18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not his best, but VERY essential, December 24, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Zoot Allures (Audio CD)
Zoot Allures is one of the most unique albums in Zappa's catalogue. Nearly all of the instruments are played by FZ himself (including bass!), with Ruth Underwood on percussion, the incomparable Terry Bozzio on drums, and some backing vocalists. It really is Zappa "stripped down" as its often described. Most of the songs have the same instruments, tones, and the same heavy-breathed vocals. The drab production, however, makes this album a chore at spots when the songs themselves aren't strong enough to work without a little production effort. What really saves this album are a few incredible instrumental pieces.
The opener is often sneered at, but WIND UP WORKIN' IN A GAS STATION is an actually one of the better tracks on the album. Its a little something like rock-doowop. A relatively simple song with a simple riff that belies a pretty intricate vocal arrangement. BLACK NAPKINS, the one live track on the album, is absolutely incredible. Zappa weaves a beautiful thematic phrase into some of his most inspired guitarwork, creating one of his most somber and emotive tone poems in his career. Its unfortunately followed by the mediocre, over-long and over-used THE TORTURE NEVER STOPS. The next tracks, MS PINKY and FIND HER FINER, are rather typical Zappa sex numbers. They're pretty good songs, but the production here really fails them, and after a few entertaining listens they lost their charm. The same can be said for THE WONDERFUL WINO, although this one manages to keep a lot of panache.
FRIENDLY LITTLE FINGER is an incredible instrumental with a great oriental guitar opening that leads into a rather wandering guitar solo. The real treat here is Zappa's rapid-fire bass work. The title track, ZOOT ALLURES, is another one of Zappa's most amazing solos. The composed portion of this solo is one of the most incredible things FZ wrote in his entire career. The majesty of this number is nicely undercut by the levity of the closer, DISCO BOY, which is absolutely fun.
It should be noted that BLACK NAPKINS and ZOOT ALLURES, along with one other FZ solo (Watermelon in Easter Hay), are believed to have been considered by Zappa himself as his best work. The Zappa Family Trust goes so far as to ask cover bands to not cover these songs, and a posthumous album (Frank Zappa Plays The Music of Frank Zappa) is devoted entirely to tracing the progression of these three songs. Its absolutely incredible that two of these solos are found on this unlikely album.
Although I wouldn't call it his best by any shot, or even one of his best, this album is absolutely essential. There's too much interesting going on here not to count this as an integral part of any FZ collection.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creamed corn, March 30, 2001
This review is from: Zoot Allures (Audio CD)
When I first bought Zoot Allures, I didn't really like it. Mainly I found the guitar sound on some tracks (Gasstation, Wonderful Wino) to be very cheesy. But now, probably six years after I first got it, it has become my favorite Zappa record. Zappa suspended his penchant (how often have YOU suspended your PENCHANT?) for elaborate arrangements on this one, opting for an admirable austerity best appreciated with headphones. Listen for the understated synth stuff sprinkled across these tracks as well as little electronic percussion and vocal morsels. There is probably more good guitar playing on this record than on any other Zappa creation. There's a control and delicacy to his melodies that I missed in his earlier (and even some later) guitar exercises. "The Torture Never Stops" is a masterpiece - a beautifully spacey soundscape with twisted/cryptic lyrics and wild tortured sex noises. The various instrumentals speak volumes for themselves. I even like the brief acoustic guitar break in "Disco Boy." If you like Zappa's guitar, if you like Zappa's sleaze, buy this disc.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A tribute to Heavy Metal... Remember?!?, May 5, 2004
This review is from: Zoot Allures (Audio CD)
I like this record a lot. I have read many of the reviews for this record by Amazonians and have found valid points in many. This is not really a typical Zappa album. But I remember in '76 when it came out, Zappa described it as his tribute to Heavy Metal (in his own tougue & cheek way). Thirty years later, I listen to this record and this it excites me more than most metal albums of that era. His mixing from song into next song was so typical for the time and Zappa does it with expertise! It is a fun and RUSHING record. There is lots of the Zappa silliness as well. Excellent spin!
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