Author Archives: urbangraffito

About urbangraffito

I am a writer, editor, publisher, philosopher, and foole (not necessarily in that order). Cultural activist and self-described anarchist.

Sunday Big Note — Listening Session #25

Posted on April 30, 2011 by urbangraffito

Just about anyone from my generation who became a teenager in the 1970s is going to be extremely familiar with today’s Sunday Big Note artist. Indeed, the debut solo effort by this group – Tales of Mystery and Imagination, released … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany, Music, Sunday Big Note, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

AltRock Extravaganza – 2011

Posted on April 25, 2011 by urbangraffito

From the very first instant I received a CD release from the independent AltRock label from Milan, Italy, I have been increasingly impressed by the exceptional quality of their releases (see Yugen & Rock In Opposition posted on Saturday, October … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany, Music, Official Releases, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sunday Big Note — Listening Session #24

Posted on April 23, 2011 by urbangraffito

From the very first time I heard Eddie Jobson perform as a member of Frank Zappa‘s band in 1976-77, I was immediately drawn to the style and playing of this virtuoso violinist/keyboard player. Whether it was Zappa compositions, or those … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sunday Big Note, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

This Is What Frank Zappa Heard – Sept.9th,1973

Posted on April 18, 2011 by urbangraffito

Napoleon Murphy Brock’s physical CD, This Is What Frank Zappa Heard, recorded live at the Red Noodle in Waikiki, Hawaii on September 9th, 1973 gives an example of what Frank Zappa heard when he was looking for a lead singer … Continue reading →

Posted in Alumni, Frank Zappa, Official Releases | Tagged , , , , | 23 Comments

Sunday Big Note — Listening Session #23

Posted on April 17, 2011 by urbangraffito

Although Manassas only released two albums in their brief history as a band – the double album, Manassas, released on April 12th, 1972, and Down The Road on April 23rd, 1973 – the impact of these two albums is really … Continue reading →

Posted in Interview, Miscellany, Sunday Big Note | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Zappa & The Mothers – Does Geography and Media Influence Musical Tastes

Posted on April 10, 2011 by urbangraffito

Having grown up on the Bible Belt of Western Canada where the only sources of musical entertainment for the longest time were the local Country & Western and adult easy listening radio stations, it’s hard to imagine such a place … Continue reading →

Posted in Frank Zappa, Miscellany, Personal, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sunday Big Note — Listening Session #22

Posted on April 10, 2011 by urbangraffito

Usually, when most think of the Irish hard rock band, Thin Lizzy, formed in Dublin in 1969, songs like “Whiskey in the Jar”, “Jailbreak” and especially “The Boys Are Back in Town” come to mind. Not surprising since these songs … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Sunday Big Note, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Cheaper the Better – Lyrically Zappa

Posted on April 7, 2011 by urbangraffito

While many focus on Frank Zappa, the composer, so very often Zappa, the songwriter, is overlooked. Perhaps due to the nature of Zappa’s lyrics, themselves, which often take direct aim at human sexuality, and sexual mores in 20th Century American … Continue reading →

Posted in Alumni, Frank Zappa, FZcovers, Music | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Sunday Big Note — Listening Session #21

Posted on April 2, 2011 by urbangraffito

Back on Friday, March 28th, 2008 I published the post, Live Albums — Dead or Alive? in which I listed many of my favourite live albums: Zappa In New York (1978); Super Session (1968) with Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Stephen … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany, Music, Sunday Big Note, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Raging Slab @ De Melkweg, Amsterdam, 1993

Posted on March 25, 2011 by urbangraffito

Everyone has a secret musical pleasure. One of mine has been the music of Raging Slab. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a definite soft spot for southern rock. Perhaps what I like about Raging Slab is the unique … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany, Music, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments