good pick Wayne!
This particular Mothers lineup (with additional personnel popping in and out here and there) existed from February to September 1973. They started in the US, and ended in Europe. In between tour legs, they were also recording material for "One Size Fits All", and "'Apostrophe (')", and utilizing the concerts to fine-tune them. I saw this lineup as a 10 piece at McKale Center at the University of Arizona in Tucson about 4-1/2 months earlier on 4/8/1973 (the opening acts were Jesse Colin Young and Focus). The show was mostly instrumental, including "Big Swifty", but they also played several of the aforementioned WIPs. "Stinkfoot" was titled "Imaginary Diseases", and in "Montana" it was "Mighty Little" instead of "Pygmy Pony". As an aside, at the beginning of "Montana" Frank stepped off stage and handed a dental floss container to a fan in the front row with the instruction to pass the line to the next row up, and continue the process until the floss stretched all the way to the top of the arena. He then asked all the participants to simultaneously floss while adding that the floss and all the attached "nuggets" would be given away later as the door prize. Frank Zappa guitar, vocals Ralph Humphrey drums, cowbell George Duke keyboards, vocals Bruce Fowler trombone Tom Fowler bass Jean-Luc Ponty violin Ian Underwood woodwinds, synthesizer Ruth Underwood percussion Ricky Lancelotti vocals (3/23/73) Sal Marquez trumpet, vocals (3/24/73-7/8/73) Kin Vassy vocals (4/7/73-5/1/73)
Dan - good observations. The beginning and end are similar to the studio version from Waka Jawaka, with the middle being free form solos (at least for Frank). Sifa Graffiti - Yes Frank is a monster with the Wha Wha pedal. Also, I don't think Frank gets enough credit for his guitar tone. He had unique electronics and technique and got many unique tones through out the years. He has incredible variety. Dweezil talks about some of Frank's gear on RUclips as well as in old Guitar Player magazine articles. Dweezil incorporates some of Frank's gear in his rack and in his concerts, and has the old Hendrix guitar if I am not mistaken. There is also a new book available that covers Frank's gear but I haven't bought it yet. Dan - A good word for the bass would be persistent, relentless, tenacious, merciless. Meriam Webster: Synonyms for RELENTLESS: grim, determined, persistent, unrelenting, ruthless, implacable, dogged, unflinching. Duck duck go: Some synonyms for "relentless" include unyielding, persistent, and unremitting. Other options are tenacious, merciless, and continuous.
Same with me. What a treat. @Sight After Dark - I also recommend the (studio I believe) version on Waka/Jawaka! It's a version that is probably easier to listen to multiple times, a real masterpiece IMO. If you haven't listened to all of Waka Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo albums, please do. These are two of my favorite Zappa albums from his big band jazz era.
I am torn between this version, and one of the Roxy versions, as being my favorite now. On the Roxy version, Frank let George freelance a longer lead keyboard part then some snazzy percussion by Ruth "throws a wrench in the works" to get the listeners attention, then, Frank comes in with feeding back a low note on guitar, and turns it into a high pitched note of which, I never heard any other guitarist do before or since. Both versions have wicked, R&B backbeat ( classic "Xenochrony" by Frank) lead parts by Frank , which makes it hard to pick a favorite for me
nice performance...first two solos were pure jazzy like and then they shifted to a simpler rhythm for Frank's solo...george duke keys and probably Luc ponty violin...
The world would be a boring place if everyone had the same tastes. As long as you aren't insisting that your view is the only permissible one (as one frequent commenter here often does), all is good.
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Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, Finland
August 23-24, 1973
FZ-guitar
Jean-Luc Ponty-violin
George Duke-keyboards
Ian Underwood-bass clarinet, synthesizer
Ruth Underwood-percussion
Bruce Fowler-trombone
Tom Fowler-bass
Ralph Humphrey-drums, cowbell
Is this from the same show they filmed where Frank has that horrible plaid suit and he's bitchin about how cold it is? Regardless, great stuff here!!
@@chazblitz No, that was Stockholm, Sweden
@@stevedotwood Thanks Steve
This was from 1973? Wow, this is definitely into another phase of his evolutionary development from the Mothers just a few years before. I saw them in '69 and they were great but this is a whole different level here. The solos are technical yet listenable. Good pick Wayne!
@@chazblitz - As @stevedotwood noted, that show was in Stockholm, but it was only two days earlier on 08/21/1973.
Duke! Ponty! Zappa! Masterful, non-monotonous soloists. Improvisation at its finest. Love it! Great pick Wayne. And great review as usual SAD!
We're glad you enjoyed it Chuck, thanks!
This particular Mothers lineup (with additional personnel popping in and out here and there) existed from February to September 1973. They started in the US, and ended in Europe. In between tour legs, they were also recording material for "One Size Fits All", and "'Apostrophe (')", and utilizing the concerts to fine-tune them.
I saw this lineup as a 10 piece at McKale Center at the University of Arizona in Tucson about 4-1/2 months earlier on 4/8/1973 (the opening acts were Jesse Colin Young and Focus). The show was mostly instrumental, including "Big Swifty", but they also played several of the aforementioned WIPs. "Stinkfoot" was titled "Imaginary Diseases", and in "Montana" it was "Mighty Little" instead of "Pygmy Pony".
As an aside, at the beginning of "Montana" Frank stepped off stage and handed a dental floss container to a fan in the front row with the instruction to pass the line to the next row up, and continue the process until the floss stretched all the way to the top of the arena. He then asked all the participants to simultaneously floss while adding that the floss and all the attached "nuggets" would be given away later as the door prize.
Frank Zappa guitar, vocals
Ralph Humphrey drums, cowbell
George Duke keyboards, vocals
Bruce Fowler trombone
Tom Fowler bass
Jean-Luc Ponty violin
Ian Underwood woodwinds, synthesizer
Ruth Underwood percussion
Ricky Lancelotti vocals (3/23/73)
Sal Marquez trumpet, vocals (3/24/73-7/8/73)
Kin Vassy vocals (4/7/73-5/1/73)
Simultaneous floss! Hilarious ... and gross! Classic Zappaesque humor.
Thanks for those excellent details HisboiLRoi!
they came through Australia with this line up
What a lineup!
Dan - good observations. The beginning and end are similar to the studio version from Waka Jawaka, with the middle being free form solos (at least for Frank).
Sifa Graffiti - Yes Frank is a monster with the Wha Wha pedal. Also, I don't think Frank gets enough credit for his guitar tone. He had unique electronics and technique and got many unique tones through out the years. He has incredible variety.
Dweezil talks about some of Frank's gear on RUclips as well as in old Guitar Player magazine articles. Dweezil incorporates some of Frank's gear in his rack and in his concerts, and has the old Hendrix guitar if I am not mistaken. There is also a new book available that covers Frank's gear but I haven't bought it yet.
Dan - A good word for the bass would be persistent, relentless, tenacious, merciless.
Meriam Webster: Synonyms for RELENTLESS: grim, determined, persistent, unrelenting, ruthless, implacable, dogged, unflinching.
Duck duck go: Some synonyms for "relentless" include unyielding, persistent, and unremitting. Other options are tenacious, merciless, and continuous.
Thanks so much Todd!
Frank Zappa could always get to the jam. Finest musicians , fantastic compositions and performances.
LOVE BIG SWIFTY... Never heard this version.
Same with me. What a treat. @Sight After Dark - I also recommend the (studio I believe) version on Waka/Jawaka! It's a version that is probably easier to listen to multiple times, a real masterpiece IMO. If you haven't listened to all of Waka Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo albums, please do. These are two of my favorite Zappa albums from his big band jazz era.
Hi Big Dan and Big Sifa.
Hey Big Scott!
Do not argue with big swifty - AND - MUSIC IS THE BEST.
I am torn between this version, and one of the Roxy versions, as being my favorite now. On the Roxy version, Frank let George freelance a longer lead keyboard part then some snazzy percussion by Ruth "throws a wrench in the works" to get the listeners attention, then, Frank comes in with feeding back a low note on guitar, and turns it into a high pitched note of which, I never heard any other guitarist do before or since. Both versions have wicked, R&B backbeat ( classic "Xenochrony" by Frank) lead parts by Frank , which makes it hard to pick a favorite for me
Which Roxy version specifically? I would like to check it out.
Ponty on Violin. Incredible.
Jean Luc Ponty was the violinist.
nice performance...first two solos were pure jazzy like and then they shifted to a simpler rhythm for Frank's solo...george duke keys and probably Luc ponty violin...
alright! now this and the Verve years are my fave Zappa eras! up through Zoot Allures for me
Best live LP!!! React full album 🤩
Don't get me wrong folks. I am a huge fan of Frank Zappa. This one for me, not so much.
The world would be a boring place if everyone had the same tastes. As long as you aren't insisting that your view is the only permissible one (as one frequent commenter here often does), all is good.
Ok
Lol
@@HisboiLRoi not Marlon if that is your reference.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 I don't believe I know to whom you are referring.
Your content is great, but without SEO it's like a hidden gem! SEO is the key to success in increasing visibility, reaching more viewers, and growing your channel.
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on Gregory Peccary he refers to a Big Swifty as a trend monger
And what, might you ask, is a Trend Monger?