100+ minutes of Zappa
A unique once-in-a-lifetime set-up; from the Saturday Night Live band, Lou Marini, Ronnie Cuber, and Tom Malone guest Zappa's band on stage, along with SNL's announcer Don Pardo, jazz-vibraphonist David Samuels, and the Brecker Brothers, at the Palladium in NYC during Christmas week 1976. The rhythm section consists of musicians with more routine in Zappa's music; Ray White (although he was quite new), Eddie Jobson, Patrick O'Hearn, Terry Bozzio, and faithful percussion virtuoso Ruth Underwood. Aside from some re-arrangements of earlier released tunes, the album featured a lot of new material when it was released, but much of it would be re-recorded and re-released later in Zappa's career, so there aren't more than three tracks on these two discs that aren't available on other Zappa albums. Both "Black Page #1" and "Black Page #2" are featured, though - a nice treat. The overall musicianship on these discs is pretty loose and free, which isn't always for the better, since the album, aside from "Illinois Enema Bandit", "I'm The Slime", "Big Leg Emma", and "The Torture Never Stops", feature very complicated compositions with very specific voicings and rhythmic phrases that need to be nitpicky in order to work. It's a shame that Zappa never recorded studio versions of songs like "I Promise Not To Come In Your Mouth", "Honey, Don't You Want a Man Like Me", "Manx Needs Women", or "Approximate" because even if these are fine performances by world-famous virtuoso musicians, the overall performance comes through a bit hectic and sometimes slightly unorganized due to the lack of practice this particular set-up had had. A lot of the horn players are sight-reading during the performance.
For dedicated Zappa-fans, owning these discs is a definitive must, but for those less familiar with the FZ universe, who might be looking for great ensemble playing by a Zappa-band from this era, I suggest listening to e.g. the 1975 album "One Size Fits All" before spending money this one; being familiar with aspects of the FZ universe will help you appreciate this recording. If you have seen and like the newly released "Baby Snakes" DVD, you certainly should consider adding "Zappa in New York" to your collection.
What an amazing talent. So sad that he's gone. This was Frank Zappa at his best in the 1970's. The band's tight, the recording is perfect. And then there's Frank. The funny stuff is really funny (Punky's Whips, The Illinois Enema Bandit) and the guitar is unmatched (The Black Page, I Promise.) The remastered sound is great--has a real kick to it. Zappa fans probably already have this, but the curious to learn what Frank Zappa was like live could do no better than this album.
co. madness
An excellent live, featuring Terry Bozzio on drums, which is also another remarkable example of his versatility. One of his best live performances ever!!
Recommended!!
Poor Frank
ruth underwood, the awesome percussionist with FZ made her last recording with FZ on this outing. She added such flavor and taste to his discipled work, and she did it with such flair. The becker brothers are adding horn work on this and it is so tight and wonderful just as you would expect from fz live.
4 stars and 1/2 is righter!!Excellent live!!
I still remember Terry Bozio putting on his devil mask at the Hammersmith Odeon. This record was made in NY, but we also got to hear it in London.This, like the Roxy or YCDTOSA vol2, is one of those fantastic live performances which brings it all together. A unique band (Brecker Brothers luxury included) and some fantastic material, including the first version of a Zappa Classical CLassic, The Black Page.
When you put that piece next to big leg Emma, you get a real Zappa record. In this CD a number of welcome (if not essential) tracks are added to the original vynil.
A fantastic record.
