The Man From Utopia

Released: March 1983

Tracklist

  1. Cocaine Decisions
  2. SEX
  3. Tink Walks Amok
  4. The Radio Is Broken
  5. We Are Not Alone
  6. The Dangerous Kitchen
  7. The Man From Utopia Meets Mary Lou
  8. Stick Together
  9. The Jazz Discharge Party Hats
  10. Luigi & the Wise Guys
  11. Moggio

Line-up
Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals, ARP 2600, Lynn Drum Machine), Steve Vai (impossible guitar parts on strat and acoustic), Ray White (guitar, vocals), Roy Estrada (pachuco falsettos etc), Bob Harris (boy soprano), Ike Willis (bionic baritone), Bobby Martin (keyboards, sax, vocals), Tommy Mars (keyboards), Arthur “Tink” Barrow (keyboards, bass, micro-bass, rhythm guitar), Ed Mann (percussion), Scott Thunes (bass), Chad Wackerman (drums), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums on “Dangerous Kitchen”), Dick Fegy (mandolin), Marty Krystall (sax)

Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch

Released: May 1982

Tracklist

  1. No Not Now
  2. Valley Girl
  3. I Come From Nowhere
  4. Drowning Witch
  5. Envelopes
  6. Teen-age Prostitute

Line-up
Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals), Steve Vai (impossible guitar parts), Ray White (rhythm guitar, vocals), Tommy Mars (keyboards), Bobby Martin (keyboards, sax, vocals), Ed Mann (percussion), Scott Thunes (bass), Arthur Barrow (bass), Patrick O’Hearn (bass), Chad Wackerman (drums), Roy Estrada (vocals), Ike Willis (vocals), Bob Harris (vocals), Lisa Popeil (vocal on “Teen-age Prostitute”), Moon Zappa (vocal on “Valley Girl”)

You Are What You Is

Released: September 1981

Tracklist

  1. Teenage Wind
  2. Harder Than Your Husband
  3. Doreen
  4. Goblin Girl
  5. Theme From The 3rd Movement Of Sinister Footwear
  6. Society Pages
  7. I’m A Beautiful Guy
  8. Beauty Knows No Pain
  9. Charlie’s Enourmous Mouth
  10. Any Downers?
  11. Conehead
  12. You Are What You Is
  13. Mudd Club
  14. The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing
  15. Dumb All Over
  16. Heavenly Bank Account
  17. Suicide Chump
  18. Jumbo Go Away
  19. If Only She Woulda
  20. Drafted Again

Line-up
Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals), Ike Willis (rhythm guitar, vocals), Ray White (rhythm guitar, vocals), Bob Harris (boy soprano, trumpet), Steve Vai (strat abuse), Tommy Mars (keyboards), Arthur Barrow (bass), Ed Mann (percussion), David Ocker (clarinet, bass clarinet), Motorhead Sherwood (tenor sax), Denny Walley (slide guitar), David Logeman (drums), Craig “Twister” Stewart (harmonica), guest vocalists: Jimmy Carl Black, Motorhead Sherwood, Ahmet, Moon, Denny Walley

Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar

Released: May 11 1981

Tracklist
I. Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar

  1. five-five-FIVE
  2. Hog Heaven
  3. Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar
  4. While You Were Out
  5. Treacherous Cretins
  6. Heavy Duty Judy
  7. Soup ‘n Old Clothes

II. Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar Some More

  1. Variations On The Carlos Santana Secret Chord Progression
  2. Gee, I Like Your pants
  3. Canarsie
  4. Ship Ahoy
  5. The Deathless Horsie
  6. Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar Some More
  7. Pink Napkins

III. Return Of The Son Of Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar

  1. Beat It With Your Fist
  2. Return Of The Son Of Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar
  3. Pinocchio’s Furniture
  4. Why Johnny Can’t Read
  5. Stucco Homes
  6. Canard Du Jour

Tinsel Town Rebellion

Released: May 11 1981

Tracklist

  1. Fine Girl
  2. Easy Meat
  3. For The Young Sophisticate
  4. Love Of My Life
  5. I Ain’t Got No Heart
  6. Panty Rap
  7. Tell Me You Love Me
  8. Now You See It – Now You Don’t
  9. Dance Contest
  10. The Blue Light
  11. Tinseltown Rebellion
  12. Pick Me, I’m Clean
  13. Bamboozled By Love
  14. Bown Shoes Don’t Make It
  15. Peaches III

Line-up
Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals), Ike Willis (rhythm guitar, vocals), Ray White (rhythm guitar, vocals), Steve Vai (rhythm guitar, vocals), Warren Cucurillo (rhythm guitar, vocals), Denny Walley (slide guitar, vocals), Tommy Mars (keyboards, vocals), Peter Wolf (keyboards), Bob Harris (keyboards, trumpet, high vocals), Ed Mann (percussion), Arthur Barrow (bass, vocals), Patrick O’Hearn (bass on “Dance Contest”), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), David Logeman (drums on “Fine Girl” and first half of “Easy Meat”), Greg Cowan (featured in the role of eccentric well-to-do Oregonian party giver)

Joe’s Garage, Act I, II & III

Released: Act I Sep 17 1979 – Acts II & III Nov 19 1979

Tracklist

  1. The Central Scrutinizer
  2. Joe’s Garage
  3. Catholic Girls
  4. Crew Slut
  5. Fembot In A Wet T-Shirt
  6. On The Bus
  7. Why Does It Hurt When I Pee
  8. Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up
  9. Scrutinizer Postlude
  10. A Token Of My Extreme
  11. Stick It Out
  12. Electric Aunt Jemima
  13. Sy Borg
  14. Dong Work For Yuda
  15. Keep It Greasy
  16. Outside Now
  17. He Used To Cut The Grass
  18. Packard Goose
  19. Watermelon In Easter Hay
  20. A Little Green Rosetta

Line-up
Frank Zappa (Central Scrutinizer, L. Ron Hoover, Father Riley, Buddy Jones), Ike Willis (Joe), Dale Bozzio (Mary), Denny Walley (Mrs. Borg), Al Malkin (Officer Butzis), Warren Cuccurullo & Ed Mann (Sy Borg), Terry Bozzio (Bald-Headed John), Al Malkin, Warren Cucurullo, Dale Bozzio, Geordie Hormel, Barbara Issak & most of the people who work at Village Recorders ca 1979 (UMRK Chorus).

Orchestral Favorites

Released: May 4 1979

Tracklist

  1. Strictly Genteel
  2. Pedro’s Dowry
  3. Naval Aviation In Art
  4. Duke Of Prunes
  5. Bogus Pomp

Line-up
Frank Zappa and The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Orchestra
Frank Zappa (guitar), Terry Bozzio (drums), Dave Parlato (bass), Mike Lang (keyboards), Emil Richards (percussion), Pamela Goldsmith (viola), John Wittenberg (violin), Bobby Dubow (violin), Jerry Kessler (cello), Bruce Fowler (trombone), Earle Drumler (oboe), Mike Altschul (flute, trumpet), Malcolm McNabb (trumpet), David Duke (french horn), Dana Hughes (bass trombone), Ray Reed (flute), David Shostak (flute), Tommy Morgan (harmonica), Marty Perellis (?), Don Van Vliet (dancing)

Sheik Yerbouti

Released: March 3 1979

Tracklist

  1. I Have Been In You
  2. Flakes
  3. Broken Hearts Are For Assholes
  4. I’m So Cute
  5. Jones Crusher
  6. Whatever Happened To All The Fun In The World
  7. Rat Tomago
  8. Wait A Minute
  9. Bobby Brown Goes Down
  10. Rubber Shirt
  11. The Sheik Yerbouti Tango
  12. Baby Snakes
  13. Tryin’ To Grow A Chin
  14. City Of Tiny Lites
  15. Dancin’ Fool
  16. Jewish Princess
  17. Wild Love
  18. Yo’ Mamma

Line-up
Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals), Adrian Belew (rhythm guitar, vocals), Tommy Mars (keyboards, vocals), Peter Wolf (keyboards), Patrick O’Hearn (bass, vocals), Terry Bozzio (drums, vocals), Ed Mann, David Ocker (clarinets on “Wild Love”), Napoleon Murphy Brock (bg vocals), Andre Lewis (bg vocals), Randy Thornton (bg vocals), Davey Moire (bg vocals)

Sleep Dirt

Released: January 1979

Review
See Läther.

Tracklist

  1. Filthy Habits
  2. Flambay
  3. Spider Of Destiny
  4. Regyptian Strut
  5. Time Is Money
  6. Sleep Dirt
  7. The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution

Line-up
Frank Zappa (guitar, keyboards), Dave Parlato (bass), Terry Bozzio (drums), George Duke (keyboards), Patrick O’Hearn (bass), Ruth Underwood (percussion), Chad Wackerman (drum overdubs), Thana Harris (vocals), Bruce Fowler (all brass), James “Bird Legs” Youman (bass), Chester Thompson (drums)

Studio Tan

Released: September 15 1978

Tracklist

  1. The Adventures Of Greggery Peccary
  2. Revised Music For Guitar And Low-Budget Orchestra
  3. Lemme Take You To The Beach
  4. RDNZL

Line-up
Frank Zappa (guitar, keyboards), Dave Moire (vocals), Eddie Jobson (keyboards, yodeling), George Duke (keyboards), Max Bennett (bass), Paul Humphrey (drums), Chester Thompson (drums), Don Brewer (bongo’s), James “Bird Legs” Youman (bass), Ruth Underwood (percussion, synthesizer)

Zappa In New York

Released: March 13 1978

Tracklist

  1. Titties & Beer
  2. Cruisin For Burgers
  3. I Promis Not To Come In Your Mouth
  4. Punky’s Whips
  5. Honey Don’t You Want A Man Like Me
  6. The Illinois Enema Bandit
  7. I’m The Slime
  8. Pound For A Brown
  9. Manx Needs Women
  10. The Black Page Drum Solo/Black Page
  11. Big Leg Emma
  12. Sofa
  13. Black Page
  14. the Torture Never Stops
  15. The Purple Lagoon/Approximate

Line-up
Frank Zappa (conductor, lead guitar, vocals), Ray White (rhythm guitar, vocals), Don Pardo (sophisticaded narration), David Samuels (timpani, vibes), Eddie Jobson (keyboards, violin, vocals), Patrick O’Hearn (bass, vocals), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Mike Brecker (tenor sax, flute), Lou Marini (alto sax, flute), Terry Bozzio (drums, vocals), Ruth Underwood (percussion, synthesizer, and various humanly impossible overdubs), Ronnie Cuber (baritone sax, clarinet), Tome Malone (trombone, trumpet, piccolo), John Bergamo, Ed Mann (percussion overdubs)

Zoot Allures

Released: October 29 1976

Tracklist

  1. Wind Up Workin’ In A Gas Station
  2. Black Napkins
  3. The Torture Never Stops
  4. Ms. Pinky
  5. Find Her Finer
  6. Friendly Little Finger
  7. Wonderful Wino
  8. Zoot Allures
  9. Disco Boy

Line-up
Frank Zappa (guitar, bass, synth, lead-vocal), Terry Bozzio (drums), Davey Moire (vocals on “Wind up…” and “Disco Boy”), Andre Lewis (organ, vocals on “Black Napkins” and “Disco Boy”), Roy Estrada (bass, vocals on “Black Napkins”, “Ms.Pinky”, “Find Her Finer”, “Disco Boy”), Napoleon Murphy Brock (sax, vocal on “Black Napkins”), Ruth Underwood (synth on “Ms. Pinky”, marimba & synth on “Friendly Little Finger” and “Zoot Allures”), Donnie Vliet (harmonica on “Find Her Finer”), Ruben Ladron de Guevara (bg vocal on “Find Her Finer”), Dave Parlato (bass on “Zoot Allures”), Lu Ann Neil (harp on “Zoot Allures”), Sharkie Barker (bg vocal on “Disco Boy”)

Bongo Fury

Released: October 2 1975 (live in Austin, Texas May 20/21 1975)

Tracklist

  1. Debra Kadabra
  2. Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy
  3. Sam With the Showing Scalp Flat Top
  4. Poofter’s Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead
  5. 200 Years Old
  6. Cucamonga
  7. Advance Romance
  8. Man With The Woman Head
  9. Muffin Man

Line-up
Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals), Captain Beefheart (harp, vocals, shopping bags), George Duke (keyboards, vocals), Napoleon Murphy Brock (sax, vocals), Bruce Fowler (trombone, fantastic dancing), Tom Fowler (bass, also dancing), Denny Walley (slide guitar, vocals), Terry Bozzio (drums, moisture), Chester Thompson (drums on “200 Years Old” and “Cucamonga”)

One Size Fits All

Released: June 25 1975

Tracklist

  1. Inca Roads
  2. Can’t Afford No Shoes
  3. Sofa No. 1
  4. Po-Jama People
  5. Florentine Pogen
  6. Evelyn, A Modified Dog
  7. San Ber’dino
  8. Andy
  9. Sofa No. 2

Line-up
Frank Zappa (guitars, vocals), George Duke (keyboards, synthesizers, vocals), Napoleon Murphy Brock (flute, tenor sax, vocals), Chester Thompson (drums), Tom Fowler (bass), Ruth Underwood (percussion), James ‘Bird Legs’ Youman (bass), Johnny Guitar Watson (flambe vocals), Bloodshot Rollin’ Red (harmonica)

Roxy & Elsewhere

Released: September 1974

Tracklist

  1. Penguin In Bondage
  2. Pygmy Twylyte
  3. Dummy Up
  4. Village Of The Sun
  5. Echidna’s Arf (Of You)
  6. Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing?
  7. Cheepnis
  8. Son Of Orange County
  9. More Trouble Every Day
  10. Be-Bop Tango (Of The Old Jazzmen’s Church)

Line-up
George Duke (keyboards, vocals) Tom Fowler (bass) Ruth Underwood (percussion) Jeff Simmons (rhythm guitar, vocals) Don Preston (synthesizer) Bruce Fowler (trombone, dancing!) Walt Fowler (trumpet) Napoleon Murphy Brock (tenor sax, flute, vocals) Ralph Humphrey (drums) Chester Thompson (drums)

Apostrophe


Released: March 22 1974

Tracklist

  1. Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow
  2. Nanook Rubs It
  3. St-Alphonzo’s Pancake Breakfast
  4. Father O’Blivion
  5. Cosmic Debris
  6. Excentrifugal Forz
  7. Apostrophe
  8. Uncle Remus
  9. Stink-Foot

Line-up
Jim Gordon, Johnny Guerin, Aynsley Dunbar, Ralph Humphrey (drums) Jack Bruce, Erroneous, Tom Fowler, FZ (bass) George Duke (keyboards) Sugar Cane Harris, Jean-Luc Ponty (violin) Ruth Underwood (percussion) Ian Underwood, Napoleon Murphy Brock (saxophone) Sal Marquez (trumpet) Bruce Fowler (trombone) Ray Collins, Kerry McNabb, George Duke, Susie Glover, Debbie, Lynn, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ruben Ladron De Guevara, Robert “Frog” Camarena (backing vocals)

Over-nite Sensation

Released: September 7 1973

Tracklist

  1. Camarillo Brillo
  2. I’m The Slime
  3. Dirty Love
  4. Fifty-Fifty
  5. Zomby Woof
  6. Dinah-Mo-Hum
  7. Montana

Line-up
Tom Fowler (bass) Bruce Fowler (trombone) Ralph Humphrey (drums) Sal Marquez (trumpet & vocals) Ruth Underwood (percussion) Ian Underwood (flute, clarinet, alto & tenor sax) George Duke (keyboards, synthesizer) Jean-Luc Ponty (violin & baritone violin)

The Grand Wazoo

Released: November 1972

Tracklist

  1. The Grand Wazoo
  2. For Calvin (and his next two hitch-hikers)
  3. Cletus-Awreetus Awrightus
  4. Eat that Question
  5. Blessed Relief

Line-up
Janet Neville-Ferguson, Sal Marquez (vocals), Mike Altschul, Earl Dumler, Tony Ortega, Joanne Caldwell McNabb, Johnny Rotella, Fred Jackson (woodwinds), Sal Marquez, Malcolm McNabb, Bill Byers, Ken Shroyer Ernie Tack (brass), Bob Zimmitti, Alan Estes (percussion), Don Preston (mini-moog), Frank Zappa (guitars, percussion, vocals), Toni Duran (guitars), Erroneous (bass), Aynsley Dunbar (drums), Ernie Watts, Mike Altschul, Joel Peskin (woodwinds), George Duke (keyboards), Ken Shroyer (multiple trombones), Lee Clement (percussion)

200 Motels

Released: October 1971

Tracklist

DISC ONE

  1. Semi-Fraudulent/Direct-From-Hollywood Overture
  2. Mystery Roach
  3. Dance Of The Rock & Roll Interviewers
  4. This Town Is A Sealed Tuna Sandwich (prologue)
  5. Tuna Fish Promenade
  6. Dance Of The Just Plain Folks
  7. This Town Is A Sealed Tuna Sandwich (reprise)
  8. The Sealed Tuna Bolero
  9. Lonesome Cowboy Burt
  10. Touring Can Make You Crazy
  11. Would You Like A Snack?
  12. Redneck Eats
  13. Centerville
  14. She Painted Up Her Face
  15. Janet’s Big Dance Number
  16. Half A Dozen Provocative Squats
  17. Mysterioso
  18. Shove It Right In
  19. Lucy’s Seduction Of A Bored Violinist & Postlude

DISC TWO

  1. I’m Stealing The Towels
  2. Dental Hygiene Dilemma
  3. Does This Kind Of Life Look Interesting To You?
  4. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy
  5. Penis Dimension
  6. What Will This Evening Bring Me This Morning
  7. A Nun Suit Painted On Some Old boxes
  8. Magic Fingers
  9. Motorhead’s Midnight Ranch
  10. Dew On The Newts We Got
  11. The Lad Searches The Night For His Newts
  12. The Girl Wants To Fix Him Some Broth
  13. The Girl’s Dream
  14. Little Green Scratchy Sweaters & Courduroy Ponce
  15. Strictly Genteel (the finale)

200 MOTELS PROMOTIONAL RADIO SPOTS

  • “Coming Soon!…”
  • “The Wide Screen Erupts…”
  • “Coming Soon!…”
  • Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels…”
  • Magic Fingers (Single Edit)

Line-up
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Elgar Howarth
The Mothers on this particular occasion: Frank Zappa (guitar & bass), Mark Volman (vocals & special material), Howard Kaylan (vocals & special material), Ian Underwood (keyboards & winds), Aynsley Dunbar (drums), George Duke (keyboards & trombone), Martin Lickert (bass), Jimmy Carl Black (vocal on “Lonesome Cowboy Burt”), Ruth Underwood (orchestra drum set), Jim Pons (voice of the “Bad Conscience”)
The Top Score Singers conducted by David Van Asch
Phyllis Bryn-Julson (soprano)
Classical Guitar Ensemble supervised by John Williams
Narrated by Theodore Bikel

Fillmore East June 1971

Released: June 1971

Tracklist

  1. Little House I Used To Live In
  2. The Mud Shark
  3. What Kind Of Girl Do You Think We Are?
  4. Bwana Dik
  5. Latex Solar Beef
  6. Willie The Pimp Part One
  7. Do You Like My New Car?
  8. Happy Together
  9. Lonesome Electric Turkey
  10. Peaches En Regalia
  11. Tears Began To Fall

Line-up
Frank Zappa (guitar & dialogue), Mark Volman (lead vocals & dialogue), Howard Kaylan (lead vocals & dialogue), Ian Underwood (winds, keyboards, vocals), Aynsley Dunbar (Drums), Jim Pons (bass, vocals, dialogue), Bob Harris (2nd keyboard, vocals), Don Preston (mini-moog)

Chunga’s Revenge

Released: October 1970

Tracklist

  1. Transylvania Boogie
  2. Road Ladies
  3. Twenty Small Cigars
  4. The Nancy And Mary Music
  5. Tell Me You Love Me
  6. Would You Go All The Way?
  7. Chunga’s Revenge
  8. The Clap
  9. Rudy Wants To Buy Yez A Drink
  10. Sharleena

Line-up
Frank Zappa (guitar, vocals), Ian Underwood (organ, electric piano, electric alto sax, grand piano, tenor sax, rhythm guitar, pipe organ), Max Bennett (bass), Aynsley Dunbar (drums), Jeff Simmons (bass & vocals), George Duke (organ, electric piano & vocal drum imitations, trombone), John Guerin (drums), Sugar Cane Harris (organ) and the Phlorescent Leech & Eddie (vocals)

Weasels Ripped My Flesh

Released: August 1970

Tracklist

  1. Didja Get Any Onya?
  2. Directly From My Heart To You
  3. Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Sexually Aroused Gas Mask
  4. Toads Of The Short Forest
  5. Get A Little
  6. The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue
  7. Dwarf Nebula Processional March & Dwarf nebula
  8. My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mamma
  9. Oh No
  10. The Orange County Lumber Truck
  11. Weasels Ripped My Flesh

Line-up
Frank Zappa (lead guitar, vocals), Ian Underwood (alto sax), Bunk Gardner (tenor sax), Motorhead Sherwood (baritone sax and snorks), Buzz Gardner (trumpet, flugel horn), Roy Estrada (bass and vocal), Jimmy Carl Black (drums), Art Tripp (drums), Don Preston (piano, organ, electronic effects), Ray Collins (vocals on ‘Oh No’), Don “Sugar Cane” Harris (electric violin and vocal on ‘Directly from my heart to you’), Lowell George (rhythm guitar and vocal on ‘Didja Get Any Onya?’)

Burnt Weeny Sandwich

Released: December 1969

Tracklist

  1. WPLJ
  2. Igor’s Boogie, Phase One
  3. Ouverture to a Holiday In Berlin
  4. Theme from Burnt Weeny Sandwich
  5. Igor’s Boogie, Phase Two
  6. Holiday In Berlin, Full-Blown
  7. Aybe Sea
  8. The Little House I Used To Live In
  9. Valarie

Line-up
(sleeve notes are not very clear) Frank Zappa, Ian Underwood (piano), Sugar Cane Harris (violin solo), Don Preston (piano)