Category Archives: Alumni

Ed Palermo Big Band @ Southpaw (feat. Napoleon Murphy Brock)

If you are a fan of Ed Palermo‘s arrangements of Frank Zappa‘s compositions, and if you are in the New York area on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009, join Ed Palermo and his special guest, Napoleon Murphy Brock (on vocals and … Continue reading

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Zappa & Beefheart, Radio KWST, 1975

To promote the only album they ever made together – Bongo Fury – Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa put together a promotional documentary of their musical lives and times. It contained some obscure material, early collaborations, demos, proto and live … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, Interview, Music, Official Releases, Pop Cult, YouTubery | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Case Of The Zappa Family Trust

Paul Carr has written an excellent paper on the clash between the ZFT and tribute bands. Looking at both conflicting points of view in depth, he comes to this conclusion: How would Zappa himself have learnt his trade if his … Continue reading

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Napoleon: This Is What Frank Zappa Heard – Just In Case You Were Wondering

News from the Idiot Bastard, that might bring some tiny smile on your face: …in December, Napoleon Murphy Brock will release This Is What Frank Zappa Heard – Just In Case You Were Wondering. Recorded live at The Red Noodle … Continue reading

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Musicians Play FZ – Part II

Alas, I’ve saved the best for last. “Musicians Play FZ – Part II“, a compilation of FZ songs performed by various musicians, from Sting to The Persuasions and many in between (plucked from my own collection). Enjoy this mix for … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Frank Zappa, Mike Keneally, Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Tom Fowler Interview, Los Angeles, 1996

Interviewed by Juha Rompannen, in Los Angeles on April 24th, 1996, Tom Fowler — who played bass guitar in Frank Zappa’s touring and recording band between 1973 and 1975 — talks about his background, time with Frank, other collaborations, and … Continue reading

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Holiday In Berlin, 1970

Another appealing aspect of Frank Zappa’s music was his ability to self mythologize what occurred in his life into his music. This is seen quite a lot in literature, but rarely in music (which, I might add, is part of … Continue reading

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Flo & Eddie – Live at The Bottom Line, 1977

Raunchy, raw and lewd – Flo & Eddie: Live at The Bottom Line, 1977 is Flo & Eddie “in-your-face”. If you’re a fan of Zappa’s Vaudeville Mothers, or simply a fan of Flo & Eddie’s manic musical parody and satire, … Continue reading

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Musicians Play FZ – Part I

Originally conceived as an interruption in the “Son of Tweezer Glint” series for we schmucks who couldn’t make it to Zappanale 20 in Bad Doberan — “Musicians Play FZ – Part I” is the first of a two part series … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Mike Keneally, Miscellany, Music, Zappanale | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Napoleon M. Brock In Der Spiegel

Nice little interview with NMB in der Spiegel where he speaks about touring with Frank Zappa and, of course, Zappanale where he will be performing this weekend. Money quote: Gail Zappa should recognize that these music enthusiasts, like the initiators … Continue reading

Posted in Alumni, Frank Zappa, Interview, Zappanale | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments