The
Frank Zappa Review Page
You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore Volume 1 (1992)
This was the first in
the series of six live Frank Zappa albums. Basically Zappa collected
together a lot of live material that had previously been unreleased and
compiled it into six double albums, each with over an hour and a half of crazy
live concerts. Most of the songs on this album have been cut and dubbed from
several concerts, ie There maybe segments from 3 shows on one song!!! The trick
is to see where the songs have been cut and it is not easy i can tell you! This
is the only volume that I currently own and I fretted long and hard over which
one to buy first, I went for vol. 1 because there are many 'pop' songs and
staple concert favourites, there are also few long guitar solo's, as you may
guess I am not a massive fan of long drawn out guitar solo's.What you get are
no fewer than twenty eight tracks, many of which are his more famous numbers
spliced together with some interesting re-workings of original Mothers Of
Invention favourites. The bye word that I would use for this album is
consistency most of the songs are good or very good and there is pleasingly
little filler material. The list of musicians used on this record is long,
there are the underwood siblings, Volman and Kaylan of The Turtles,
George Duke, Tommy Mars, Steve Vai and Jimmy Carl Black amongst many others.
This is definately a pop, rock, and satire album. It is Zappa being
uncomplicated and straight forward and is the reason that for the most part it
is a success. 'Once Upon A Time' really starts the proceedings it is fun
and entertaining . Kaylan and Volman are narrating more than singing with Zappa
popping in from time to time, it is a fitting lead into 'Sofa', peculiarly
'Sofa No2' is listed as 'Sofa No 1' and vica versa. Volman and Kaylan go
straight into a rip roaring version of 'Sofa No 2' and it works a treat as
ever, they were made for the falsetto mock-german lyrics, this is an early
highlight. 'You Didn't Try To Call Me' is an excellent version with little
breaks into a semi-raggae beats and strong drumming. This song was made to be
played live. 'Tryin' To Grow A Chin' is another top moment of the album it is
such a fast paced and excilherating track with Adrian Belew on lead vocals,
indeed he even forgets some of the lyrics but Zappa is at his side to corrrect
him. And next up is my favourite part of the record 'Lets Make The Water Turn
Black/Harry You're A Beast/Orange County' this is an amazing instrumental
compilation of the three songs listed, they run smoothly and efffortlessly into
each other, the strength of the band is really shown on this one they are so
tight and precise and the tracks work wonderfully as pure instrumentals check
it out. 'I'm The Slime' is a cool relic of the Over-nite Sensation period and
'Don't Eat The Yellow Snow' plays out side one, this track is a little long but
is such an engaging number.
Plastic People opens side two it is a 'Louie Louie' based Zappa classic and
does the job fine, 'Torture Never Stops' is way too long and is one to miss.
'Fine Girl' is bouncy and quirky and about the only good thing that came
from"Tinseltown Rebellion". 'Zomby Woof' is a roaring rendition of
the original classic. 'Oh No' is a very cute instrumental re-working of the
super crooning number from "Weasels" it is a high point. 'Dumb All
Over' is typically fun. 'Heavenly Bank Account' is more straight forward
pop/satire and follows on nicely from the previous track as does 'Suicide
Chump' also from "You Are What You Is". The set ends with two Zappa
classics 'Tell Me You Love Me' and 'Sofa No1' not 'Sofa No2' as is stated!.
No-nonsense, little pretense and much flowing and enjoyable music. That sums up
this album well. The range of material on the record covers twenty five years
of Zappa's career and he throws in very few turkeys. Definately one of the
better live Zappa albums that I have heard and if you can lay your hands on
about $30.00 then it is worth buying. You will not be dissappointed.
Rating - 72%
