Customer Reviews

Zappa Plays Zappa (Amaray)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No one on this planet is composing music like this anymore. It's intricate, heartfelt, melodic, humorous, and takes talented musicians to play it. Too many people have closed their minds to Zappa's music just because of his lyrics, and that's too bad, because the music speaks for itself, and for me, lyrics are secondary.

Dweezil assembled a smoking hot band, hit the road, and now we have a document of some of these shows. This DVD has performances from two, maybe three, shows. The set list is phenomenal, although not one song from "Joe's Garage" or "You Are What You Is" (two of my favorite Zappa albums) is included. The audio mixes, stereo and DD 5.1, sound great. The video is clear and the editing is good, but there are plenty of spilt-screen shots, and the camera angle from the guitar headstock looking down on the strings, when used, doesn't show much. The video is presented in a widescreen format. Disc one is 1 hour 54 minutes long; disc two is 1 hour 34 minutes and has a ten-minute interview with Dweezil and "Cheepnis" as bonus features.

The only thing missing from this performance, that was routine at Frank's show, is the audience participation and general weirdness that was played out on-stage. And that's ok by me. I've had the pleasure to see Frank about a dozen times in concert and some of these theatrics were too much and I wished they had focused more on the music. You can only throw around an inflatable doll so many times before it gets boring. One gig I remember Frank did nothing but sit down in a chair facing the audience, smoke cigarettes, and conduct the band. I felt a bit ripped off that he didn't play his guitar or sing. But all I feel when watching this DVD is amazement and pleasure. This is such a killer DVD, the music is timeless, and hopefully Dweezil has sparked some interest for this music to a younger generation. Highest recommendation!

Watched all of this, both discs, last night. All of it was extraordinarily excellent.
Me and my fellow big Zappa friend sat there watching this and repeatedly remarked how excellent it all was, frequently saying it was just, JUST shy of the old man's bands himself. Extraordinarily close.
Impossible reproductions: check.
Blinding fast and accurate mallot and vibes play: check.
Incredible sax solo from multi-talented Scheila Gonzalez: check.
Dweezil doing his father proud in the guitar solo dept.: check.
With Napoleon Murphy Brock singing much of the lead vocals along with his on-stage spirited personality there comes an air of authenticity that Zappa fans want. Terry Bozzio's contribution was a real treat.
The only thing I missed was Frank's patented unique voice on songs like Cosmic Debris, I'm The Slime and Trouble Comin Every Day et al.
Dweezil gives a heartfelt thank you to all the fans at the show(filmed in Portland and Seattle) for supporting his father's music.
Also the disc concluding interview with Dweezil describes the coming together of this project and of this band.
Not a Frank Zappa and band live performance but I swear there is a hair's width of difference between the two.

It's not easy to follow in the footsteps of a legend! Young Dweezil gave himself a huge task to put together a group of musicians, Frank's music
and put it all together in a live performance! I probably would not have purchased the DVD if it were not for these reviews! I've seen 11 Zappa concerts dating back to 1969. This DVD is well worth the price!
GOOD JOB DWEEZIL!!!

I saw this show in L.A. This is one great band. The musicians in the band
are some of the best in world. If you are into the music of Frank Zappa,
or if you just want to learn about his musical legacy, this is a great place to start. The song selections are from all different aspects of Frank's catalog. Dweezil has really stepped up and taken on the role of getting his dads music out there in a manner that it should be, with respect and dedication. This disc is worth owning. GET IT NOW!

Perfectly rendered, faithful to the source and totaly danceable. The absolute best DVD entertainment value of the century (or at least 'til the next one comes out) God Bless Frank Zappa!!! (and Dweezle for making it happen again)

Overall a very good career-spanning introduction to the man's music as well as an entertaining tribute. I love the way Dweezil includes Frank veterans like Napoleon Murphy Brock and Terry Bozzio with great young talent like Sheila Garcia. There is a real sense of fun without letting the theatrics take over. Despite a load of talent on this stage, there is no question that Dweezil is in charge and his solos are excellent. As far as live concerts go, I put this right up there with the Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense" and that is no mean feat.

Mrs. Jones leaves the room whenever I play this DVD or any Zappa music, but I am constantly in awe of his music and Dweezil's interpretations. this band is incredible and the songs are moving. very soulful, fun and entertaining. these guys are so good sometimes I want to quit my band and give up the guitar.

You have to respect Dweezil's heartfelt motivation to mount a tour profiling the music of his father. Dweezil states he took two years off just to learn the pieces and I believe it. To state that Frank Zappa's material is difficult to perform is an understatement. Frank's bands all required the most talented of musicians, each of whom had enormous respect for his farsighted compositional talent and brilliant musicianship.

What we have here is Dweezil's approach to a Zappa-inspired evening of music. The music is outstanding and so are the performances. Many of the pieces are metered a little slower than Zappa performed them during his day, but keep in mind the complexity of the music. During Zappa's tours his musicians lived and breathed the music and Zappa would often push the envelope to stretch their abilities. As Zappa's tours progressed and his musicians became more proficient with the material, the tempos would accelerate. Dweezil chose to approach some of these pieces at a slower tempo and it's only speculation as to whether this was a stylistic decision or a decision based out of necessity to ensure a clean performance.

One thing I really respect while watching these performances is how Dweezil lets the music speak for itself. He doesn't get into physical or facial grinding while performing. He stands and plays, just as his father did. Most of the time, even when he's shredding, his face and stance are relaxed. He practices economy of motion while playing; he moves what's necessary only when necessary. I respect this.

The two guest performers during the latter part of the performance are former Zappa alumni, guitarist Steve Vai and drummer Terry Bozzio, both of whom are prodigious masters at their instrument. Both musicians provide fabulous performances and are allowed time to show off their talents, but this DVD is really about the music. The DVD doesn't focus too much on Steve's playing, although he takes a number of outstanding solos. Terry is provided a lengthy drum solo towards the end of the performance and the encore culminates in a trading of licks between Dweezil and Steve and eventually other band members.

What makes this DVD really stand out is it's not a DVD only Zappa fans can appreciate. My wife came over from China two years ago and has never heard of Frank Zappa or seen any of the musicians on the DVD. She sat with me for two hours carefully watching every song, asking questions about the musicians and the music, and this provided a great opportunity for me to teach her about this brilliant genius named Frank Zappa who gave such a wide-ranging gift to the world through his music. At the end of the DVD she said to me, "Whaaa! I like this man... His music very good!"

I think this is what Dweezil hoped to achieve--to preserve Frank's music and memory for future generations to discover and enjoy. Dweezil expresses this sentiment to the crowd through tears of respect and joy. You can see the love and respect he has for his father.

It really goes to show, while Frank may no longer be with us, his music really does live on. Dweezil's homage on this DVD is a testiment that that.

I was not familiar with the music of Frank Zappa.
A friend suggested I should try this DVD Concert.
It's the best $20 you can possibly spend.
The filming and especially the surround sound quality is unbelievable. If you have a good quality sound system you will not be disappointed. So many say they are recorded in 5.1 or DTS but they not much better than 2 channel.
The quitar solo by Dweezil on Inca Roads me cry, but then I suffer from depression. This track on it's own is worth the price of admission.
There are an incredible number of songs on the 2 DVD's.
This is a superior concert in all regards and the 10 musicians and singers are as good as it gets.
This really is a MUST have concert.
MIke

Great music from one of the most brilliant composers of the second half of last century. Everybody's performance was incredibly precise, enjoyable, and so relaxed, while playing some of the most complicated tunes I can think of. I just missed Keep it greasey, but I guess that it's impossible to please everybody, with so many albums to choose from.
Thanks Dweezil, for bringing back your father for a couple of hours. This dvd will stay in my player for some time.