Zoot Allures
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Zoot Allures is a 1976 rock album by Frank Zappa. The title is a pun on the French expression "Zut alors!" which, though it has no direct translation, conveys mild surprise and may be approximated by "Damn it!" or the British use of "Blimey!"
The album was originally conceptualized as a double LP, but for unknown reasons Zappa rearranged, edited, and shortened the track listing to what was eventually released as a single LP.[2] Zappa played a test pressing of the original album for Circus magazine in 1976, which reported a radically different, though slightly erroneous track listing that included "Sleep Dirt", "The Ocean Is the Ultimate Solution", "Filthy Habits", and "Night of the Iron Sausage". The former three tracks eventually surfaced on Sleep Dirt and the posthumous Läther; "Night of the Iron Sausage" remains unreleased, but was seemingly intended to be a guitar solo of fair length. "Wind Up Workin' in a Gas Station" and "Zoot Allures" were notably absent from test pressings.
"Black Napkins", one of several guitar-driven pieces on Zoot Allures, began life accompanied by themes that would later make up the unique piece known as "Sleep Dirt".[3] The performance heard on the album was culled from Zappa's 1976-02-03 performance in Osaka, Japan, though it was edited for the official release.[4] Along with "Zoot Allures" and "The Torture Never Stops", "Black Napkins" became a signature piece for Zappa, featuring heavily in nearly every subsequent tour and several official releases.
"Wonderful Wino" was originally released on Jeff Simmons' 1970 LP, Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up. The album, produced partially by Zappa (though credited as "La Marr Bruister"), also included the titular track, which later appeared on 1980's Joe's Garage.
Track listing
All tracks written by Frank Zappa, except where noted.
Side one
- "Wind Up Workin' in a Gas Station" – 2:29
- "Black Napkins" – 4:15
- "The Torture Never Stops" – 9:45
- "Ms. Pinky" – 3:40
Side two
- "Find Her Finer" – 4:07
- "Friendly Little Finger" – 4:17
- "Wonderful Wino" (Simmons, Zappa) – 3:38
- "Zoot Allures" – 4:12
- "Disco Boy" – 5:11
Release history
| Country | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Canada |
October 20, 1976 | Warner Brothers | LP | BS 2970 |
| United Kingdom | December 1976 | Warner Brothers | LP | K 56298 |
| United States | May 1990 | Rykodisc | CD | RCD 10160 |
| United Kingdom | May 1990 | Zappa Records | CD | CDZAP22 |
| United States | May 2, 1995 | Rykodisc | CD | RCD 10523 |
Rykodisc CD release
Zoot Allures on compact disc, released by Rykodisc, is mixed differently than the original vinyl.
Members
Musicians
- Frank Zappa – synthesizer, bass guitar, guitar, composer, director, keyboards, vocals, producer, remixing, recreation
- Sharkie Barker – backing vocals
- Terry Bozzio – drums, backing vocals
- Napoleon Murphy Brock – saxophone, vocals
- Captain Beefheart – harmonica (credited as "Donnie Vliet")
- Ruben Ladron de Guevara – backing vocals
- Roy Estrada – bass guitar, vocals, backing vocals
- Andre Lewis – organ, vocals, backing vocals
- Davey Moire – vocals, backing vocals, engineer
- Lu Ann Neil – harp
- Sparky Parker – vocals
- Dave Parlato – bass guitar
- Ruth Underwood – synthesizer, marimba
- Eddie Jobson appears on the album's cover, but does not perform on any tracks
Production staff
- Arnie Acosta – mastering
- Amy Bernstein – layout design
- Michael Braunstein – engineer
- Gary Heery – photography
- Cal Schenkel – design
- Bob Stone – digital remastering
References
- ^ a b "Album review". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "ARF The Home of Frank Zappa Heritage Studies". Retrieved 2007-12-10.
- ^ "Information Is Not Knowledge". Retrieved 2007-12-10.
- ^ "the zappa patio". Retrieved 2007-12-10.
