On more than one occasion, upon seeing the colossal size of my Frank Zappa music collection, I’ve been asked, “How many versions of Zappa songs do you really need?” Of course, to someone who isn’t a fan of Zappa’s music, or is new to the maestro’s music, wouldn’t understand. Especially in regards to live versions of Zappa’s work.
What led me to seek out more and more live versions of Zappa’s work, after purchasing his official catalogue, was the sheer variation of his live material, particularly within given compositions. Unlike some artists, or groups, each live performance by Zappa and his assembled ensemble would offer the appreciative listener a unique variation with each public performance. Above all, Zappa was no jukebox, and refused to become one at anytime throughout his career. And each version of whatever composition was being performed reflected his refusal (and we’re all the richer for it).
For your educational and listening pleasure, I have chosen a “coven” of various versions of “Drowning Witch” to illustrate this observation, from it’s earlier incarnation as a spoken word piece to it’s fully developed form:
Drowning Witch – Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, AZ, 13 October 1980 (Early Show)
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch01.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Chalk Pie, 1982 (Live with studio overdubs)
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch02.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI, 25 November 1981
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch03.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Tower Theater, Philadelphia, PA, 10 November 1984
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch04.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Felt Forum, NYC, 31 October 1984 (Late Show)
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch05.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Isstadion, Stockholm, Sweden, 7 May 1982
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch06.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Johnson Gymnasium, UNM, Albuquerque, NM, 12 October 1980
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch07.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Palladium, NYC, 31 October 1981 (Early Show)
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch08.mp3]
Drowning Witch – The Ritz, NYC, 17 November 1981 (Early Show)
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch09.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, CA, 11 December 1981 (Early Show)
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch10.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Stadio Municipale, Pistoia, Italy, 8 July 1982
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch11.mp3]
Drowning Witch – State University of New York, Stonybrook, NY, 3 November 1984 (Early Show)
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch12.mp3]
Drowning Witch – Uptown Theater, Chicago, IL, 27 November 1981 (Late Show)
[audio:20110115_Drowning Witch13.mp3]
What unique variations could you identify?
At the risk of sounding like…..I am really enjoying hearing so much new-to-me stuff on KUR. Thanks to UG and all.
Your blog is so awesome. It has answered many questions for me. I’m so glad my sister told me about it.
Great versions of Drowning Witch in nice sound quality. dis de sort o´thing dat belong on an albim
One of my favourite Zappa songs! I was very tempted to skive off work today to listen to this. I managed to resist but am loving it now. Thank you!
I always preferred the ‘open’ sound of the Chalk Pie version compared to the released Ship Arriving… album version. The whole Chalk Pie album is great in terms of production and the track sequencing, better than what was ultimately released, in my opinion. It just feels more exuberant! Hey ho.
[quote comment=”22921″]One of my favourite Zappa songs! I was very tempted to skive off work today to listen to this. I managed to resist but am loving it now. Thank you!
I always preferred the ‘open’ sound of the Chalk Pie version compared to the released Ship Arriving… album version. The whole Chalk Pie album is great in terms of production and the track sequencing, better than what was ultimately released, in my opinion. It just feels more exuberant! Hey ho.[/quote]
I’ve always preferred the Chalk Pie version myself, Gavo. I’m glad you’re enjoying Zappa’s Coven of Drowning Witches. As an aside to the Chalk Pie version, I also included in this “coven” the three live versions from which Zappa pieced the vocal and guitar parts: Santa Monica Dec-11-1981 (early show), Chicago 27-Nov-1981 (late show), and Ritz 17-Nov-1981. Hoopla!
Fantastic post. This is one of my all time favorite Zappa songs. The composed sections never get old (and they evolve nicely over the years, as do many of Zappa’s other tunes) but those two guitar solos blow me away, every time, no matter the version.
Bravo!
Why don’t the ZFT release ‘Chalk Pie’ and ‘Warts ‘n’ All’..and Beefheart’s
‘Bat Chain Puller’? Although they’re probably preparing the latter as we speak…
I’ve always loved Drowing Witch for its “two solos in a row” approach. On more than one occasion, FZ used this to give totally different focuses to the two solos, usually the first one is exploring the dissonant, experimental whereas the second solo often endulges itself in pure lyrical and melodic extravaganza. Voilà: St. Etienne! The role model for all “Drowning Witch 2nd Solo”-type solos.
Great post. What songs did follow “Drowning witch” on these performances?
dear urbangraffito, thank you very much!
..and check this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWC3WUlwGeQ
“More Wtiches!”
[quote comment=”22968″]I’ve always loved Drowing Witch for its “two solos in a row” approach.[/quote]
That was the same thing I found very cool back on Hungry Freaks, Daddy! (it was Elliott Ingber or Zappa? or one and one)
[quote comment=”23032″]Great post. What songs did follow “Drowning witch” on these performances?[/quote]
Respectively (and in order):
Honey, Don’t You Want A Man Like Me?
We’re Turning Again
What’s New In Baltimore?
The Black Page # 2
Ride My Face To Chicago
Envelopes
Honey Don’t You Want A Man Like Me?
What’s New In Baltimore?
What’s New In Baltimore?
What’s New In Baltimore?
Envelopes
Ride My Face to Chicago
What’s New In Baltimore?
love the drowning sleep dirt solo from stonybrook!
Brilliant. I love this song, and it is interesting to hear it’s progression. I love comparing different versions of Zappa songs.
State University of NY 1984 is my favorite
The Ritz 1981 version is great – not least because Wackerman and Thunes provide such a dynamic and interesting backing for Zappa’s solo. I heard once that Chad and Scott had difficulties playing together sometimes, because they have such different conceptions of rhythm. I can’t say that’s a problem here, though. An outstanding Witch in this here exceptional coven!
I just love the Ritz version…a bit more extreme mix than Frank use to do them (came from a radio broadcast). Funky bass, dirty guitar, also love the processed sound of Frank’s vocals…