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(More customer reviews)After weathering a plethora of FZ tributes, some of which are rather good but sometimes sloppy and self-indulgent, many of us fans were resigned to the fact that the man who left on his final tour in the early 90s was the only presence who could truly deliver this very particular musical content. Whether it was a Euro jazz group, a virtuoso chamber ensemble, or reunion of veteran band members, respectful and well-intentioned as it was, it all just seemed to come across as lip service. Something was missing.
After viewing this filmed performance of ZPZ, one may realize that what was missing was blood. Though Dweezil doesn't bleed in quite the same way as father Frank, it is apparent that here is the man who immersed himself in the music (not many others could have the same opportunity) to the degree where he could take it on the road and deliver what really feels like a Zappa concert. Not exactly 100%, but closer than anyone in this generation will experience elsewhere.
And that is the point. Dweezil's mission has been to reintroduce the inimitable music of Frank Zappa to a younger demographic starved for alternatives to the mind-numbingly insipid consumer sock stuffers that pass for popular music in this day and age. With little to compare it to, Zappa's music can't be anything but fresh, a challenging listen but always entertaining. To do this Dweezil has assembled an enthusiastic ensemble that comes close to looking like a group Frank would have hand picked. Scheila Gonzales in particular (a music teacher at a high school in Simi Valley of all places), who accompanies herself on keyboard while improvising on sax, is someone to watch for, both in this show and her future career. Percussionist Billy Hulting nicely fills the void left in the absence of Ruth Underwood. All players of this really difficult material not only pull it off, but make it look really fun. Dweezil himself is both participant and observer onstage: at no point does he attempt to BE Frank, his playing style is his own when he improvs (more fluid and high register), and he has wisely avoided presenting songs like Dinah Moe Hum, TTs & Beer, Bobby Brown Goes Down, etc., because it's just not who Dweezil is and he didn't want the material to seem "like a cheap imitation".
Of course veteran performer Napoleon Murphy Brock is more than up to the task of putting that "snarky" personality into his vocal performance, and as such takes on a gargantuan task of singing most of the songs and making them sound like the real deal, along with the meticulously researched arrangements, obviously taken note-for-note from the original recordings. Another very welcome guest presence is Terry Bozzio, whom many consider the greatest drummer who ever worked with Frank. The camera dawdles lovingly over his considerable percussive kit, which resembles a cross between a space shuttle console and a sea anemone. And the songs "I'm So Cute", "Trying to Grow a Chin" and the epic "Punky's Whips" (best recorded performance of this IMHO) are only included as only Bozzio can deliver. "You know, TECHNICALLY," he assures the audience, "I'm still alive." That's an understatement.
And as if that weren't enough, Dweezil brings in Steve Vai, the man who actually taught him to play guitar (dad was too busy I guess, and didn't want to "work" while with family). As you can imagine, much of this generous show's second half is devoted to some scorching guitar battles, particularly on "Montana", "Zomby Woof" and "Trouble Every Day". Earlier on, we are treated to a stunning improv section in "Pound for a Brown", where Dweezil sheds his guitar and conducts the band with a series of secret hand signals. This is one of the more magical moments when you KNOW you're witnessing a genuine Zappa concert.
Don't approach this video expecting a sort of nostalgic experience.... unless you define "nostalgia" as a time in the past, where artists had the unmitigated audacity to intrude upon rock audiences with truly exciting, challenging, thought-provoking and perversely fun music. It's still there, and will continue to be so, as Dweezil Zappa has stated his intention to continue the legacy of his extraordinary father's music.... minus the Winstons, of course. DZ may not have the same edge as FZ did, though this could work in favor of the music, which may have not enjoyed sufficient reach in the past due to how many felt about Frank's personality. Whatever. To paraphrase the composer (who refuses to die): Zappa isn't dead, he just smells younger.
Let go of any preconceptions, and enjoy a smashing delivery of Zappa music as it sounds today.
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