[.ca] Oh No! Just Another Frank Zapp

Whatever we conceive well, we express clearly:
and the 10th year of the passing from terra of FZ went by in the States without much fanfare, sad enough. But FZ's clearly conceived musical vision will live on, in this case, the new CD from Le Bocal, a modern French big band , "commissioned" by the distributors of Rykodisc in France to record select compositions of FZ. By sheer serendipity, this band was really perfect choice to record "Zappamusics",as they already exhibit 3 features found in all Zappa aggregations, exceptional musicianship, a fine sense of humor,and they have their feet in the worlds of jazz, rock and classical music forms, same time. The real beauty here lies in fact that , this is relative "unique" in the performance, ~ these musicians are not "Zappatistas" in the sense that, say Ed Palermo(1000stars) or Mike Keneally are . (MR Keneally in particular has his guitar style completely drenched in Frank Zappa's concepts in the way many Jazz musicians continue follow in the Wes Montgomery mold, for example). The approach to these compositions is to attack each one with total individuality, "de-composing" the tune first, while returning at some point in the piece to refer directly to the original Zappa conception. So you have innovation meeting the Zappa "tradition" 50/50 ! (I was tempted to break down this review "track by track", but this would ruin what is a galaxy of surprises in this recording. I like all to listen for themselves!) Suffice to say, elements of jazz, funk/rock, beguine/tango, ...all done in the combination serious/madcap style , an approach that is common among the progressive European big bands (as Pierre Doeerge New Jungle Orchestra,Carlo Actis Dato Band, pino Minafra, Daniele Sepe,Wilem Breuker Collectif,Edvard Vesala, etc ). The arrangements are always interesting, the dynamic of the grupo is over the moon! A first class band in every way. Most interesting, the guitar work from both soloistas is NOT derived from FZ cliché in the least manner, but each plays in his own mad jazz -influenced fusion style , a better comparison would be Philip Catherine! (I think this is an excellent way to approach the guitar on this cd, as Zappa was one of the few melodic and consistantly interesting "rock" style soloists on guitar, IMO). No imitation here, just innovation. 2 highlights 'solo-wise', first the Herbie Hancock /Keith Jarret -inspired piano solo from Rita on "Blessed Relief". The second , a real treat. On "King Kong" (which is not treated as the airy 6/8 performance from"Uncle Meat", but as a lumbering funk-infused rendition), the solo begins, you cannot decipher what instrument it is! No , not keyboards, not guitar. What it is is Laurent's unique "Jimi Hendrix meets Sun Ra at Pete Cosey's place" electric VIOLIN! Sugarcane Harris on LSD, Jean Luc Ponty in the crazyloco institution! It really makes this track "fly"! Another revelation, the composition "Take your Clothes Off...", from the "... In It For the Money" recording , which might appear, first glance, to be a throwaway track. To the opposite, the version begins with a jazz guitar solo , the chords over a "faux-bossa" groove, before moving on to cartoon absurdity of the original composition, then a funk vamp and saxofone solo! Vocal renditions of idiot B** Son,Mr Green Genes and Oh! No! further the humor in musics cause, without going overboard (as FZ sometimes did himself). A little corny these "Le Bocalistas",but the compositions warrant this type vocal humor fun. I could talk hours on this recording, but I spare you all! the only composition that will never 100 % resonate in me is their fine version of "Blessed Relief". The FZ version was perfect, and the trumpet solo from Sal Marquez, George Duke's fender piano solo, and FZ's own Wha-wha acustic guitar solo can never be equalled, IMO! Still, this version of Le Bocal VERY enjoyable! Another fine contribution to the keeping the flame of Zappamusics alive, and with a fresh(and French!) conception. They play the stars outta these compositions really. One MILLION stars reviewed! Not a bad note in the recording. Enjoy!

Too Much Le Bocal, Not Enough Zappa...:
This CD would probably appeal to generic jazz fans who are not interested in Frank Zappa's music. But I'm reviewing it as a Zappa fan. The album isn't much of a tribute to Zappa. These chaotic arrangements detract from his compositions. And this band doesn't perform any of his more sophisticated works, with the exception of one tune, "Little Umbrellas". Unfortunately, that track is a disappointment because their arrangement omits most of the beautiful middle section. And of course, that's the sophisticated part. Had they done justice to that part of the song, it would have gone a long way toward redeeming this album. Check out the magnificent recording of "Little Umbrellas" which appears on the latest CD by The Muffin Men entitled "When Worlds Collide". I would forgive Le Bocal's poor choice of Zappa material had they done a better job with it. They don't even play the release of "The Grand Wazoo". Again they left out the best part of Zappa's tune. Both their renditions of "Oh No" are weak. Much of the instrumental version is changed from 7/4 to 4/4. And though it's over seven minutes long, they don't let you hear one single verse all the way through without their annoying rhythmic alterations. "Oh No" is such a pretty song. It's a shame they couldn't just play it. Le Bocal is definitely not in the same league as The Ed Palermo Big Band. If you want to hear a great arrangement of "King Kong", listen to Ed Palermo's.

Brilliant tunes, rendered with love, adventure and talent:
"Oh No! ... Just another Frank Zappa memorial barbecue" arrived today, and I'm loving it, a lot. I have perhaps a half dozen big-band Zappa cover albums (what can I say...), and this one's on a par with the best of the genre -- Fassi, Palermo, IMO. The arrangements are among the most adventurous I've heard -- taking what are already delightful and inventive compositions a step or two further. A samba-esque "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance"?!? A slow funky rumbling "King Kong," replete with wacky wailing guitar soli?!? That and more, played by top-drawer musicians. The only reservation I have to giving this two thumbs and two big toes straight up is the addition of vocals on three (of eleven) tunes. They're not horrible, but they do compromise the experience for me, if only a little.

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