Zappa Plays Zappa - Atlanta, July 2008

[OverHillandDale(Admin)]

THE PLAYERS:
Dweezil Zappa: Guitar
Aaron Arntz: Keyboards
Scheila Gonzalez: Saxphone, Flute, Keyboards & Vocals
Pete Griffin: Bass
Billy Hulting: Marimba, Mallets & Percussion
Jamie Kime: Guitar
Joe Travers: Drums & Vocals
SPECIAL GUEST: Ray White: Guitar & Vocals

I had the great fortune of catching the latest edition of Zappa Plays Zappa last week. If you've seen the DVD you know that it is a special collaboration that brings the music of Dweezel's father, Frank, back into our hearts, ears and minds (not necessarily in that order). But if you're looking to see the DVD re-enacted on this tour, you will be disappointed.

The line-up of musicians has changed somewhat and, of course, so has the play list. MIA on this tour are the big name guests they had on the DVD. But fortunately, Ray White and Sheila are still part of the ensemble. They were the soul of the band, full of energy and animation. Dweezel would stand stoically at the center of the stage and just let the ghost of his father pour forth from the strings of his guitars.

This playlist was much more geared to the guitar side of Zappa's music. Each song featured a solo, and each solo built upon the one prior to it. Ray White's vocalizations are nothing short of amazing. To be able to do the jazz and Zappa syncopation is not something an ordinary singer can handle.

All of the band members are truly gifted and handle their musical contributions with commensurate panache. But you had to be especially taken by Scheila Gonzalez. She handles multiple instruments while everyone sticks to just one, with the exception of Billy Hulting's many percussion instruments (and he could really wail on the marimba). But Scheila is a wonder. Going from keyboard support, to the sax, vocals and back to the keyboard all within one song. Her dialogue voices were very good and perhaps better than the originals.

I could keep gushing for a while, but I think I'll just leave here. Go see them. Spread the love of Frank's music to the young listeners and those that are unfamiliar.

Below the link for my photos is the playlist from this show. To access the photos, click the link. Once there, if the ZpZ photos don't come up automatically (it may take a moment), click My Gallery and choose the Zappa Plays Zappa folder.

My Show Photos: http://cattin_around.photoshop.com/?...ackingid=BTAGC

Playlist for Atlanta:

Kashmir intro - Purple Lagoon
Imaginary Diseases
City of Tiny Lights
I'm a Beautiful Guy
Beauty Knows No Pain
Flakes
Broken Hearts Are For Assholes
Bamboozled By Love
King Kong
Don't Eat The Yellow Snow
St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast
Father O'Blivion
Inca Roads (fantastic!)
Sharleena
Pygmy Twylyte
The Idiot Bastard Son
Cheepnis
Lucille Messed My Mind Up
Joe's Garage
Wet T-Shirt Nite
On The Bus
Outside Now
He Used to Cut the Grass
Packard Goose
Cosmik Debris
Willie the Pimp (a great hard rockin' version - nice and loud)

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by OverHillandDale

Broken Hearts Are For Assholes

Ram it, ram it....etc

Thanks dale......great review

[Ted]

OHD,

Thank you so much for the pictures and review - wow, sounds like a GREAT time. I appreciate your sharing your experience with us!!


Keep up the wonderful work.

Regards from Texas,
Ted

[NorCalKurt]

Dale, nice job, and photos too. Bet you felt like you got your monies worth. (a shot at the RTF show I saw) . Always good reports from you.

[ProgressiveEars]

Amazing pics Dale! Thanks for capturing a great evening of AMAZING music!