Concert Review: Zappa plays Zappa ~ Tour de Frank

Zappa plays Zappa is a three hour concert extravaganza of Frank Zappa music, played and conducted by his son Dweezil, with a amazing band of stellar players and Zappa alumni.

Dweezil and the band were in top form last Saturday night at the Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie. DZ is passing Frank's music along to the next generation and doing a masterful job in the process.

Terry Bozzio is an outrageous drummer. His song introductions were great. Napoleon Murphy Brock was entertaining with his animated vocals and dance steps. And Steve Vai's guitar work was amazing as always.

I've always known about Zappa's music, but the first time I heard Weasels Ripped My Flesh, I just didn't get it. My musician friend summed it up..."I think we've matured enough to finally understand this music." So, thanks, Dweezil! Now I'm geared up to add some of those 75 Zappa albums to my collection.

I'll definitely buy the live DVD of the show, when it's available. And it sounds like the momentum may just keep this tour going again next year, so I'll have to watch for them to return. It's just too good to miss.

The band is blogging about the tour from the road.
Catch up with 'em at www.zappaplayszappa.com/tourlog/index.php.

Out of 40 songs in the official setlist, my feeble brain could only recall the following...
"Inca Roads"
"I'm The Slime"
"Peaches En Regalia"
"Don't Eat The Yellow Snow"
"Montana"
"Sofa"
"The Torture Never Stops"
"Pound For A Brown"
"I'm So Cute" featuring Terry Bozzio
"Punky's Whips" featuring Terry Bozzio
"The Black Page" parts I & II featuring Terry Bozzio
"More Trouble Every Day" featuring Steve Vai

The Band:
Dweezil Zappa: guitar
Scheila Gonzalez: flute, saxophone, keyboards, vocals
Aaron Arntz: keyboards, vocals, trumpet
Jamie Kime: guitar
Pete Griffin: bass
Billy Hulting: marimba, mallets & percussion
Joe Travers: drums, vocals & Vaultmeister for the Zappa Family Trust

Special Guests:
Napoleon Murphy Brock: vocals, saxophone & flute
Steve Vai: guitar
Terry Bozzio: drums

Frank Zappa CDs Everyone Should Own:
(in no particular order - a Listmania list by Ray Holmes on amazon.com)

The latest Frank Zappa album out is Trance-Fusion on Zappa Records.

Video @ www.zappaplayszappa.com/videos.html

Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Zappa plays Zappa: A Tour de Frank, Zappa Family Trust, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, Scheila Gonzalez, Aaron Arntz, Jamie Kime, Pete Griffin, Billy Hulting, Joe Travers, CybersMusic

Posted by Mike