Playground Psychotics [Original recording remastered]

Frank Zappa | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 30, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Zappa Records
• ASIN: B0000009TL
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,188 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Here Comes the Gear, Lads [Live]

2. Living Garbage Truck [Live]

3. A Typical Sound Track [Live]

4. The Motel Lobby [Live]

5. Getting Stewed [Live]

6. Don't Take Me Down [Live]

7. Learning "Penis Dimension" [Live]

8. Zanti Serenade [Live]

9. Divan [Live]

10. Sleeping in a Jar [Live]

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Beer Shampoo [Live]

2. Champagne Lecture [Live]

3. Child Perversions [Live]

4. Playground Psychotics [Live]

5. The Mudshark Interview [Live]

6. There's No Lust in Jazz [Live]

7. Botulism on the Hoof [Live]

8. Status Back Baby [Live][#]

9. The London Cabtape [Live]

10. Concentration Moon, Pt. 1 [Live]

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A "Must" For Zappa Completists: Contains 2 Treasures, December 16, 2005

By 

William Caputo (Scranton, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playground Psychotics (Audio CD)

If you are not a die-hard fan or only a casual FZ fan, then it is recommended that you wait and purchase this album at a later time.

The two teasures in this album are:

1. "Scumbag" - the infamous Jam between FZ, John Lennon & Yoko Ono from 1971. Lennon put this song on his "Sometime In New York" album but removed Flo & Eddie's backing vocals. This is the original version that the fans were meant to hear.

2. "Billy The Mountain" - This is the 30 minute version that includes the electric piano solo not included in the 24 minute version released on the "Just Another Band From L.A." album. There are also less out-dated references in this version, making this the "superior" version of this story song about a mountain named Billy, his tree-wife Ethel and the disasters and murder they cause. If you're reading this article, you probably already know the story.

The rest contains snippets of dialogue from the Flo & Eddie period of the "Mothers" Band (1970-71) that is somewhat intersting but nothing amazing or essential, save the "Mudshark Interview" with an Edgewater Inn employee that further explains the meaning of the "Mud Shark" dance/song found on the Fillmore East album.

If you hate the Flo & Eddie period of FZ's music, stay away from this one.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars many fine moments, May 3, 2001

By 

"theslime" (DUBLIN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playground Psychotics (Audio CD)

If you're just starting your FZ collection this wouldn't be a great place to start, it might put you off. This is music and dialogue snippets from Frank Zappa's 1970-1971 band, which featured flo and eddie, aynsley dunbar, george duke(1970), don preston(1971) jim pons (71) jeff simmons(70) ian underwood, and sometimes bob harris(71). If you don't know much about Frank's various line-ups and their popularity with the fans, well then this particular group is the least popular, and is often joked about and had nasty things said about it by the fans on their web pages or whatever mainly for the presence of flo and eddie who sang with high pitched whiney vocals. Some of this abuse is way over the top especially when you listen to some of the music. The dialogue portions are mildly entertaining, it's better if you've seen 200 motels and are familiar with this band. There is a funny interview with a hotel proprietor concerning mudshark fishing from hotel bedrooms and possible 'acts' with the fish. A few candid tape recorded moments too.

There is quite a bit of music on the album, i reckon about 80 to 90 minutes worth and most of it is excellent. Don Preston shines on minimoog, for example the intro to 'scumbag' also on 'billy the mountain'. Lots of flo and eddie versions of old mothers tunes: 'cruising for burgers', sleeping in a jar, mom and dad, concentration moon, status back baby .A really top Sharleena. If you can come to terms with the singing, these are terrific! Divan is part of the sofa routine, zanti is a sound check , brixton still life is a good guitar solo . Then you have John and Yoko doing their thing, it's a mixed bag. 'well' and 'scumbag' are enjoyable. Then you have yoko ono screeching for about 15 minutes(ok about 3 or 4 minutes, but it seemed like 15). Avant-garde or just poo-poo? Take your pick. CD2 has a majestic billy the mountain. This is an acquired taste but grows on you. It shows how frank could combine comedy routine with great music, and also has don preston solo. Overall it's as good as the other flo and eddie live stuff like filmore 71 and just another band from LA, if not better. I suppose the extra money might be a minus factor, but it's got lots of good bits.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ehhh..., September 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Playground Psychotics (Audio CD)

Lukewarm side-project of '92. "Billy the Mountain" is an excellent epic with some on-target comedy for "Funny Zappa" fans but not enough creativity really for "Genius Zappa" fans. Both sections of "A Typical Day On the Road" are only for fans interested in hearing some of the Mothers' unpleasant conversations during their tours. Hardly good listening. "The True Story of 200 Motels" is better, but still...However, along with "Billy the Mountain" there are other standouts on this 2-disc set; "Concentration Moon" and "Mom & Dad" both have excellent live renditions here, and a few of his rare jam sessions will be a real treat for seasoned Zappa veterans. Also of note to Beatlemaniacs (like your's truly) Zappa's promised mix of the "Fillmore East" jam sessions with John Lennon and Yoko are also included. "Scumbag" sounds more complete (you find there are more than "two words" in the song) and all of the tracks sound much cleaner than those on "Sometime in New York City." Zappa's genius pops through occassionally on this album, but it is for the initiated only.