Greetings Mooniverse!
For this episode we turn to a musician that proves there truly is a thin line between brilliance and sanity. At the center of that brilliance comes an album conceived to be his Swan-song for Warner Brothers records.
Frank Zappa, our poster-child for independent musician's control of their own material, was in contractual hell in 1977 with Warner Brothers, DiscReet Records and Herb Cohen. (The whole situation is far to complicated for explanation here.) Let us just say what he wanted to do, and what they would allow him to do didn't quite match.
Läther was to have been released in 1977, but had been recorded over the past 8 years (1969, and 1972-1977). Against Frank's wishes, the material for Läther was released by Warner Brothers as four separate albums:
Zappa in New York (1977),
Studio Tan (1978),
Sleep Dirt (1979), and
Orchestral Favorites (1979).
Läther was ultimately not released until after Zappa's death.
The album contains just 7 minutes shy of 3 hours of music. Contractually I can't play all of the 3-disc album in a two hour show. So here's what I'm going to do: I am going to pull out the songs presented on
Zappa in New York (1977) as it is a well know album and I'd like to let folks hear some of the more unknown treats of this compilation. So, please, don't cry in your Titties 'N Beer, I'm sure you'll hear your favorite songs soon on Aural Moon.
Come on by the corner Friday @ 9pm, Monday @ 12noon, or Wednesday @ 5am (all times e.s.t).
dale