Jordan Zevon – Insides Out

Jordan Zevon, son of the late Warren Zevon, has just released his debut album entitled, Insides Out, from New West Records. Sure, there are bound to be comparisons with the old man. Especially with his cover of the song, “Studebaker”, which first appeared on the 2004 tribute album to his late father, Enjoy Every Sandwich. Yet, songs like Jordan’s “The Joke’s on Me” is enough of a self-effacing romp to reveal that he has found his own territory to explore and needn’t worry about being completely overshadowed by his father’s accomplishments. Check out Jordan’s MySpace page for both songs, among others.

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London Calling

Andrew & Thomas
Andrew “Idiot Bastard Son” Greenaway and Thomas “Arf! Zappanale” Dippel at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London, 10 May ’08. One for the family album.

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A Location For Zappa’s Baltimore Bust

Eric Leicus, Lithuanian, Baltimore resident & Zappa fan writes:

A friend who works in the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts tells me that various well-trafficked locations have been denied for placement of the statue because Frank Zappa was not an appropriate image to have on their grounds. Therefore, its very possible that the Zappa statue could be put on the outskirts on the city … meaning- it’ll be put in a place where no one will see it. I’m thinking it should be in Fells Point Square/Mt Vernon Park or at least somewhere downtown where people can actually see it and appreciate it.

If you agree, Eric suggests you send email to Kim Domanski (public art coordinator for BOP&A) and let her know that you’d like the Zappa statue to be in a highly trafficked/visible area.

Even if just a few of you do it, it would be much appreciated and could make a big difference. And really it is at least a little way to give back to the man (or at least his legacy) who gave us so much amazing music.

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That’ll Be The Day

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Orion Reborn!

Yes: it’s time for another episode of “Sucky Album Covers“!


Neil Diamond’s brother has a thing for plastic Venetian masks.


Lots of love, peace, oh and some inbreeding as well.


Manager: “Manfred, you really have to get rid of that accent when you sing.”
Manfred: “Vatt’s ronk viss it?”

(Thanks Kevin)

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Diva / Anti-Diva — Missing Persons, Rough Trade & Carole Pope

It’s 1980 and two new bands, one American and one Canadian, emerge with a raw new sound. One, Missing Persons, with a four song 7″ EP recorded at Frank Zappa’s Utility Muffin Research Kitchen on a shoestring budget. A second, Rough Trade, releases their debut album Avoid Freud, full of themes of catastrophic power and dimestore smut, satire and parody. One band appeals to the American male’s libido and traditional boy/girl themes, while the other pokes fun at both North American sexual orientation and the myths which go along with them. Still, it is interesting to compare the styles of these two bands, and the diva/anti-diva dichotomy at play between Dale Bozzio and Carole Pope.

In 2007, Carole Pope released the solo CD, Transcend.

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Don’t Let The Singer Distract You

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ZPZ: Afraid Of Europeans?

Just had a look at ZPZ’s 2008 tourdates. While there’s loads of US gigs, the European chapter of the tour has been limited to this:

  • Jul 13, ’08 – Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS — North Sea Jazz Festival
  • Jul 15, ’08 – Milan, ITALY — Villa Arconati
  • Jul 16, ’08 – Madrid, SPAIN — Veranos de la Villa
  • Jul 18, ’08 – Barcelona, SPAIN — Palua de la Musica
  • Jul 19, ’08 – Berne, SWITZERLAND — Gurtenfestival

Not only is it obvious that ZPZ are blissfully steering clear of Frank’s traditional European fanbase (Germany, France, the UK, Scandinavia, Belgium, the Baltics – Holland being the exception to the rule), on top of that ZPZ have chosen the safe route by playing festivals.

What’s the matter Dweez? Us Euro’s scaring you now? I wonder why.

Post Scriptum: you gotta love the way us Euro fans were basically used as guinea pigs when the first ZPZ tour was put on the rails.

– PR Guy: “Let’s see if it sticks with them Ol’ Country folk first. Like it or not: yer dad always had more of a following there, so it’s the sensible thing to do. If it sticks, we take this tour back to the US”
– Dweez: “Ya think?”
– PR Guy: “Trust me. Been there, done that. With a bit of luck, them Euro’s are gonna rave about you guys all over the internet. Then we hit the US. Money in the pocket.”
(cue appreciative GS nodding)
– Dweez: “Mom, whadda you think?”

… and the rest, as they say, is history.

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Neil Young: Into The Blu

Ol’ Neil has released his long awaited “Archives” — on Blu-Ray discs no less:

Thrasher’s Wheat has a good recap of the pro’s and con’s of Blu-Ray technology, as well as fan’s reactions:

I can completely understand why some people are very leery and upset, it’s just that I expect Neil to be unfathomably perverse. It’s been a very long time since any decision he’s made has actually fazed me in the slightest. My default mode with Mr. Young is to assume that I have absolutely no idea what he will do next, or what he will choose to release.

Sounds familiar! 🙂

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Newman.

Way back in November 2006, we launched The KUR World Tour Book:

Remember those scrapbooks that were passed around when you were a kid? A friend would ask you to write or draw something in his/hers and then you’d give it back. Some of the pages would turn out rather cheesy, while others would consist of really cool doodles or collages.

With positive response from you guys, Sharleena and myself went and bought a (matter-of-fact) rather cheap sketchbook, filled its first pages with some introductory doo-dah, and off it went.

KUR Tourbook Cover

From there on, what can I say, really? Things went good, until they went bad.

The book is lost.

No doubt there’s a Newman in US Postal Services sitting on this book, creaming all over it at the prospect of a quick buck on eBay. Nnnnewman…
Luckily, the last recipient of the book –our good friend SOFA– made pictures of all pages before sending it on. Have a look (flickr link) — be sure to click the “All Sizes button”!

To all of you who received the book, doodled in it, then sent it on, and made it as spectacularly good as it is: you guys rock. Some samples:

SOFA KUR Tourbook Entry

Gnarly Artly

Detonator

Evaristo

Sharleena

Newman? We need to get in touch. I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.

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