FRANK ZAPPA - The Grand Wazoo (1973-1995) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Like its immediate predecessor, Waka/Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo was a largely instrumental jazz rock album recorded during Frank Zappa's convalescence from injuries sustained after being pushed off a concert stage. While Zappa contributes some guitar solos and occasional vocals, the focus is more on his skills as a composer and arranger. Most of the five selections supposedly form a musical representation of a story told in the liner notes about two warring musical factions, but the bottom line is that, overall, the compositions here are more memorably melodic and consistently engaging than Waka/Jawaka. The instrumentation is somewhat unique in the Zappa catalog as well, with the band more of a chamber jazz orchestra than a compact rock unit; over 20 musicians and vocalists contribute to the record. While Hot Rats is still the peak of Zappa's jazz-rock fusion efforts, The Grand Wazoo comes close, and it's essential for anyone interested in Zappa's instrumental works. by Steve Huey
Tracklist:
1     The Grand Wazoo     13:19
2     For Calvin (And His Next Two Hitch-Hikers)     6:06
3     Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus     2:57
4     Eat That Question     6:42
5     Blessed Relief     7:59
Credits:
Bass – Erroneous
Brass – Bill Byers (tracks: 1, 2), Ernie Tack (tracks: 1, 2), Kenny Shroyer (tracks: 1 to 3), Malcolm McNabb (tracks: 1, 2), Sal Marquez
Drums – Aynsley Dunbar
Guitar – Frank Zappa, Tony Duran (tracks: 1, 2, 5)
Keyboards – Don Preston (tracks: 1, 2), George Duke (tracks: 3 to 5)
Percussion – Alan Estes (tracks: 1, 2), Bob Zimmitti (tracks: 1, 2), Frank Zappa (tracks: 4), Lee Clement (tracks: 4)
Producer – Frank Zappa
Saxophone – Ernie Watts (tracks: 3)
Vocals – Janet Ferguson (tracks: 1, 2), Sal Marquez (tracks: 1, 2)
Woodwind – Anthony Ortega (tracks: 1, 2), Earl Dumler (tracks: 1, 2), Fred Jackson (tracks: 1, 2), Joanne Caldwell McNabb (tracks: 1, 2), Joel Peskin (tracks: 4, 5), Johnny Rotella (tracks: 1, 2), Mike Altschul