Apparently, the folks over at Vaulternative Records have heard the rising voices of Zappa fandom and have decided to put out a press release with all the relevant and necessary information regarding Joe’s Menage (as well as Gail’s take on the whole Corsaga series) including tracklist, musicians involved, and location of performance. Better late than never, I say, and a welcome change of direction, Gail.
Straight talk. I dig it, baby.
Sounds good…
Now that’s what I call communication. Good job.
Yes! Information is not knowledge – though it helps a lot! 🙂 thanks!
I guess this is on Vaulternative instead of the Zappa label since it’s a fragment, not a whole show. Maybe the original reels were lost, & this is all that survives.
i didn’t even think twice – $22? long live rock…
on the bigger topic of Gail & Co & over-all strategy – what’s the plan? there’s some sort of conflict within me over the heavy-handed tactics used to squash other FZ outlets, but it’s tough to complainbecause they continue to do releases, and it’s encouraging that the pace seems to be fairly reasonable – 2-3 a year or thereabouts?
and it’s probably unfair of me to characterize their position using the word “squash”, so i’ll readily concede that if confronted. i just wish there was a bit more pragmatism. i think that the cultish aspect of FZ fans requires a slightly different approach than a “normal” musical-outfit, and that it should include letting the fans riff off on frank’s work by playing it and having tribute concerts and such.
not sure exactly where i stand on the P/O band though, and others who make their living off of playing the catalog. alumni also complicate the question further. it seems only fair though that they should maybe kick back a portion towards the creator. i mean how fair would it be if your landscapers used stolen trucks? when you’re in business for yourself (and musicians fall into this category i think), you gott pay for your tools and shop and the things that make your business tick. i now invite you to flame me like a red-headed step-child.
Huh, they just took down the tracklisting. lmfao.
:/
Did anyone get a screen capture of the tracklist? I was also disheartened when I found no musicians, no tracklist, no length. I’d like to know if I am buying another 34 minute CD! I’ll still buy it, I just want to know first.
before the rest disappears…
Zappa Family Trust
Click artist name above for photos and more info.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2008 Printable Version
Vaulternative Records Releases Frank Zappa’s ‘Joe’s Menage’ Friday, Sept 26
Corsaga Series Continues With Previously Unreleased 1975 Concert
“A Thrilling Example From A Less Documented Lineup” – Gail Zappa
Vaulternative Records has announced the Friday, September 26, 2008 release of the concert CD ‘Joe’s Menage,’ continuing the Zappa Family Trust’s mission to celebrate and protect the legacy of Frank Zappa. ‘Joe’s Menage’ was recorded in concert at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA on November 1, 1975. This is all previously unreleased material.
‘Joe’s Menage’ continues the Corsaga series, with prior releases ‘Joe’s Corsage,’ ‘Joe’s Domage,’ and ‘Joe’s Xmasage’ currently available. “While it is the Zappa Family Trust’s mission to celebrate and protect the legacy, many of its releases, particularly the Corsaga, are meant to educate the listener and to give them an inside view of Frank Zappa’s working process and other aspects of his creativity,” said Gail Zappa, who heads the Trust.
The album first germinated when Frank Zappa gave friendly fan Ole Lysgaard several cassette tapes, including this one, in 1978. In 2004, Lysgaard sent the tapes to Gail Zappa and she decided to release the 1975 music, which was restored and mastered by John Polito.
The album is available exclusively via mail order at Zappa.com.
Frank Zappa, American composer, was born in 1940 and died in 1993.
For more information on the Zappa Family Trust, please contact Nick
Loss-Eaton [nlosseaton@shorefire.com] or Matt Hanks [mhanks@shorefire.com]
at Shore Fire Media: 718.522.7171.
[quote comment=”2466″]Did anyone get a screen capture of the tracklist? I was also disheartened when I found no musicians, no tracklist, no length. I’d like to know if I am buying another 34 minute CD! I’ll still buy it, I just want to know first.[/quote]
Tracklist and players @ KUR’s FZ discog. No details on length yet…
Also see the Mighty Wiki: http://wiki.killuglyradio.com/index.php?title=Joe%27s_Menage&diff=29500&oldid=29482
Los Angeles Times Interview with Gail: “Frank Zappa’s widow protects his legacy.” “http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-ca-zappa21-2008sep21,0,5110786.story”
Who knows what Frank told Gail privately, but publicly, I think he strongly indicated that he had no interest in protecting his legacy after he was gone. To me, this has always been about “keepin’ the bucks rollin’ in.” And also more than a bit about identity. That is, what is Gail Zappa without Frank Zappa? What has she done on her own? “Working for a dead guy” seems….I dunno….pathetic?
Only available from zappa.com…
So when they add on the handling and shipping charges it will cost me (in the UK) 31.21 USD of 17.62 GBP. Dunno if it’s worth it for part of a concert which has been regenerated from a 30 year old cassette tape, especially given the poor quality of most of the ‘Joe’s Bollocks’ series.
I await further advice from KUR!
oh look. here’s the rest of the press release!
While the concert is anchored by Frank Zappa’s guitar and vocals, the other performers on ‘Joe’s Menage’ represent an unusual lineup for Zappa. Norma Jean Bell contributes alto saxophone and vocals. Longtime Zappa sideman Napoleon Murphy Brock plays tenor saxophone and sings; Andre Lewis plays keyboards and sings; former Mother of Invention member Roy Estrada lends bass and vocals; and Terry Bozzio drums. (Bozzio and Brock have played with Dweezil Zappa as well.)
The album is available exclusively via mail order at Zappa.com.
Frank Zappa, American composer, was born in 1940 and died in 1993.
‘Joe’s Menage’ Track Listing:
1. Honey, Don’t You Want a Man Like Me?
2. The Illinois ***** Bandit
3. Carolina Hard-Core Ecstacy
4. Lonely Little Girl
5. Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
6. What’s The Ugliest Part of Your Body?
7. Chunga’s Revenge
8. Zoot Allures
Hmm…between FZ:OZ and The Eyes Of Osaka sounds like these tracks by this lineup (minus Norma) are already out and available.
Under-documented my ass.
Still waiting for DVD’s of Roxy, 200 Motels, and Uncle Meat. Wake me up when that happens…
It doesn’t get me excited. If it was the Emuuuka ’75 orchestral stuff – that would get me all a twiddle like a girl on Wet T-Shirt Nite.
🙂
so what’s all this stuff about a vault, if you gotta rely on some guy named ole to send you a tape? the vault is a myth.
Can’t say fer sure obviously, but this probably has crappy sound, since FZ parted with the tapes in the first place (cassettes!), and that it’s part of the “Joe’s” series.
“Joe’s Menage”: that’s another stupid name.
(I’ll be continuing my personal ZFT boycott.)
Maybe Tipper will like this one.
Firstly, what is it with these people? First the info is there, then it is not? I really try to give Gail and the ZFT the benefit of the doubt, Barry, but this is fucking ridiculous! Did someone overstep their authority by releasing the tracklist?
Secondly, is there really a Zappa fan alive that needs to be educated by the likes of Gail and the Gang? Given all the field recordings and outtakes I’ve accumulated over the past 4 decades, I think I have my own personal, and ever changing insight into FZ’s creative process, and do not require a posthumous series to do that for me.
And speaking of the Corsaga series, the piecemeal release of this series smacks quite heavily of money grubbing if you ask me. It should have been released as one multi-disc title (perhaps then it’s obvious flaws could be more easily overlooked), and therefore a far more inexpensive hit to the fan’s pocketbook (paying postage, shipping and handling just once).
Still, again and again, Gail and the ZFT decide to piss on we Zappa fans from their lofty heights (their corporate boardroom), while day by day it is obvious that the best material has already been released. KUR readers should stick to celebrating that achievement, and leave the ZFT to release whatever retreaded tracks they so choose.
wanna buy a tape?
[quote post=”477″]Roscoe Bledsoe says:
Can’t say fer sure obviously, but this probably has crappy sound, since FZ parted with the tapes in the first place (cassettes!), and that it’s part of the “Joe’s” series.
[/quote]
Far be it from me to defend the trust but the sound quality seemed more than decent on the 20 second clip on the website. It is a shame that the trust doesnt elaborate on whether or not this is a complete show (I’m hoping it is, just a ‘short’ one, did FZ ever *open* for anyone? or this could be a rehersal) and, putting aside all the shit they’ve done to the fans, it’s not fair for them to ask for money without more details.
I’m not even talking about when or why it was recorded, the quality of the tape and the song list- but how long is the cd (an important tidbit of info given Gail’s audio stinginess)? is this complete recording? and how long are the songs?
But that’s just bad business practices and comes off as petty control tactics, the newsletter sounds like she realized she fucked up so wanted to throw us a bone but again, she is overestimating the submissiveness of the fan base. So, damned if you do, damned if you dont re:the press release!
The boycott stands.
[quote comment=”2461″]Now that’s what I call communication. Good job.[/quote]
I would like to retract that comment at this point.
Wasn’t there a mention of albums being available on something called “Sandisc” o something? The ZFT could stick a whole lot of stuff on one of those and mail ’em out. In one shot. Less postage.
Or just sell me a “Carolina HARD DRIVE Extacy” with EVERYTHING on it in decent quality. Now, I wouldn’t mind that, actually.
So, that makes me about the only who is actually looking forward to this release?
Make that “the only one who…”
This site is always the same, depressing and a’bitching and a’bitching and comtemptuoussing!!
First you don’t have the info, then you have it, then you don’t have it again! What’s with you guys? You never happy? This is not what the innernetS was invented for! ‘T should all be fun, fun, fun!!
I’m petulant, and i’m having a frenzy! If Bob can, I can too!
It’s a way of life!
There you have it! ADIOS!!
Don’t call me, i’ll call you!
*SLAM the door*
*Off to polish nails. Chews gum*
*Hope the phone rings…*
…is the tracklist back online again..?
…it’s back again
http://www.zappa.com/flash/joesmenage/index.html
Get it while it’s hot!
[quote comment=”2490″]…it’s back again
http://www.zappa.com/flash/joesmenage/index.html
Get it while it’s hot![/quote]
They Do It With Mirrors…
Oh my god, we had to wait SIX WHOLE DAYS before knowing what was on this album!!! How did we survived that, this is REALLY unexcusable! Some of you say it’s 4 decades that you know FZ opera and you have no idea about the length of the cd? comparing the timings on fz:oz (cause you say it’s the same band (?) ) it will last about an hour in total, unless that particular night FZ cut all the solos, and I think it won’t be so. 60 minutes is a fair deal to me, USA by Knig Crimson is shorter and has a complete messing about the edits of the songs, but probably everyone accept it. Gail said in the Zappa forum that there’s anything else left on that tape, that’s why the cd won’t be a 80 minutes cd.
This is my longest comment in 6 years of KUR, and it only wants to say “I’ll be glad to listen to it”.
One more thing: Barry, don’t come back from your point! 🙂
I’d love to quote Balìnt: Yes! Information is not knowledge – though it helps a lot! thanks!
I’ll probably won’t be here when you will know that the cd won’t last…ehm… EXACTLY 60 minutes but something less 🙂 don’t shot me, I was only optimist: but at least you can’t say you did’nt had all the informations you needed…
(Now I come back to my secret home)
I’m with Bob and Sharleena – off to powder my nose…
Joe’s Menage, eh?
If Gail was the Pumpkin, does that make Norma Jean Bell the Danish?
Think about it.
Why does Norma Jean have second billing on this release?
Norma had a minimal influence on the music.
Why are Norma and Frank wearing each other’s clothes?
Hmmmm, think about it.
I can’t wait until ZFT releases Joe’s Fromage: Zappa/Mothers/Nigey.
Adding up the track times given in the zappa.com Flash intro, the CD will be 46 minutes long.
I’m enthusiastic about this one. Here’s a good chunk from a previously unknown show, featuring a band member who has only ever appeared on one other Zappa track (Black Napkins on FZ Plays the Music of FZ), in sound quality that has to beat any of the traded tapes from that period. I wish they’d included a rare song or two, such as Any Downers, but aside of that, what’s not to like?
[quote post=”477″]Far be it from me to defend the trust but the sound quality seemed more than decent on the 20 second clip on the website.[/quote]
Hi Paul, thanks for the tip on the soundclip–i loathe going to the ‘official’ website–and it definitely sounds pretty crappy to me unless you are a big fan of natural hall reverb acoustics! According to my calculator the total time is 44:32, so this is probably one side of a cassette tape–either recorded from soundboard to cassette or dubbed to this cassette source. skipping it either way.
Honestly, I’m getting tired of all the ZFT releases that feature Terry Ted (not that i have anything against him). ‘Serious’ Zappa fans demand some live 1973 in ‘professional’ quality (and hopefully not from the Australian tour, not that i have against Aussies). oh boy better quit while I’m ahead..
[quote comment=”2478″][…] and therefore a far more inexpensive hit to the fan’s pocketbook (paying postage, shipping and handling just once).[/quote]
God had mercy on us European bastards: [$16 + $15p&p] : 1,45 = 21,16 €, i.e. a regular €17 per CD plus some 4€ shipping and handling. And no 13-hour lingering in the fire staircase of some east-german department store, queuing for a ‘Graceland’ ‘Lizenz’-release back in 1988. 😉
[quote comment=”2492″]USA by Knig Crimson is shorter and has a complete messing about the edits of the songs, but probably everyone accept it. [/quote]
Well, to be completely OT, USA has been released in it’s entirety, and it’s cool. Robert Fripp? never heard of him.
http://www.dgmlive.com/archive.htm?artist=5&show=419
Tracks are popping up now and then on Zappa Radio. Sounds raw but in a really good way! Reminds me of YCDTOSA 2, really ripping guitar tone! I’m quite tempted now…
Honey, Don’t You Want A Man Like Me? (1978) 3:57
The Illinois Enema Bandit (1978) 8:42
Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy (1975) 6:02
Lonely Little Girl (1968) 2:46
Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance (1968) 2:10
What’s The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? (1968) 1:16
Chunga’s Revenge (1970) 14:18
Zoot Allures (1976) 6:41
Or did you guys know already???
[quote comment=”2472″]*****[/quote]
=
[quote comment=”2501″]Enema[/quote]
Or did you guys know already?
Yeah, right. Its just a ‘myth’-take…
KompleatUR FRIDAY BOOTS!
For immediate release
Hello Boys and Girls-
We here at ZarFT, committed as we are to providing you nothing but the best, are proud to announce the follow-up release to the recently announced cd created from a cassette tape sent to us by a guy named Ole. Yes, you guessed it, a deluxe box set of the complete KUR Friday Boots in all their splendiferous glory and mp3 file snap, crackle and pop!
Having cleared the vault of all its mythical clutter, disappointing as it may have been to some of you, we have turned to our friends at KUR for the source of our latest teen-age entertainment package. Yes, they might have outwitted us on that c&d matter, but we have re-gained the advantage by stealing their stuff and re-mastering into one giganticly enormous package of discs to send to you!
Send money – cash is the best – and we will send you the discs. We call this our ZarFT economic rescue and stimulant package of 2008.
850 billion USD (does not include shipping and handling) CHEAP!
Ist das nicht unheimlich???
arf, she said.
46 minutes is short for an archive release these days.
Still, I look forward to people’s reviews of it, and to finding it used one day. 🙂
[quote comment=”2473″]200 Motels. Wake me up when that happens…[/quote]
cdon.com has 200 Motels listed for release this month.
[quote comment=”2509″][quote comment=”2473″]200 Motels. Wake me up when that happens…[/quote]
cdon.com has 200 Motels listed for release this month.[/quote]
Oh yes, I saw it in several stores in Paris, France.
However the cover picture quality is a bit inferior.
200 Motels DVD at play.com for 8.99 GBP (free delivery) 12.49 EUR (free delivery) – release date 10 November
Manage: 1. People living together as a unit; a household.
Were Frank Zappa and Norma Jean Bell having an affair?
Why were they wearing each others clothing?
Was Gail involved?
Joe’s Menage.
…and is it appropriate to be publicizing or even implying that they did? If Gail wants to bring out FZ’s dirty laundry, that’s one thing but to bring Norma into it and ‘expose’ that part of her life… tsk, tsk…
So what about 200 Motels, is it like the Does Humour DVD, a semi-legitimite release put out by EMI (in this case it would be MGM) to make a quick cash grab or is it just a bootleg of a VHS rip?
[quote comment=”2504″]
We here at ZarFT, committed as we are to providing you nothing but the best, are proud to announce the follow-up release to the recently announced cd created from a cassette tape sent to us by a guy named Ole. Yes, you guessed it, a deluxe box set of the complete KUR Friday Boots in all their splendiferous glory and mp3 file snap, crackle and pop![/quote]
I was nowhere near Denmark! *
* Obscure Woody Allen-esque joke. Go see “Play It Again Sam”.
[quote comment=”2521″][quote comment=”2504″]
We here at ZarFT, committed as we are to providing you nothing but the best, are proud to announce the follow-up release to the recently announced cd created from a cassette tape sent to us by a guy named Ole. Yes, you guessed it, a deluxe box set of the complete KUR Friday Boots in all their splendiferous glory and mp3 file snap, crackle and pop![/quote]
I was nowhere near Denmark! *
* Obscure Woody Allen-esque joke. Go see “Play It Again Sam”.[/quote]
[quote comment=”2521″][quote comment=”2504″]
We here at ZarFT, committed as we are to providing you nothing but the best, are proud to announce the follow-up release to the recently announced cd created from a cassette tape sent to us by a guy named Ole. Yes, you guessed it, a deluxe box set of the complete KUR Friday Boots in all their splendiferous glory and mp3 file snap, crackle and pop![/quote]
I was nowhere near Denmark! *
* Obscure Woody Allen-esque joke. Go see “Play It Again Sam”.[/quote]
Olé
[quote comment=”2504″]KompleatUR FRIDAY BOOTS!
For immediate release
Hello Boys and Girls-
We here at ZarFT, committed as we are to providing you nothing but the best, are proud to announce the follow-up release to the recently announced cd created from a cassette tape sent to us by a guy named Ole. Yes, you guessed it, a deluxe box set of the complete KUR Friday Boots in all their splendiferous glory and mp3 file snap, crackle and pop!
Having cleared the vault of all its mythical clutter, disappointing as it may have been to some of you, we have turned to our friends at KUR for the source of our latest teen-age entertainment package. Yes, they might have outwitted us on that c&d matter, but we have re-gained the advantage by stealing their stuff and re-mastering into one giganticly enormous package of discs to send to you!
Send money – cash is the best – and we will send you the discs. We call this our ZarFT economic rescue and stimulant package of 2008.
850 billion USD (does not include shipping and handling) CHEAP!
Ist das nicht unheimlich???
arf, she said.[/quote]
Brilliant, brilliant. Give this fellow an award for biting satire. Or, if anything, buy him a Freak Out Ale!
Und du bist mein Sofa
Yeah-ha-ha-ay
Yah-ha
Yeah, my Sofa
Yeah-ha-hey
[quote post=”477″]I was nowhere near Denmark! *[/quote]
Underrated but classic Woody Allen, my friend.
Regarding the 200 Motels DVD, it seems a bit dubious. For one, the ZFT would surely have made some cryptic hoopla about it on the site. Second, making it available only in Europe?
hipbone says:
September 1st, 2008 at 6:34 pm » Quote
A quote from joe ntj:
ROXY – 10 dec 08 – video release party?
I got word of the next release from ZPZ, and its not Roxy. BUT, you will all love it! I would be hunted down and shot by the ZFT if I told you what it was before they do, but let’s just say its a live concert from a stellar lineup that hasn’t had a proper full-length recording released yet.
‘09 will be a great year for Zappa fans who want new music.
hipbone says:
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:51 am » Quote
A quote from Bob Again:
The hipbone’s connected to the z-bone. So what? Seems I’ve heard this stuff before…
“So what?” Czech is in the mail?? fuck you very much! that’s what I get for giving some fellow zappa freaks a taste of what’s to come huh?
For the record, I’m not affiliated in any way with ZFT but know someone who is…I don’t make a dime from them, and even if I did, who says me posting a little tease on KUR regarding inside information would get me a nickel? If you think me posting a little blurb or a rumor on KUR is “advertising” you are giving more credit to KUR than it deserves. I’ve been a fan of this site for a couple of years now and have always enjoyed it – but now I feel sort of unwelcome. wow. What happened to the “zappa community” vibe. Did Gail really fuck it up forever? I don’t agree with a lot she’s done, but in the end – music is the best, and the FZ fans are what matters (especially when they try to look out for one another)
I just heard something through the grapevine and thought I’d kindly pass it on because I’ve seen all the negative zft stuff on here and thought I’d try mellow everyone out a bit by saying good things were coming. I know a lot more about what’s coming up – but fuck it, you’ll all lap it up and buy it regardless. And I won’t make a red cent.
when I heard what was coming out next, and believe me it will melt all your icy fucking hearts, I had two choices: keep it to myself, or, let you guys in on it (true, I didn’t give it away 100%, but at least you know something is coming soon, its gonna be great – according to a life long FZ fan, and it’s from an unreleased lineup – which if you are a true fan would narrow it down to only a handful of choices).
what ever happened to all the fun in the world?
Killer release. Even HONEY & ENEMA are unique enough for inclusion. Raw ‘n rockin’. CHUNGA’s, too. Nothing at all like the OZ album.
Is that enough info for ya?
awesome release. CHE is pretty off-the-hook. wish solo was longer, it’s like he’s on the verge of going extra-terrestrial. whole CD is bitchin’…
[quote comment=”2473″]Hmm…between FZ:OZ and The Eyes Of Osaka sounds like these tracks by this lineup (minus Norma) are already out and available.
Under-documented my ass.[/quote]
If you’re using a bootleg recording of the Osaka show as criteria for documentation of a lineup, then almost nothing can be said to be undocumented — there are loads of tapes from just about every FZ tour.
There’s been exactly one track released with Norma Bell on it, and prior to FZ:OZ (16 years after that band last performed), there were like a whole four or five tracks in the entire catalog that featured that band (including “Black Napkins” on ZA, “Ship Ahoy” on SUnPYG, one or two and a half tracks on YCDTOSA). In the sense that this lineup or this lineup except one member is only documented on the above, I’d say that qualifies as under documented, especially compared to some other lineups.
after 3 weeks of pondering, i just had to re-iterate – bad-ass smokin rock what-can-i-say kind of frank. the 75 band definitely earns a lot of respect with this release i think. go out and get it.
[quote comment=”2555″]
when I heard what was coming out next, and believe me it will melt all your icy fucking hearts, I had two choices: keep it to myself, or, let you guys in on it (true, I didn’t give it away 100%, but at least you know something is coming soon, its gonna be great – according to a life long FZ fan, and it’s from an unreleased lineup – which if you are a true fan would narrow it down to only a handful of choices).
what ever happened to all the fun in the world?[/quote]
Thanks for passing on your “heard it through the grapevine” item, hype-bone. The more officially released FZ the better, especially the more obscure (read unreleased) lineups such as the Hot Ratz Band, for instance.
I’d say you’re welcome; however, I did not write the above. That was hipbone.
If hipbone had said it, it would have gone more like, “fuck you very much! that’s what I get for giving some fellow zappa freaks a taste of what’s to come huh?”
How does thing quote thing work?
[quote comment=”2803″]I’d say you’re welcome; however, I did not write the above. That was hipbone.
If hipbone had said it, it would have gone more like, “fuck you very much! that’s what I get for giving some fellow zappa freaks a taste of what’s to come huh?”
How does thing quote thing work?[/quote]
All right, among all that verbal hot air, which particular breeze was your own, hype-bone?
MAKE A FART NOISE HERE!
[quote comment=”2806″]All right, among all that verbal hot air, which particular breeze was your own, hype-bone?[/quote]
…a careful re-read indicates the correct answer to be, “None of it!”