Jazzwise
UK
2003 September
No. 43
The Grandmothers: A Grandmothers
Night at the Gewandhouse
By Duncan Heining, p 50
2003 December - 2004 January
No. 71
Frank Zappa's jazz legacy
By Stuart Nicholson, pp 28-34
Interviews with Don Preston, Dweezil Zappa, George Duke,
John Etheridge, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Vinnie Colaiuta, Colin
Towns, Olli Vitaperko
By Duncan Heining, pp 28-34
The great 'Bognor Regis mystery'
By Jeff Dexter, p 35
Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar
By Laurie Staff, p 35
Frank Zappa: Halloween DVD-A
By Duncan Heining, p 70
Ten years ago on 4 December 1993 guitarist/visionary Frank Zappa finally left the building leaving behind a huge legacy of pioneering music and outspoken opinions that has proved obliquely influential in shaping the style and attitudes of generations of rock and jazz musicians, while often upsetting their elders and certain establishment figures. In this eight page special Stuart Nicholson re-evaluates Zappa's jazz-oriented work and looks at the ways in which he made his mark on improvised music, Duncan Heining talks to Zappa's son Dweezil and many of the musicians who played with or were influenced by Zappa, while Laurie Staff dusts down his serious Zappa collection to guide you to the key jazz-related discs of his huge body of recorded work.
OK so 'tasteful' was not a word that Frank Zappa was overly familiar with and for those amongst you who can't stomach his excesses both musical and in this case visual this 2 hour and 45 minute film is probably best avoided, but for lovers of his anarchic vision this is an absolute treat. (read more)
2004 April
No. 74
Le Bocal: Oh No! ... Just Another
Frank Zappa Memorial Barbecue
By Duncan Heining, p 56
John Etheridge and the Zappatistas: Pizza Express Jazz
Club
By Josie Pearce, p 71
A reviews of an album and a concert related to Zappa's music.
[...] One thing that remains constant throughout of course is Frank's spellbinding guitar work and, rest assured. there are numerous solos here that still send shivers down the spine. Buy without delay.
2006 March
No. 74
The Band From Utopia: A Tribute
To The Music Of Frank Zappa; Live In Stuttgart
By Laurie Staff, p 68
[...] There are some interesting. clever song choices (especially 'Andy' and 'Sofa' from the 1975 masterpiece One Sze Fits All) and it's all very nicely and sincerely done, but the memory of Frank's wild spark and dangerous edge is the ghost at the feast, constantly reminding the viewer of the timeless genius that's not only lacking here but so badly missed in the rancid blandness of the current musical and political climate. A sterling effort but one for hardened Zappa-philes only I'm afraid.
Hi kids ... There are anthologies, re-mixes, box sets and there is Zappa World. This isn't as re-issue, it's an immersive Zappa experience: Six CDs, seven hours-plus of music, extensive notes, essays and, whoa! A board game! (read more)
