Zappa, Frank - Apostrophe (?)


Year of Release: 1995
Label: Rykodisc
Catalog Number: RCD 10519
Format: CD
Total Time: 31:49:00

The prolific career of Frank Zappa has covered a wide range of styles, with some of the best musicians around. One of the trademarks was his wicked sense of humor, which was injected into both song lyrics and titles. Apostrophe' (1974) contains more than a few of these, with tracks like "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow," I think you know where Frank was going. If not, then try "Stink-Foot" which has a conversation between a man and a dog.

The absurd humor can be one of the more difficult parts of listening to Zappa's work ... but ultimately it wears thin, especially after repeated listens. The music is what keeps you coming back for more. The songs run together like a concept record, with Zappa often talking as much as singing. As to what the concept is, if there is one at all, your guess would be as good as mine. Musically, things really kick off with "St.Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast" with the xylophone intro and horns, various keyboard and guitar solos, and blends right into "Father O'Blivion." The funky eclectic "Cosmic Debris" features some bluesy wah flavored guitar soloing, terrific backing vocals, and a great groove.

Apostrophe' features Jack Bruce, but comes off as loosely put together garage band jam. This became one of Zappa's best selling records, achieving gold status, ultimately reaching #10 on the billboard chart. Guest musicians include George Duke, Ansyley Dunbar, and Jean-Luc Ponty. The songs have a bluesy feel, and the closing Stink-Foot has some of Zappa's best guitar playing on this record. Apostrophe' is not one of Zappa's most adventurous outings, but then again, what would be considered tame in the Zappa world, is left field for most of the rock world.


Tracklisting:
Don't Eat The Yellow Snow (2:07) / Nanook Rubs It (4:37) / St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast (1:50) / Father O'Blivion (2:18) / Cosmik Debris (4:14) / Excentrifugal Forz (1:33) / Apostrophe' (5:50) / Uncle Remus (2:44) / Stink-Foot (6:32)

Musicians:
Frank Zappa ? guitar, bass, vocals
Jim Gordon, Johnny Guerin, Ansley Dunbar, Ralph Humphrey - drums
Jack Bruce, Erroneous, Tom Fowler - bass
George Duke ? keyboards
Jean-Luc Ponty, Sugar Cane Harris - violin
Ruth Underwood ? percussion
Sal Marquez ? trumpet
Bruce Fowler ? trombone
Ray Collins, Kerry McNabb, Susie Glover, George Duke, Debbie, Lynn, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ruben Ladron De Guevara, Robert 'Frog' Camarena - back-up vocals

Discography:
Freak Out! (1966)
Absolutely Free (1967)
Lumpy Gravy (1967)
We're Only In It For The Money (1968)
Cruising With Ruben & The Jets (1968)
Uncle Meat (1969)
Mothermania (1969)
Hot Rats (1969)
Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
Chunga's Revenge (1970)
Fillmore East, June 1971 (1971)
200 Motels (1971)
Just Another Band From L.A. (1972)
Waka/Jawaka (1972)
The Grand Wazoo (1972)
Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
Apostrophe (') (1974)
Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)
One Size Fits All (1975)
Bongo Fury (1975)
Zoot Allures (1976)
Zappa In New York (1978)
Studio Tan (1978)
Sleep Dirt (1979)
Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
Orchestral Favorites (1979)
Joe's Garage Act I (1979)
Joe's Garage Acts II & III (1979)
Tinseltown Rebellion (1981)
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (1981)
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar Some More (1981)
Return Of The Son Of Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (1981)
You Are What You Is (1981)
Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch (1982)
Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (Box Set) (1982)
The Man From Utopia (1983)
Baby Snakes (1983)
London Symphony Orchestra, Vol I (1983)
The Perfect Stranger (1984)
Them Or Us (1984)
Thing-Fish (1984)
Francesco Zappa (1984)
The Old Masters, Box I (1985)
Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention (1985)
Does Humour Belong In Music? (1986)
The Old Masters, Box II (1986)
Jazz From Hell (1986)
London Symphony Orchestra, Vol II. (1987)
The Old Masters, Box III (1987)
Guitar (1988)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. I (1988)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, The Helsinki Tapes, Vol II (1988)
Broadway The Hard Way (1988)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. III (1989)
The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life (1981)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. IV (1991)
Make A Jazz Noise Here (1991)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol V. (1992)
You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol VI. (1992)
Playground Psychotics (1992)
Ahead Of Their Time (1993)
The Yellow Shark (1993)
Civilization Phaze III (1994)
The Lost Episodes (1996)
L?ther (1996)
Frank Zappa Plays the Music Of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute (1996)
Have I Offended Someone? (1997)
The Mystery Disc (1998)
EIHN - Everything Is Healing Nicely (1999)
FZ:OZ (2002)
Zappa Picks - by Jon Fishman of Phish (2002)
Zappa Picks - by Larry LaLonde of Primus (2002)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: February 9th 2004
Reviewer: Eric Porter

Artist website: www.zappa.com
Hits: 2786
Language: english

  

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