London Symphony Orchestra, Vols. I &II [Original recording remastered, Live]

Frank Zappa, London Symphony Orchestra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 18, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered, Live
• Label: Zappa Records
• ASIN: B0000009T8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,878 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Bob in Dacron, First Movement

2. Bob in Dacron, Second Movement

3. Sad Jane, First Movement

4. Sad Jane, Second Movement

5. Mo 'n Herb's Vacation, First Movement

6. Mo 'n Herb's Vacation, Second Movement

7. Mo 'n Herb's Vacation, Third Movement

Disc: 2

1. Envelopes

2. Pedro's Dowry

3. Bogus Pomp

4. Strictly Genteel

Editorial Reviews

From the Label

Something magnificent to move the air in your room around. FZ's compositions performed by the LSO, conducted by the now-well-known Kent Nagano. These are some of the most intricate compositions in all of Zappadom; even with the LSO working at full strength, FZ has noted that it took many hundreds of tape splices to get the pieces just right. Along with the grandeur of "Bogus Pomp" (much-expanded from its original appearance on ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES), there's the rich melodicism of "Sad Jane" and the many musical nooks and crannies of "Mo 'n' Herb's Vacation."

Tracks from this session were originally scattered among two vinyl albums and one CD. This new and expanded edition includes all the LSO tracks on 2 CDs. Other highlights include "Strictly Genteel" (also reworked from ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES) and "Bob In Dacron."

Product Description

Never before available together, with four tracks restored from the original LP version!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Music great; recording awful., February 2, 2005

By 

B. Kemper "Buzz" (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: London Symphony Orchestra, Vols. I &II (Audio CD)

I was really excited about these recordings for two reasons: 1). I am a Zappa fan and have long respected and enjoyed his classical compositions (check out "The Yellow Shark", for example), and I wanted to hear his pieces played by a full symphony orchestra, and 2). I am a recording engineer who frequently works with symphony and chamber orchestras and, given FZ's usually high standard of audio recording, I was interested to hear this material.

The good news is that the material really does have merit. While I think the chamber compositions on "Yellow Shark" represent him better on many levels, I enjoyed the compositions on these LSO CD's. The bad news is that the recording quality is so awful I can't listen to it. I won't get too geeky about this, but suffice to say that FZ used 40 or 50 PZM microphones--practically one for every instrument. This technique can work for rock music (though even in rock one would not choose the harsh quality of a PZM type microphone). However in classical music, from the listener's perspective it's like having every flute, every trumpet, every drum, etc. wailing away ten inches in front of your face. It's an assault. It's painful. This is the single most fatiguing recording I have heard in my life. I am a fan of FZ, and if you're reading this review, chances are good that you are too. So buy these recordings if you really want to hear these pieces of music, but for your sake I hope your ears are less easily offended than mine.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Kind of Suprising that the quality was not really there, June 6, 2003

By 

K. L. Woomer (San Antonio Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: London Symphony Orchestra, Vols. I &II (Audio CD)

the LSO apparently agreed to forgo their vacation after recording the star wars theme music (I think it was ROTJ)... anyway, after that session they had originally planned to go on a 30 days vacation. That was until the mighty FZ approached them and asked if they would take 400,000 in cash to do his material. Well, if it had been anyone else in Rock music, they most likely would have headed out to vacation.

then there were so many bad experiences between FZ and the orchestra. I have read where the musicians didn't understand why FZ took so much time arranging their chairs 'JUST SO'. These folks should have just shut up and let the master of sound and engineering (and rarely anyone rivaled FZ in this arena) do his thing. then the trumpet playing folks during a break in the sessions got loaded on brew at a pub and played flat on some numbers... which FZ obviously had a problem with.

Of all the interviews I have read from the folks in the orchestra, they seemed to forget that FZ paid for these sessions and wanted things done his way. But, FZ had very little influence on these musicians to be what they were reported to be, MUSICIANS. FZ stated in many interviews that 'The LSO can play most classical music with their eyes closed, but were not really all that good at reading music they didn't know 'by heart.' Which kinda, at the time, really suprised me.

After listening to other orchestras play FZ music (try national philharmonic on 'orchestral favorites' and bootleg berkley orchestra doing 'Sinister Footwear') and you will see just how stiff the LSO seems to be. Considering that the LSO has a reputation of being a 'swinging classical orchestra'. Maybe it was the tension between the master and the pupils.... who knows.

Now, that is not to say the LSO butchered every number, because they didn't. They did manage to do one song wonderfully, and that song was 'STRICTLY GENTEEL'. This is by far my favorite version of this material and WAY WORTH THE PRICE OF THIS SET ALONE. The LSO obviously liked this number a lot, cause they nailed it. And it is terrific. I was disappointed in the music until I heard that song.. and then I was okay with the output.

So, balance this information.. I would not buy this unless you have bought a good many other FZ recordings; and for his classical releases here is my list of ones to get before this one:

1. Yellow Shark. released early 90s. Ensemble Modern. wow.

2. Perfect Stranger. VERY GOOD, but keep in mind there are also synclavier pieces included.

3. Orchestral Favorites. EXCELLENT. Matter of fact this is the best of the four.

Have fun.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frank Zappa ,London Symphony Orchestra, November 17, 2007

By 

D. Carroll "Zappaholic" (New South Wales Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: London Symphony Orchestra, Vols. I &II (Audio CD)

This is a must have for Frank Zappa fans.His style shows through the complex arrangments that were done on a tight schedule with very little rehersal.It must have been a challenge for the LSO.This recording is different from what most people think of as Zappa's music,a great work from a legend.Music is the best.