Music Week
UKBy the end of 2020 Music Week ceased to be a weekly title.
VIRGIN
IS continuing to take out injunctions to prevent the further
release of copies of the Frank Zappa/Captain Beefheart album
Bongo Fury. Beefheart has a recording contract with
Virgin but the new album is on Zappa's label, DiscReet which
is distributed by Warner Brothers. Warner Brothers have been
importing copies of the album from the U.S. and several thousand
have already been sent out to shops. However, further issues
will not be available until the dispute is settled. A High Court
hearing is due to take place in due course. Richard Branson
told Music Week that Virgin had no objection to Beefheart
touring with Zappa and would not have objected to the album
providing the company had been advised of its imminence.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
FRANK
ZAPPA
Zoot Allures (Warner Brothers K 56298). Producer: Frank Zappa.
Always a man of eclectic talent and bizarre ideas, Frank Zappa
that is. As usual the maestro has coached a fine studio band
into getting his characteristically gritty and raunchy sound
while Frank cuts loose with more of his winding, sinuous guitar
lines than has been his wont of late. Fans of his more outrageous
material will enjoy Zappa intoning the sordid description of
a torture cell and its going on complete with anguished female
moans on The Torture Never Stops. Zoot Allures will
not lose Zappa and fans.
***
Source: worldradiohistory.com
WEA
Records full page ad on page 13. This ad appears in several
Music Week issues.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
FRANK
ZAPPA
Zappa In New York. Elektra K 69204. Producer: Artist.
Long-awaited live double album from this unique artist.
Not a collection of his best loved material but contains some
of his most outrageous comic numbers like Titties and Beer and
The Illinois Enema Bandit mixed with some lengthy and complex
instrumentals. Side four is devoted to the 18 minute instrumental
The Purple Lagoon on to which Zappa has overdubbed his own classy
guitar solo since the album was recorded live at Christmas 1976.
Will be a must for all Zappa fans and bound to be a big seller.
⭗
Source: worldradiohistory.com
...
On came Frank Zappa with, as we have come to expect, a new band,
original material but still the same sardonic wit. As ever the
band was well rehearsed, each member coming in with his scheduled
shriek, yell or more ordinary harmony right on cue, creating
an impression of synchronised mayhem. Opening with Dancing Fool
and running one song into another the material was unfamiliar
but nevertheless impressive. Zappa himself rationed the guitar
solos but they were worth waiting for. He had played about a
dozen numbers before coming to something recognised which was
a long medley of songs from the WEA album Apostrophe.
His last album from WEA is Zappa Live In New York.
...
Source: worldradiohistory.com
| Release date / Background | OCT 6 Material made available from America for simultaneous UK-US release |
| Biography | 1940 born, member Soul Giants, renamed by Zappa The Mothers (Of Invention added later by MGM) heard, signed, with heavy outlay on debut LP. Became cult followed US, East Coast; general notice with Sgt. Pepper parodied on cober We're Only In It For The Money (Verve). Quasi-sociological lyrics – themes, variety of musical style with jaz influence very strong on many albums over years. New Mothers formed 1970, solo work, disastrous European tour 1971. Mid 1970's lyrics less diffuse, material became clearer. |
| Promotion | Fanzine comic style cover should draw interest. General company servicing of various outlets. No special promotional effort notified at copy time but obviously if initial reaction from sales warrant further attention this will be given. Zappa has large cult following, certainly the record should be in stock although it may not be product which charts in best selling lists. |
| Comment | Album from apparent mass of unreleased Zappa material with again rumour suggesting not previously available due to lack of commercial appeal. Certainly net a record likely to cause new friends for artist. Basically album run-out for Zappa's orchestra studio aspirations. Lack of real focus for those not versed in many-sided musical character of artist with often discordant sound save for Let Me Take You To The Beach, S1T1 which though disco in basic texture suffers from Zappa’s inherent love for changing anything which might easily be classified, here change in structure with less at more obvious beat destroys chance of editing down to appeal in more popular market. Lengthy Revised Music For Gurtars And Low Budget Orchestra with momentary breaks of clean sounding guitar, interesting percussron, woodwind and piano, stands out, found S2T2. Zappa rarely fails. This not one occasion but overall appeal limited, certainly little likely for programming in present radio set-up. |
Source: worldradiohistory.com
MAY
I refer to last week's issue on three points. I think it is
generally well-known in the UK industry that there is nothing
we enjoy more than helping our friends at CBS, other than perhaps
beating them. However, friendship can only go so far and I have
to draw you attention to the following points. On P2 there is
an impressive photograph of various worthies with Mr. Zappa
announcing the signing of the artist to the CBS label. I would
like to point out that we have just commenced selling Mr Zappa's
new LP due for release next month, and that, according to WB
in the US who hold the artist's contract, there is a considerable
period of time to run on his contract and two further LPs to
be delivered. I gather WB are writing to CBS on this point,
but I felt I should clear it up in case any of your dealers
wonder why wc arc arriving at their stores with the new album.
[...]
John Fruin, managing director WEA Records.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
IN
REPLY to John Fruin's letter (Music Week
Feb 3) regarding Frank Zappa, we feel a few salient details
should be pointed out. Firstly Frank Zappa's new record is the
CBS double album Sheik Yerbouti (CBS 88339) which Frank completed
mixing a matter of weeks ago. His upcoming, sold-out tour of
the UK will predominantly feature material from this album which
will be in the shops by the end of the month. The album that
Warner Brothers are set to release is hardly "new". Much of
the material was recorded in 1974 and the most recent tracks
Frank completed in 1976. Secondly, it is untrue that Warner
Brothers still hold Zappa's contract. Zappa was in fact contracted
to Discreet Records which Warner Brothers distributed. That
distribution deal expired during last year. Incidentally, Zappa
is currently suing Warner Brothers. What's new John?
David Betteridge, managing director, CBS Records.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
STUNNING
IS the only word to describe Zappa's recent Saturday show. The
man who brought us the mudshark, gave us an obsession with ponchos
and warned us not to eat the yellow snow, gave an impressive
three hour set that spanned a decade from Brown Shoes through
to his current Sheik Yerbouti album. (read
more)
Source: worldradiohistory.com
Frank Zappa. Sheik Yerbouti. CBS 88339. Producer: Artist. Impressive double which marks Zappa's debut with new label after long association with WEA. It is all there – the superb musicianship, the endless overdubs (even on live material), the humorous irreverent lyrics, plus several commercial cuts. Now a frequent visitor to the UK and this will sell very strongly. ⭗
Source: worldradiohistory.com
| Release date / Background | Sheik Yerbouti
– February 23, Sleep Dirt – March 9 CBS album accompanied Zappa short tour, first release on new contract while WEA follows, presumably from possibly continuing Zappa contract with that group. |
| Biography | Major rock name with long history, once joined The Soul Giants renamed by Zappa The Mothers (Of Invention added later by MGM), beginning long, illustrous record career. Numerous peaks, various band line-ups, often utilising known musicians. Lyrics, music scores often seen as wayout. Prolific album list. |
| Promotion | Recent short tour UK with concerts, Brighton, three in London. Major press coverage with features. Consumer music press copy. Radio interviews, national, commercial – BBC. Zappa featured CBS News but this merely repeat of CBS press biog. Considerable coverage trade, consumer press over signing for CBS with statements on this also issued by WEA. WEA album featured in company So What's New journal. Ads for CBS album which comes as record double in lavish packaging. |
| Comment | CBS: Hardly magical material for new record contract. Four sided album which wanders without too much consequence. Lyrics often bizarre but then nothing strange about that though here not bite, wit, perception of old. Some satirical looks at much maligned world of record business of which Zappa presumably part with some musical acknowledgements to idioms. Vocals often through intent or not seem carbons of other known musical mortals. WEA: Catalogue successor to Studio Tan but no clue on sleeve (there being no notes) when, where, how, this recorded, particularly vital in-view ol Zappa's contractual hassles – WEA. Purely instrumental which might suggest backing tapes, perhaps not. Some interesting moments, as last cut, side two, extended musical outing which has some interesting musical textures. Will not make Zappa hall of fame but interesting musical track expeditions. Average Zappa sales. Doubtful of much consumer excitement on either product outside of cult buying circles. |
Source: worldradiohistory.com
Frank Zappa. Sleep Dirt. Warner Bros. K59211. Producer, artist. There is no information on the sleeve as to when these tracks were recorded or what musicians played on them, but most sound as though they were put together around the Grand Wazoo and Waka Jawaka era, so have little relevance to what Zappa's doing today. **
Source: worldradiohistory.com
1980 April 19
CBS's Klinteberg optimistic
By ?, page 8 Supplement
Norway welcomes a more sophisticated soul sound
By ?, p 14 Supplement
[1] ... An example of single success in provided by Frank Zappa, whose Bobby Brown sold more than 60,000 copies which is a healthy figure for Sweden. "It was the single of the year in Sweden and the best single ever for us," says af Klinteberg. "Altogether Frank Zappa has sold more than 350,000 units in Scandinavia. ...
[2] ... ELO's Discovery was the album of 1979, while
in a poll Frank Zappa was voted top artist. Zappa has made an
impact throughout Scandinavia, but it has been greatest of all
in Norway, with his single Bobby Brown at Number One
in the
chart for three months.
"A lot of people went for the melody rather than the lyrics
which are difficult to understand," says Jenssen. "I believe
we are the only country in Europe to bring Zappa up to Number
One and a lot of credit must go to our A&R, press and promotion
departments." ...
Source: worldradiohistory.com
FRANK
ZAPPA has signed to EMI Records and will be releasing two new
albums to co-incide with his current UK live dates which include
three nights at the Hammersmith Odeon. A double-album, Them
Or Us, features material written by the rock eccentric's
family while the second, Boulez Conducts Zappa, continues
the artist's involvement with the classical music world. Both
are scheduled for mid-October release but a single, Baby
Take Your Teeth Out, has just been released from Them
Or Us. Zappa's 10-year-old son Ahmet co-wrote Frogs
With Dirty Little Lips and 14-yearold Dweezil contributed
two guitar solos, while his daughter Moon sang vocals on another
album track Ya Hozna.
Boulez Conducts Zappa feature seven dance pieces commissioned
by conductor and avant-garde composer Pierre Boulez. Following
the first performance of three of them in Paris earlier this
year under the direction of Boulez, the French conductor recorded
them with his new music group Ensemble Intercontemporain and
added four more recorded in California with The Barking Pumpkin
Digital Gratification Consort.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
BEING
TOTALLY unable to listen to more than one side of Zappa's latest
triple LP, Thing Fish and then happily reading through
Michael Gray's diary of his life, one forms the strong impression
that Uncle Frank is a far more interesting man than musician.
Mother! Is The Story of Frank Zappa is meticuluous, considered and crafted. Gray knows what he's talking about and has clearly had close association with his subject throughout the years. Although writing as a fan and again falling into the trap of he-is-a-genius ... period. Gray does indicate what is so attractive about Zappa: a sardonic outsider chipping away at the fringes of the American way of life.
Of
course, Zappa is frequently grotesque, his ideas and music hideous,
but Mother ... leads one to suspect it is his audiences,
own limitations which have forced him to produce something as
appallingly ugly and vile as Thing Fish. As Zappa says;
"Producing satire is kind of hopeless because of the literacy
rate of the American public."
This sort of arrogance is always a good read, especially when spiced up with a cynical intellect. The music is superfluous now, but the man is still worthy of consideration, with Mother ... serving as a fine account of a fascinating enigma.
Mother! Is The Story Of Frank Zappa by Michael Gray, Proteus Books, £5.95.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
EMI
RECORDS is co-releasing several albums by Frank Zappa as part
of a campaign, Zappa – The Collection, which will include press
advertising and in-store posters. All the albums in the promotion
have been digitally re-mastered by Zappa himself and are available
on LP and XDR cassette. First five titles available are
Sheik Yerbouti, Tinsel Town Rebellion, You
Are What You Is, Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning
Witch and The Man From Utopia, and there is also
a new Zappa album, Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
FRANK
ZAPPA: Jazz From Hell. EMI EMC 3521. Producer: Frank Zappa.
After recent years' hefty Zappa interest – remixes of earlier
albums, a musical, live shows of note and two recent bona fide
albums in the shape of Them Or Us and Meets The
Mothers Of Prevention, Frank gets re-zapped and serves
up dumplings on rye. Jazz From Hell's finest moment
is the title itself. Once past the sleeve the torrid backwaters
of Level 42 jamming and go-go-fonky-bo-bop take over. This is
Carlos Santana after a service and Frank on a tangent that doesn't
pay.
Grim.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
The issue has a 20-page Music For Nations promotional supplement.
Supplement page 7: Another hugely successful project has
been MFN‘s five year association with the eccentric and highly
respected American artist, Frank Zappa.
“Frank Zappa has always been with majors and sooner or later,
they’ve always parted company, hideously and with massive litigation!”
[Martin] Hooker laughs. “We were recommended as an honest company
that would do a good job for him.
“Originally, we were going to manufacture and market his back
catalogue on CD for Europe. It was unbelievable, the interest
was astonishing, and he was so pleased he gave us a brand new
album. This was the Guitar album and it charted immediately.”
The release of Guitar was followed by Zappa’s most
successful European tour in his 25-year career, which included
two sold out nights at Wembley Arena.
Zappa and MFN now have a joint company, co-owning his catalogue,
and his son, Dweezil, is signed to Food For Thought.
Source: worldradiohistory.com
