Frank Zappa - Jazz From Hell (1986) {1995 Ryko Remaster Complete Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 228 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 82 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 165 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1995 Rykodisc / The Zappa Family Trust | RCD 10549
Rock / Jazz Rock / Experimental Rock / Avant-Garde
Official
Release #47. All compositions executed by Frank Zappa on the Synclavier
DMS with the exception of St. Etienne. While Frank Zappa had ostensibly
been "on his own" since the dissolution of the Mothers of Invention in
1969, never before had he used the term "solo artist" as literally as he
does on the Grammy Award winning (in the "Best Rock Instrumental
Performance by an orchestra, group or soloist" category) Jazz from Hell
(1986). After two decades of depending on the skills, virtuosity, and
temperament of other musicians, Zappa all but abandoned the human
element in favor of the flexibility of what he could produce with his
Synclavier Digital Music System.
With the
exception of the stunning closer "St. Etienne" -- which is a guitar solo
taken from a live performance of "Drowning Witch" at the Palais des
Sports in St. Etienne, France on May 28, 1982 -- the remaining seven
selections were composed, created, and executed by Zappa with help from
his concurrent computer assistant Bob Rice and recording engineer Bob
Stone. Far from being simply a synthesizer, the Synclavier combined the
ability to sample and manipulate sounds before assigning them to the
various notes on a piano-type keyboard. At the time of its release, many
enthusiasts considered it a slick, emotionless effort. In retrospect,
their conclusions seem to have been a gut reaction to the methodology,
rather than the music itself. In fact, evidence to the contrary is
apparent as it brims throughout the optimistic bounding melody and
tricky time-signatures of "Night School." All the more affective is the
frenetic sonic trajectory coursing through "G-Spot Tornado."
Incidentally, Zappa would revisit the latter -- during one of his final
projects -- when the Ensemble Modern worked up Ali N. Askin's
arrangement for the Yellow Shark (1993). Another cut with a bit of
history to it is "While You Were Art II," which is Zappa's
Synclavier-rendered version of the Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (1982)
entry "While You Were Out." Speaking of guitar solos, as mentioned
briefly above, "St. Etienne" is the only song on Jazz from Hell to
feature a band and is a treat specifically for listeners craving a
sampling of Zappa's inimitable fretwork. The six-plus minute
instrumental also boats support from Steve Vai (rhythm guitar), Ray
White (rhythm guitar), Tommy Mars (keyboards), Bobby Martin (keyboards),
Ed Mann (percussion), as well as the prominent rhythm section of Scott
Thunes (bass) and Chad Wackerman (drums). Zappa-philes should similarly
note that excellent (albeit) amateur-shot footage of the number was
included by Zappa on the companion Video from Hell (1987) home video. |
tracklist:
01 - Night School
02 - The Beltway Bandits
03 - While You Were Art II
04 - Jazz From Hell
05 - G-Spot Tornado
06 - Damp Ankles
07 - St. Etienne
08 - Massaggio Galore
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