YCDTOSA 6 – DISC ONE
- The M.O.I Anti-Smut Loyalty Oath
- The Poodle Lecture
- Dirty Love
- Magic Fingers
- The Madison Panty-Sniffing Festival
- Honey, Don’t You Want A Man Like Me?
- Father O’Blivion
- Is That Guy Kidding Or What?
- I’m So Cute
- White Person
- Lonely Person Devices
- Ms. Pinky
- Shove It Right In
- Wind Up Working In A Gas Station
- Make A Sex Noise
- Tracy Is A Snob
- I Have Been In You
- Emperor Of Ohio
- Dinah-Moe Humm
- He’s So Gay
- Camarillo Brillo
- Muffin Man
YCDTOSA 6 – DISC TWO
- NYC Halloween Audience
- The Illinois Enema Bandit
- Thirteen
- Lobster Girl
- Black Napkins
- We’re Turning Again
- Alien Orifice
- Catholic Girls
- Crew Slut
- Tryin’ To Grow A Chin
- Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
- Lisa’s Life Story
- Lonesome Cowboy Nando
- 200 Motels Finale
- Strictly Genteel
The final set of the Stage series goes back to the mixing and matching different bands together, but this time they are (more-or-less) conceptually related. Disc one is about Sex and Love in a dysfunctional sort of way. Disc two simulates a Halloween show. A fitting closure for the series.
Well, I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite, but has some nice moments. Maybe it’s too heterogenous?… Disc one is sometimes boring, but has interesting moments, and disc too also has some nice songs amongs others – my favourites are Alien Orifice (81) and Black Napkins (76).
I found this to be the most commercial of the series, working out the “Have I Offended Someone” material and theme of the dirty rock and roll stuff, versus the complex workouts of his more challenging jazz. The series itself peppers complex workouts throughout but seemed to focus on new arrangements of old material. That being said, this was one of the objectives of the series. I take the last volume to be overtly presenting the “crowd-pleaser” Dirty Uncle Frankie material as a rosettaesque cherry on the top for those who stuck through and appreciated the series. All in all a great volume, with a bitchen version of “Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance”
Spectacular and brilliant! The versions of ‘Dirty Love’ and ‘Alien Orifice’ are the best ones ever!
After my lukewarm reviews for Vols. 3, 4 and 5, I am very happy to convey that I feel Vol.6 is arguably the finest “You Can’t Do That On Stage..” edition. I know that many out there feel that this final installment is a bit of a “pandering to the crowd” decision from Frank, but if Frank never was willing to give his fans what they wanted, he would have never played “Dinah-Moe-Humm” a billion times over the years.
The different band versions of everything on both of these discs are wonderful, and the whole volume is arguably the best live Zappa release until FZT released “Buffalo” recently. I particularly love the 1978 Vinnie Coluaiuta era stuff, and the instrumental jam-out on “Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance” is kick-ass, especially when L. Shankar starts rippin into his violin solo. Ditto for “Thirteen”.
The extra funny bits are great too. The “Anti-Smut Loyalty Oath” is positively rapturous, and there is not one single clunker in the whole batch.
A consistenly stunning conclusion to the greatest live musician of the 20th century, whose live performances were never less than relevatory. Essential, classic Zappa.
One thing ive said about Zappa albums is theres always at least one track alone thats worth the asking price.I tracked down disc 2 to hear ‘Thirteen’ and was duly thrilled.The climax takes me back to youthful psychedelic experiences.Why?The’Live in new york’ bands version of’Black Napkins’ is equally worth its weight in gold and after more than 20yrs of Zappa appreciation i dont know why i havent noticed the gem that is’200 motels finale’.Its probably my fave Mothers song.Fast,funky,short and sweet and the ‘through the sleet and driving rain’ line makes me feel like its written about my very own Lancaster.