Zappa Plays Zappa – Dweezil Zappa

Since 2005, Dweezil Zappa has led an extended and industrious rockin' teenage combo dedicated to re-acquainting the world with the sights and sounds of his father, Frank. They revive Frank's music in a fresh context that is -- above all else -- true to the elder Zappa's unique and impeccable sonic heritage. This dozen-song single-CD is an audio-only distillation of the Zappa Plays Zappa (2008) double-DVD package. The contents were taken from a pair of concerts -- Portland, OR on December 21, 2006 at the Roseland Theater and on the 22nd at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, WA. The junior Zappa's guitar craft is at once like his father's, and yet he's mature enough to have already developed his own signature touch. Like the various Mothers of Invention configurations , ZPZ travels with a fairly substantial ensemble. Joining Dweezil are core constituents Joe Travers, Pete Griffin, Jamie Kime, Aaron Arntz, Scheila Gonzalez, and Billy Hulting. Another of Dweezil's primary tethers to his father's legacy are the artists who at one time or another passed through the '60s, '70s, or '80s bands that Frank fronted. These specific gigs were star-studded affairs with a trio of legendary former Mothers and others who spent time working with Frank. Included are the talents of Napoleon Murphy Brock -- who toured with ZPZ -- as well as one-off guest appearances by mid- to late-'70s percussive psychopath Terry Bozzio and early-'80s six-string slinger Steve Vai. As mentioned, the 12 selections provide a mere sampling of the aggregate's remarkable interplay. Their collective skills are evident from the opening strains of the Flo & Eddie era skull-crusher "Tell Me You Love Me" to Brock's note-perfect revival of the One Size Fits All (1974) classic "Florentine Pogen." There is also an apparent propensity for early- to mid-'70s material; the primary exception being the "Black Page #2," which was derived from a drum solo that Zappa wrote specifically for Terry Bozzio. Steve Vai is heard on "Peaches en Regalia" and Brock's well-preserved pipes and woodwind skills bring an additional authenticity to "Cheepnis," "Cosmik Debris," the medley of "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow," "St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast," and "Father O'Blivion." While it is unfortunate that the complete two-plus hours of the Zappa Plays Zappa DVD were not offered, no devotee of Zappa -- junior or senior -- can go wrong with the heartfelt revival of the latter's work by ZPZ as presented here. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide